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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to reminder-paging systems, and relates more
particularly to a reminder-paging system with a plurality of sub kits.
Using radio receivers for out of range indication has been well known. A
reminder system for out of range indication is generally comprised of a
master unit carried by the user, and a sub-unit carried on the luggage,
mobile telephone, child, pet, etc. When the sub-unit is left beyond the
detecting range of the master unit, the master unit immediately gives a
warning sound. However, if the child encounters a problem or is in a
dangerous situation, he (she) cannot use the sub-unit to call the master
unit for help. When one brings two or more children and luggage to travel
abroad, several out of range indication systems may have to be prepared so
that the children and luggage can be respectively monitored. If one child
or luggage is missed (out of the detecting range of the master unit), the
master unit will be triggered to give a warning signal, however the user
cannot know the identification of the missing child or luggage through the
warning signal.
Furthermore, regular paging system of the type having one transmitter
(master unit), and one or more receivers (sub units) can be used for
communication in a group. However, these paging systems only allow the
person (master unit) who carries the transmitter to give messages to the
person (sub unit) who carries the receiver. The person (sub unit) who
carries the receiver cannot give messages to the person (master unit) who
carries the transmitter.
A radio communication system allows the persons at two opposite ends to
communicate with each other. However, this system does not have the
function of out of range indication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in
view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a
remainder-paging system which comprising a master kit and a plurality of
sub kits. It is another object of the present invention to provide a
remainder-paging system which gives a respective warning signal for a
respective out of range indication when one sub kit is moved out of the
detecting range of the master kit. It is still another object of the
present invention to provide a paging system which allows two-way
communication between the master kit and the sub kits.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
remainder-paging system comprises a master kit, and a plurality of sub
kits. The master kit comprises a microprocessor for signal control and
processing, a first key switch circuit having a plurality of key switches
respectively connected to said microprocessor and operated to generate a
respective paging signal through said microprocessor, a distance
adjustment circuit connected to said microprocessor and controlled to set
the searching signal transmitting distance of said master kit, an encoder
to encode signals from said microprocessor, a first modulator to modulate
encoded signals into radio frequency signals and then to transmit the
modulated radio frequency signals of said master kit, a first receiver to
receive external signals permitting them to be transmitted to said
microprocessor, a first buzzer controlled by said microprocessor to
generate a sound signal, and a first light emitting device controlled by
said microprocessor to generate a light signal. The sub kits each
comprises a receiving/transmitting control circuit to control and
processing signal, a second key switch circuit connected to said
receiving/transmitting control circuit and controlled to give said master
kit a paging signal, a second receiver to receive signals from said master
kit, a decoder to decode signals from said second receiver and then to
send decoded signals to the receiving/transmitting control circuit, a
second buzzer controlled by said receiving/transmitting control circuit to
generate a sound signal, a second light emitting device controlled by said
receiving/transmitting control circuit to generate a light signal, and a
second modulator controlled by said receiving/transmitting control circuit
to transmit signals. The master kit is operated to send searching signals
to the sub kits respectively for tracking the sub kits indicated by the
active state of the respective answering signal. The first buzzer and the
first light emitting device of the master kit are triggered active
respectively when one sub kit generates no answering signal. The master
kit can be operated to generate a respective paging signal to a selected
sub kit, causing the selected sub kit to generate a sound and a light
indicating the calls from the master kit. Each of the sub kits can be
separately operated to give a respective paging signal to the master kit,
causing the master kit to generate a sound signal and a light signal
indicating which sub kit is calling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a master kit according to the present
invention; and
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sub kits according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reminder-paging system in accordance with the
present invention is generally comprised of a master kit M, and a
plurality of sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4.
The master kit M includes a microprocessor 1, a first key switch circuit 2,
a distance adjusting circuit 3, an encoder 4, a first modulator 5, a first
receiver 6, a first buzzer 7, a first light emitting device 8 (as shown in
FIG. 1). Each sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 includes a receiving/transmitting
control circuit 9, a second key switch circuit 10, a second receiver 11, a
decoder 12, a second buzzer 13, a second light emitting device 14, and a
second modulator 15.
The master kit M and the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4 are coded with a
respective identification code so that when the master kit M receives a
sub kit signal, it can identify which sub kit sends the signal. When one
sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 receives a signal, the signal will be checked
with its identification code. If the signal is confirmed, it means that
the master kit M is calling. If the signal is not in conformity with the
identification code, it means that the master kit M is calling another sub
kit, and the signal will be abandoned.
The first key switch circuit 2 of the master kit M comprises sub kit keys
corresponding to the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4. When to communicate with
one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4, the corresponding sub kit key must be
depressed. The encoder 4 of the master kit M is to give a code to the
signal for transmitting master kit M is to modulate the encoded signal and
then transmit it to the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4. The first key switch
circuit 2 is connected to the microprocessor 1. When the user presses a
sub kit key, the microprocessor 1 is triggered to generate a corresponding
signal. The signal from the microprocessor 1 is encoded by the encoder 4,
and then transmitted through the modulator 5.
When the user wishes to set the detecting distance of the master kit M
relative to the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4, it can be done through the
distance adjust circuit 3. When a sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 is moved out
of the detecting distance of the master kit M beyond the transmitting
distance of the modulator 5, the sub kit becomes unable to receive the
searching signal of the master kit M and gives no answering signal to the
master kit M. If the master kit M receives no response, it will generate a
sound signal and a light signal to warn the user about the situation that
a certain sub kit has been left beyond the set range.
The first receiver 6 of the master kit M receives the signals of the sub
kits S1, S2, S3, and S4 and sends them to the microprocessor 1. Because
the signals of the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4 are respectively encoded,
the microprocessor 1 knows which signal comes from which sub kit. Upon
receipt of the signal of one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4, the microprocessor
1 checks the nature of the signal. If the signal is a paging signal, the
master kit M will be immediately triggered to generate a sound signal and
a light signal. If the signal is an answering signal, the master kit M
will keep sending the searching signal through the encoder 4 and the first
modulator 5.
The second buzzers 13 of the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4 are controlled by
the respective receiving/transmitting control circuits 9 to generate a
sound signal and a light signal upon the calling of the master kit M. When
the second key switch circuit 10 of one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 is
depressed, the receiving/transmitting control circuit 9 of the respective
sub kit is driven to send a paging signal to the master kit M through the
second modulator 15 of the respective sub kit. The second receivers 11 of
the sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4 are to receive the signal of the master
kit M. When the signal of the master kit M is received by the second
receiver 11 of one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4, it is immediately decoded by
the second decoder 12 and then sent to the receiving/transmitting control
circuit 9 for recognition. If the signal is not in conformity with the
identification code, it will be rejected. If the signal is recognized, it
will be processed further.
Upon receipt of the searching signal from the master kit M, the
receiving/transmitting control circuit 9 of the respective sub kit S1, S2,
S3, or S4 sends an answering signal to the master kit M through the
respective second modulator 15, informing the master kit M of the receipt
of the searching signal. When the master pager M receives the answering
signal, it means that the sub kit concerned is still within the set range.
When one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 receives a paging signal from the master
kit M, it drives the second buzzer 13 to generate a sound signal and the
second light emitting device 14 to generate a light signal, informing the
user of the respective sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 of the calling of the
master kit M.
Through the coding by the microprocessor 1 of the master kit M, different
radio communication codes can be generated without interfering with one
another.
As an example of the present invention, the detecting range of the master
kit M can be set at 5, 10, or 30 meters. If the luggage or child who
carries one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4 is moved or moves out of the set
range, the master kit M will immediately generates a sound signal and a
light signal to warn the user.
As described herein before, the master kit M can simultaneously detect and
call the four sub kits S1, S2, S3, and S4, and the four sub kits S1, S2,
S3, and S4 can also call the master kit M. Therefore, a two-way
communication is achievable. For example, the adult, who carries the
master kit M, can call the children, who carry the sub kits S1, S2, S3,
and S4, to see if they are safe. If one child encounters an emergency
case, he (she) can call the adult through one sub kit S1, S2, S3, or S4
for help.
As the reminder-paging system of the present invention has the function of
reverse paging, it is suitable for use by the members of a family or small
group for the transmitting of messages by means of giving different sounds
signal. For example, one-sound signal means "give answer", two-sounds
signal means "go home"; three-sounds signal means "emergency, come over
quickly"; . . . etc.
The users can set the detecting range at 5 meters, 10 meters, or 30 meters
according to different situations and individual requirements. For
example, when in a crowded place like a department store, the detecting
range can be set at 5 meters; when in a part, the detecting range can be
set at 10 meters; when in suburbs, the detecting range can be set at 30
meters. If a warning signal is generated when the detecting range is set
at 5 meters, the setting of the detecting range can be changed to 10
meters. If the warning signal is disappeared when the setting of the
detecting range is changed to 10 meters, it means that the missing child
is at the area within 5-10 meters from the master kit M, and the adult can
call the sub kit concerned through the master kit, causing the sub kit
concerned to give a warning sound to the missing child.
While only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and
described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes
could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, more than four sub kits can be used to match with
the master kit for communication.
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