GB2436384A - proximity alarm for phone - Google Patents

Abstract

A proximity alarm consisting of two units - a Phone and a Tag - which alerts the user when the Tag moves more than a pre-selected distance from the Phone. The invention combines existing proximity alarm technology with a Software application and Phone technology to create a new function for Phones. The Phone and Tag are able to communicate with each other via encoded radio waves. The encoding allows the Phone and Tag to differentiate themselves from other similar devices. The Phone is able to calculate approximately how far away the Tag is by radio communication (or lack of it). The Phone is able to alert the user via its alarm systems when the pre-selected distance is exceeded. The Tag can also be configured to emit alarm signals when the pre-selected distance is exceeded.

Description

<p>1 2436384</p>

<p>DESCRIPTION</p>

<p>Proximity alarm function for Phones he invention is made up of two units -a "Phone" and a "Tag". The invention also requires that the Phone is programmed with the necessary "Software".</p>

<p>The Phone is a mobile phone or equivalent device which a person uses as their primary communications device.</p>

<p>People tend to limit the number of electronic devices they carry with them so would not normally buy a proximity alarm. The invention overcomes this restriction by combining existing proximity alarm technology with existing Phone technology to create a new function for Phones.</p>

<p>The Tag is an electronic device which is able to communicate with and recognise a Phone via encoded radio waves. The Tag can also be configured with an alarm system.</p>

<p>The Software is the application which must be loaded onto the Phone. It enables the Phone to recognise a specific Tag and trigger its alarms when the Tag moves beyond a pre-selected distance from it.</p>

<p>The Software and therefore the invention can be loaded onto a Phone at: * the time of production -by the manufacturer * any time after production -by the owner (if the Phone is programmable) With current technology, the invention works in the following way: 1. The Phone is loaded with the Software i.e. the proximity alarm application.</p>

<p>2. The Phone is paired with the Tag using BluetootcM technology so that the two units recognise each other.</p>

<p>3. The Software periodically checks whether the Bluetoothonnection is active.</p>

<p>4. If the Tag moves more than approximately 10 metres from the Phone the Bluetooth(Rfl) signal strength drops below the required threshold and the connection breaks.</p>

<p>5. If the connection breaks the Software triggers the Phone's alarms.</p>

<p>6. The Software allows the user to select which alanns are triggered when the connection breaks.</p>

<p>7. The Tag can also have an alarm which is triggered when the connection breaks.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>Proximity alarm function for Phones 1. A proximity alarm system consisting of two units -the "Phone" and the "Tag" -and the related "Software".</p>

   <p>2. A Phone (as claimed in Claim I) which is the primary electronic communications device which people normally carry with them.</p>

   <p>3. A Tag (as claimed in Claim 1) which is an electronic device which is able to communicate with and recognise a Phone via encoded radio waves.</p>

   <p>4. A Tag (as claimed in Claim 1) which can have alarms that are triggered when a pre-selected distance between a Phone and the Tag is exceeded (if switched on).</p>

   <p>5. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which is the application which must be loaded onto the Phone to enable it to operate as a proximity alarm.</p>

   <p>6. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which allows a Phone to recognise Tags and differentiate between them.</p>

   <p>7. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which enables a user to program a Phone with the distance a Tag can travel from the Phone without triggering the Phone's alarms.</p>

   <p>8. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which enables a Phone to estimate how far away a Tag is from it.</p>

   <p>9. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which allows the user to select which of the Phone's alanns will be triggered when the Tag moves beyond the pre-selected distance from the Phone.</p>

   <p>10. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which triggers the Phone's alarms when the Tag moves beyond the pre-selected distance from the Phone.</p>

   <p>11. Software (as claimed in Claim 1) which can be loaded onto the Phone by the manufacturer or the owner of the Phone (if it is programmable).</p>