Water activated GPS-based beacon

• US 9,818,284 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2017
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karlene Wilder, Richard Wilder
• Original Assignee: Karlene Wilder, Richard Wilder
• Inventors: Wilder, Richard, Wilder, Karlene
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US15/402,301
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/12 Manually actuated calamity alarm transmitting arrangements emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm, activators, e.g. details of alarm push buttons mounted on an infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information

Abstract

The water activated GPS-based beacon is a radio based transmitter that is configured for outdoor activities. The water activated GPS-based beacon is a safety device that is worn during outdoor activities. The water activated GPS-based beacon is housed in a jewelry item that is worn during the outdoor activity. The water activated GPS-based beacon remains dormant until: 1) the water activated GPS-based beacon is immersed in water; or 2) a switch located on the jewelry item is activated. If either of these conditions occur, the water activated GPS-based beacon determines the GPS coordinates of the water activated GPS-based beacon and transmits the GPS coordinates to a previously determined appropriate authority. The water activated GPS-based beacon comprises the jewelry item and a beacon.

Claims

1. An emergency transmitter comprising:

a jewelry item and a beacon;

wherein the emergency transmitter is a radio transmitter that is configured for outdoor activities;

wherein the emergency transmitter is configured for outdoor activities;

wherein the emergency transmitter is a safety device;

wherein the beacon is housed in the jewelry item;

wherein the emergency transmitter remains dormant until the emergency transmitter is immersed in water;

wherein the emergency transmitter remains dormant until the emergency transmitter is manually activated;

wherein the emergency transmitter determines the GPS coordinates of the emergency transmitter;

wherein the emergency transmitter transmits a request for assistance including the GPS coordinates to a previously determined appropriate authority;

wherein the appropriate authority is a predetermined person or organization that is designated to receive the transmitted request for assistance from the emergency transmitter;

wherein the communication module communicates using a satellite messenger system;

wherein the jewelry item is an accessory that is worn during the outdoor activity;

wherein the jewelry item is a housing that contains the beacon;

wherein the beacon is a programmed electronic circuit that transmits a first message;

wherein the first message requests assistance;

wherein the first message further comprises the GPS coordinates of the emergency transmitter;

wherein the beacon comprises a logic module, a GPS module, a communication module, a water sensor, a switch, and a battery;

wherein the GPS module, the communication module, the water sensor, and the switch are electrically connected to the logic module;

wherein the battery provides electric power to the logic module, the GPS module, the communication module, the water sensor, and the switch;

wherein the transmission of the first message is initiated by the detection one or more predetermined events;

wherein the one or more predetermined events comprises the immersion of the water sensor into water;

wherein the one or more predetermined events further comprises the change of the open/closed state of the switch;

wherein the logic module is a programmable electronic device;

wherein the logic module is further comprises with a timing circuit;

wherein the communication module is a wireless electronic communication device;

wherein the communication module enables the logic module to send the first message containing a request for assistance and the GPS coordinates of the GPS module to the previously determined appropriate authority;

wherein the GPS module is an electrical device that communicates with the GPS to determine the GPS coordinates of the GPS module;

wherein when queried by the logic module the GPS module transfers the GPS coordinates to the logic module;

wherein the water sensor is an electrical circuit that detects when the water sensor is immersed in water;

wherein the logic module makes a first decision to determine whether the water sensor has been activated;

wherein the logic module makes a second decision to determine whether the switch has been activated;

wherein the logic module takes a first action of querying the GPS module to get the GPS coordinates of the GPS module;

wherein the logic module takes a second action of generating the first message and transmitting the first message through the communication module to the previously determined appropriate authority;

wherein the logic module takes a third action of delaying for a predetermined amount of time and then looping back to the first action such that a new first message with updated GPS coordinates is transmitted to the previously determined appropriate authority.

2. The emergency transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the jewelry item is selected from the group consisting of a bracelet or a necklace.

3. The emergency transmitter according to claim 2 wherein the communication module communicates SMS and MMS messages between the logic module and the previously determined appropriate authority through a commercially provided and publically available cellular wireless network.