GB2182183A - Child vicinity radio alarm system - Google Patents

Abstract

A "separation-alarm" comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the receiver being equipped in such manner that it raises an alarm if the received signal either ceases or falls below a predetermined signal strength. Preferably the transmitter is given the outward form of a wrist watch, and the alarm functions to detect the separation of the wearer from the receiver exceeding fifty yards. Alternatively a screening phenomenon (eg entry into a car) will trigger the alarm. The invention may monitor the separation of an animal, article, or person from the receiver. Preferably the monitored entity is a child. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Child vicinity radio/alarm system This inventive idea relates to a personal coded radio transmitter child alarm system.

There are various applications of coded radio transmitter/receiver systems in use, which rely on the strength ofthe radio signal not being impaired, to function properly. The inventive idea proposed reverses this priority, whereby a diminutive effect on the strength ofthe radio-signal received triggers off a audiolvisual alarm.

Child abduction has unfortunately, of late, continued to be on the increase, often manifesting itself by way of the child being taken from close to his/her home.

The micro-transmitter is attached to a carrier; this might be an adult, a child, or a pet, and emits a continuous signal. Should the signal received diminish or cease, the receiver unit would emit an audio and visual alarm which would warn the guardian or parent that the subject carrying the transmitter had wandered out of range, or entered a screened area (e.g. a motor vehicle).

A specific embodiment of the inventive idea will now be explained by way of example with reference totheaccompanying diagram in which: Figure 1 shows in an aerial view, a child playing in aparkfiftyyardsfrom his/herhome. The child is wearing the micro-transmitterwhich is disguised as a wristwatch. The receiver unit is placed in the child's homewherethe parent monitors for an alarm. The receiver unit is set to pick up the signal transmitted from the micro transmitterthe child iscarrying, within a radiusoffiftyyards.

Figure2showsthe child has moved outside the fifty yard radius, and the signal received by the receiver unit has diminished sufficientlyforthe re ceiver unitto trigger circuitry which causes a siren and flashing-lightalarm. The child's parent hearsthe alarm and is aware immediatelythatthe child may be in danger.

(The child could subsequently be traced using a more powerful receiver to search for the transmitted signal).

Figure3showsthe child has entered a motorcar.

This has the same effect on the-receiver unit as is described in Figure 2, i.e. the signal is screened from the receiver by the body of the motor-car. The cessation of the incoming signal is detected by the receiver unit which then 'fires off' the alarm.

Referring to the drawings, the receivercomprisesa box with a volume control to set the desired receiving range, and a warning lightwhich flashes on and off when the alarm istriggered.

This box also contains the necessary electronic circuitry to carry out the functions described in the exampie given.

That is: 1. To receive a transmitted radio signal from a variable distance to be controlled by a radio-tuner housed in this receiver box.

2. To detect any diminutive effect, or interrupt in the signal. ('Interrupt' means the signal ceases to be received).

3. To emitan audible alarm when anydiminutive effect ofthe signal is detected, or if the signal is interrupted.

4. To flash a warning light which is situated on the outside of this receiver box, on and off, along with audio alarm.

Referring to the drawings The transmitter carried by the child may be dis- guised as a wrist watch, brooch, button, or any other article suitable forthe purpose of hiding it's truefun- ction. This transmitter contains the necessary circuitryto emit a radio-signal at a strength which could be pre-set in the circuitry, by the manufacturer.

The transmitter unit might be adapted to be used own a pet, an adult, oranyothersuitable carrierforthe purposes described, that is: Where a person would wish to made aware ifan article, person, or animal moved outside a certain distance, or entered a screened area.

1. A child alarm system comprising a radio re ceiver unit housed in a box, with means to adjustthe strength of frequency received, and a micro-radio transmitter which emits a pre-set signal designed for the receiverto pick up.

2. A child alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, circuitry is provided in the radio receiverto detect any diminutive effect or interrupt (whereby reception of the signal ceases), of the strength of the signal.

3. A child alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein, circuitry is provided in the receiver to give an audible and visual electronicallygenerated signal when any diminutive effect or inter rupt of the received signal is detected.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Child vicinity radio/alarm system This inventive idea relates to a personal coded radio transmitter child alarm system. There are various applications of coded radio transmitter/receiver systems in use, which rely on the strength ofthe radio signal not being impaired, to function properly. The inventive idea proposed reverses this priority, whereby a diminutive effect on the strength ofthe radio-signal received triggers off a audiolvisual alarm. Child abduction has unfortunately, of late, continued to be on the increase, often manifesting itself by way of the child being taken from close to his/her home. The micro-transmitter is attached to a carrier; this might be an adult, a child, or a pet, and emits a continuous signal. Should the signal received diminish or cease, the receiver unit would emit an audio and visual alarm which would warn the guardian or parent that the subject carrying the transmitter had wandered out of range, or entered a screened area (e.g. a motor vehicle). A specific embodiment of the inventive idea will now be explained by way of example with reference totheaccompanying diagram in which: Figure 1 shows in an aerial view, a child playing in aparkfiftyyardsfrom his/herhome. The child is wearing the micro-transmitterwhich is disguised as a wristwatch. The receiver unit is placed in the child's homewherethe parent monitors for an alarm. The receiver unit is set to pick up the signal transmitted from the micro transmitterthe child iscarrying, within a radiusoffiftyyards. Figure2showsthe child has moved outside the fifty yard radius, and the signal received by the receiver unit has diminished sufficientlyforthe re ceiver unitto trigger circuitry which causes a siren and flashing-lightalarm. The child's parent hearsthe alarm and is aware immediatelythatthe child may be in danger. (The child could subsequently be traced using a more powerful receiver to search for the transmitted signal). Figure3showsthe child has entered a motorcar. This has the same effect on the-receiver unit as is described in Figure 2, i.e. the signal is screened from the receiver by the body of the motor-car. The cessation of the incoming signal is detected by the receiver unit which then 'fires off' the alarm. Referring to the drawings, the receivercomprisesa box with a volume control to set the desired receiving range, and a warning lightwhich flashes on and off when the alarm istriggered. This box also contains the necessary electronic circuitry to carry out the functions described in the exampie given. That is:

1. To receive a transmitted radio signal from a variable distance to be controlled by a radio-tuner housed in this receiver box.

2. To detect any diminutive effect, or interrupt in the signal. ('Interrupt' means the signal ceases to be received).

3. A child alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein, circuitry is provided in the receiver to give an audible and visual electronicallygenerated signal when any diminutive effect or inter rupt of the received signal is detected.

3. To emitan audible alarm when anydiminutive effect ofthe signal is detected, or if the signal is interrupted.

4. To flash a warning light which is situated on the outside of this receiver box, on and off, along with audio alarm.

Referring to the drawings The transmitter carried by the child may be dis- guised as a wrist watch, brooch, button, or any other article suitable forthe purpose of hiding it's truefun- ction. This transmitter contains the necessary circuitryto emit a radio-signal at a strength which could be pre-set in the circuitry, by the manufacturer.

The transmitter unit might be adapted to be used own a pet, an adult, oranyothersuitable carrierforthe purposes described, that is: Where a person would wish to made aware ifan article, person, or animal moved outside a certain distance, or entered a screened area.

1. A child alarm system comprising a radio re ceiver unit housed in a box, with means to adjustthe strength of frequency received, and a micro-radio transmitter which emits a pre-set signal designed for the receiverto pick up.

2. A child alarm system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, circuitry is provided in the radio receiverto detect any diminutive effect or interrupt (whereby reception of the signal ceases), of the strength of the signal.