Combination car alarm and personal locator system

• US 20040183676A1
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenman, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,315,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A combination vehicle alarm and locator device. The device includes a housing, a vehicle alarm activator positioned within the housing including a transmitter for activating an alarm system on a vehicle and an infrared transmitting device located in the housing for communicating with a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of the device. A key ring selectively extends from a side of the housing. The vehicle alarm activator includes an alarm activation button extending from the housing for activating the vehicle alarm activator to transmit the infrared signal. The transmitter device includes a processor, a memory device for storing identification information concerning the device and an activation button for activating the processor to retrieve the identification information from the memory for transmission to the Global Positioning Satellite system. The device also includes a speaker connected to the processor for optionally generating an audible signal when the activation button is activated. A clip is releasably connected to the housing for releasably securing the device to an article of clothing of the user. First, second and third visual indicators are provided on the housing for indicating when the activation button is activated, when the device is in an on mode and when the level of the power source is below a threshold value.

Claims

1. An improved GPS device, having a radio portion that communicates with a plurality of satellites for determining a location of the device, the improvement comprising:

a capability for triggering multiple warnings at different locations, including a first trigger that activates an alarm on a nearby motor vehicle; and

a second trigger that transmits the location to a recipient at a distant location that communicates with a ground dispatch station.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a connector for attachment of a key.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the alarm is part of a security system of the motor vehicle.

4. The key holder of claim 3, further comprising a switch for activating the security system.

5. The key holder of claim 3, further comprising a switch for de-activating the security system.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second triggers comprise the same physical trigger.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker that emits a sound triggered by operation of at least one of the first and second triggers.