Abstract:
This disclosure provides a search device, a person loss prevention system and an operation method. The person loss prevention system comprises an electronic device and the search device. The search device includes a receiver and a transmitter electrically connected with the electronic device. The person loss prevention system instructs the transmitter to transmit a predetermined signal to the receiver by the operation method. After the receiver receives the predetermined signal, the receiver sends a feedback signal to the electronic device. The electronic device adjusts a waveform of a sound signal according to the feedback signal and transmits the sound signal to the search device. The search device plays the sound signal through a speaker unit. Thereby, the user of the electronic device immediately determines the position, the distance and the direction of the receiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on patent application No(s). 201310210695.1 filed in China on May 30, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to a type of search device, electronic system and operation method, especially relates to a type of search device, electronic system and operation method for person loss prevention. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the past, if family members, such as young children, ones with dementia, or elderly, get lost and their location, distance, or direction are not found immediately, many more surrounding people, such as passerby, neighbors, friends, or police, have to join in to help locate the lost ones. However, even after spending great manpower and resources in searching the lost ones, the results are often disappointing. 
     Therefore, some of the person loss prevention systems with distance alert functions have been developed to have two separating parts, the mother device and the search device. This type of person loss prevention system has a mother device with light emitting diode (LED) lights in three directions. These three LED lights provide the user of the mother device with a direction in which to search for the user of the search device. However, since this design only provides three LED lights for direction, it is difficult to determine the position and distance of the user of the search device. This lowers the search effect of the separating type person loss prevention system. 
     Moreover, the separating type person loss prevention system requires two separate devices, increasing the cost and lowering the portability. This could also lower the willingness of the user to carry and use the devices, leading to the person loss prevention function to be less effective. 
     Therefore, as more and more people are using person loss prevention systems, developing a person loss prevention method to use with a person loss prevention system that has good portability and effective person loss prevention function, so person loss prevention systems can be carried easily by the user hence improving the person loss prevention effectiveness, becomes an important problem to solve. 
     SUMMARY 
     In response to the problem stated above, this disclosure provides a search device, a person loss prevention system and an operation method, to help the user of the system to determine the location, distance, or direction of the user of the search device immediately. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a search device is for use with an electronic device that includes a first transmitting interface and a processing unit. The search device includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a second transmitting interface that is electrically connected to the first transmitting interface, and a first communication unit that is electrically connected to the second transmitting interface. The second transmitting interface receives the predetermined signal from the first transmitting interface and transmits the predetermined signal to the first communication unit. The receiver includes a second communication unit that is wirelessly connected to the first communication unit, a control unit that is electrically connected to the second communication unit, and a speaker unit that is electrically connected to the control unit. The second communication unit receives the predetermined signal through the first communication unit and returns a feedback signal to the electronic device through the first communication unit, the second communication unit and the first transmitting interface. The processing unit of the electronic device sets the waveform of a sound signal and transmits the sound signal to the receiver through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit. The control unit of the receiver commands the speaker unit to play the sound signal. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a person loss prevention system includes an electronic device and a search device. The electronic device includes a first transmitting interface for transmitting a predetermined signal, and a processing unit being electrically connected to the first transmitting interface. The search device includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a second transmitting interface that is electrically connected to the first transmitting interface, and a first communication unit that is electrically connected to the second transmitting interface. The second transmitting interface receives the predetermined signal from the first transmitting interface and transmits the predetermined signal to the first communication unit. The receiver includes a second communication unit that is wirelessly connected to the first communication unit, a control unit that is electrically connected to the second communication unit, and a speaker unit that is electrically connected to the control unit. The second communication unit receives the predetermined signal through the first communication unit and returns a feedback signal to the electronic device through the first communication unit, the second communication unit and the first transmitting interface. The processing unit of the electronic device sets the waveform of a sound signal and transmits the sound signal to the receiver through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit. The control unit of the receiver commands the speaker unit to play the sound signal. 
     In another embodiment, the electronic device of the person loss prevention system described above further includes an input unit and a storage unit that are electrically connected to the processing unit. The input unit receives a control signal, and the processing unit commands the sound receiving unit to receive the sound signal according to the control signal. 
     In another embodiment, the electronic device of the person loss prevention system described above further includes an input unit and a storage unit that are electrically connected to the processing unit. The input unit receives a control signal, and the processing unit commands the first transmitting interface to transmit the sound signal stored in the storage unit to second transmitting interface of the transmitter of the search device according to the control signal. 
     In another embodiment, the processing unit of the electronic device of the person loss prevention system described above sets the waveform amplitude of the sound signal according to the feedback signal. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an operating method of a person loss prevention system includes the steps below. A first transmitting interface transmits a predetermined signal of the person loss prevention electronic system. A second transmitting interface of the person loss prevention electronic system receives the predetermined signal and sends the predetermined signal to the first communication unit. A first communication unit of the person loss prevention electronic system receives the predetermined signal and sends the predetermined signal to the second communication unit. The second communication unit of the person loss prevention electronic system returns a feedback signal through the first communication unit, the second transmitting interface, and the first transmitting interface to a processing unit. The processing unit of the person loss prevention electronic system sets waveform of a sound signal according to the feedback signal and sends the sound signal to a speaker unit through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit. The speaker unit of the person loss prevention electronic system plays the sound signal. 
     In another embodiment, in the operation method mentioned above, before the step of the processing unit of the person loss prevention electronic system sets waveform of the sound signal according to the feedback signal and sends the sound signal to the speaker unit through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit, the method further comprises an input unit of the person loss prevention electronic system receives a control signal, and the processing unit commands a sound receiving unit to receive the sound signal according to the control signal. 
     In another embodiment, in the operation method mentioned above, before the step of the processing unit of the person loss prevention electronic system sets waveform of the sound signal according to the feedback signal and sends the sound signal to the speaker unit through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit, the method further comprises an input unit of the person loss prevention electronic system receives a control signal, and the processing unit commands a storage unit to store the sound signal according to the control signal. 
     In another embodiment, in the operation method mentioned above, before the step of the processing unit of the person loss prevention electronic system sets waveform of the sound signal according to the feedback signal and sends the sound signal to the speaker unit through the first transmitting interface, the second transmitting interface, the first communication unit, and the second communication unit, the method further comprises a processing unit of the electronic device sets waveform of the sound signal according to the feedback signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus does not limit the present disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a system operating flowchart of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a system operating flowchart of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A person loss prevention system  100  includes an electronic device  10  and a search device  20 . The electronic device  10  can be a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant (PDA). The electronic device  10  includes a processing unit  11 , and a storage unit  12  electrically connected to the processing unit  11 , a sound receiving unit  13 , an input unit  14 , and a first transmitting interface  15 . The processing unit  11  of the electronic device can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU). 
     The storage unit  12  can be a hard disk or a memory device. The hard disk can be grouped as Advanced Technology Attachment hard disk, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment hard disk, Small Computer System Interface hard disk, Serial Attached SCSI hard disk, and Solid State Disk (SSD), etc. according to the data transmission interface. The memory device can be grouped as Dynamic Random Access Memory, (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, (EPROM), etc. according to the difference in the technical design. But the storage unit  12  is not limited to these stated examples. 
     The sound receiving unit  13  can be a microphone. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the input unit  14  can be computer accessories, such as touch panel screen, mouse, or keyboard, etc. The first transmitting interface  15  can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a headphone connection port, or a headphone jack. The headphone connection port can be grouped by the connecting plug diameter into groups of 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, or 6.3 mm, etc. The first transmitting interface  15  is for transmitting a predetermined signal to a search device  20 . 
     The search device  20  includes a transmitter  21  and a receiver  22 . The transmitter  21  includes a second transmitting interface  211  that is electrically connected to the first transmitting interface  15 , and a first communication unit  212  that is electrically connected to the second transmitting interface  211 . The second transmitting interface  211  receives the predetermined signal from the first transmitting interface  15  and transmits the predetermined signal to the first communication unit  212 . 
     The second transmitting interface  211  can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a headphone connection port, or a headphone jack. The first communication unit  212  can be a communication device of Bluetooth, infrared, or Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. 
     The receiver  22  includes a second communication unit  221  that is wirelessly connected to the first communication unit  212 , a control unit  222  that is electrically connected to the second communication unit  221 , and a speaker  223  unit that is electrically connected to the control unit  222 . The second communication unit  221  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be a communication device of Bluetooth, infrared, or Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The control unit  222  is a central processing unit. The speaker unit  223  is a speaker device. But the search device  20  of one embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to these stated examples. 
     The explanation below will explain the operation of the person loss prevention system  100  in detail. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2A , and  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 2A  is a partial flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2B  is a partial flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. An operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes the steps shown below. Step S 10 : The processing unit  11  of the electronic device  10  reads and executes an application in the storage unit  12 . In this step, the electronic device  10  can download an application from the internet or a CD-ROM drive, and store the application in the storage unit  12 . After the electronic device  10  calls and executes the application from the storage unit  12 , the electronic device  10  can execute the operation method of the person loss prevention system  100  through the application and provide a menu for the user to utilize. The menu can include function options such as voice call or alarm search, but are not limited to these. 
     Step S 20 : The input unit  14  of the electronic device  10  receives a control signal. In this step, the user chooses functions such as the voice call or alarm search through the input unit  14  of the electronic device  10  to produce the control signal. 
     Step S 30 : the processing unit  11  generates a predetermined signal. In this step, as soon as the input unit  14  of the electronic device  10  receives the control signal, the processing unit  11  generates and transmits the predetermined signal to a first transmitting interface  15 . 
     Step S 40 : The electronic device  10  sends the predetermined signal through the first transmitting interface  15  and the second transmitting interface  211  to the transmitter  21  of the search device  20 . The devices are designed this way because the transmitter  21  of the search device  20  includes the second transmitting interface  211  and the first communication unit  212 , and therefore has a lower volume and a lighter weight. Also, the search device  20  can be easily integrated with electronic devices  10  such as mobile phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, or tablet computers through the second transmitting interface  211  and the USB port or headphone plug on the electronic devices  10 . This effectively integrates the search device  20  and the electronic device  10 , increasing the efficiency of the person loss prevention system  100 . 
     Step S 50 : The first communication unit  212  of the transmitter  21  transforms and transmits the predetermined signal to the receiver  22 . In this step, the first communication unit  212  of the transmitter  21  transforms the predetermined signal to be of a wirelessly transmittable format, and then transmits the predetermined signal of the wirelessly transmittable format through wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, infrared, wireless network, or NFC, to the second communication unit  221  of the receiver  22 . In this way a wireless transmitting function between the transmitter  21  of the search device  20  and the receiver  22  is achieved. 
     Step S 60 : The second communication unit  221  transmits the predetermined signal to the control unit  222  and enters Step S 70 . 
     Step S 70 : The control unit  222  analyses the predetermined signal and returns a response signal to the second communication unit  221 . In this step, the control unit  222  analyses the predetermined signal and interprets the predetermined signal only represents that the electronic device  10  has started operating the person loss prevention function, then responds with the response signal to the second communication unit  221 . 
     Step S 80 : The second communication unit  221  transmits the response signal to the first communication unit  212  of the transmitter  21 . 
     Step S 90 : The first communication unit  212  transmits the response signal through the second transmitting interface  211  and the first transmitting interface  15  to processing unit  11  of the electronic device  10 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Step S 100 : The processing unit  11  executes an application and analyses the response signal. In this step, the processing unit  11  analyses the response signal to decipher the distance between the transmitter  21  of the search device  20  and the receiver  22 . The processing unit  11  further records this analysis result as a distance signal. 
     Step S 110 : The processing unit  11  analyses and determines the control signal. In this step, the processing unit  11  analyses and determines the control signal and uses the result to determine whether the control signal is a voice call or alarm search function. If the control signal represents the voice call function, the system then enters step S 200 . If the control signal represents the alarm search function, the system then enters step S 300 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Step S 200 : The processing unit  11  commands the sound receiving unit  13  according to the application to receive the sound signal. 
     Step S 210 : The processing unit  11  sets the waveform of the sound signal according to the distance signal. In this step, the processing unit  11  can set the wave shape, frequency, or amplitude of the sound signal according to the distance signal. This way, when the distance between the transmitter  21  and the receiver  22  of the search device  20  is further, the processing unit  11  increases the wave amplitude of the sound signal, causing the sound signal to have a higher volume when played. When the distance between the transmitter  21  of the search device  20  and the receiver  22  is closer, the processing unit  11  decreases the wave amplitude of the sound signal, causing the sound signal to have a lower volume when played. Of course, the processing unit  11  can also set according to the distance signal the wave shape or frequency of the sound signal to achieve the most optimized notice effect, and is not limited to the examples listed above. 
     Step S 220 : The processing unit  11  transmits the sound signal through the first transmitting interface  15  and the second transmitting interface  211  to the first communication unit  212 . 
     Step S 230 : The transmitter  21  transmits the sound signal through the first communication unit  212  and the second communication unit  221  to the receiver  22 . 
     Step S 240 : The control unit  222  analyses and determines the sound signal. In this step, the control unit  222  analyses and determines that the sound signal is a voice to be played, then enters step S 250 . 
     Step S 250 : The control unit commands the speaker unit to play the sound signal. 
     An advantage of this design lies in that the users of the transmitter  21  and the receiver  22  of the search device  20  can achieve a good interaction. In other words, the user of the receiver  22  can listen to the sound signal from the user of the transmitter  21 , and actively search for the location of the user of the transmitter  21 , thus achieving person loss prevention results. In more details, when the users of the transmitter  21  and the receiver  22  are located not too far apart, the user of the transmitter  21  can hear the receiver play the sound signal at a lower volume. On the other hand, when the users of the transmitter  21  and the receiver  22  are located further apart, the user of the transmitter  21  can hear the receiver play the sound signal at a higher volume. This way, no matter the distance, the user of the transmitter  21  can hear the sound signal played at an appropriate volume and determines immediately according to the sound signal the location, distance, or direction of the user of the receiver  22 , hence greatly increasing the person loss prevention effect. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  for an actual operation of the method.  FIG. 5  is a system operating flowchart of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the person loss prevention system  30  includes an electronic device  310  held by a first user (for example, the parents) and a receiver  320  of a search device held by a second user  303  (for example, a child). When the first user wants to tell the second user  303  to perform specific tasks, for example “it&#39;s time to come home” or “come to the entrance of the restaurant,” the first user can select with a finger  301  the “voice call” option on the electronic device  310 . Then the electronic device  310  starts to receive a sound signal inputted by the first user. And when the first user finishes inputting the sound signal, for example, when the first user selects the “voice call” button again or when the electronic device  310  has not sensed any voice for certain time duration, the electronic device  310  sends the received recorded sound signal to the receiver  320  of the search device. When the receiver  320  of the search device receives this recorded sound signal, the receiver  320  of the search device then plays this sound signal aloud. Thus the second user  303  can clearly listen to the specific task the first user intends to communicate. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Step S 300 : The processing unit  11  receives the sound signal from the storage unit  12  according to the application. 
     Step S 310 : The processing unit  11  sets the waveform of the sound signal according to the distance signal. 
     Step S 320 : The processing unit  11  transmits the sound signal through the first transmitting interface  15  and the second transmitting interface  211  to the first communication unit  212 . 
     Step S 330 : The transmitter  21  transmits the sound signal through the first communication unit  212  and the second communication unit  221  to the receiver  22 . 
     S 340 : The control unit  222  analyses and determines the sound signal. 
     S 350 : The control unit  222  commands the speaker unit  223  to play the sound signal. 
     An advantage of this design lays in that the user of the transmitter  21  or the receiver  22  of the search device  20  can record beforehand various sound signals, or use the sound signals provided by the system, for example, beeping alarm signals, hence improving the convenience of using the person loss prevention system  100 . 
     For an actual operation method, please refer to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a system operating flowchart of a person loss prevention system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the person loss prevention system  40  includes an electronic device  410  held by a first user and a receiver  410  of the search device that is placed on a vehicle  403  (for example, a bicycle.) When the first user intends to search for the vehicle  403 , the first user selects with a finger  401  the “alarm search” option on the electronic device  410 . Then the electronic device  410  detects the distance of the receiver  420  of the search device, and sets the waveform of a sound signal according to the detected distance. And then the electronic device  410  sends the sound signal to the receiver  420  of the search device. When the receiver  420  of the search device receives this recorded sound signal, the receiver  420  of the search device then plays the sound signal aloud. Thus the first user can locate the vehicle  403  according to the sound signal played aloud. 
     In summary, users can achieve a good person loss prevention effect with the search device and person loss prevention system provided by the present disclosure. Some advantages of the search device, the person loss prevention system and the operation method of the present disclosure include adjusting the waveform of the sound signal to effectively notify the transmitter with the location, distance, or direction of the user of the receiver. Moreover, the user of the receiver can actively search for the user of the transmitter according to the sound signal played, achieving a good two-way notifying function. Further more, through the second transmitting interface of the transmitter of the search device can be directly integrated to the electronic device by the first transmitting interface of the electronic device. This can increase the portability and convenience of the search device, and also increase the utilization of the person loss prevention system, achieving the purpose of this disclosure.