Electronic monitoring apparatus

• US 4,598,272 A
• Filed: 08/06/1984
• Issued: 07/01/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A & H International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Randall P. Cox
• Inventors: Cox, Randall P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/638,197
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/571, 340/572, 340/573, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/696, 340/531, 367/197-199, 367/93, 367/94, 455/9, 455/54, 455/67, 455/95, 455/100
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength

Abstract

The apparatus not only enables the monitoring person to monitor the whereabouts of the monitored person, pet or article, but also to locate the latter if he, she or it becomes separated from the monitoring person. It also enables the monitoring person to interrupt an abductor, to draw attention to him, to frighten or confuse him, and hopefully, to cause him to release the monitored person, pet or article.

Claims

1. Electronic monitoring apparatus whereby a person can monitor the whereabouts of another person, pet or article, and when desired, locate the monitored person, pet or article if he, she or it becomes separated from the monitoring person, or is shielded from the latter by an obstruction, comprising first and second base forming means which are separate and independent from one another, the first base forming means being portable and securable to the person, pet, or article to be monitored so that they are transportable with him, her or it to points spaced apart from the second base forming means, and being equipped with first antenna means and battery operated first radio transmitter means which are operable through the first antenna means to broadcast a first radio signal into the aforesaid space between the respective base forming means, the second base forming means having first radio receiver means thereon and second antenna means connected therewith through which they receive the first radio signal at least up to the incidence of a predetermined threshold condition therein, there being means for producing a first alarm which is audible or visible to a person in the ambient region surrounding the second base forming means, condition responsive means responsive to the incidence of the threshold condition in the first receiver means to actuate the first alarm producing means, and second radio transmitter means which are operable through the second antenna means to broadcst a second radio signal into the space between the respective base forming means, the second transmitter means having selectively operable control means connected therewith whereby the monitoring person can actuate the second transmitter means to broadcast the second radio signal into the space between the base forming means when desired, and the first base forming means also having means thereon for producing a second audible alarm, battery operated second radio receiver means thereon for receiving the second radio signal through the first antenna means, and signal responsive means thereon which are responsive to receipt of the second radio signal to actuate the second alarm, the second alarm being adapted so that it is audible within a range of distance from the first base forming means commensurate with the threshold condition in the first receiver means, so that the monitoring person, upon hearing or seeing the first alarm, can actuate the second transmitter means to locate the monitored person, pet or article by the sound of the second alarm thereon.

2. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second base forming means are portable and securable to the monitoring person;

the first alarm producing means, the condition responsive means, the second transmitter means, the second antenna means, and the control means are all disposed on the second base forming means; and

the first receiver means and the second transmitter means are battery operated through the second antenna means.

3. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transmitter means are adapted to broadcast a signal whose strength diminishes in relation to the distance of the same from the first base forming means, and the first receiver means are adapted to receive the signal at least until it falls off to a predetermined low strength condition, the condition responsive means being responsive to that low strength condition to actuate the first alarm producing means, the second transmitter means being adapted to broadcast a signal that is more far reaching than the distance corresponding to this threshold condition, and the second alarm being audible within a range of distance from the first base forming means likewise greater than the distance corrsponding to the threshold condition in the first receiver means.

4. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transmitter means are controlled by a transmit switch which is selectively actuatable by external means in the control of the monitoring person.

5. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the signal responsive means are adapted to sound the second alarm only so long as the second transmitter means are transmitting to the first receiver means.

6. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the signal responsive means are adapted to sound the second alarm indefinitely once they have been actuated, and there are means for resetting the signal responsive means to silence the second alarm and arm the apparatus for a further operation.

7. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are operator perceptible indicator means connected with the first receiver means to visibly represent the receipt of the first signal and to provide a distinguishible loss of the same when the threshold condition is reached.

8. The electronic monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transmitter and first receiver means are adjustable to vary the distance at which the threshold condition occurs.