GB2403324A

GB2403324A - Locating device

Info

Publication number: GB2403324A
Application number: GB0314837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Also published as: GB0314837D0

Abstract

A locating device for use with any item to be located. The locating device 54, 56, 58, has a memory (22, Fig. 1) for storing an identity, e.g. a telephone number, which may be programmed into the memory by telephoning the locating device from that telephone, whilst holding down an acceptance button (40, Fig. 2) on the device. In use, a telephone or other mobile communications device is used to dial a "dial in" number that may be associated with a number of locating devices. A relay terminal 62 transmits the telephone signal to the various locating devices which decode the identifier from the signal. Each locating device compares the identifier with its respective pre-programmed identity, and activated to produce an alert signal 66 if there is a match. The locating device memory may store more than one identity, so that the locating device can be activated from more than one telephone.

Description

Locating device The invention relates to a locating device, particularly,

but not exclusively, for use with mobile telephones.

Many people spend some time looking for small household objects, particularly keys. A key fob which sounds an alarm when activated by a clapping or whistling sound is known in the art, the alarm making it easy for the user to locate the keys attached to the key fob. However, that key fob has two main disadvantages. Firstly, the fob must be relatively close to the user to be activated by the clapping or whistling sound. Secondly, the fob may be activated by any person, which poses a security risk. Accordingly, a locatable fob of this type would be found more easily than an ordinary fob, for example by a burglar searching a property.

Electronic pagers are also known in the art. A pager is a messaging device which a caller may contact by telephone in order to leave a message for the owner of the pager.

The message may be a text-based message, or a numerical message, usually corresponding to the identity of the caller. Each pager has an individual dial-in number, which the caller dials to contact that pager. Depending upon the type of pager, it is usual that either the user, or the caller, has to pay for the call to the pager.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a new locating device, for example a key fob, which alleviates the above disadvantages.

In another aspect, the invention provides a locating device comprising means arranged to receive a mobile communications signal from a communications source and to decode therefrom information indicative of the identity of the communications source, and means to activate alert device in the event that the identity information is indicative of a predetermined communications source.

I he invention provides a locating device comprising a receiver capable of receiving a mobile communications signal and decoding an identifier from the received signal, a memory for storing a pre-programmed identity, an alert means, and a processor for comparing the identifier from the received signal with the pre-programmed identity and activating the alert means in the event of a positive comparison.

Preferably the locating device is housed in a casing.

A positive comparison preferably means that the pre-programmed identity and identifier are substantially the same, or recognizable as indicating the same source.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a locating system comprising a locating device as described above, a mobile communications device, such as a telephone, and a relay terminal for receiving the signal from the mobile communications device and transmitting it to the locating device.

The mobile communications signal is preferably a telephone signal from either a mobile or fixed line telephone. The identifier and identity are preferably telephone numbers.

The locating device has an advantage over pagers in that many locating devices can be allocated the same "dial-in" number, that is the number which is dialled to call the locating device. In use, the user telephones the dial-in number. The call is then transmitted to all locating devices which have been allocated that number. However, only the or each locating device which has the caller's identity pre-programmed into it will respond by activating the alarm. This reduces the number of telephone numbers that have to be allocated to the locating devices, as it follows that it is not necessary for each locating device to have a unique telephone number associated with it.

Preferably, the call to the key fob will not be connected, i.e. the call will by the telephone network to be unanswered. There will therefore normally be no charge associated with such a call to the locating device.

Preferably, the memory unit may store more than one pre-programmed identity. This allows the user to activate the locating device from more than one telephone. l

The device preferably includes an acceptance means to allow the user to set the pre-programmed identity. There is also preferably a reset or editing means for changing the identity. The acceptance means and reset means can preferably be actuated by way of buttons on the casing of the device.

The alert means is preferably one or more of an audible alarm, a light and a vibrator.

The device preferably includes a power source, typically a battery. The battery may be rechargeable within the device.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the figures in which: Figure l is a block schematic diagram showing components of the device; Figure 2 is an external view of the device; and Figure 3 shows the system of the invention.

Referring first to figure 1, a locating device comprises an antenna 10 which receives a signal, usually an analogue signal, from a telephone. The signal is transmitted, as indicated by an arrow 12, to a receiver 14 which decodes the signal into digital form (if necessary). The receiver 14 outputs, as indicated by an arrow 16, information from the signal, particularly caller identity information, to a processor 18. The processor 18 compares, as indicated by a double-headed arrow 20, the caller identity with one or more identities already stored in a memory chip 22. If the caller identity matches one of the stored identities, the processor 18 activates, as indicated by an arrow 24, an alert means 26 which may consist of one or more of an audible alarm, a light (such as an LED) or a vibrator. Il the identity does not match any of the stored identities, the alert means 26 is not activated. The alert means 26 may have a limited duration of action, and automatically turns off after that time. Alternatively, it may be active for the length of the telephone call.

When the locating device is first produced, the memory chip 22 will be configured to so-called factory settings. This may mean that no identities are stored in the memory, or that a universal number is stored therein. 'I'he device is provided with an acceptance means 28 which enables a user to control the processor 18, as indicated by an arrow 30, so as to store a new identity in the memory Chip 22. A reset or editing means 32 is also provided enables a user to control the processor 18, as indicated by an arrow 36, to change the identity in the memory chip 22, or to restore the original factory settings.

As shown in Figure 2, the locating device has an outer casing 36, which houses the antenna 10, the receiver 14, the processor 18, and the memory chip, 22. An external antenna 38, which is connected to the antenna 10, is usually provided on the casing 36 to improve reception. Buttons 40 and 42 are provided on the casing to actuate the acceptance means 28 and the reset means 32. When the user wishes to store the identity of a telephone in the memory chip 22, the user telephones the locating device from that telephone, whilst holding down the acceptance button 40. The identity of that telephone will be stored in the memory chip 22, and the device can then be activated by a call from that telephone.

A speaker 44 is provided in the casing 36, via which the audible alert may sound. A light source 46, typically an LED, is also provided, as is a vibrator 48. One or more of these alert means can be activated when a call is received from a recognised telephone.

A clip or loop 50 is provided on the casing 36 to allow the device to be attached to the item to be located.

Figure 3 shows a system according to the invention. A telephone or other mobile communications device 52 is used to dial a "dial in" number. The "dial in" number is that associated with various locating devices 54, 56, 58. The signal from the telephone is received as indicated by an arrow 60 by a relay terminal 62, and is transmitted 64 to the locating devices 54, 56, 58. The signal is received by the locating devices 54, 56, 57 and an identifier decoded therefrom. The identifier is compared with a pre-programmed identity. An alert means 66 is activated, as indicated by an arrow 68, only by the locating device 54, 56 or 58 in which there is a positive comparison between the identifier and pre-programmed identity.

Alternative uses of the locating device are also envisaged. The device could be attached to any item to be located, even to a child for example. Should the child wander off away from his or her parents, activation of the device will given an immediate location. Equally, it could be used as a simple pager, to indicate to a person that a prearranged action, such as calling home when the device is activated, should be carried out. Alternatively, the device can be used as a training tool or as a humanitarian tool. It can be attached to a pet and activated when the pet's owner sees the pet misbehaving. Particularly, it can be used to stop cats chasing birds, as the owner can activate the device when a cat is seen stalking a bird, and scare the bird away.

Claims

Claims 1. A locating device comprising a casing which houses a receiver

for receiving a mobile communications signal and for decoding an identifier from the received signal, a memory for storing a pre-programmed identity, alert means, and a processor for comparing the identifier from the received signal with the pre-programmed identify and for activating the alert means in the event of a positive comparison.
2. A locating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile communications signal is a telephone signal.
3. A locating device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the identifier and the identity are indicative of telephone numbers.
4. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the memory unit is used as to store more than one pre-programmed identity.
5. A locating device of any preceding claim, further comprising acceptance means arranged to allow a user to set the pre-programmed identity.
6. A locating device of any preceding claim, further comprising a reset means for changing the pre-programmed identity.
7. A locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the alert means comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a light and a vibrator.
8. The locating device of any preceding claim, further comprising a power source.
9. A locating system comprising the locating device of any preceding claim, a mobile communications device, such as a telephone, and a relay terminal for receiving the signal from the mobile communications device and transmitting it to the locating device.
10. A locating device or system substantially as described herein, with reference to the drawings.