Remote control locator system

• US 6,535,125 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sam W. Trivett
• Original Assignee: Sam W. Trivett
• Inventors: Trivett, Sam W.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/933,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/573.2, 340/686.6, 340/331, 340/329, 340/311.1, 345/98, 455/575
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A remote control locator system that can be retro-fitted to any existing remote control device in a straightforward manner. The remote control locator system comprises a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit includes a transmitter residing in a sending unit housing and an activation mechanism coupled to the transmitter to send a locator signal when the activation mechanism is activated by a user. The receiving unit includes a receiver residing in a receiving unit housing to receive the locator signal and to emit an audible sound when the receiver receives the locator signal.

Claims

1. A remote control locator system to locate a household remote control device, comprising:

a sending unit that includes;

an antenna residing in a sending unit housing,

an encoder ASIC to generate a coded locator signal, and

an activation mechanism, coupled to said encoder ASIC, to send the locator signal when said activation mechanism is activated by a user;

a receiving unit that includes;

an antenna residing in a receiving unit housing and coupled to a decoder ASIC to receive said locator signal,

a sound integrated circuit to emit an audible sound when the receiving unit receives said locator signal; and

a first mounting element disposed on a side of the receiving unit housing to couple said receiving unit to the remote control device and a second mounting element disposed on a side of the sending unit, each of the first and second mounting elements selected from the group consisting of a high strength adhesive and a Velcro-type fastener.

2. A remote control locator system to locate a household remote control device, comprising:

a sending unit that includes;

a transmitter residing in a sending unit housing, and

an activation mechanism coupled to said transmitter to send a locator signal when said activation mechanism is activated by a user; and

a receiving unit that includes a receiver residing in a receiving unit housing to receive said locator signal and to emit an audible sound when said receiver receives said locator signal; and

a mounting element, disposed on a side of the receiving unit housing to couple said receiving unit to the remote control device, said mounting element selected from the group consisting of a high strength adhesive and a Velcro-type fastener.

3. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein said receiving unit further comprises:

a multi-position switch located in the receiver unit housing and coupled to a processor chip located in the receiving unit housing, wherein

when said multi-position switch is placed in a first position, said receiving unit emits a preprogrammed audible sound when said receiver receives said locator signal, and

wherein when said multi-position switch is placed in a second position, said receiving unit emits an audible sound corresponding to a personalized message recorded by a user when said receiver receives said locator signal.

4. The remote control locator system according to claim 3, wherein said receiving unit further comprises:

a microphone coupled to said processor chip, wherein when said multi-position switch is placed in a third position, a user can record said personalized message which is stored in said processor chip.

5. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein said mounting element consists of a high strength adhesive mounted on a side of the receiving unit housing such that it can be affixed to the remote control device.

6. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein said sending unit further comprises a mounting element disposed on a side of the sending unit housing, said mounting element selected from the group consisting of a high strength adhesive and a Velcro-type fastener.

7. The remote control locator system according to claim 4, wherein said receiving unit further comprises a sliding mechanism and an indicator knob configured such that said indicator knob can be placed into positions along said sliding mechanism corresponding to said first, second, and third positions.

8. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein said sending unit further comprises a power source coupled to the transmitter such that said transmitter is power e d when said activation mechanism is activated.

9. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein said receiving unit further comprises a power source coupled to the processor chip and the receiver.

10. The remote control locator system according to claim 4, wherein said receiving unit further comprises an indicator unit that includes three light emitting diodes, each of which corresponds to said first, second, and third positions, and an activation button coupled to said multi-position switch such that operational modes of said receiver unit can be altered by depressing said activation button.

11. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein the locator signal is a low, high, ultra high, or radio frequency signal.

12. The remote control locator system according to claim 2, wherein the sending unit comprises:

an antenna residing in a sending unit housing; and

an encoder ASIC to generate a coded locator signal.

13. The remote control locator system according to claim 12, wherein the receiving unit comprises:

a decoder ASIC matched with the encoder ASIC to receive the coded locator signal; and

a sound integrated circuit to emit an audible sound when the receiving unit receives the coded locator signal.

14. A remote control communicator, comprising:

a receiver housing;

a receiver to receive a locator signal residing in said receiver housing;

a speaker to emit an audible sound when said receiver receives said locator signal; and

a multi-position switch located in the receiver housing and coupled to a processor chip located in the receiver unit housing, wherein when said multi-position switch is placed in a first position, said speaker emits a preprogrammed audible sound when said receiver receives said locator signal, and wherein when said multi-position switch is placed in a second position, said speaker emits an audible sound corresponding to a personalized message recorded by a user when said receiver receives said locator signal.

15. The remote control communicator according to claim 14, further comprising:

a microphone coupled to said processor chip, wherein when said multi-position switch is placed in a third position, a user can record said personalized message which is stored in said processor chip.

16. The remote control communicator according to claim 15, further comprising:

an indicator to indicate the position of said multi-position switch.

17. The remote control communicator according to claim 16, wherein said indicator comprises a sliding mechanism and an indicator knob configured such that said indicator knob can be placed into positions along said sliding mechanism corresponding to said first, second, and third positions.

18. The remote control communicator according to claim 16, further comprising:

a mounting element disposed on a side of the receiver housing opposite said indicator such that said receiver is affixable to a remote control device.