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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates in general to a system and method for radio frequency tagging and tracking, and more particularly to an alert apparatus for use in an electronic reminder system, that protects an object within a defined electronic reminder system against loss or theft.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In current technology, pervasive computing devices span personal digital assistants (PDAs) to embedded chips in telephones, smart appliances and automobiles. Pervasive computing is known as ubiquitous computing, wherein computing devices are interconnected via the Internet to encompass miniaturized computers inherently part of, and embedded within larger devices. Pervasive computing also refers to the plurality of interlinked, minuscule computing devices that are frequently invisible, often mobile or seamlessly integrated within the environment, that are easily accessible and connected to a progressively omnipresent network infrastructure.  
           [0003]    An attribute of pervasive computing is the opportunity it presents in downsizing and integrating otherwise standalone technologies to create a vast, transparent computing environment catering to the comfort and safety of the end user. With the advancement of integrated circuit (IC) and communication technologies, increasing computing power can now be integrated into a single chip. The emergence of moderate bandwidth, near-field, digital, single-chip transceivers allows large numbers of portable intelligent devices to communicate with their peers and with a fixed-wire infrastructure.  
           [0004]    Short-range, wireless radio frequency (RF) communications integrated circuit chips for both voice and data are well known. This technology makes peer-to-peer communications possible among dissimilar devices, facilitating the exchange of information between computing devices and communications devices.  
           [0005]    It is quite common for personal devices, such as cellular telephones, car keys, and personal digital assistants, to be lost or misplaced. Therefore, when such a device is separated from its user, it is possible to locate this device, if it is still within a predetermined limited range, by triggering a response, such as an audible response, from the device. However, when the distance of the device from its owner exceeds the preset range, communication with the device is interrupted, which renders the tracking task quite difficult.  
           [0006]    Therefore, there is still an unsatisfied need for device location and device location monitoring whereby pervasive computing allows electronics to be embedded into personal items to alert the owner of the location of a device when lost, to monitor the location of a device on an ongoing basis, or to be a predefined action when the location changes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The alert system of the present invention satisfies these needs. The alert system is generally comprised of a plurality of alert devices, a plurality of remote sensors, and at least one processing unit. W When a satellite item is queried by the processing unit for its location, the satellite item will either reply with a location or not reply at all. If the satellite item replies and is in its predefined location no action is taken. If no reply is forthcoming from the satellite item or the satellite item is not in its predefined location then a predefined activity can take place.  
           [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, the alert device communicates with a remote sensor, so that when the alert device becomes separated from the remote sensor beyond a predetermined period of time, and/or beyond a predetermined distance, the remote sensor notifies the processing unit, which, in turn, notifies the user of the impending loss or separation by means of an alert signal. The alert signal can be any of a visual signal, an audible signal, a data signal (i.e., text), and/or a video signal. As an example, the alert signal can be a small blinking light on a wristwatch, a cell phone call, a pager reminder, or another wearable device. Both the period of time and distance are configurable to meet the user&#39;s specific needs.  
           [0009]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the alert device is embedded in the item, while the alert device is carried by the user. In yet another alternate embodiment, the present alert system could be used by commercial enterprises for the maintenance of inventory and miscellaneous assets and in the prevention of potential loss or theft.  
           [0010]    The alert system of the present invention can be implemented according to other alternative embodiments, among which are the following:  
           [0011]    (1) Unrequested RF signals are periodically broadcast from the alert devices of the satellite items to a sensor or a plurality of sensors.  
           [0012]    (2) The alert device of the satellite item is a call-and-response unit that acts as a transponder. Rather than seeking the periodic unrequested signals from the alert device (or devices), the processing unit prompts the alert devices to “check in” by sending a confirmation signal to the sensor.  
           [0013]    (3) The processing unit determines the distance between the alert device and the user&#39;s sensor by measuring the strength of the signal from the alert device.  
           [0014]    (4) The processing unit determines the distance between the alert device and the user&#39;s sensor by measuring the timing of the signals received from the alert device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The various features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will be described in greater detail with reference to the following description, claims, and drawings, wherein reference numerals are reused, where appropriate, to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items, and wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of the alert system of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a method of registering an alert device, or an ERS satellite item equipped with the alert device of the alert system of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an activation and monitoring process performed by the alert system of FIG. 1, following the registration process of FIG. 2;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is comprised of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and represents a flowchart that illustrates the tracking process of the alert system of FIG. 1; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an example illustrating the use of the alert system of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    The following definitions and explanations provide background information pertaining to the technical field of the present invention, and are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention without limiting its scope:  
         [0022]    Electronic Reminder System (ERS) Remote Sensor: a receiver/transmitter wireless unit for detecting and managing satellite items.  
         [0023]    ERS Satellite item: An attachable or an embedded receive/transmit unit that responds to radio frequency “pings” from the ERS remote sensor, or that sends out timed radio frequency (RF) signals according to a predetermined schedule. The satellite item can be secured to any personal property that can become readily lost or misplaced, which the user wishes to track.  
         [0024]    Heartbeat: A periodic predefined ping from the ERS processing unit delivered to the ERS satellite item via the remote sensor to determine the location.  
         [0025]    Satellite distance: A distance between a satellite item and the remote sensor.  
         [0026]    Threshold distance: A distance over which an alert signal from the satellite item may be detected by an ERS processing unit.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 illustrates an alert system  10  of the present invention. System  10  comprises a plurality of remote sensors  18  and  19  in communication with an ERS processing unit  38  and a plurality of ERS remote devices  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 . Each of the remote sensors  18 ,  19  is provided with broadcast capability, such as by means of antennae  22 ,  23 , respectively.  
         [0028]    Each of the ERS satellite items  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31  is provided with an ERS alert device  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131 , respectively. Preferably, each of the ERS alert devices  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31  is dedicated to the satellite item to which it is secured, so that the satellite items  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31  could be uniquely identified. Each of the alert devices  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131  is provided with an antenna  141 ,  148 ,  149 ,  150 .  
         [0029]    In operation, the remote sensor  18  is associated (or paired) with one or more satellite items, such as devices  28  and  31 , and communicate with the alert devices  128 ,  131 , over communications channels  152 ,  154 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the communications channels  152 ,  154  are established by radio frequency signals. Similarly, the remote sensor  19  is associated (or paired) with one or more satellite items, such as devices  29  and  30 , and communicate with the alert devices  129 ,  130 , over communications channels  156 ,  158 , respectively.  
         [0030]    The ERS processing unit  38  includes a software program that configures or classifies the satellite items  28  and  29  and  30  and  31  as permanent or transient residents within an alert zone  175 . In one embodiment, the alert zone  175  is centered around ERS remote sensor  18 , and thus, when the satellite items  31  or  28  moves out of zone  175 , a predetermined activity such as  370  or  380  can take place. The heartbeat function will periodically monitor for the satellite items&#39; presence. Satellite distance can be used to locate a misplaced satellite item within a zone.  
         [0031]    The user, such as the user carrying the remote sensor  18 , assigns unique tag codes to all his or her satellite items, such as satellite items  28  and  31 . The user logs the tag codes information into the ERS processing unit  38 , which allows that processing unit  38  to calculate the relative positions of each individual satellite item  28 ,  31  relative to the remote sensor  18  and the alert zone  175 .  
         [0032]    The processing unit  38  sends requests to the remote sensors  18 ,  19  over communications channels  178 ,  179 . In one embodiment, the processing unit  38  communicates with the remote sensors  18 ,  19  over a network  180 , as the World Wide Web, or the Internet.  
         [0033]    The processing unit  38  interprets the responses from the remote sensors  18 ,  19 . Alternately, the processing unit  38  and the remote sensors  18 ,  19  may be functionally integrated. A display unit  40  displays relevant information from the processing unit  38 . This information can be persistent in nature, with updates entered periodically. The update periodicity could vary with the type of satellite item  18 ,  19  being tracked, and may correspond to predetermined heartbeat intervals that are configurable by the users.  
         [0034]    Alternatively, the information displayed by the display unit  40  could be based on user-defined rules or parameters relating to the proximity of the satellite item  18 ,  19  relative to the remote sensor  18  and the alert zone  175 . For example, predefined rules could be devised to create safe and non safe zones for children, whereby when a child moves from a designated safe zone to a designated non safe zone an alarm is sounded or a message send.  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIG. 2, it illustrates a process  200  of registering an alert device, e.g.,  128 - 131 , or an ERS satellite item  28 - 31  of the alert system  10  of FIG. 1. Process  200  starts at block  210  by identifying the alert device  128 - 131  of interest, to be included in the alert system  10 . Each satellite item  28 - 31  is equipped with one or more alert devices  128 - 131 . As explained earlier, the satellite item  28 - 31  can be, for example, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistants, or any other personal property of value.  
         [0036]    At block  220 , a unique identification record and code are created for each alert device  128 - 131  of the alert system  10 . The records and codes of all the alert devices  128 - 131  of the alert system  10  can be stored in a local datastore, or remotely on one or more storage devices that are interconnect by the network  180 .  
         [0037]    At block  230 , the processing unit  38  establishes communication with the alert devices  128 - 131  via corresponding remote sensors  18 ,  19 , and registers these alert devices  128 - 131 .  
         [0038]    Once the registration process  200  is completed at step  230 , and appropriate records created for the alert devices  128 - 131 , system  10  proceeds to the activation and monitoring process  300  of FIG. 3. Method  300  starts at block  310  by having the processing unit  38  determine if the satellite item  28 - 31  to be included in system  10  is static or transient.  
         [0039]    Static satellite items are items that do not move, or should not move outside the alert zone  175 , for example a TV, a desktop PC, a painting, or similar personal property. Transient items are items that are not limited to a specific alert zone  175 , for example, a vacuum cleaner, a key ring, or a pet.  
         [0040]    If processing unit  38  determines that the satellite item  28 - 31  is a static or permanent item, it proceeds to block  320 ; otherwise, it proceeds to decision block  340 . At block  320 , system  10  activates the corresponding alert device  128 - 131 , and monitors the static satellite item  28 - 31 .  
         [0041]    The monitoring function is accomplished by one of two ways. The first monitoring method is implemented by sending periodic signals from the ERS processing unit  38  to some or all of the alert devices  28 - 31 , through the ERS remote sensor  18 ,  19 . The processing unit  38  then analyzes response (or return) signals from the alert devices  28 - 31  to the processing unit  38 . The return signals allow the processing unit  38  to confirm the presence of the satellite item  28 - 31  in a desired alert zone  175 .  
         [0042]    The second monitoring method is implemented by sending periodic signals from the ERS remote sensors  18 ,  19  to the various alert devices  28 - 31 . The remote sensors  18 ,  19  then collect and store the response signals from the alert devices  28 - 31 , and uploads this information to the processing unit  38  for processing and analysis. It should be clear that the remote sensors  18 ,  19  could be capable of performing some or limited processing of the response signals.  
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the processing unit  38  sends a single alert signal to the remote sensors  18 ,  19 . In turn, and for each alert device or a group of similar alert devices  28 - 31 , the remote sensors  18 ,  19  encode the alert signal with a specific identification code. Similarly, the return signal is encoded with the identification code. In one embodiment, the identification code includes a group identification code that is common to the satellite items  28 ,  31  that belong to the same group or alert zone  175 , and an item code that is specific to each satellite item  28  or  31 .  
         [0044]    Returning now to block  330  of FIG. 3, if the satellite item  28 - 31  is detected, the processing unit  38  returns to decision block  310  and continues the monitoring task. However, if the satellite item  28 - 31  is not detected, the processing unit  38  continues to block  350 , as it will be described later in more detail.  
         [0045]    At decision block  340 , the processing unit  38  determines if the transient satellite item  28  is within or outside an authorized alert zone  175  based on the length of time it takes for the satellite item  28 - 31  to respond. For example, a dog provided with a transient satellite item  28  should not be located within the alert zone  175  if a child provided with a transient satellite item  31  is also in zone  175 .  
         [0046]    If the transient satellite item  31  is within the authorized alert zone  175 , the processing unit  38  returns to step  310  as described earlier and continues the monitoring task. If, however, the transient satellite item  28  is within the unauthorized alert zone  175 , the processing unit  38  proceeds to block  350 .  
         [0047]    At block  350 , the processing unit  38  checks the predefined action(s) to be taken in response to the finding that the satellite item  28 - 31  has not been detected at decision step  330 , or to the finding that the satellite item  28 - 31  is outside the authorized alert zone  175 . One such action is to sound an alarm at step  370 . The alarm may be, for example a subtle, blinking light on a wristwatch to notify the owner that the satellite item  28 - 31  has been left behind or is about to become missing. Another action is to send a message to a designation person or department at step  380 . As an example, the processing unit  38  may connect to the Internet and send a notification message, a page, a short message server (sms), and so forth.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary tracking method  400  implemented by the alert system  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. At decision block  410 , method  400  inquires if the satellite item  28 - 31  is permanent or transient. If the satellite item  28 - 31  is permanent, method  400  continues to block  415 ; else, it proceeds to block  455 .  
         [0049]    At block  415 , the processing unit  38  broadcasts radio frequency (RF) signals to the various remote sensors  18 ,  19 , requesting the availability of the permanent satellite items, i.e.,  28 ,  31 , that are located in the alert zone  175 , as registered with the processing unit  38  by means of uniquely identifying tag codes, according to process  200  of FIG. 2.  
         [0050]    At block  420 , a remote sensor,  18 ,  19 , sends RF signals to the permanent satellite items, i.e.,  28 ,  31 , requesting confirmation of the availability and actual presence of the satellite items, i.e.,  28 ,  31  in the alert zone  175 . If any one of the satellite items  28 ,  31 , is not available, such as when the alert device  128 ,  131 , is deactivated or moved then a predefined activity can take place (block  480 )  
         [0051]    At decision block  425 , method  400  determines if the permanent satellite items  28 ,  31  that have been queried at block  420 , responded by sending back a RF signal within a predefined interval. If so, method  400  continues to block  430 ; else it proceeds to block  435 .  
         [0052]    At block  430 , the remote sensor  18 ,  19  sends a signal to the processing unit  38  within a predefined interval, confirming the availability and presence of the permanent satellite items  28 ,  31 . Method  400  then returns to decision block  410 .  
         [0053]    At block  435 , having determined that a satellite item, i.e.,  28 , did not respond within a time interval that could be selected specifically for that satellite item  28 , the remote sensor  18  sends a signal to the processing unit  38  informing it of the lack of response from the permanent satellite item  28  being tracked. Method  400  then proceeds to block  480 .  
         [0054]    At block  465 , the processing unit  38  broadcasts RF signals to the remote sensors  18 ,  19  requesting confirmation of the availability and actual presence of the transient satellite items, i.e.,  28 ,  31  in the alert zone  175 . At block  460 , the remote sensors  18 ,  19  send a RF signal to the transient satellite items  28 - 31 , requesting confirmation of their availability or presence in the alert zone  175 . If any one of the satellite items  28 ,  31 , is not available, such as when the alert device  128 ,  131 , is deactivated or moved, then a predefined activity can take place.  
         [0055]    At decision block  465 , method  400  determines if a confirmation signal is received from the remote sensor  18 ,  19 . If a transient satellite item, i.e.,  28  or  31 , sends back a RF signal within a predefined time interval, to the remote sensor  18  that is primarily associated with this satellite item, or alternatively to another remote sensor, i.e.,  19 , that forms part of the alert system  10 , and that is physically closer to the transient satellite item confirming the availability, presence, and/or location of the satellite item, method  400  continues to block  470 ; else it proceeds to block  475 .  
         [0056]    At block  470 , the remote sensor  18 ,  19  sends back a RF signal to the processing unit  38  within a predefined time interval, confirming the availability of the satellite item  28 - 31 . Method  400  then returns to decision block  410 .  
         [0057]    At block  475 , the remote sensors  18 ,  19  send RF broadcast signals to the processing unit  38 , advising the latter of the lack of response from one or more satellite items  28 - 31 , within a predefined time interval. Method  400  then proceeds to block  480  and triggers an alarm in accordance with use defined rules that are stored in the processing unit  38 . The type of alarm is based on the severity level of the situation, and may involve, for example, sending an Internet e-mail, or sounding an audible alarm. Method  400  then returns to decision block  410 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 5 is an example illustrating the use of the alert system  10 . Similar to the alert system  10  of FIG. 1, the alert system  510  comprises a processing unit  538  in communication with a plurality of remote sensors  518 ,  519 ,  520 , and  521 . In this example, the system  510  is installed in a typical residence.  
         [0059]    The exemplary residence is divided into a plurality of alert zones, as follows, wherein each alert zone can be defined, or programmed into the processing unit  538  by the user:  
         [0060]    Alert zone  511  covers the kitchen and is monitored by remote sensor  518 .  
         [0061]    Alert zone  512  covers the nursery and is monitored by remote sensor  519 .  
         [0062]    Alert zone  513  covers the office and is monitored by remote sensor  520 .  
         [0063]    Alert zone  514  covers the hallway and is monitored by remote sensor  521 .  
         [0064]    Remote sensors  518 ,  519 ,  520 , and  521  able to communicate bidirectionally with the processing unit  538 , via commonly available wireless communication techniques. The remote sensors  518 ,  519 ,  520 , and  521  communicate with any tagged satellite item in its designated alert zone.  
         [0065]    Each satellite item may be transient or permanent, and is tagged with an identification tag that defines its status. Each identification tag transmits a unique tag code by RF waves to its corresponding remote sensor.  
         [0066]    Satellite item  528  is worn by the dog, and is preferably a pervasive computing device. It is configured as a transient-type device, since the dog is allowed to roam throughout the residence. Satellite item  529  is attached to the baby&#39;s crib in the nursery. Satellite item  530  is attached to a personal computer in the office. Satellite item  531  is attached to a painting in the hallway. These satellite items  529 ,  530 ,  531  are configured as permanent-type devices as they are not supposed to be moved without prior authorization.  
         [0067]    If, for example, a permanent-type satellite item, such as satellite item  531  has been moved from the hallway, i.e., alert zone  514 , to another area, then an alarm would be triggered in accordance with user-specific rules stored in the processing unit  538 .  
         [0068]    The rules associated with the identity of a transient device define the alert zones in which the satellite zones are authorized to be located without triggering an alarm. An example of the rules associated with transient devices may be that the dog tagged with satellite item  528  is not permitted in the nursery, alert zone  512 , that is monitored by remote sensor  519 . Alternately, the dog is not permitted within a predefined distance from the nursery  512 .  
         [0069]    The processing unit  538  monitors the location of each satellite item, and determines the relative position of this satellite item, based on (a) the length of time it takes for the satellite item to respond to the processing unit  538 , and (b) the remote sensor who reported the availability of the satellite item.  
         [0070]    Each device identified to the processing unit  538  has a set of actions associated with the user-defined rules. The user may program the processing unit  538  to connect to the Internet and to send an e-mail message to the user when a satellite item is moved without authorization. As an example, a movement of a satellite item when the user has left the premises may indicate a theft is occurring.  
         [0071]    It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention that are described herein are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.