SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING PROXIMITY TO PREVENT LOSS OR TO ASSIST RECOVERY

• US 20090207013A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optima Direct, LLC (2S Ventures, LLC), Mourad Ben Ayed
• Original Assignee: Mourad Ben Ayed
• Inventors: AYED, Mourad Ben
• Granted Patent: US 7,973,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]

Abstract

A portable proximity alarm apparatus comprising a Bluetooth system and an alarm monitors the presence of a portable electronic device equipped with a compatible transceiver within range and alarms when that device leaves its range. On detecting disconnection, the proximity alarm automatically tries to reconnect. A portable proximity alarm apparatus with an optional voice mode allows to additionally use the unit as a headset when an earpiece is folded. A portable proximity alarm apparatus with relay functionality allows using a Bluetooth headset and proximity alarm functions unobtrusively on most mobile phones.

Claims

1. A proximity detection alarm device, comprising:

a first unit, said first unit comprising a first Bluetooth transceiver system;

at least one alarm;

at least one control;

a power input;

an attachment mechanism and

wherein said first Bluetooth transceiver system can pair with a second Bluetooth transceiver system in a first range,

wherein said attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a key chain, a ring, a hook, a notebook security lock, an insert, a pin, a clip, a tee, a collar, Velcro fastener, a ring, a wire, a case, and a sticky surface,

wherein said Bluetooth transceiver system is selected from the group consisting of a class 1 Bluetooth transceiver, a class 2 Bluetooth transceiver, a class 3 Bluetooth transceiver, and a Wibree transceiver,

wherein said at least one control comprises at least one of the group consisting of a button, a switch, and a sensor,

wherein said at least one alarm is audible and when activated produces an alarm signal of at least 60 decibels,

wherein upon said first Bluetooth transceiver detecting a connection drop from a second Bluetooth transceiver system to which said first Bluetooth system has formed a pair, said first Bluetooth transceiver system will periodically attempt to reconnect to the second Bluetooth transceiver system,

wherein said alarm will be activated within a predetermined time after a connection drop between said first Bluetooth transceiver system and a second Bluetooth transceiver system to which said first Bluetooth system has formed a pair.

2. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1 further comprising a logo.

3. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 2, wherein said logo illuminates periodically.

4. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein following pairing with a portable electronic device, said first Bluetooth transceiver system will use object push profile to send a file from flash memory to said second Bluetooth transceiver system.

5. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 4, wherein said file is a client application.

6. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein said first Bluetooth transceiver system is set to use a protocol selected from the set comprising Hands-Free protocol, hand-set protocol, HID protocol.

7. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein following connection with a second Bluetooth transceiver system, said first Bluetooth transceiver system will utilize a power saving mode selected from the group consisting of sniff, park, and hold,

8. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein said device will fit into a space having a volume selected from the group consisting of 56 cubic centimeters, 25 cubic centimeters, 22.5 cubic centimeters, 18 cubic centimeters, and 10 cubic centimeters, and wherein said device has a weight selected from the group consisting of less than about 200 grams, less than about 50 grams, and less than about 10 grams.

9. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein said loss prevention alarm runs two Bluetooth profiles simultaneously, HFP/HSP and AGHFP.

10. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 9, wherein said loss prevention alarm transfers voice streams between a portable electronic device and a Bluetooth headset.

11. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 10, wherein said proximity detection alarm device automatically transfers voice streams between a portable electronic device and said Bluetooth headset on detection of a connection request from a paired Bluetooth headset.

12. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 11, wherein on detection of a disconnection request from a paired Bluetooth headset, said proximity detection alarm device automatically directs voice streams to portable electronic device interfaces.

13. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 9, wherein when said first Bluetooth transceiver system is not paired, it searches for a Bluetooth headset device within range that is in discoverable mode, issues a PIN code and pairs with said Bluetooth headset.

14. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 13, wherein said first Bluetooth transceiver system changes to discoverable upon pairing with said Bluetooth headset device, or upon the occurrence of a predetermined timeout.

15. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 9, wherein on pairing with a second portable electronic device, said first Bluetooth transceiver system changes to non-discoverable mode.

16. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 1, wherein said alarm will be deactivated upon reconnection to the second Bluetooth transceiver system, or upon the occurrence of a predetermined alarm function or timeout.

17. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 1, wherein said proximity detection alarm device requires power selected from the group consisting of less than 100 mA, less than 50 mA, less than 8 mA, and less than 1 mA.

18. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 13, wherein said PIN code is “

0000”

.

19. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 9, comprising a second Bluetooth transceiver system wherein:

first Bluetooth transceiver voice input channels are connected to second Bluetooth transceiver voice output channels,

first Bluetooth transceiver voice output channels are connected to second Bluetooth transceiver voice input channels,

first Bluetooth transceiver runs HFP or HSP profile,

second Bluetooth transceiver runs AGHFP profile.

20. A method for securing a portable electronic device using a unitary Bluetooth transceiver system comprising:

activating a client software on said portable electronic device,

wherein upon activation, said client software establishing a Bluetooth connection with said unitary Bluetooth transceiver system to which said client has formed a pair,

wherein upon said client software detecting a connection drop from said unitary Bluetooth transceiver system, said client will periodically attempt to reconnect to said unitary Bluetooth transceiver system,

wherein said client software issuing an alert within a predetermined time after a connection drop between said client and said unitary Bluetooth transceiver system to which said client has formed a pair.

21. The method of claim 20 whereby following pairing with said Bluetooth transceiver system, said client will utilize a power saving mode selected from the group consisting of sniff, park, and hold.

22. The method of claim 20 whereby when connection is established between said client and said Bluetooth transceiver system, said client automatically performs actions selected from the group comprising:

user authentication, user log in, decrypt files, grant access.

23. The method of claim 20 whereby on disconnection between said client and said Bluetooth transceiver system, said client automatically performs actions selected from the group comprising:

user is user logged, encrypt files, deny access.

24. A proximity detection alarm device, comprising:

a first unit, said first unit comprising a first Bluetooth transceiver system;

at least one control;

a power input;

a microphone;

an ear piece;

a bearing joining said ear piece to the main body of said first unit;

wherein said ear piece can fold and unfold.

25. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 24, wherein upon said first Bluetooth transceiver detecting a connection drop from a second Bluetooth transceiver system to which said first Bluetooth system has formed a pair, said first Bluetooth transceiver system will periodically attempt to reconnect to the second Bluetooth transceiver system,

wherein an alarm will be activated within a predetermined time after a connection drop between said first Bluetooth transceiver system and a second Bluetooth transceiver system to which said first Bluetooth system has formed a pair.

26. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 24, wherein said ear piece can be folded and aligned with said main body.

27. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 24, wherein on folding said ear piece, said proximity detection alarm device functions as a Bluetooth headset.

28. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 24 further comprising a device selected from the set comprising:

USB Flash drive, MP3/MP4 player, recording device, bio sensor, comb, flash light, lighter, home key, car key and Swiss knife.

29. The proximity detection alarm device of claim 24 further comprising a capacitor onboard said main body and a detachable battery separate from said main body wherein said capacitor is recharged from said battery when said main body is attached to said battery.