US6078260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for keeping track of children
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1998-12-21
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Granted: 2000-06-20
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Expires: 2018-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A system for monitoring the proximity and location of a child by a parent includes two transceiver units which communicate wirelessly. The child unit will transmit a signal to the parent unit so that the parent unit can determined the proximity of the child unit and its direction. A safe zone may be set by controls on the parent unit. When the child unit moves beyond the safe zone, the parent unit will generate an alert.
Inventors
- 👤 David Alan Desch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:10
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/0202; G08B21/023; G08B21/0241; G08B21/0247; G08B21/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for monitoring the location of a mobile object, a pet or a person, particularly a child, the apparatus comprising: a child transceiver unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal; and a parent transceiver unit for receiving said signal and determining a distance to said child unit based on said received signal; wherein said parent unit comprises a power switch which controls powering of both said parent and child units; said parent unit transmitting a signal to said child unit to activate or deactivate said child unit when said power switch on said parent unit is actuated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for monitoring the location of a mobile object, a pet or a person, particularly a child, the apparatus comprising: a child transceiver unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal; and a parent transceiver unit for receiving said signal and determining a distance to said child unit based on said received signal; wherein said parent unit comprises a power switch which controls powering of both said parent and child units; said parent unit transmitting a signal to said child unit to activate or deactivate said child unit when said power switch on said parent unit is actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said parent unit compares said distance to a predetermined safe range and generates an alert when said distance exceeds said predetermined safe range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said parent unit further comprises a control device for setting said predetermined safe range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said parent unit further comprises a directional indicator for indicating from which direction said signal is received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said child unit further comprises a receiver and said parent unit further comprises a panic button and a transmitter such that, when said panic button is actuated, said parent unit signals said child unit and, in response, said child unit generates an alarm to call attention to said child unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said parent unit and said child unit comprise a device for attaching said respective units to a person to be worn by said person.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said child device further comprises a panic button such that, when said panic button is actuated, said child unit transmits a panic signal to said parent unit causing said parent unit to generate an alert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said parent unit compares said distance to a predetermined safe range and transmits a warning signal to said child unit when said distance exceeds said predetermined safe range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said child unit generates an alert in response to receiving said warning signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said child transceiver for selectively transmits a panic signal to said parent transceiver unit in response to actuation of an input device, wherein said parent transceiver unit generates an alert upon receipt of said panic signal; said apparatus further comprising an audible alarm on said child transceiver unit which is sounded in response to the transmission of said panic signal to said parent transceiver unit to call attention to said child in conjunction with transmission of said panic signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of monitoring the location of a mobile object, a pet or a person, particularly a child, the method comprising: determining a distance to a child transceiver unit based on a wireless signal transmitted from said child transceiver to a parent transceiver; and controlling the powering of both said parent and child transceiver units with a power switch on said parent unit, said parent unit transmitting a signal to said child unit to activate or deactivate said child unit when said power switch on said parent unit is actuated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of monitoring the location of a mobile object, a pet or a person, particularly a child, the method comprising: determining a distance to a child transceiver unit based on a wireless signal transmitted from said child transceiver to a parent transceiver; and controlling the powering of both said parent and child transceiver units with a power switch on said parent unit, said parent unit transmitting a signal to said child unit to activate or deactivate said child unit when said power switch on said parent unit is actuated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-12-20 | 2004-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-20 | 2007-12-20 | 2008-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-20 | 2011-12-20 | 2012-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |