US-20260127956-A1 - Proximity Alert System

US20260127956A1US 20260127956 A1US20260127956 A1US 20260127956A1US-20260127956-A1

Abstract

A proximity alert system that includes a proximity device having a transmitter adapted to provide a wireless signal, and an alert device having a receiver adapted to receive the wireless signal, a signal processor adapted to analyze the wireless signal and determine a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, a memory adapted to hold a maximum distance value, a processor adapted to compare the distance to the maximum distance value, and an alert module adapted to provide an indication when the distance exceeds the maximum distance value.

Inventors

Ali T. Alouani
John R. Meeks

Assignees

Ali T. Alouani
John R. Meeks

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241105

Claims (20)

1 . A proximity alert system, comprising: a proximity device, comprising, a transmitter adapted to provide a wireless signal, and an alert device, comprising, a receiver adapted to receive the wireless signal, a signal processor adapted to analyze the wireless signal and determine a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, a memory adapted to hold a maximum distance value, a processor adapted to compare the distance to the maximum distance value, and an alert module adapted to provide an indication when the distance exceeds the maximum distance value.
2 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the maximum distance value is user-selectable.
3 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert device is a user-wearable device.
4 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert device is a smart watch.
5 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert device is a cellphone.
6 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is a first transceiver and the receiver is a second transceiver.
7 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter and the receiver communicate directly, one with another, without use of any other devices.
8 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal.
9 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is an RFID signal.
10 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is a Zigbee signal.
11 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is a Z-Wave signal.
12 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is an ultra-wideband signal.
13 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the indication is a vibration from by a vibrator.
14 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert is a light from an illuminated lamp.
15 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert is an audible tone from a speaker.
16 . The proximity alert system of claim 1 , wherein the alert is a phone call from a cellular radio.
17 . A proximity alert system, comprising: a proximity device, comprising, a first transceiver adapted to receive a first wireless signal from an alert device, a signal processor adapted to analyze the first wireless signal and determine a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, a memory adapted to hold a maximum distance value, a processor adapted to compare the distance to the maximum distance value, and the first transceiver further adapted to send a second wireless signal to the alert device when the distance exceeds the maximum distance value, and the alert device, comprising, a second transceiver adapted to receive the second wireless signal from the proximity device and send the first wireless signal to the proximity device, an alert module adapted to provide an indication upon receipt of the second wireless signal.
18 . The proximity alert system of claim 17 , wherein the maximum distance value is user-selectable.
19 . The proximity alert system of claim 17 , wherein the alert device is a smart watch.
20 . The proximity alert system of claim 17 , wherein the proximity device is a cellphone.

Description

FIELD This invention relates to the field of proximity alert systems. More particularly, this invention relates to providing an alert to a user that an item has been left behind. INTRODUCTION It is not unusual for a user to leave behind an item such as a cell phone, wallet, purse, or laptop in a public place such as a restaurant, coffee shop, medical office, or shopping mall. In many instances, the item is expensive, contains valuable information, holds sentimental value, or is otherwise of value to the user. If the user is not alerted soon after leaving the item, it may be picked up by someone else before the user realizes that the item was left behind. Even if the item is not taken by another, the user might not remember where the item was left behind. In either event, the user has lost the item. What is needed, therefore, is system that tends to reduce issues such as that described above, at least in part. SUMMARY The above and other needs are met by a stand alone proximity alert system that includes a proximity device having a transmitter adapted to provide a wireless signal, and an alert device having a receiver adapted to receive the wireless signal, a signal processor adapted to analyze the wireless signal and determine a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, a memory adapted to hold a maximum distance value, a processor adapted to compare the distance to the maximum distance value, and an alert module adapted to provide an indication when the distance exceeds the maximum distance value. In some embodiments, the maximum distance value is user-selectable. In some embodiments, the alert device is a user-wearable device. In some embodiments, the alert device is a smart watch. In some embodiments, the alert device is a cellphone. In some embodiments, the transmitter is a first transceiver and the receiver is a second transceiver. In some embodiments, the transmitter and the receiver communicate directly, one with another, without use of any other devices. In some embodiments, the wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal is an RFID signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal is a Zigbee signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal is a Z-Wave signal. In some embodiments, the wireless signal is an ultra-wideband signal. In some embodiments, the indication is a vibration from a vibrator. In some embodiments, the alert is a light from an illuminated lamp. In some embodiments, the alert is an audible tone from a speaker. In some embodiments, the alert is a phone call from a cellular radio. According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is described as proximity alert system that includes a proximity device, having a first transceiver adapted to receive a first wireless signal from an alert device, a signal processor adapted to analyze the first wireless signal and determine a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, a memory adapted to hold a maximum distance value, and a processor adapted to compare the distance to the maximum distance value. The first transceiver is further adapted to send a second wireless signal to the alert device when the distance exceeds the maximum distance value. The alert device includes a second transceiver adapted to receive the second wireless signal from the proximity device and send the first wireless signal to the proximity device, and an alert module adapted to provide an indication upon receipt of the second wireless signal. In some embodiments according to this aspect of the disclosure, the maximum distance value is user-selectable. In some embodiments, the alert device is a smart watch. In some embodiments, the proximity device is a cellphone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the Figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: FIG. 1A depicts an alert system for a left-behind item, including a proximity device and an alert device, where the proximity device is within a user-selectable distance from the alert device. FIG. 1B depicts the alert system for the left-behind item, including the proximity device and the alert device, where the proximity device is outside of the user-selectable distance from the alert device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram for elements of at least one of the proximity device and the alert device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts a path taken by the user after leaving the proximity device, which path is used for calculating a distance between the proximity device and the alert device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DESCRIPTION With reference now to the drawings, there are depicted all of the