Personal object communication in bags
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to people forgetting items when packing I unpacking a bag (1) / container of some sort. When we forget things, we feel anxious, and sometimes our day is ruined because of it. This invention provides a way for the bag to communicate to us (through lights or a screen) that items we need are missing / not yet packed. We seem to be carrying a growing number of essential items and being unable to have a productive day if we forget them.
Things such as our mobile devices, keys, transit passes, diary's, medications, wallets etc. LCD To overcome this issue, the present invention proposes a bag (1) / container that has a tag (10) and reader (4) system, so items can be tracked and communicated to the user -in this instance through the use of lights (6) or a screen (12) -if an item is packed or not packed.
The problem it solves is in that moment of packing our items, that rushed time perhaps, or leaving work / going on a trip.., it helps us by communicating to us, what is in or not in our bag (1) -without the need to search through it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the notification / communication to a user that an item is or is not packed in their bag. The important features of this bag (1) is that it can be applied to any bag / carrying case (purse, handbag, carry on, briefcase, sports bag, camera bag, baby bag, backpack, rucksack, messenger bag etc) and involves having a method to scan your items with the tags (10) in the form of a key fob / key ring, card, button, sticker or other various forms, as they are loaded into your bag. The method I am using is to tag items such as mobile phones, keys, wallet, glasses, umbrella, mobile device, laptop etc... with an identification number, which can be REID (4) (radio frequency) or NFC (near field communication) read, and the bag (1) / container itself has a way to read that number, through an REID / NEC reader or similar. This will help the user prevent the loss of these items, the stress 0 associated when they are missing such items, and the ease of packing their bags without a constant checking / going through an already packed bag.
This REID technology has been used in other contactless systems, to track items, assembly line, pets etc. In this system the range of the passive tags (non powered) is only a few inches or so, thus requiring the bag to be in close proximity for a successful scan to take place.
DESCRIPTION OE THE INVENTION
It is understood that these illustrated embodiments are provided as examples to teach the broader inventive concept. Also, reference numbers are repeated throughout the drawings for the sake of convenience and example, and such repetition does not indicate any required combination of features or steps throughout the drawings.
All the bags (1) have an integrated circuit board (5) of some description, visible or not visible, in order to run the code programmed to activate the reader (9), lights (6), piezo (2) and vibe motor (3), as well as store in memory the items that have been scanned / not scanned. The components are wired in through wires and solder or sewable wire (14) to meet power requirements / communication / programming.
This typically has an antenna (9) area where the tag (10) would be scanned.
The individuals would be able to place these tags (10) on any items they believe are essential to have with them and that they would like tracked.
0 Preferably, the bag will have an on -off switch for the components of some LCD nature, be it on the battery pack, or simply on the bag itself. It is assumed however though that the user may keep the device on as is typical with wearable devices, as they want to be aware what is present in their bag. This would also work well with the solar panel as per figure 3 (11).
Preferably, the user will attach their own tags to their personal items (mobile, diary, keys, makeup, medicine, various items).
Preferably, the bag will have a notification system that may include but not limited to lights (6) (LED5 light emitting diodes) to communicate what is missing or what is packed.
Preferably, a screen (12) could be used to communicate this information as well / alongside / instead of the lights (9).
Preferably, some form of haptic feedback would be included, in terms of a small vibration motor (3) that would vibrate when the user has scanned their item. This would help them to understand that a scan has been successful.
Or to note all items are packed.
Preferably, there would be an audible beep of some sort or sound cue, to alert them that the item has been successfully scanned through a small piezo / speaker (2). Or to note all items are packed.
Preferably, there will be a battery housing (7) to power the components. This can be an integrated battery pack of replaceable batteries with an integrated 0 on off switch such as used for 4 x AA batteries, it could be a rechargeable LCD LiPoly battery, with USB charging capabilities (13), or this may be a solar panel (11) area to charge the batteries.
Preferably, integration into the handle (B) would be a sensor to establish if the bag is being carried / transported. This could potentially link to a vibe motor (3) to notify the user if an item has been forgotten.
Preferably, REID shielding could be implemented. There could be a means to add a lining (15) to said container (1) to disable any external scanning of the contained REID / NFC item through the use of REID blocking materials. This could enhance the carriers (1) function further as currently REID blocking items are purchased to protect the information contained on these tag enabled items.
Preferably, a system to use memory on the circuit board to hold the items scanned / not scanned in the even of a power failure, turning off the system or other related reasons for when the system would reset, potentially losing data.
Preferably, the tag (RFID/NFC) could be embedded in the object to be tracked.
Preferably, the lights may also take on a visually interesting form, for example, as a fashion item they may be in the form of flowers, or a bird etc, they may change according to the number of LCD items scanned or if all items are scanned. This is a visual feature but it may provide enhancement to the item as a social status / fashion item the user wants to use.
The circuit boards may or may not be visible, this is a design and aesthetic decision that is taken by the bag construction. Notably, there may need to be certain bag construction methods employed to successfully hide the components should this be desired. This could be varied from folding the fabrics in a certain way, to using certain thickness of fabrics to concealing behind pockets. This does not limit the scope of the invention.
Additionally, this will have a wider scope when applied to specialist bags, as mentioned, such as photographers camera bag -tracking lenses, camera bodies, batteries etc for a particular job or to ensure they replace them; for sports persons, packing a ski bag for example, who have multiple items to pack for a particular event, or a climber needing many specialist tools that they can not do without; a parent's bag for the items their child(ren) may need for particular events, and other similar situations.
This patent refers to an innovative use of any item of a carrying case (men's or women's, adult or children) and styling (handbag, purse, duffel, baby bag, sports bag, camera case, luggage, backpack, messenger) fitted with a built-in RFID / NFC (4) reader, intended to enable a series of new uses such as tracking items, personal tracking and product tracking and/or verification, among many others. The present invention comprises any carrying case (1) O fitted with an AFID reader (4) built into any part thereof and programmed to 14) control acknowledgement in some form that the items are contained or not contained in the bag; to communicate to the bag owner in some way so that they are made aware of items they still need to track, or have tracked; for identification; for personal tracking.
Such that, for example, any bag (1) fitted with an AFID reader (4) can be sold to afford the purchaser thereof the ability to track their belongings, or items they wish to have knowledge of / contents in said carrier(1). This system of a RFID reader (4) can be embedded into the bag at point of manufacture or to be attached to the carrier / container (1) at a later time as a portable item.
Thus, the system can be used on any container (1) that they have and still afford it the same function; to track I acknowledge their items. To acknowledge these items, they will have the corresponding RFID chip (10) attached Ifastened to them in some feasible way (glued, sewn, soldered, embedded) creating a complete system to support functionality to help them establish if an item is packed or not packed. The examples illustrated are shown as examples and not limitations. The invention covers a variety of both containers and tags, and to implement a system whereby the user can keep track of their items in this container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: LCD. figure 1 shows a bag with the integrated technology to enable this system to function.
* figure 2 shows a sample tag that would be used, in this example there is a key fob and sticker shown * figure 3 shows another bag with a screen and solar charging pad details for an alternative configuration as well as the initial circuit board, lights and RFID reader * figure 4 is a side on view of a handbag style purse with the components, including the lights, battery, wires for connections and reader along both front and back of the bag. a
In figure 1 it is illustrated that this bag which can take many and any form, will have certain components integrated in order to make it work according to our requirements to help us remember our items. The sample shown is for a handbag, and it has a combination of hidden and visible components. The user of the bag would place their pre-tagged items into the bag, whereupon it would get scanned' by the reader / antenna (4&9). The user would receive positive feedback in the form of a light I screen / vibration or any combination thereof, to acknowledge that the scan and tag reading was successful.
They would now be able to know that the item was in side the bag, or they had taken it out. There could also be an integrated sensor into the handle of the bag that would be programmed to be activated when the user holds the handle, or places the handle in their hands, or on their shoulder. This would O acknowledge that perhaps the user was ready to travel or go on their journey LCD so it would check if the items were all packed -and if not, it could send the user a buzz' through the vibration motor or a sound through the piezo.
The approximate range in this system is a few inches, so the items will need placing in the bag / removing from the bag, but it will not detect items from further away.
In figure 2 we see two examples of typical tags that the user would place on their belongings. These tags however are for illustration only, and they may be integrated into their items or even purpose made for example, a case for their phone.
Figure 3 shows an alternative configuration including a screen integrated into the bag as well as a solar panel to charge the energy source used. This would enable the user to be even less aware of the technology system and so it can be integrated further into their lifestyle and become a seamless part of their day, thus further reducing the anxious feelings that may occur.
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