| A protection and warning system comprising : a first communications device; at least one second communications device which is associated with a respective portable host article, to be monitored; - at least one of the first communications device and the at least one second communications device being configured to sense via a wireless link whether the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are within range from one another; and indicator means associated with at least one of the first communications device and the at least one second communications device to provide an indication when the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are not within range of one another. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first communications device comprises a controller connected to the indicator means located on the first communications device and configured automatically to cause the indicator means to provide the indication when the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are not within range of one another. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first communications device is in the form of a stationary reference station. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first communications device is mounted in a room and the respective portable host article comprises portable articles in the room. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first communications device is in the form of a portable reference station and is configured to be carried by or on the body of a user. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first communications device is configured to be carried in a holster or sheath on the body of the user or as a pendant around the neck of the user or on a key-holder carried by the user or in a handbag carried by the user. 7. A protection and warning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the first communications device comprises a local power supply and a wireless transceiver cooperating with the wireless link. 8. A protection and warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wireless link comprises one of an infrared link and a radio frequency (RF) link. 9. A protection and warning system as claimed in any one of claims 7 and 8 wherein the at least one second communications device comprises a respective complementary transceiver cooperating with the link. 10. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the respective complementary transceiver comprises a transponder. 1 1 . A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first communications device is configured automatically to activate the indicator means when a response signal is not received from the respective complementary transceiver of the at least one second communications device. A protection and warning system as claimed in claim 1 0 or claim 1 1 wherein the transponder is a passive transponder which derives power for the operation of the transponder from a reader or energizing signal transmitted by the first communications device. A protection and warning system as claimed in any one of claims 7 and 8 wherein the at least one second communications device comprises a respective complementary receiver for cooperating with the link and wherein the at least one second communications device comprises a respective local controller connected to the indicator means located on the at least one second communications device and configured to activate the indicator means when a signal is no longer received via the link from the first communications device. A protection and warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the indicator means comprises an audible and/or visual indicator. A method of monitoring a human portable host article, the method comprising the steps of: - causing a reference station to broadcast a first wireless signal; and if the first signal is not received by a receiver carried on the article to be monitored, causing indicator means associated with at least one of the reference station and the receiver to provide a human perceivable indication. |
ITEM.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a detection and warning system for detecting loss or removal of a portable or mobile item . The invention also relates to an associated method.
It is a well know problem that people, from time to time, inadvertently leave a portable item such as a car key, cellular phone, wallet, handbag and many other portable item behind, and that this may lead to loss of the item and/or inconvenience. For example, it often happens that a visitor to a restaurant or other venue inadvertently leave behind one of the aforementioned items on a table or a similar place. Furthermore, such items may also be removed from an authorized user's body by pickpockets. Still furthermore, these items are often stolen from offices, homes or vehicles.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method with which the applicant believes the aforementioned problems and/or disadvantages may at least be alleviated or which may provide a useful alternative for known systems and counter measures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a protection and warning system comprising:
- a first communications device;
- at least one second communications device which is associated with a respective portable host article, to be monitored;
- at least one of the first communications device and the at least one second communications device being configured to sense via a wireless link whether the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are within range from one another; and
- indicator means associated with at least one of the first communications device and the at least one second communications device to provide an indication when the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are not within range of one another. The at least one second communications device may be associated with the respective portable host article i that the second communications device may be incorporated in, alternatively integrated with, further alternatively mounted on and still further alternatively mountabie on the portable host article.
The first communications device may comprise a controller connected to the indicator means located on the first communications device and may be configured automatically to cause the indicator means to provide the indication when the first communications device and the at least one second communications device are not within range of one another.
The first communications device may be in the form of a fixed or stationary base or reference station. In these embodiments, the first communications device may be a fixture in a room or office, or on a vehicle or on any other body.
In other embodiments, the first communications device may be in the form of a portable base or reference station and may be configured to be carried on the body of a user. For example, the reference station may be configured to be carried in a holster, sheath or the like on a belt of the user or as a pendant around the neck of the user. In other embodiments, the reference station may be carried on a key-holder or ring carried by the user. In still other embodiments, the reference station may be carried in a handbag or the like.
The first communications device may comprise a local power supply and a wireless transmitter, but preferable comprises a wireless transceiver cooperating with the wireless link. The wireless link may be an infrared link, but preferably is a radio frequency (RF) link, such as a Bluetooth™ link.
The at least one second communications device may comprise a complementary transceiver. The complementary transceiver may comprise a transponder and the transponder may be active or passive, in that the transponder derives power for the operation of the complementary transponder from a reader or energizing signal transmitted by the first communications device.
The first communications device may be configured automatically to activate the indicator means when a response signal is not received from the complementary transceiver of the second communications device.
In other embodiments, the at least one second communications device may comprise a complementary receiver for cooperating with the link and the at least one second communications device may comprise a local controller connected to the indicator means located on the at least one second communications device and may be configured to activate the indicator means when a signal is no longer received via the link from the first communications device.
The indicator means may comprise an audible and/or visual indicator.
Also included within the scope of the present invention is a method of monitoring a human portable host article, the method comprising the steps of;
- causing a reference station to broadcast a first wireless signal; and
if the first signal is not received by a receiver carried on the article to be monitored, causing indicator means associated with at least one of the reference station and the receiver to provide a human perceivable indication. The human portable host article may be any portable host article, such as a mobile phone, PDA, laptop computer, set of keys, wallet, TV set, DVD player, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS
The invention will now further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein:
figure 1 is a basic block diagram of the system according to the invention;
figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example embodiment of the system; and
figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a second example embodiment of the system.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
A protection and warning system according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 0 in the diagrams.
The system 1 0 comprises a first wireless communications device 1 2 and at least one second wireless communications device 14.1 to 1 4.n mounted or mountable on a portable host article (PHA) 1 6. 1 to 1 6.n respectively, to be monitored. At least one of the first communications device 1 2 and the second device 1 4.1 to 1 4.n is configured to sense via a wireless link 1 8 whether the first communications device 1 2 and the second device 1 4.1 to 14.n are within a range R from one another. The system further comprises indicator means 20 associated with at least one of the first communications device 1 2 and the second device 1 4.1 to 1 4.n, to provide an indication when the first communications device 1 2 and the second device 1 4.1 to 14.n are not within the range R of one another.
The first communications device 1 2 comprises a local power supply, such as a battery pack 21 for providing power to a controller 22 and a radio frequency transceiver 24 connected to the controller 22. The transceiver 24 is connected to an antenna 26. The indicator 20, which is configured to provide an audible and/or visual indication and which is also powered by the supply 21 , is also connected to the controller.
The second devices 1 4.1 to 1 4.n may be mounted on or integrated with the respective PHA 1 6. 1 to 1 6.n or may be mountable, including removably mountable thereon. The second device may comprise a transceiver which may be in the form of an active, alternatively a passive transponder. Hence, on receipt of an energizing or interrogation or reader signal (as the case may be) from the first device 1 2 via link 1 8, and if the second device 1 4.1 to 1 4.n is within the range R, the transceiver generates a response signal which is transmitted via link 1 8 to be received by the first device 1 2. If no such response signal is received by the first device 1 2, it means that the second device 1 4.1 to 14.n and host article are out of range R, the host article probably mislaid, or left behind or stolen and then the controller 22 causes the indicator 20 automatically to provide the indication. In some embodiments, more particularly where active transceivers are used, an indication may also be caused to be provided by a controller and indicator means connected to the active transponder and hosted on the host article. Referring to figure 2, in one example embodiment of the system 10, the first communications device is in the form of a partial reference station (PRS) 1 2 and is configured to be carried in a holster or the like or on a key-ring on a belt 30 of a user 32. While the PHA 1 6. 1 carrying the second communications device 1 4.1 is in range R of the PRS 1 2, for example in the hand or in a pocket of clothing of the user
32, the interrogation signal is received and responded to as aforesaid over the link 1 8. However, in the event of the user having left a PHA 1 6.2 behind on a table 34 for example, and as soon as the PRS 1 2 (carried on the body of the user 32) and the PHA 1 6.2 move out of range R of one another, no response signal is received by the PRS 1 2 and the controller 22 of the PRS 1 2 automatically causes the indicator means 20 to be activated. By reacting to the indication, the user 32 should then still be in a position to turn back and to collect the PHA 1 6.2, before it is lost.
In figure 3, another example embodiment of the system 1 0 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the PRS 1 2 is positioned on a table
42. PHA's 1 6.1 to 1 6.n hosting respective second communications devices 1 4.1 to 1 4.n may be positioned on the table 42 or be located in pockets of clothing or in handbags or the like of tablemates 40.1 to 40.4. The PRS 1 2 polls the devices 1 4.1 to 14.n as hereinbefore described. As soon as the PRS 1 2 on the one hand and any one or more of the PHA's 1 6.1 and 1 6.n move out of range, the PRS and/or device on the PHA provides an indication as aforesaid.
The PRS may be configured to poll the devices 1 4.1 to 1 4.n intermittently or periodically, at suitable intervals, for example every second, or every 30 seconds or every minute, etc.
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