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US 6,747,555 B2Granted
Tracking apparatus and associated method for a radio frequency enabled reminder system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsCraig William Fellenstein, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Gabe Van Duinen, Campbell Victor Barford Watts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An alert system and associated method protect against accidental loss or intentional theft of personal valuables. Users may define a set of corrective actions associated with each satellite item registered with the alert system. The alert system is generally comprised of a plurality of alert devices, a plurality of remote sensors, and at least one processing unit. When a satellite item provided with the alert device becomes separated from its user, the item alerts the user of an impending loss or separation prior to the occurrence of such an event.
Claims22
An alert system for tracking a satellite item, comprising:
- a remote sensor that defines an alert zone;
- a plurality of alert devices located within the alert zone, that are paired with a plurality of satellite items, and that communicate with the remote sensor to provide information about relative positions of the plurality of satellite items with respect to the alert zone and the remote sensor;
- and
- a processing unit that registers the plurality of alert devices and that communicates with the remote sensor, so that the remote sensor alerts the processing unit when a satellite item becomes disassociated from the remote sensor;
- wherein the processing unit identifies the plurality of alert devices as transient items that are not limited to the alert zone, or permament items that are limited to the alert zone;
- wherein the processing unit calculates a satellite distance between the remote sensor and each of the satellite items to determine the location of the satellite items relative to the remote sensor;
- wherein the processing unit determines if a transient item is inappropriately located within the alert zone;
- the remote sensor selectively providing an alert signal if any one of the satellite items becomes disassociated from the remote sensor;
- and
- the remote sensor further selectively providing the alert signal if the transient item is determined to be inappropriately located within the alert zone.
7 more elements
An alert system for tracking a satellite item, comprising:
- a remote sensing means for defining an alert zone;
- a plurality of alert means located within the alert zone and that are paired with a plurality of satellite items, for communicating with the remote sensing means to provide information about relative positions of the plurality of satellite items with respect to the alert zone and the remote sensing means;
- and
- a processing means for registering the plurality of alert means and for communicating with the remote sensing means, so that the remote sensing means alerts the processing unit when a satellite item becomes disassociated from the remote sensing means;
- wherein the processing means identifies the plurality of alert means as transient items that are not limited to the alert zone, or permament items that are limited to the alert zone;
- wherein the processing means calculates a satellite distance between the remote sensing means and each of the plurality of satellite items to determine the location of the plurality of satellite items relative to the remote sensing means;
- wherein the processing means determines if a transient item is inappropriately located within the alert zone;
- wherein the remote sensor selectively provides an alert signal if any one of the satellite items becomes disassociated from the remote sensor;
- and
- wherein the remote sensor further selectively provides the alert signal if the transient item is determined to be inappropriately located within the alert zone.
7 more elements
A method for tracking a satellite item, comprising:
- defining an alert zone by means of a remote sensor;
- locating a plurality of alert devices that are paired with a plurality of satellite items and that communicate with the remote sensor within the alert zone;
- providing information about relative positions of the plurality of satellite items with respect to the alert zone and the remote sensor;
- a processing unit registering the plurality of alert devices, and communicating with the remote sensor so that the remote sensor alerts the processing unit when a satellite item becomes disassociated from the remote sensor;
- the processing unit identifying the plurality of alert devices as transient items that are not limited to the alert zone, or permament items that are limited to the alert zone;
- the processing unit further calculating a satellite distance between the remote sensor and each of the satellite items to determine the location of the satellite items relative to the remote sensor;
- the processing unit further determining if a transient item is inappropriately located within the alert zone;
- the remote sensor selectively providing an alert signal if any one of the satellite items becomes disassociated from the remote sensor;
- and
- the remote sensor further selectively providing the alert signal if the transient item is determined to be inappropriately located within the alert zone.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.