Patent Document

BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for assisting in the location of a lost or misplaced object.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     In recent years, advances in technology have allowed manufacturers of various devices and objects to make their devices and objects smaller and smaller. While smaller devices are often more convenient, when the devices and objects are lost or misplaced, location of these new smaller devices and objects is oftentimes difficult, frustrating and many times impossible. Consequently, owners of these devices and objects oftentimes give up searching for the devices, often simply electing to replace them rather than continue searching for the missing device or object. However, in certain circumstances, such as when an infant is crying over a lost pacifier, location of the pacifier becomes virtually essential. Over the years, various apparatuses have been developed to assist in the location of objects which have various advantages and shortcomings.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,653, issued on Mar. 26, 1985, to Bayer, describes an object finder device which can be mounted on a personal item and responds by an audible signal to a predetermined sound such as hand clapping, whistling, and the like. The effectiveness of this device would necessarily be limited to the range where the designated sound reaches a threshold level.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,307, issued Dec. 10, 1985, to Lienart van Lidt de Jeude, describes a light-actuated reminder device for attachment to keys, a wallet or a diary, and the like, which would normally be left in a pocket or cabinet where light stimulation is absent. Upon exposure to light for a predetermined time, an alarm within the device sounds. A cover is provided for placement over the device sensor when not in operation. This system is impractical in that a cover could be easily lost. Also, the item could be left at a location with the cover on and then the location for the item could be easily forgotten, resulting in inoperativeness of the system and loss of the item.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,143, issued on Jan. 28, 1997, to Wentz, describes a device for mounting in a location, such as near a television, which selectively signals a plurality of control devices known as beepers upon actuation so as to activate a sound signal from each selected control device so as to disclose their location. This system does not provide for the location of personal items, etc. but only to hand-held remote control devices.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,677, issued on May 13, 1997, to Staino, Jr. describes a locator system particularly designed for eyeglasses. The eyeglass holder acts as the finding device and signals are transmitted from the holder to a device on the eyeglasses which emits an audible signal upon manual activation of the combination holder and finding device. This system is practically confined to eyeglasses and is not appropriate for use with other personal items which are subject to loss.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,051, issued on Jun. 10, 1997, to Sacca et al., describes a finding device primarily used for the location of a remote control useful in controlling a television. The primary novelty apparent in this description is reduced power consumption of the receiver which activates an audible signaling device. This system is not amenable to finding a variety of discreet personal items. The finder is also subject to being mislaid, thus prejudicing the reliability of the locator system.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,023, issued Sep. 30, 1997, to Smith, describes a locating system primarily designed for locating remote control units for television, etc. which employs both light signaling and simulated speech sound signaling at the receiver portion, which is located on one of the respective remote control units. This system would not be practical for finding small objects such as keys, wallets or pacifiers, and other objects.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,673, issued Oct. 14, 1997, to Kipnis describes a wall-mounted personal item locator unit which has a plurality of labeled buttons which correspond to receiver units mountable on objects subject to loss. Each mountable receiver unit emits a characteristic sound such that upon activation of the item locator unit, the desired object may be found by listening for its sound emission. An alternative system employs a transportable transmitter unit. The transmitter continually transmits an activation signal intermittently upon actuation. The selected receiver unit then sends out a signal back to the transmitter activating a flashing light such as a light-emitting diode (LED). As the user approaches the lost item, the rate of flashing increases. This light-emitting mode is used in addition to the sound-emitting device on the receiver. This system is of limited usefulness in the wall-mounted embodiment due to necessarily limited range. In the case of the portable locator, the locating device is itself subject to loss, thus compromising the system&#39;s overall reliability.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,105, issued Oct. 21, 1997, to Hedric describes a locating device for locating household objects by means of matching coded senders and receivers mounted on a rack when not in use. The elements for attachment are coded to respond to a multiplicity of corresponding individual finders. This system suffers from a design having a large number of parts which are subject to loss. The cost of having individual finders with separate circuits results in an unduly expensive locator system. The elements for attachment are relatively large and would not be appropriate for small objects such as key chains and the system would necessarily be limited in range due to the small size of the finders.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,238, issued on Nov. 18, 1997, to Cannon, Jr. et al. describes an object locator system particularly adapted to finding marked documents in a random file in a file cabinet. Means are disclosed for providing the file with either a sound-emitting device which is interrogated by a coded finder, or a homing device which responds to a particular coded electronic signal sending device with an audible output which increases in loudness upon approaching the desired file. This system is subject to loss or misplacement of the locator device and the disclosure is restricted to a filing system environment.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,981, issued on Aug. 17, 1999 to Renney describes an item locator with attachable receiver/transmitter. There is no provision, however, for locating the item locator if it should be misplaced.  
         [0015]     While the above-described devices are useful for the casual user, they provide little or no assistance to the hearing-impaired and none of these products are appropriate for use with a pacifier as they may pose a choking hazard or pose other risks of injury to an infant.  
         [0016]     What is needed is a locator device that is integrated with a pacifier that can offer provide auditory and/or visual indications of the item&#39;s location.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a rear view of a pacifier associated with a locator system.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the pacifier associated with a locator system shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the pacifier associated with a locator system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the pacifier associated with a locator system shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pacifier associated with a locator system as shown and indicated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a base unit associated with a pacifier locator system.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a mobile locator unit associated with a pacifier locator system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict the back and front sides of a pacifier  100 , respectively. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pacifier  100  includes a housing  102 .  
         [0025]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the pacifier  100  includes an identifier  104 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the identifier  104  can be a transparent plastic cover, removably attached to the housing  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more light sources ( 502 ,  FIG. 5 ) are located behind the plastic cover which can illuminate when the pacifier  100  is activated by a pager device, thus assisting in the location of the pacifier  100  and any associated object. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the light sources are red light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, in alternate embodiments, any convenient and/or known light source of any color may be used. Additionally, in alternate embodiments, the location and number of light sources may vary. In still further alternate embodiments, the plastic cover can be irremovably attached to the housing and/or the pacifier.  
         [0026]     In alternate embodiments, the identifier can be embossed into the housing or affixed or associated with the pacifier  100  in any convenient and/or known manner or may be absent. In still further alternate embodiments, the housing  402  can have a unique color associated with a button on a pager device. In still further alternate embodiments, the housing  102  can have a unique shape associated with a button or marking on a pager device.  
         [0027]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the identifier can simultaneously act as a removable battery cover  106 . However, in alternate embodiments, the removable battery cover and the identifier can be independent components. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the battery cover  106  can be removed such that the power source for the pacifier  100  can be easily replaced. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the power source is an alkali battery. However in alternate embodiments, any convenient and/or known power source can be used.  
         [0028]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  also includes a flanges  108 . The flanges extend from the housing substantially orthogonally. In some embodiments the flanges  108  can have a substantially semi-circular shape and can curve toward the front side of the pacifier  100  to better conform to the face of an infant. In alternate embodiments, the flanges can have known and/or convenient shape and/or can be absent.  
         [0029]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the flanges can include apertures  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the apertures  110  are circular in a radial pattern. However, in alternate embodiment, the apertures  110  can have any known and/or convenient shape and can be dispersed within the flanges  108  in any convenient pattern. In still further embodiments, the apertures  110  may not be present.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  show the front side of the pacifier  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the pacifier  100  includes a nipple  202  that is attached to the housing  102 . Attachment of the nipple  202  to the housing  102  can be accomplished using any know and/or convenient attachment mechanism. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the nipple  202  is attached to the housing via a lip  204  which engages the proximal end of the nipple  202 . In some embodiments, the nipple can be removed and replaced with the same or a substitute nipple. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  the nipple  202  can be made of a transparent or translucent, non-toxic, hypo-allergenic material that can safely be introduced into an infant&#39;s mouth. The nipple  202  can have any known and/or convenient shape. Additionally, in alternate embodiments, the nipple  202  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and need not be transparent and/or translucent.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the pacifier  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the nipple  202  has a bulbous distal end and the flanges  108  have a semi-spherical shape. However, in alternate embodiments, other configurations are possible.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the pacifier  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the housing includes an opening  402 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the opening is partially covered. However, in alternate embodiments, the opening  402  can be unobstructed and/or absent. Additionally, in alternate embodiments, the opening  402  can have any know and/or convenient shape and/or can be located in any known and/or convenient location on the housing  102 .  
         [0033]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the pacifier  100  includes a speaker  502 , a power source  504 , an antenna  506  and a light source  508  located inside the housing  102  of the pacifier  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the speaker  502 , antenna  506  and light source  508  are attached to the power source  504 . However, in alternate embodiments, each device can have its own power source or be powered in any known and/or convenient manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the power source  504  is a battery. However, in alternate embodiments, the power source can be any known and/or convenient mechanism and/or the power source  504  could be absent and the devices  502 ,  506 ,  508  could draw power in any known and/or convenient manner.  
         [0034]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the speaker can emit a single-tone or multi-tone frequency. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  the multi-tone frequency includes one high-frequency audible tone and one low-frequency audible tone. The two tones are emitted sequentially in an interlaced fashion such that at any given time the speaker  502  is either emitting a low-frequency tone or a high-frequency tone. Thus, the effect is similar to an ambulance siren. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the high-frequency tone can be a tone selected from the frequency range of approximately 10,000 Hz to approximately 20,000 Hz and the low-frequency tone can be a tone selected from the frequency range of approximately 0 Hz to 10,000 Hz. However, in alternate embodiments, the high and low frequency tones can be selected from any ranges within the audible frequency spectrum. Alternatively, the two frequency tones can be superimposed onto each other. Such superposition can create another sound known as a beat and/or portions of the one of the tones may server to attenuate or amplify portions of the other tone. Still alternatively, the tones can be synchronous or asynchronous.  
         [0035]     In an alternate embodiment, the multi-tone frequency can include two or more frequencies either superimposed or emitted sequentially in an interlaced fashion and the two or more frequencies can be selected from any portion of the audible frequency range, approximately 0 Hz to approximately 20,000 Hz.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows the interior of the housing of the pacifier  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the pacifier  100  shows that the light source  508  as an LED located inside the pacifier  100 , behind the cover  104 . However in alternate embodiments, the pacifier  100  can include multiple light sources  504  of any known type located at the perimeter of the housing  102  of the pacifier  100  and/or in any convenient location on the pacifier  100 . Additionally, in alternate embodiments the light sources  504  can vary in number and can be located in any convenient location on the pacifier  100 . Additionally, although described as an LED  504 , any convenient and/or known light source can be used. Furthermore, any color of light source can be used. In still further alternate embodiments, fewer than described, more than described and/or no light source can be used.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows the front side of a remote locator pager device  600 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the pager device includes a casing and four buttons  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608  extending through the casing and an antenna  610 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the antenna is depicted as an external omni-directional antenna. However, in alternate embodiments, the antenna can be any known and/or convenient type of antenna. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  the casing is made of an opaque plastic. However in alternate embodiments, the casing may be made of any convenient and/or known material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the four buttons  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608  is associated with a unique indicator marking. The indicator markings can be any convenient mechanism to differentiate the buttons by sight and/or touch. In alternate embodiments, the unique indicator markings may not be present. Additionally, in a further alternate embodiment, each of the buttons  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608  can have a unique color and/or a unique shape and/or number to facilitate identification.  
         [0038]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , button  602  can be labeled “light.” In some embodiments, when the button  602  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  and the light source  508  on the pacifier can be triggered. The light source  508  can emit a solid continuous light or it can emit an intermittent light. In some embodiments, the light source  508  can emit various colored lights and/or can emit both light and an audible signal from the speaker  502 . In some embodiments, the light source and/or audible signal can continue until terminated or can only be emitted for a predetermined period. In some embodiments, depression of the button  602  can result in the pacifier  100  emitting a light signal only.  
         [0039]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , button  604  can be labeled “Beep.” In some embodiments, when the button  604  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  and the speaker  502  on the pacifier can be triggered. The speaker can emit any kind of audible signal as described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the light source  508  ca also emit a visual signal or the pacifier  100  can emit both a visible signal from the light source  508  and an audible signal from the speaker  502 . In some embodiments, the light source and/or audible signal can continue until terminated or can only be emitted for a predetermined period. In some embodiments, depression of the button  604  can result in the pacifier  100  emitting an audible signal only.  
         [0040]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , button  606  can be labeled “Stop.” In some embodiments, when the button  606  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  to halt audible, visual and/or both signals from being emitted by the pacifier  100 . In alternate embodiments, when the button  606  is depressed, any single and/or multiple signals being transmitted by the remote locator pager device  600  can be terminated.  
         [0041]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the button  608  can be labeled “Remote.” In some embodiments, when the button  608  is depressed, a signal can be sent to a remote device ( 700 ,  FIG. 7 ) and a speaker on the remote device can be triggered. The speaker can emit any kind of audible signal as described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, a light source can also emit a visual signal or the remote device  700  can emit both a visible signal from a light source and an audible signal from a speaker. In some embodiments, the light source and/or audible signal can continue until terminated or can only be emitted for a predetermined period. In some embodiments, depression of the button  608  can result in the remote device  700  emitting either an audible signal only or a visual signal only. Additionally, in alternate embodiments, pressing button  608  multiple times can result in the remote device emitting an audible signal, a visual signal, both an audible signal and a visual signal and/or stop the remote device from emitting any one or more audible or visual signals.  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  depicts a remote device  700  with similar functionality to the remote locator pager device  600 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the pager device includes a casing and three buttons  702 ,  704 ,  706  extending through the casing, and attachment mechanism  708 , a speaker opening  710  and light sources  712 . Internal to the casing are an antenna (not shown) a power source (not shown) and a speaker (not shown). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the antenna can be a flat panel antenna and the power source can be a battery. However, in alternate embodiments the antenna can be any known and/or convenient type of antenna and the power source can be any know and or convenient power source. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  the casing is made of an opaque plastic. However in alternate embodiments, the casing may be made of any convenient and/or known material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , each of the three buttons  702 ,  704 ,  706  is associated with a unique indicator marking. The indicator markings can be any convenient mechanism to differentiate the buttons by sight and/or touch. In alternate embodiments, the unique indicator markings may not be present. Additionally, in a further alternate embodiment, each of the buttons  702 ,  704 ,  706  can have a unique color and/or a unique shape and/or number to facilitate identification.  
         [0043]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , button  702  can be labeled “L.” In some embodiments, when the button  702  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  and the light source  508  on the pacifier can be triggered. The light source  508  can emit a solid continuous light or it can emit an intermittent light. In some embodiments, the light source  508  can emit various colored lights and/or can emit both light and an audible signal from the speaker  502 . In some embodiments, the light source and/or audible signal can continue until terminated or can only be emitted for a predetermined period. In some embodiments, depression of the button  702  can result in the pacifier  100  emitting a light signal only.  
         [0044]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , button  704  can be labeled “B.” In some embodiments, when the button  704  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  and the speaker  502  on the pacifier can be triggered. The speaker can emit any kind of audible signal as described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the light source  508  ca also emit a visual signal or the pacifier  100  can emit both a visible signal from the light source  508  and an audible signal from the speaker  502 . In some embodiments, the light source and/or audible signal can continue until terminated or can only be emitted for a predetermined period. In some embodiments, depression of the button  704  can result in the pacifier  100  emitting an audible signal only.  
         [0045]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , button  706  can be labeled “Stop.” In some embodiments, when the button  706  is depressed, a signal can be sent to the pacifier  100  to halt audible, visual and/or both signals from being emitted by the pacifier  100 . In alternate embodiments, when the button  706  is depressed, any single and/or multiple signals being transmitted by the remote device  700  can be terminated.  
         [0046]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the attachment mechanism  708  is an aperture in the casing which would allow attachment of the remote device  700  to any convenient item. In alternate embodiments, the attachment mechanism  708  can be any known and/or convenient mechanism.  
         [0047]     The above-described system is a locating pager device for finding a misplaced and/or lost pacifier. In operation, the remote locator pager device  600  and/or the remote device  700  can send a signal to the pacifier  100  that can emit a multi-frequency audible tone and emit light upon activation by the appropriate signal. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the signals are radio frequency signals. However, in alternate embodiments, the signals can be any convenient type of signal.  
         [0048]     While the system has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modification or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the system described herein.

Technology Category: 3