Object finder

• US 6,674,364 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digital Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Digital Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Holbrook, Paul Robert, Buczkiewicz, Robert Thomas, Born, Joseph, Gaza, Brian Scott, Hurtado, Raquel Elizabeth, Low, David Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/966,695
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/539.1, 340/539.32, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/573.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/176, 341/173, 341/177
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

Apparatus relates to systems and devices for enabling persons to locate lost or misplaced objects and items in households, offices, and other work places. Such devices and items may include remote-control devices for television sets, VCR'"'"'s, calculators, and miniature dictating machines. The apparatus comprises a wireless transmitter for producing a unique digital signal or data packet for a codable wireless receiver coded to respond only to the specific transmitter to cause the coded receiver to emit an audio signal or sound from a sound generating device for locating a misplaced object.

Claims

1. An object finder system, comprising

a transmitter module having radio frequency means for selectively generating radio frequency energy,

a transmitting antenna connected to said radio frequency means for radiating the radio frequency energy,

modulator means connected to said radio frequency generating means for modulating the radiated electrical energy,

a digital system for selectively producing at least one train of digital pulses for operating said modulator means,

digital controlling means for selectively producing at least two different trains of digital pulses,

switching means including a plurality of selectively operable electrical switches for selectively energizing said modulator means while also selectively operating said digital controller means, for selecting one of said trains of pulses,

a plurality of receiver modules having means for selectively attaching each module to an object which may need to be located,

each of said receiver modules having a radio frequency receiving antenna,

radio frequency receiver means connected to said receiving antenna,

demodulator means connected to said radio frequency receiving means for selectively producing a received train of pulses corresponding to one of the transmitted trains of pulses,

and audio frequency means for producing an audible signal to enable a person to locate the receiver module.

2. An object finder according to claim 1, in which said switches comprise a plurality of push-button switches.

3. A system according to claim 2, in which said receiver modules correspond with said push-button switches and are respectively operable by depression of one each of said push-button switches.

4. An object finder system according to claim 3, in which said digital controlling means comprise means for producing a different number of pulses in each of said trains of pulses for activating each of said receiver modules.

5. An object finder system according to claim 3, in which said digital controlling means comprise means for producing a different arrangement of pulses in each of said pulse trains for activating each of said receiver modules.

6. An object finder for locating misplaced or lost objects comprising:

a wireless transmitter and a plurality of wireless receivers attachable to objects,

said transmitter including means for transmitting at least three unique digital data packets each including a header, a receiver address, and a transmitter ID,

said transmitter having a plurality of switches actuable to send a unique data packet for each receiver,

each said receiver codable to respond to a unique digital data packet transmitted by the transmitter and having signal means to indicate its location,

and each receiver having means for connection to or attachment to an object.

7. The object finder of claim 6, wherein each transmitter and each receiver is powered by battery means, and each receiver includes a wake-up circuit responding to a rising edge and a falling edge of an incoming transmission from a transmitter to wake up the receiver for a valid data packet signal from the transmitter.

8. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the signal means includes a sound generating device.

9. The object finder of claim 8, wherein said sound generating device is an audible device.

10. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the signal means includes a visual generating device.

11. The object finder of claim 9, wherein said visual generating device is a flashing light.

12. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the signal means includes sound and visual generating devices.

13. The object finder of claim 6, and further including means for locating the transmitter if misplaced.

14. The object finder of claim 13, wherein said transmitter locating means includes a support base having a cradle for the transmitter, said base and said transmitter having coacting means such that when the transmitter is separated from the base for a predetermined period of time, an indication signal is emitted from the transmitter for disclosing its location.

15. The object finder of claim 6, wherein each said digital data packet includes at least 20 bits.

16. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the header includes 8 bits, the receiver address includes 4 bits and the transmitter ID includes 6 bits framed by zeros.

17. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the circuitry of each of the transmitter and the receiver includes a microcontroller having a RAM thereby eliminating the need for a memory chip.

18. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the transmitter includes a RAM microcontroller programmed such that the transmitter ID may be changed by toggling the microcontroller.

19. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the receiver is powered by a battery and includes wake-up means and a microcontroller having a RAM with an embedded clock for enabling the receiver to sense a rising edge and a falling edge of an incoming transmission to stay awake thereby materially reducing the wake-up time and materially enhancing battery life.

20. The object finder of claim 6, wherein the receiver is powered by a battery and includes a microcontroller having a RAM with an embedded clock, and having a wake-up means for responding to a valid transmission from the transmitter and for being on for a predetermined period of time within a predetermined time interval and responding to a rising edge and falling edge pattern of a transmission from the transmitter.