AUTOMATICIMANUALPC,'HILD bAt-t 1 Y DISTANCE The invention relates to an
electronic proximity and location alarm., 2335774 1 c ', t ' i A number of electronic radio proximity alarms have been designed. Most having the shortcoming of a transmitter mounted on the object or child and a receiver held by the person or thing wishing to be alerted to the missing/ straying child object or thing. The two primary problems associated with the former design are (1) The locator is aware of an alert situation because of the signaValarm status being indicated by the receiver carried by the locator, but it does not indicate the real time location of the missing object or child, and (2) if the transmitter is attached to a small child or animal it may prove potentially harmful due to continuous R.F radiation during operation.and (3) the unit alerting the locator to an alarm situation(The Transmitter) can easily be removed and thrown away preventing the system from operating and warning of a danger.
The systems developed in the past can be difficult to operate not effective for the above reasons and do not solicit co operation from the person or thing to be located in that they are seen as controllers of movement and do not work effectively in extreme situations According to the present invention there is provided a small light weight attractive transmitter operating on a variable crystal controlled super het/ super regen/pulse coded modulation or sonic system worn by or kept by the locator. incorporating an instant manual location facility a control switch, active operation indicator, and low power alarm. The unit is dry battery operated but may also be powered by other types of renewable power sources. The second part of the system incorporates a matched receiver unit that contains a decoder/ monitor that continuously and or randomly samples the incoming signal and when a pre determined electrical situation is indicated a second circuit is energises and amplifies the available power from the battery source in the receiver and this is passed to a variable output multiple tone sounder within the unit indicating automatically/or by manual triggering from the transmission source the unit has passed a variable controlled distance range thus alerting the locator. The receiver unit also incorporated a location light source for assisting the locator during darkness or poor light conditions thus providing a second means of location. and a low power alert facility The receiver unit casing may be fitted within a water resistant housing that may incorporate inter changeable toys or novelties to solicit the acceptance of the wearer of the unit and disguise its primary purpose. In addition the housing may incorporate a floatation device and additional circuit to indicate the wearer has become immersed in water resulting in the additional circuit sensing immersion would allow the housing to break free and float on the surface of the water, sounding an alarm even though the receiver is within the range set by the locator. This housing is permanently/ semi permanently attached to a harness or belt worn by the wearer, this belt or harness incorporating a closed signal conducting loop and lockable fastening with key. In operation the harness cannot be removed by un authorised persons due to the lock facility, and cannot be removed by cutting the harness or belt which would terminate the signal wire feed to the receiver. causing an alarm to sound Nor can.the receiver be removed from its housing as the signal feed wire runs through the dasin g and the wceiver cannot be discarded without triggering an alarm. Sufficient slack in the sensor wire is provided to enable maintenance of the receiver without damage to the sensor wire.
L A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 Shows the transmitter unit and its external features Figure 2 Shows the receiver and its external features Figure 3 Shows the harness/ belt assembly and its anti tamper features Figure 4 Shows the receiver housing incorporating Toy/Novefty fixings Figure 5 Shows the alternate receiver housing incorporating the floatation device Referring to the drawings in Figure (1) The transmitter unit comprises a two position switch 11 to enable the splitting of frequencies produced by the crystal within the transmitter output stages and is shown on the outside of the case.Figure 12 shows the transmission aerial concealed within the easing and is attached to the electronic circuitry (not shown)Figure 13 shows a single temporary contactspring lloaded switch that is connected to the output stage of the transmitter the purpose of this switch is to terminate the transmission signal upon activation Figure 14 indicates a flashing light emitting diode the purpose of which is to indicate the operational status of the transmkter when lit Figure 15 indicates a two position switch whose purpose is to provide power or no power from the power source. Figure 16 indicates a sprung plastic clip incorporated into the body of the casing for attachment to a belt or waistband. Figure 17 indicates the portable power supply In order to operate the transmitter power 17 is supplied via the on/ off switch 15 in the on position and the L.E.D 14. indicator will flash indicating operation. Should another unit be on the same frequency a second switch 11 enables the frequency to be shifted in order to allow multiple units to operate in close proximity A transmission signal is created within the unit 12 which is sent to the receiver unit should the locator or person operating the unit wish to test satisfactory operation a temporary contact switch is provided 13 to temporarily terminate the signal thus manually creating an alarm situation. at the receiver The casing unit may then via the plastic clip be attached to a belt or waistband for full operational use.
Referring to the drawing in Figure (2) shows the receiver unit externally 1 indicates the sounder unit that emits the alarm 2 indicates the portable power supply 3 indicates a flashing light 4 indicates the two position frequency shifting switch 5 indicates a variable switch to enable the extent of the chosen proximfty range desired 6 indicates a flashing light emitting diode to confirm operation 7 indicates a three position switch the purpose of which is to allow power from the supply to be directed to the circuitry to enable operation of the receiver or operation with flashing night light 8 indicates an optional charging socket to enable re charging of the power source K applicable figure 9 is the output for attachment to the sensor wire within the harness shown in ( Figure 3) 10 indicates the receiving aerial within the casing this being attached to the circuitry (not shown) To operate the unit switch the power switch 7 to the on position and an indicator L.E.D will flash showing operation of the receiver and or operation of the night light 3 select the frequency shifter 4 to the same channel as the transmitter to enable matching 9 required Select the desired range limits by adjusting switch 5 the unit would be attached to the harness (Figure 3) by the sensor wire outlet shown 9 the signal generated by the transmitter will now be monitored via the aerial 10 and the unit is now operational.
Referring to the drawing in Figure (3) The harness assembly consists of a harness or belt worn by the child or thing which forms an integral part of the housing containing the receiver unit (See Fig2). The harness comprises a webbing or other such material bell or harness that encompasses a sensor wire or strip 19 that is contained within the webbing or material and is a continuious wire or strip running within all areas of webbing or material. The harness is provided with cross bracing in order to prevent easy removal of the harness from the warer. The harness or belt is provided a lockable buckle 18 with key 20 that enable an authorised person to lock the buckle closed on the child or thing thus preventing any persons without the key 20 from removing the harness from the thing or child.The sensor wires exit from the harness 19 and passes through the rear to the housing (See Fig 4) and then form a continious loop within the sensing device that is part of the circuitry ( not shown) within the receiver unit (See Figure2) In order to use the belt or harness the buckle 18 is unlocked with the aid of the key 20 and the harness slipped onto the child or thing. This is then locked in place and cannot be drawn over the shoulders due to the cross bracing.in operation the hannes-OV receiver unit housing (see Fig4) are combined with the harness by permanent attachment with the sensor wire passing from the harness through the housing and into the receiver (See Fig 2) thus providing a continuous loop. Should this sensor wire be cut or become detached the electrical sensor circuitry(not shown) within the receiver will register an alarm situation and activate the sounder regardless of authorised proximity with the transmitter.
IS Referring to the drawing in Figure (4) The receiver outer housing is comprised of a flexible material that allows the dispersion of unwanted moisture due to the breathable qualfty of the material. The housing may be produced in a day glo or other useful colour in order to give maximum attention.The housing has an open top to enable the insertion of the receiver unit (see Figure 2) into the housing and allows the night light (See Fig(2) (number3) to protrude from the receiver through the housing 24 in order to be seen. A provision is provided on side A of the housing f or the Control switch for the night light to be operated 22 and on the side of the housing marked B a grill 23 is provi to allow sound to emanate when alarm sounder activates A novelty or toy 26 may be attached via a removable fixing and base 25 to the inner top section of the housing. creating a seal to prevent the ingress of rain water. 27 shows the outline or the receiver within the housing.in operation the receiver unit is continiously, save maintainance and change of power supply, contained within the housing and is attatched via the sensing wire to the harr^ assembly. at all times Referring to the drawing in Figure (5)The floatation housing comprises the housing as self which is made from a plastic moulding that incorporates an opening top section that has a channel at its joining edges 29 containing a neoprene strip or 0 Ring to act as a seal against the ingress of water or moisture.This seal is made water light by the application of pressure on the seal created by the downward force created by an over centre compression clip 28 The housing front section contains a grill and latex membrane 37 that allows the alarm sounds to emanate from the receiver sounder (see Fig 2) but prevents water from entering. There is also provided a facility for the night light (See Fig 2) to protrude from the casing 30. At the rear of the casing is an attachment 32/35 for f ixing the unit to the harness that comprising a male pin 35 fixed within a cone 36 by a highly compressed water soluble compound that when h is not in its activated state forms a solid bond between the unit casing, and the harness assembly but when activated by water, dissolves allowing the pin to detach from the female counterpart 36 at which point the floatation housing will break free and float attached to a cord 31 which in turn is attached to the harness assembly. When the casing becomes immersed in water two electrical contacts 33 become energised due to the conductivity of the water and allow a circuit to energise causing the alarm to operate even within the specified proximity range set by the iocator. 34 illustrates the receiver unit within the casing (0