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`Européisches Patentamt
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`European Patent Office
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`Office européen des brevets
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`EP 0 708 952 B1
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`EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
`
`(45) Date of publication and mention
`of the grant ot the patent:
`26.03.1997 Bulletin 1997.313
`
`(21) Application number: 949230338
`
`(22) Date 0? tiling: 07-07-1994
`
`(51) Int GL5: GOBB 13i"14
`
`(86) International application number:
`PCT)'IT94:'0O'I O5
`
`(87) International publication number:
`wo 9sro2a74 {2e.o1.1995 Gazette 199src-5)
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS, OR DISCONTINUOUS, CONNECTION BETWEEN
`PERSONS AND OBJECTS
`
`ELEKTFIONISCHES GEFIIIIT ZUFI KONTINUIEFILICHEN ODEFI DISKONTINUIEFILICHEN
`VEFIBINDUNG ZWISCHEN PEFISONEN UND GEGENSTANDEN
`
`DISPOSITIF ELECTFIONIQUE ASSUBANT UNE COMMUNICATION PERMANENTE OU
`DISCONTINUE ENTRE DES PERSONNES ET DES OBJETS
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE LI LU MC NL
`PT SE
`
`(72) Inventor: Buonavoglia, Girotamo
`24040 Stezzano {IT}
`
`(30) Priority: 15.07.1993 IT MI931559
`04.07.1994 IT |IJII9r-11390
`
`(43) Date of publication of application:
`01.05.1996 Buitetin 1996t'18
`
`{'73) Proprietor: Buonavogiia, Girolamo
`24040 Stezzano (IT)
`
`(74) Representative: Filippi, Ftemo
`Via Aidrovandl, 7
`I-20129 Mllano (IT)
`
`(56) References cited:
`EP-A- O 230 173
`WO-A-9219211 12
`
`CH-A- 615 522
`US-A- 4 598 272
`US-N 5 196 325
`
`W0-A-87!O6748
`W0-A-93125983
`
`GB-A- 2 248 331
`US-A- 5 119 072
`
`EP0708952B1
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`Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent. any person may give
`notice to the European Patent Oftice of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
`a written reasoned statement. It shatl not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
`99(1) European Patent Convention).
`
`Ftlirtted by Jouve. 75001 PARIS {FR}
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`Description
`
`The invention concerns alarm and safety devices
`for persons and mobile objects.
`A well-known feature of society today is the increas-
`ing irequency of thetts committed with dexterity. and the
`ease with which people lose wallets, bags, keys and
`documents.
`
`Elderly people and children get lost in the streets,
`in gardens. in public places.
`All these situations give rise to considerable prob-
`lems and are the cause of serious trouble.
`
`There are numerous electronic devices. patented
`and available on the market, that, by means of electro-
`magnetic wavss. permit remote connection among peo-
`ple. objects or other people such as children and ani-
`mate in need of protection.
`in the main based on two
`types of eiectronic apparatus. one being substantially a
`receiver and the other substantially a transmitter. The
`devices may both be transceivers.
`The transmitter is carried by the person or object to
`be protected while the receiver is controlled by the per-
`son entrusted with their protection.
`when the transmitter-carrying person or object
`strays farther away than the established, adjustable_.dis-
`tance, an eiectrcnic threshold is exceeded and an alarm
`given.
`Other devices employing rotary antennas. triangu-
`lations or other means can. in addition. find out in which
`direction the protected object has gone when the dis-
`tance previously set has been exceeded.
`For example, the Nutter Enterprises patent W0 A
`87 06748 comprises a system ol remote control and
`alarm operating between a transmitter carried by a per-
`son or object and a receiver to which alarm signals are
`sent lrorn a distance by the transmitter.
`The coded FM signals are produced at intervals by
`the transmitter in the form ot digital words.
`The receiver immediateiy produces an alarm it at
`least one of the coded words is not received during any
`one of the intervals.
`The receiver can control two transmitters simulta-
`
`neously. adjusting the coded words so that they can ap-
`pear at different intervals.
`Even though in theory this apparatus has two trans-
`mitters. it does not deal with the problem oi supervising
`several objects, persons oranimals with a aingle receiv-
`er. partly tor reasons of bulk. partiy because ot the difli-
`culty of slowing away the different parts when not in use
`and partly because ot the problem oi coordinating the
`operative and idle phases of one or other of the trans-
`mitters.
`
`Handling problems may arise or others of interior-
`ence among the various transmitters. also that of rec-
`ognition. Operation ot various transmitters towards one
`receiver only can be very time-taking especially tuning
`up and syntonizing connections.
`it is also practically impossible to use known devic-
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`es such as communicators to assist in searching tor
`people and objects under trying or extremely ditiicult en-
`vironmental conditions. such as when hidden under av-
`alanch es or when needing help of some kind.
`Purpose of the present invention is to provide an
`inexpensive and easily carried device able to eliminate
`or reduce the seriousness of the above accidents by
`maintaining connections, which may even be continu-
`ous, by means of electromagnetic waves between the
`user and other persons and objects placed under the
`protection or at least underthe control of the user mak-
`ing it easy to raise an alarm, operate means of security
`and various types of equipment.
`Subject of the invention is an electronic unit able to
`establish continuous, or intermittent. connection among
`persons or between persons and objects, said unit com-
`prising two devices. the first that here will be called a
`receiver, and the second lormed of one or more bodies
`that will here be called a transmitter.
`The receiver and each of the transmitters are con-
`
`nected by electromagnetic waves, to be employed re-
`spectively by the user and by the persons or objects who
`are under the projection or control oi said user.
`The electromagnetic waves are. as the case may
`be, radio waves. microwaves, sound waves. supersonic
`waves. inlrared waves and others.
`The receiving and transmitting devices have inde-
`pendent electric teed by batteries and the like or photo-
`electric panels.
`The devices are preferably pocket—size and minia-
`turized. The signals sent out by the electromagnetic
`waves can be coded to prevent interterence among
`transmitters.
`
`In one advantageous execution the receiver com-
`prises one or more compartments each carrying one
`transmitter.
`
`When each transmitter is physically separated from
`the receiver, there are special devices and circuits to
`activate the separated receiver and transmitter.
`when each transmitter is physically reunited with
`the receiver, said transmitter becomes deactivated.
`When all transmitters are th us reunited, the receiver
`is deactivated.
`The automatic devices for activation and deactiva-
`
`tion may be microewitches worked when the transmitter
`is connected with or disconnected trom the receiver.
`
`The means lor attraction and disactivation may be
`magnetic attracting means that simultaneously retain
`the transmitter in the receiver and activate a magnetic
`microswitch within the transmitter that deactivates it.
`
`At the moment ot deactivation. as there is no mag-
`netic tisld the microswitch reactivates the transmitter.
`
`Transmission by electromagnetic waves is made by
`using a doubie. or multiple, carrier technique to improve
`reception in closed environments or to overcome any
`blind spots that may be caused by obstacles or reflection
`ot the signal.
`The transmitter sends out signais on one or more
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`different frequencies. which are fixed or dynamically
`variable over time.
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`The receiver uses the alternative frequency instead
`of one which may have been weakened by obstacles or
`reflection.
`
`The transmitters can comprise a circuit which. due
`to activation 01 a special control device on said transmit-
`ter or due to emission of a vocal sound, produces a sig-
`nal towards the receiver which then sends out an alarm
`
`signal useful for checking on the safety of children or of
`any person in need or heip. Said vocat sound could be
`a baby crying.
`The transmitters can comprise a circuit containing
`an acoustic warning which sounds when the transmitter
`receives from the receiver a certain signal; in this way
`the transmitter is relocalised when. for example, per-
`sons or objects have been found.
`A special circuit constantly evaluates the distance
`between transmitters and the receiver. Said distance is
`
`compared with an electronic threshold which the user
`modifies by means of a special selecting device.
`Reaching the threshold sets off in the receiver one
`or more devices corresponding to alarm or some oper-
`ative function when a certain distance. representing a
`given threshold value, is exceeded.
`This alarm is acoustic or visual, or of both kinds.
`The chosen function is operated by a push button
`from among those available corresponding to that func-
`tion.
`
`The device gives rise to an operative function if the
`threshold value is exceeded because a distance has
`
`been reached either greater than that corresponding to
`the threshold vaiue, or iesser.
`The purpose of this is to permit, for example, auto-
`matic remote activation of an anti—theft device for an au-
`
`tomobile. Tor a home or some enclosed space. of an au-
`tomatic closing device on a gate and a door or for de-
`activating a system, such as lighting or heating. when
`the user with the transmitter goes away from, for exam-
`pie. the automobile in which the receiver is installed. or
`else to permit the opposite lunclions when the user is
`approaching.
`A special circuit and means of control, such as a
`two-way selector on the receiver, will set oft the alarm
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`either when the distance between transmitter and
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`receiver is increasing,
`or when the variation of said distance is diminishing
`the first being useful when for example. persons or
`objects should not move too far away.and the sec-
`ond when, for example, research must be made for
`a lost person or object.
`
`The distance varying between a transmitter and a
`receiver is visualised numerically on the receiver. The
`distance can be found by measuring the delay in the
`echo signal compared with the signai sent out by the
`device called a receiver to a transmitter.
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`The distance can be found by measuring the time
`taken by a signal emitted by a transmitter or by the re-
`ceiver when ordered to emit it by the other.
`A special circuit constantly evaluates the direction
`between the receiver and one or more of the transmit-
`
`ters visualising said direction on a dial on the receiver.
`The direction may be analogically visualised on a
`linear or circular bar—graph or with pointers or with digits
`on a numerical display.
`The direction may be measured by triangulation
`techniques. The direction of each transmitter in retation
`to the receiver can be found by manual or automatic ro-
`tation of an antenna on the receiver and measuring the
`variation in amplitude of the echo signal in relation to
`that sent out by the device called a receiver. to a trans-
`mitter.
`
`The receiving and transmitting devices have inde-
`pendent electric feed by batteries and the like or by pho-
`toelectric panels.
`Receiver and transmitters can be equipped with al-
`ready known devices. operating on radio frequencies or
`with supersonic or infrared waves or by other means and
`can be completed with acoustic transducers. micro-
`phones and loud speakers and with devices suited to
`transmission and reception of Morse signals and befit-
`ted with suitably powertui batteries to permit use of the
`device in searching for persons or objects in difficult en-
`vironmental conditions.
`Communication can thus be maintained between
`underwater divers and their boats on the surface. be-
`tween emergency aid services and peopte lost in the
`snow, in fog or hidden under avalanches.
`The invention offers evident advantages.
`The possibiiity of being able to fit all the transmitters
`when not in use into the places made for them in the
`receiver assures both minimum bulk and the most ef-
`
`fective protection for the transmitters themselves.
`Automatic activation and deactivation of transmit-
`
`ters by simply detaching them or putting them away in
`the receiver greatly tacilitates efficiency by making them
`available quickly and easily if required in an emergency.
`It possesses an exceptionai degree of versatility
`which makes it adaptable to many kinds of uses.
`By keeping the receiver in an inside pocket or in
`som similar position or in any case close at hand, the
`user can be immediately informed if some person or ob-
`iect. to whom or to which a transmitter has been asso-
`ciated. goes away or is removed beyond the distance
`set by the receiver.
`The user can therefore be warned if a thief steals
`
`his wallet in some crowded means of public transport.
`or it he forgets his umbrella or to supervise his baggage.
`The advantages are also clear from the possible
`concrete examples of how the invention can be used.
`Entering a caff, the user piaces his umbrella. to
`which one of the invented transmitters is attached, in an
`umbrella stand. On leaving he forgets to collect it.
`After walking away for a certain distance (the dis-
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`tance is that which said user has set on the device} the
`invented receiver,
`in the user's coat pocket, sounds a
`warning signal.
`A parent does not want his little boy. playing in a
`park, to get too far away, for example not more than 40
`m. Using the irnob oi the potentiometer he sets this dis-
`tance on the receiver and puts a transmitter into the
`child's ciothing.
`if the child disobeys and goes off to far, the warning
`will sound and the parent be told.
`A thief enters an apartment at night but one of the
`invented transmitters has been mounted on the door.
`
`after careful measurement. also done by the device, of
`the distance between the door of the apartment and the
`occupier's bed.
`On opening the door the thief brings the transmitter
`closer to the receiver, on the occupier's bedside table
`for example, thus setting off the warning signal.
`A shortsighted person does not remember where
`he has put down his glasses or the remote control to
`which the invented transmitters are applied, or else he
`wants to find his cat who likes to hide away and who has
`a transmitter on him.
`
`The user sets a low value (e.g. 50-100 cm) on the
`receiver and then searches every corner in the house
`until a warning informs him that he is close to his glass-
`es, his remote control device or to his cat.
`In situations of extreme environmental difficulty,
`such as snow, fog, under water and others, the arrival
`of heip is enormously facilitated.
`Automatic activation of alarm signals can be made
`in automobiies. at work, in the home. for closing gates
`and doors, for turning off lights, heating and other useiul
`functions when the house occupier ieaves home or gets
`out of his car.
`
`Said functions. even without specific action by the
`user. ensure protection in cases of torgettulness or ina-
`bility.
`On returning. the user can obtain automatic deacti-
`vation of alarm systems, opening of gates, doors and
`anything else. Generally speaking, with the electronic
`unit described the chances of losing people and objects
`are greatly lessened, while activation and deactivation
`of alarms and systems generaliy, opening and closing
`of doors, structural and electronic means of protection
`are all lacilitated. to the great comfort of the user.
`The electronic unit described is extremely simple in
`its structure,
`is inexpensive and practical to use, thus
`permitting universal diffusion.
`Characteristics and purposes will be made still
`clearer by the following examples of its execution illus-
`trated by figures.
`
`Fig.1
`
`Fig.2
`Fig.3
`Fig.4
`
`The receiverof the electronic unit subject of the
`invention.
`
`One of the transmitters.
`Receiver with tour transmitters.
`Layout of the receiver
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`Fig.5
`Fig.6
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`Fig.7
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`Fig.8
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`Fig.9
`
`Layout of the transmitter.
`Layout of the receiver with altemating logic of
`the carriers. for measuring distance.
`Layout oi the receiver with alternating logic of
`the carriers for detection of direction.
`
`for
`receiver-transmitter
`Layout of
`communication by voice and Morse.
`Layout of receiventransmirterlor relocalizing a
`transmitter.
`
`two~way
`
`The receiver 10 of electromagnetic waves, shaped
`iike a flat box, has a compartment if to house the trans-
`mitter 30 of electromagnetic waves. this too shaped like
`a small flat box.
`
`The receiver 10 comprises a battery 12 for electric-
`fly, a microswitch 13 for connection to this electric teed,
`an antenna 14, an AF demodulator fitter 15, a preampli-
`fier 16, a decoder amplifier 17. a comparator 18. a po-
`tentiometer f9 with graded scale 20, a stide selector 21,
`an output stage 22 for a visual or acoustic alarm signal,
`an analogico-digital converter 23, a 3-figure display 24,
`an electric ringer 25.
`The transmitter 30 comprises a battery 31 for elec-
`tric feed. a microswitch 32, an oscillator 33. a variable
`condenser 34, an amplifier 35, a modulator 36. an an-
`tenna 37. a LED 38.
`The receiver 40 possesses the essential features
`of the receiver 10 but instead has four compartments
`41 -44 substantially the same as the compartment 11 of
`the receiver 10 housingthe transmitter 30 andthe trans-
`mitters 52-54 substantially the same as the transmitter
`30.
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`When idle the transmitter 30 is put in the housing
`11 of the receiver 10.
`
`When so placed the switch 13 of the receiver 10 and
`the switch 32 of the transmitter 30 are in the open posi-
`tion and therefore the electronic unit formed of the re-
`ceiver 10 and of the transmitter 30 is deactivated.
`Extraction of the transmitter 30 from the receiver
`closes the above switches 13 and 32 which activates
`the receiver and the transmitter.
`In the oscillator 33 of the transmitter 30, a carrier is
`generated at the previously established frequency, by
`means of the variable condenser 34.
`
`Said carrier, suitably amplified in the amplifier 35
`and modulater in the AF modulator 36, is sent to the an-
`ten na 37 for transmission of the signal.
`The receiving antenna 1 4 picks up the signats trans-
`mitted by the transmitter 30 and these are sent to the
`AF demodulator filter 15.
`This filter eliminates the carrier and extracts the
`
`modulator superimposed over it, on condition that the
`transmitter 30 has been tuned in. through the variable
`condenser 34, to the frequency of the receiver 10.
`The AF demodulator filter 15 generates at its output
`a signai that is suitably preamplified in the preamplifier
`16 and sent to the amplifier-decoder 17.
`Fiecognition of the code of modulation and amplifi-
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`cation takes place here. Said signal is compared in the
`comparator block 18. with a threshold, set by the user
`by means of the potentiometer 19 with a rotating shait.
`According to the position of the slide selector 21
`present on the box hoiding the receiver 10, an output
`warning signal will then be generated in one oi the lol-
`lowing cases:
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`tithe signal sent out by the transmitter goes beyond
`the established threshold because the distance be-
`tween the transmitter that is moving away and the
`receiver exceeds a certain value‘,
`lithe signal sent out by the transmitter goes beyond
`said threshold because the distance between the
`
`approaching transmitter and the receiver is less
`than said value.
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`The alarm signal is sent to the output stage 22 of
`the receiver 10 for a visual signal, by means oi a LED
`38, or an acoustic signal.
`Said alarm will therefore mean that the distance be-
`
`tween the transmitter and the receiver is lesser or great-
`er than a previously established value.
`Simultaneously the signal sent out by the transmit-
`ter is sent to an MD converter 23 and there changed
`into a numerical signal that appears on a display 24 to
`show the actual distance in metres between transmitter
`and receiver.
`
`Operation at high frequency and the possibility of
`mounting the device with SMD circuits mean that both
`parts composing the invented device can be miniatur-
`ized. greatly reducing bulk and making it possible for
`one of them, particularly the transmitter. to be incorpo-
`rated into objects in use at the time of their man ufacture.
`Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows the use of a double
`carrier technique to find the distance between the re-
`ceiving device 59 and the transmitter 30.
`The receiver 60 at A irequency alternates with the
`receiver 61 at B trequency by means of the carrier at-
`ternating logic S2.
`The circuit 63 finds the amplitude variations on the
`basis of which said distance is visualised in the circuit
`64.
`
`When the above mentioned threshold is exceeded
`
`the alarm is given activating the pilot light 65.
`Figure 7 shows in diagrammatic form how the dou-
`ble carrier technique is used to detect the angular posi-
`tion between the receiving device 69 and the transmitter
`30.
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`The receiver ?0 at A frequency alternates with the
`receiver 17 at B frequency by means oi the carrier at-
`ternating logio 72.
`By rotation of the revolving head 74 controlled by
`the circuit 75, circuit 73 finds the amplitude variations in
`accordance with which the angutar position between the
`receiver 69 and the transmitter 30 is visualised in the
`circuit 76.
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`indication of this position facilitates continuity of
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`connection between the user who has the receiver and
`
`the person or object to be protected in possession of the
`transmitter.
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`Figure 8 shows in diagrammatic form an improve-
`ment to the electronic unit described by addition of re-
`ceiver-transmitters icr communication by voice as well.
`useful in the presence oi snow. fog andthe like. and aiso
`oi the Morse system for communication under water.
`The receiver device 80 comprises the receivers 81
`and 82 which by two-way radio control 93 are connected
`alternatively to transmitters 91 and 92 oi the transmitter
`90. The microphone 86 and loudspreaker 87 can be
`seen.
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`Morse type announcement or reply can be made it
`pushbutton 88.
`Transmitters 84 and 85 in the receiver 80 are alter-
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`nately connected to the receivers 94 and 95 in the trans-
`mitter 90 by the two-way radio control 83.
`The microphone 96 and loudspeaker 97 can be
`seen.
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`Morse type announcement and reply can be made
`with the pushbuttons 88 and 98.
`Figure 9 shows diagrammatically an electronic unit
`with receiver and transmitter in seated shockproof con-
`tainers provided with circuits ior relocalizing the trans-
`mitter and therefore persons or objects to be controlled
`and protected in the event of contact having been lost.
`The receiver 100 comprises the receiver circuits
`101 and 102 which are connected. at normal power, with
`the transmitter circuits 101 and 102 of the transmitter
`100.
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`It the circuit ‘I13 shows an interruption in the signal,
`by means of the pushbutton 118 a maximum power sig-
`nal can be sent tothe receiving circuits 104 and 105 in
`the transmitter 100 by the transmitting circuits 114 and
`115. and diltused by the loud speaker 106.
`This acoustic signal assists in finding the object or
`person connected to the transmitter. by the user con-
`nected to the receiver.
`
`Said acoustic signal can function authomatically ii
`the connection has gone too far away or is lost.
`The transmitter will in any case emit the maximum
`power in making the acoustic signal increasing the pow-
`er oi emission of its own localizing signal so as to re-
`make the lost connection.
`
`Claims
`
`1. Electronic unit for continuous or discontinuous con-
`
`nection between persons and objects comprising
`two miniaturized and pocket-sized devices with in-
`dependent electric feed. possibly even by photo-
`voltaic panels, the first device here called a receiver
`[1 0,40,59,69, 80.110) and the second, consisting of
`one or more bodies. here cailed transmitters (30.
`52-5480. 'i00).said devices being connected by ra-
`dio waves. microwaves, sound waves, ultrasonic
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`waves, infrared and electromagnetic waves gener-
`ally to be empioyed respectively by the user and by
`the persons or objects placed under said user's pro-
`tection and control.
`(f0.40,59,
`the receiver
`that
`characterized in
`59,80,110) comprises one or more compartments
`(it, 41-44) each to house one transmitter {S0,
`52-54. 90,100) and in that special devices (1332)
`and circuits determine, at the moment when each
`transmitter is physically separated from the receiv-
`er. activation of the separated receiver and trans-
`mitter. and determine, when each transmitter is
`physically replaced in the receiver, deactivation of
`the transmitter and, when all transmitters have been
`replaced. deactivation of the receiver.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in that the signals transmitted by the
`electromagnetic waves are coded so as to prevent
`interference
`among transmitters
`(30.52-54,90,
`100).
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1,
`characterized in that the means for automatic acti-
`
`vation and deactivation are microswitches (13.32)
`worked by insertion and removal of the transmitters
`(30.52-54,90,100} in relation to the receiver (10.
`40,59, 69, 80, 110).
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in that the devices for activation and
`
`deactivation are means of magnetic attraction that
`simultaneously determine retainment of the trans-
`mitter (30.52—54. 90,100) in the receiver (10.40.
`5Q,69,80.t10} and activation within the transmitter
`of a magnetic microswitch that deactivates it white,
`on detachment, for tack of a magnetic field, the mi-
`croswitch puts the transmitter back into operation.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in that the transmitters (3052-54.
`90, 1 00} comprise acircuit which, foilowinga special
`command given to said transmitter or following a vo-
`cal sound, sends a signal to the receiver (10.40,
`59,69_.80,tt0) such as will create on said receiver
`an alarm signal useful for control and safeguarding
`ot children and of people generally in need of help,
`the vocal sound even being the crying of a child.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in that a special circuit continuously
`evaluates the distance between the transmitters
`
`{3D.52~54.90. 100]: and the receiver (‘l0.40,59.
`69,110), said distance being constantly compared
`with an electronic threshold whose value can be
`
`modified by the user by means of a selector (19).
`and determines in the receiver entry into effect of
`one or more devices corresponding to alarm or to
`
`10
`
`T5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`operative tunctions when a certain distance. corre-
`sponding to a certain threshoid,
`is exceeded, the
`alarm device being acoustic or visual or of both
`types, the chosen function being put into effect by
`pressing a push button, corresponding to the cho-
`sen function. from among those available.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 6.
`characterized in that the device whose function is
`
`to give an aiarm or execute a function comes into
`effect it the threshold value is exceeded by a dis-
`tance having been reached that is greater than that
`corresponding to the threshold value or is lesser.
`and this in order to permit a remote control device,
`for exampie, to switch on automatically an anti-theft
`system for an automobile, for a home, for indoor en-
`vironments generaily. to activate automatic closure
`of a gate or door, or totum off, for example. a lighting
`or heating system when the user in possession of
`the transmitter
`(30,512-54, 90,100)
`[eaves some
`place, for example, an automobile in which the re-
`ceiver is installed, and to permit the opposite oper-
`ations to take place when the user once more ap-
`proaches the place.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 6,
`characterized in that a speciaicircuitwhen in receipt
`of an adequate command such as that given by a
`two-position
`selector
`(21)
`on
`the
`receiver
`(10_.40.59,69,110] sets off the alarm as desired:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`either when the distance between transmitters
`
`and the receiver (10,-*-i0.59,t-39,80,110)
`creasing.
`or when the variation of said distance is dimin-
`
`is in-
`
`ishing. lhe first being useful when lor example,
`it is desired to prevent persons or objects from
`moving away. and the second when searching
`fora lost person or object.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in that the receiver (10,40,5Q,69,80,
`110) and the transmitters (30.52-54,90,100] are
`provided with devices functioning at radio frequen-
`cy or at supersonic channels or infrared or with oth-
`er means and completed with acoustic transducers.
`microphones (86) and loudspeakers (87) and are
`equipped with batteries of suitable power so that
`use can be made of the instrument for communica-
`tion and aid when searching for persons and objects
`under ditticuit environmentat conditions such as in
`
`snow. log, at low temperatures and similar situa-
`tions of hard weather. making possible communica-
`tion between search parties and people lost or hid-
`den under avalanches or in any case needing heip_
`
`10.
`
`Electronic device as in claim 1.
`characterized in
`that
`the
`receiver
`
`(10.40.59,
`
`Google EX1014 Page 0006
`
`
`
`11
`
`EP0708952 B1
`
`12
`
`69,80,110} and the transmitters (30,52—54,90,100}
`are protected by sealed antishock containers and
`are fitted with devices operating at radio lrequency
`or with supersonic channels or infrared or other
`means and are completed with transducers and
`means (88,823) suitable tor transmitting and receiv-
`ing Morse type signals so that communication can
`be made even without use ot the voice, tor example
`as in the case of underwater communication.
`
`Patentanspriiche
`
`1. Elektronischer Komplex zur Verbindung, auch zur
`kontinuierlichen Verbindung.
`iron Personen und
`Gegenstéinden, beetehend aus zwai in die Tasche
`steckbaren Vorrichtungen im Minitonnat mit auto-
`nomer Stromtrersorgung auch fiber photovoltai-
`schen Paneele. tron denen die erste nachstehend
`"Emptanger" (10, 40, 59, 69, 80, 110) und die zweita
`aus einem oder mehreren Einheiten besteht, die
`nachstehend "Sender" (30. 52-54, 90. 100) genannt
`warden; diese Vorrichtungen. die fiber Rundlunl«.-
`wellen. Mikrowelten. Schallwelten. Ultraschall,
`tn-
`irarotwellen und elektromagnetische Wellen im all-
`gemeinen miteinander verbunden warden, sind je-
`weils tiir den Bediener und fisr die Personen oder
`
`Gegenstande bestimmt, die seitens des Bedieners
`geschfitzt oder flberwacht werden solleng
`die Einheit wird dadurch charekterieiert. deli der
`
`Ernptanger (10. 40. 59, 69, 80. 110) ein oder meh-
`rere Facher (11. 41-44} zur jewailigen Autnahme ei-
`nes Senders (30, 52-54, 90. 100} enthalt, sowie da-
`durch, deli spezielle Vorrichtungen (13,. 32) und
`Schaltkreise im Augenblick einer physischen Tran-
`nung jeder dieser Vorrichturigen der Sender vorn
`Empfénger die Aktivierung des Empfetngers und
`des abgetrennten Senders bewirken und im Augen-
`blick der emeuten physischen Einttigung jedes ein-
`zelnen Sendeneils in den Empiangers die Deals‘:-
`vierung des Senders bewi rken und daB bei erneuter
`Einfflgung samtlicher Sender die Deaktivierung des
`Emptangers bewirkt wird_
`
`Wie unter der Beanspruchung 1) beschriebener
`elektronischer Kompiex, dedurch charakterisiert.
`dafl die fiber elektromagnetische Wellen l'tbertrage-
`nen Signale derart koditiziert sind, dati |nterieren-
`zen zwischen den Sendei1eiien(30, 52-54,90, 100)
`eusgeschlossen werden.
`
`Wie unter der Beanspruchung 1] beschriebener
`eiektronischer Komptex. dadurch charakterisiert.
`dafi die Vorrichtungen zur automatischen Akti\rie-
`rung und Deaktivierung aus Mikrosohalterri (18, 32)
`beetehen. die im Augenblick einer erneuten Einit‘t-
`gung sowie einer Trennung der Senderteiie (30.
`52-54, 90. 100) in den bzw_ vom Empfanger{10,40,
`
`1'0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`59. 59,80, 110} aktiviert werden.
`
`Wie unter der Beanspruchung 7) beschriebener
`elektronischer Kornplex. dadurch charalcterisiert,
`daB die Vorrichtungen zur Aktivierung und Deakti-
`vierung aus megnetiechen Anziehungsetemenlen
`beetehen, die gleichzeitig den Sender (30, 52-54,
`90, 100) im Emptangt-3r(10. 40, 59. 69. 80, 110} hal-
`ten und einen im Sender inetatlierten magnetischen
`Mikroschatter aktivieren, der die Abschaltung des
`Senders bewlrkt, wehrend der Mtkroschalter bei ei-
`ner Trennung der Gerate Ether die Unterbrechung
`des magnelischen Feldes den Senderaktiviert_
`
`Wie unter der Beanspruchung 1) beschriebener
`alektronischar Kompiex, dadurch charakterisiert,
`dal3 die Sender (30. 52-54, 90. 100) einen SchaIt-
`kreis enthalten. welcher fiber die Aktitrierung eines
`entsprechenden aul dam Sender setbst prasenten
`Steuerbefehis oder aber fiber eina vokaie Lautab~
`
`gabe ein Signal an den Empié'1nger(10.40, 59, 69,
`80. 110] ausstrahlen, das im Emptetnger die Al<titrie-
`rung eines Warnsignate bewirkt. weiches zur Kon-
`trolle oder Uberwachun