DescriptionThe Child FmderIntroductionEvery year thousands of children become separated from their parents or guardians whilst at shopping centres, theme parks, outings etc. As any parent will tell you, it is one of the most distressing things that can happen to you and your child.
The'Child Finder'is a system which will help locate the child quickly, when time is a most important factor in considering the child's safety.
One version of the system as detailed in Figure 1 would work as follows. The child or children wears a strap around their wrist with a transmitter built into the strap which emits a signal. The parent carries a hand held frequency reader as detailed in Figure I which can'home-in'on the signal..
The system is colour coded with child and parent unit facilities being the same colour.
Each child wears a unit of different colour which corresponds to an individual pre-set frequency. This enables multiple children to be tracked and identified individually and quickly, i. e in a family or school outing. This is also a safety feature in case other children are using the system nearby.
In addition the system may also incorporate some of the following features: 1. Multiple frequency emitters, one for each child. The frequency being preset to each transmitter.
2. A light, vibration or warning feature which is activated when the signal has been located.
3. A standard, dipole or other aerial/antenna to the receiver and or transmitter.
4. An alert button on the transmitter to be pressed by the child.
5. A reset button.
6. A noise or audible alert sound on the transmitter/receiver.
7. A belt or pocket strap for the units.
8. Velcro strap fitting.
9. A visual distress signal.
10. Laser light/s emitted from the transmitter.
11. A microphone and speaker to enable audio communication i. e between guardian and child.
12. A miniature camera to transmit visual signals i. e between guardian and child.
13. An infra-red or similar control to activate the child's system by the guardian and vice-versa.
14. Part of the transmitter or activation system on a key fob.
15'Panic'button settings.
16. Battery and solar power features.
17. Power adaptor capability and recharging facility.
18. A watch/radio facility.
19. Bracelet with internaVéxternal aerial. The aerial can extend manually or automatically.
20. On/of'buttons.
21. An aerial that can fit to a pole for improved reception.
22. Microphone/earpiece facility 23. Battery light and test indicator.
24. Pressing button on unit ejects aerial automatically. Aerial can rewind or pull in/out.
25. Monitoring system sends out alert when the units go out of range.
26. Backlight facility. Dial illumination capability for night use.
27. Luminous parts to strap and units.
28. Alpha-Numerical display.
29. Note list on unit to write details i. e frequencies, names etc.
30. Keypad to enter frequencies.
31. Coloured/numbered buttons for pre-set frequencies and colour coded with emitter unit.
32. Carrying case/pouch.
33. Battery housing facility in units or strap or external to unit.
34. Water-resistant construction.
35. Identity details/tag on units.
36. Compass facility for direction of units including'hold'features.
37. A version of the emitter to be used on other parts of the body i. e in pocket, on belt, with necklet etc.
38. Upgrading/programming facilities for future units i. e setting further frequencies.
39. Volume control.
40. Feature allowing distance measuring between systems.
41. A light array i. e circle of LED's which give direction of unit.
42. Use of metal strip or aerial built into strap or unit.
43. Use of aerial built into earphone wire.
44. Satellite detection capability.
45. Range settings to units.
46. Clip on fixing for child unit to receiver.
47. Interface for linking to computer and other ports.
48. Capability for entering alpha-numeric symbols i. e names.
49. Use for militay applications 50. Flashing light capability.
This system could also be used in other circumstances where location of a person, animal or object may be necessary.
An example of how the system might work is as follows :A mother is at a theme park with 2 children. Each child has a'Child Finder'wrist unit, one coloured red and the other blue. Each child knows how to operate the units by pressing the signal button if they become sparated from their mother. She says they can go on one of the attraction rides while she buys an ice-cream. On return to the ride she discovers they are not there.
She turns on the hand set and the indicator light comes on. She presses the red and blue buttons. The main indicator light starts flashing to indicate the unit is'hunting'for a signal and the two coloured buttons are illuminated. She moves the hand set around in a slow circular motion.
Suddenly the main indicator light starts flashing and a buzzer tone is heard. The red light starts flashing and a message on the display reads'red signal located'She follows the direction of the aerial and sights the child. The procedure is repeated for the next child.
This example is indicative of how the system might work and elements may be changed in accordance with this patent application.