Patent ID: 7271718

Claim:
An electronic apparatus for monitoring whether an electronic device remains within an area proximate to the electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus comprising: a transmitter adapted top periodically transmit a poll signal intended for reception by the electronic device, the transmitter transmitting the poll signal with a predetermined magnitude to limit the effective reception range of the poll signal to said area; a receiver adapted to receive a reply signal generated by the electronic device in response to receipt of the poll signal where the reply signal includes identification information that is unique to the electronic device; means for comparing the received identification information with first identification information stored in memory of the electronic apparatus to determine if the received identification information matches the first identification information; means for transmitting an alert if the identification information is not received that matches the first identification information following the transmission of the poll signal by the transmitter; wherein the electronic apparatus is capable of being accessed by a user and further comprises means for determining whether the electronic apparatus is being currently accessed by the user, the first alert consisting of visual indicia if the determining means determines that the electronic apparatus is being currently accessed by the user, the first alert comprising an audible sound if the determining means determines that the electronic apparatus is not being currently accessed by the user.