Mobile telephone tracking system

• US 8,130,116 B1
• Filed: 08/26/2008
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mydaigo Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mydaigo Inc.
• Inventors: Daigle, Harold S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US12/229,762
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539.15, 340/539.21, 340/692, 340/539.23, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A personal item tracking and monitoring system is herein disclosed, comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit is a relatively small unit attachable to an object, particularly a mobile telephone, that emits a radio frequency coded signal to a receiving unit carried by a person. The transmitter unit is of a small size relative to the object and is attached to the object by use of a fastening means. The receiver unit is envisioned to be the size of a key fob typically used to wirelessly lock and unlock the doors of a motor vehicle. As such, the receiver unit is envisioned to be carried on a ring of keys, carried in one'"'"'s hands, carried in a pocket, purse, or briefcase, worn upon a belt, or a similar manner. The receiving unit allows a user to adjust and set an allowable distance between the object and the receiver unit using a range selection control. If the object is located farther then the allowable distance the user is alerting by an audible or visual warning signal. In such a manner, the user may take immediate corrective action to retrieve the object, thus silencing the alarm.

Claims

1. A personal item tracking and monitoring system, comprising:

a transmitter unit removably attachable to an object by an attachment means; and

,

a receiver unit allowing a user to adjust an allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit, further comprising;

a second enclosure providing housing for said receiver unit;

a digital display located on a face of said second enclosure allowing said user to view what said allowable distance has been set at;

a receiver circuit;

a receiving antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from said transmitter unit and relaying said radio frequency signal to said receiver circuit;

a squelch circuit electrically connected to said receiver circuit;

an increase alarm distance pushbutton and a decrease alarm distance pushbutton that allows said user to adjust said squelch circuit by adjusting said allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit;

a display driver circuit;

a discrete controller which operates said increase alarm distance pushbutton and said decrease alarm distance pushbutton and is connected to said digital display by said display driver circuit;

an audible annunciator that receives an alarm indication signal when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in an alarm state;

an alarm speaker that converts said alarm indication signal to an audible sound thereby alerting said user when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state;

an on/off switch providing a means to control power to said receiving unit when in an on mode and allowing said user to deactivate said receiving unit when in an off mode; and

,

a second battery providing power through said on/off switch to said receiver circuit, said squelch circuit, said discrete controller, and said display driver circuit;

wherein said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit is determined by a signal strength transmitted by said transmitter unit to said receiver unit;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal is of an adequate strength, said squelch circuit is broken and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in an armed and active state;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal does not reach said adequate strength, said squelch circuit is closed and said receiver unit enters said alarm state;

wherein said transmitter unit transmits said radio frequency signal to said receiving antenna of said receiver unit thereby allowing said receiving unit to determine a length between said transmitter unit and said receiving unit; and

,

wherein said receiver unit emits a warning signal when said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit reaches or extends beyond said allowable distance and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state.

2. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said warning signal is audible.

3. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said warning signal is visual.

4. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises one (1) of the following list:

a double-sided foam tape, an adhesive, a screw fastener, or a clip fastener.

5. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said system utilizes a digital modulation scheme to produce a pulsed signal thereby avoiding interference with other said personal item tracking and monitoring systems in a nearby area or other devices which could be on a same or an adjacent frequency band.

6. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises:

a transmitter circuit electrically connected to a transmitting antenna and generating said radio frequency signal;

said transmitting antenna that transmits said radio frequency signal; and

,

a first battery providing power to said transmitter circuit;

wherein said transmitter unit transmits said radio frequency signal thereby allowing said receiving antenna to determine said length between said transmitter unit and said receiving unit.

7. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 6, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises:

a first enclosure providing housing for said transmitter unit;

a battery compartment cover for covering said first battery; and

,

a battery compartment cover retaining means for opening and closing said battery compartment cover.

8. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said transmitter unit is approximately one (1) inch long, three-quarters (¾

) inch wide, and one-quarter (¼

) inch thick.

9. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said receiver unit further comprises:

a crystal regulator;

a clock circuit which receives inputs from said crystal regulator; and

,

a first clock set pushbutton and a second clock set pushbutton that allows said user to adjust a time setting displayed on said digital display;

wherein said clock circuit receives power from said second battery but said power does not go through said on/off switch thereby allowing said user to turn off said receiver unit without turning off said clock circuit.

10. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit further comprises an attachment ring connected to said second enclosure thereby allowing said user to attach said receiver unit to a support structure adjacent to or located on said user.

11. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit further comprises a belt clip connected to a rear side of said second enclosure.

12. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit further comprises a low battery level indicator for indicating said user when a battery level of said transmitter unit and said receiver unit is low.

13. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 12, wherein said low battery level indicator is indicated through said receiver unit by use of a visual indication located on said digital display.

14. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 12, wherein said low battery level indicator is indicated through said receiver unit by use of an audible indication said audible annuciator and said alarm speaker.

15. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit is approximately one (1) inch wide, one-and-a-quarter (1¼

) inch long, and three-quarter (⅜

8) inch thick.

16. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said discrete controller is an integrated circuit that accepts digital and analog inputs and provides associated digital and analog outputs based upon a predetermined set of programmed instructions.

17. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit further comprises a silence pushbutton enabling said user to deactivate said receiver unit for a short-term separation between said transmitter unit and said receiving unit wherein said receiver unit would be automatically re-activated upon return.

18. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit further comprises a battery recharging port allowing said user to recharge said second battery.

19. A method for using a personal item tracking and monitoring system, said method comprising the steps of:

providing said system, comprising;

a transmitter unit removably attachable to an object by an attachment means; and

,

a receiver unit allowing a user to adjust an allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit, further comprising;

a second enclosure providing housing for said receiver unit;

a digital display located on a face of said second enclosure allowing said user to view what said allowable distance has been set at;

a receiver circuit;

a receiving antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from said transmitter unit and relaying said radio frequency signal to said receiver circuit;

a squelch circuit electrically connected to said receiver circuit;

an increase alarm distance pushbutton and a decrease alarm distance pushbutton that allows said user to adjust said squelch circuit by adjusting said allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit;

a display driver circuit;

a discrete controller which operates said increase alarm distance pushbutton and said decrease alarm distance pushbutton and is connected to said digital display by said display driver circuit;

an audible annunciator that receives an alarm indication signal when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in an alarm state;

an alarm speaker that converts said alarm indication signal to an audible sound thereby alerting said user when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state;

an on/off switch providing a means to control power to said receiving unit when in an on mode and allowing said user to deactivate said receiving unit when in an off mode; and

,

a second battery providing power through said on/off switch to said receiver circuit, said squelch circuit, said discrete controller, and said display driver circuit;

wherein said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit is determined by a signal strength transmitted by said transmitter unit to said receiver unit;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal is of an adequate strength, said squelch circuit is broken and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in an armed and active state;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal does not reach said adequate strength, said squelch circuit is closed and said receiver unit enters said alarm state;

wherein said transmitter unit transmits said radio frequency signal thereto said receiving antenna of said receiver unit thereby allowing said receiving unit to determine a length between said transmitter unit and said receiving unit; and

,

wherein said receiver unit emits a warning signal when said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit reaches or extends beyond said allowable distance and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state;

installing a first battery in said transmitter unit and a second battery said receiver unit;

setting an appropriate time of day on said receiver unit using a first clock set pushbutton and a second clock set pushbutton;

adjusting said allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit using an increase alarm distance pushbutton and a decrease alarm distance pushbutton with feedback from a digital display; and

,

utilizing said personal item tracking and monitoring system to alert said user if said personal object goes beyond said allowable distance.

20. A personal item tracking and monitoring system, comprising:

a transmitter unit further comprising;

a transmitter circuit electrically connected to a transmitting antenna and generating said radio frequency signal;

said transmitting antenna that transmits said radio frequency signal; and

,

a first battery providing power to said transmitter circuit;

a receiver unit further comprising;

a second enclosure providing housing for said receiver unit;

a digital display located on a face of said second enclosure allowing said user to view what said allowable distance has been set at;

a receiver circuit;

a receiving antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from said transmitter unit and relaying said radio frequency signal to said receiver circuit;

a squelch circuit electrically connected to said receiver circuit;

an increase alarm distance pushbutton and a decrease alarm distance pushbutton that allows said user to adjust said squelch circuit by adjusting said allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit;

a display driver circuit;

a discrete controller which operates said increase alarm distance pushbutton and said decrease alarm distance pushbutton and is connected to said digital display by said display driver circuit;

an audible annunciator that receives an alarm indication signal when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state;

an alarm speaker that converts said alarm indication signal to an audible sound thereby alerting said user when said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state;

an on/off switch providing a means to control power to said receiving unit when in an on mode and allowing said user to deactivate said receiving unit when in an off mode; and

,

a second battery providing power through said on/off switch thereto said receiver circuit, said squelch circuit, said discrete controller, and said display driver circuit;

wherein said transmitter unit is removably attachable to an object by an attachment means;

wherein said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit is determined by a signal strength transmitted by said transmitter unit to said receiver unit;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal is of an adequate strength, said squelch circuit is broken and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in an armed and active state;

wherein when said signal strength of said radio frequency signal does not reach said adequate strength, said squelch circuit is closed and said receiver unit enters said alarm state;

wherein said receiver unit allows a user to adjust an allowable distance between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit;

wherein said transmitter unit transmits said radio frequency radio wave said receiving antenna of said receiver unit thereby allowing said receiving unit to determine a length between said transmitter unit and said receiving unit; and

,

wherein said receiver unit emits a warning signal when said length between said transmitter unit and said receiver unit reaches or extends beyond said allowable distance and said personal item tracking and monitoring system is in said alarm state.

21. The personal item tracking and monitoring system of claim 20, wherein said attachment means comprises one (1) of the following list:

a double-sided foam tape, an adhesive, a screw fastener, or a clip fastener.