Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – With particular coupling link
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-07-17
Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
With particular coupling link
C340S994000, C340S573100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06262660
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to locator/proximity devices and, more specifically, to a device able to alert a person located at a central station when a remote device moves within a predetermined distance from the central station, the remote device being secured to a person or object being monitored.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous locator/proximity devices designed to locate and monitor the location of a remote signaling device are illustrated in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,640,147; 5,557,259; 5,646,593 and 5,689,240 are illustrative of such devices. While these locator/proximity devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,147
Inventor: Lawrence Check
Issued: Jun. 17, 1997
A method for remotely monitoring the activities of a minor or dependent child or adult, on command from a parent unit. The child unit contains a sensitive audio-microphone to provide the holder of the parent unit the capability to periodically listen to activity in close proximity of the child unit, thereby offering the holder of the parent unit a measure of confidence in the state of well being of the holder of the child unit. The preferred embodiment provides a means to transmit an alert signal from the child unit to the parent unit in the event of an emergency. The transmission media used to interconnect both units is wireless, and may comprise radio frequency or infrared optical means, or any combination thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,259
Inventor: John S. Musa
Issued: Sep., 17, 1996
A proximity alert and direction indicator is provided that allows an observer to monitor the proximity of a subject under surveillance, particularly a child. The subject wears a transmitter removably attached to the shoe. The observer wears a receiver-containing bracelet. The receiver contains a proximity detector with threshold set that emits an audible sound when the distance between the subject and the observer exceeds some preset distance. The receiver also contains a direction finder with graphic display that shows the observer the direction to the subject.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,593
Inventor: Michael Hughes et al.
Issued: Jul. 8, 1997
A child proximity detection unit includes two transceivers which communicate messages with one another. Only a properly authorized parent can attend a message to the child unit. However, a properly authorized parent can authorize another parent to adopt a child unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,240
Inventor: Norbert B. Traxler
Issued: Nov. 18, 1997
A system that transmits and receives signals comprising a master unit and a remote unit, wherein a separation distance between the master unit and a remote unit is continuously monitored and an alarm is activated on the master unit when no signal is received from the remote unit for at least a time longer than a preset interval. If the separation distance between the master and remote unit is exceeded for a time longer than a preset time interval, the remote unit activates an alarm attached to the remote unit. The master unit may also be used to activate manually the remote unit's alarm. A pin or key arrangement is provided that ensures that the remote unit is not deactivated without interfering with the master unit.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to locator/proximity devices and, more specifically, to a device able to alert a person located at a central station when a remote device moves within a predetermined distance from the central station, the remote device being secured to a person or object being monitored.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a locator system that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system able to alert a person located at a central base unit when a remote unit enters an area being monitored by the central base unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a locator system including a remote unit which is attached to a person or object to be monitored, the remote unit being able to communicate with the central base unit causing the central base unit to generate an alarm signal when the remote unit moves to within a predetermined distance from the central base unit.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the central base unit transmits signals to and receives signals from the remote unit at a predetermined frequency, the remote unit receiving the signal transmitted by the central base unit and transmitting a response signal at the same frequency.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the central base unit will respond to the signal transmitted by the remote unit when the remote unit is within the predetermined distance from the central base unit by generating an alarm signal.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the strength of the signal transmitted by the central base unit is adjustable to thereby adjust the predetermined distance.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the central base unit includes at least one of an audible and visual alarm when the remote unit moves to within a predetermined distance from the central monitoring unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the remote unit may be secured to a book bag of a child thereby activating the central base unit to generate an alarm signal when the child is approaching the residence containing the central base unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system wherein the activation of the alarm in the central base unit alerts the guardian of the child that a school bus in which the child is riding is approaching and thus the guardian should go to the bus stop.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locator system that is simple and easy to use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a locator system that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
A locator system for determining when an object has entered a predetermined monitoring area is disclosed by the present invention. The locator system includes a central base unit and at least one remote unit. The central base unit includes a transmitter for transmitting a monitoring signal within the predetermined area, an alarm signal generator and a receiver. Each of the at least one remote units includes a receiver for receiving the monitoring signal when positioned within the monitoring area and a device for generating and transmitting a response signal for receipt by the receiver in the central base unit. The central base unit is caused to generate an alarm signal upon receipt of the response signal thereby alerting a person monitoring the central base unit that the at least one remote unit has entered the monitoring area. The central base unit may include a device for adjusting a strength of the monitoring signal and thereby adjust the size of the monitoring area. Alternatively, the remote unit may include a device for adjusting a strength of the response signal and thereby adjust the size of the monitoring area. When more than one remote unit is being monitored by the central base unit each of the remote units is identified by a respective identification code, the identification codes being stored within a processor of the central base unit, the identification code being transmitted by respective remote units with the response signal.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only,
Segale Christopher
Segale Erica Marmon
Crosland Donnie L.
Kroll Michael I
LandOfFree
Child proximity transmitter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Child proximity transmitter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Child proximity transmitter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2459837