GB2436908A

GB2436908A - Key finder

Info

Publication number: GB2436908A
Application number: GB0606750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamie Adrian Ashton Millage; Berney Joseph Cunningham
Original assignee: 24 7 CONCEPT Ltd
Current assignee: 24 7 CONCEPT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Also published as: GB0606750D0

Abstract

A key finder device 10 comprises housing 11 in the form of a key fob and a key ring 12 for attaching the housing 11 to one or more keys K. The device comprises a sim card 16 connected to a circuit 15, which includes a receiver arranged to receive a coded trigger signal via the cellular telephone network and to trigger an audible alert device 17 when the trigger signal is received. In use the device can simply be triggered by dialling a telephone number assigned to the sim card 16, such that the device emits an audible alert signal which can be used to trace the whereabouts of any lost key(s).

Description

2436908

Key Finder

This invention relates to a device which facilitates the finding of lost keys.

People are always losing keys and much time can be wasted looking for lost keys. Sometimes the lost keys cannot be found even after extensive searching, with the 5 result that security is potentially compromised and locks may have to be changed.

It has been proposed to overcome this problem by providing a key finder device comprising a key fob, which can be attached to a bunch of keys. The key finder device comprises an acoustic sensor for triggering an audible alert signal, in the 10 event that sounds having particular spectral characteristics (such as a whistle or a hand clap) are detected.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned key finder device is that the audible signal can be triggered by background and incidental noise, such as sounds from 15 televisions and radios. Another disadvantage is that the keys have to be within twenty metres or so of the person looking for the keys, in order for the acoustic sensor to be activated. This can be a particular problem if the keys have been left somewhere away from home, such as in a restaurant or a taxi.

20 We have now devised a key finder device which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a key finder device in the form of a key fob and means for attaching the key fob to one or more keys, the device 25 comprising a radio receiver arranged to receive a coded trigger signal via a cellular telephone network and a warning device for emitting an audible alert signal when said trigger signal is received.

The key finder is triggered by a coded signal within the radio frequency range 30 (800MHz to 1GHz) and is thus not susceptible to being triggered by background and incidental noise. Furthermore, since the device is triggered by a signal transmitted over a cellular telecommunications network, the device can be triggered in any location where there is network coverage, even overseas. In this regard, the key fob may carry information directing the finder to return the keys to a particular address or 35 to dial a telephone number upon finding the keys.

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Preferably the device comprises a Subscriber Identity Module or so-called SIM card, which causes the device to have a unique telephone number on the cellular telephone network. Thus, when a person loses their keys, all that they need to do is 5 dial the number to cause the audible alert signal to be activated. Alternatively, the device may be triggered by sending an SMS (Short Message Service) message over the cellular telephone network.

It is envisaged that the telephone number of the device may be a premium or other 10 high toll rate number, the revenue from which subsidises the cost of the device so that the device may be provided free of charge, for example as an incentive to purchase the products or services of a particular company.

Preferably the warning device is arranged to emit an audible alert signal which 15 comprises a tune or melody that is pre-programmed into a memory of the device and which preferably cannot be changed or deleted. In this manner, the device can be arranged to emit the signature tune or jingle associated with a company which supplies particular products or services. Alternatively, the warning device may comprise a re-programmable memory device operable to receive and store a tune or 20 melody, thereby enabling the tune or melody to be changed. This provides the advantage that the user or the supplier of the key finder device can change the tune or melody, preferably by downloading a new tune or melody to the device across the cellular telephone network.

25 Preferably the device comprises a key ring attached to the key fob.

Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of finding a key comprising polling a telephone number to cause a coded radio signal to be transmitted over the cellular telecommunications network to a key finder device 30 attached to said key, such that said key finder device emits an audible signal, and using said audible signal to provide an indication of the whereabouts of the key.

Preferably said polling step comprises dialling a predetermined telephone number.

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Alternatively, said polling step may comprise sending a message to a predetermined telephone number.

Preferably said polling step is carried out using a telephone connected to the public 5 telephone network or to the or a cellular telecommunications network.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

10 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a key finder device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the key finder device of Figure 1, shown without keys; and

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Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a cellular telecommunications network incorporating the device of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a key finder device 10 comprising a plastics 20 housing 11, which is attached to a key ring 12 by a flexible chain 13. One or more keys K may be attached to the key ring 12.

The housing 11 contains an electronic circuit 15, which is connected to a sim card 16 and an antenna 19. The sim card 16 may be removable (as shown in Figure 2) or it 25 may be permanently fixed in situ. The circuit 15 is also connected to an audible warning device 17, such as a loud speaker. The sim card 16 is pre-programmed, such that the electronic circuit 15 detects when a coded signal, which is unique to the sim card 16, is received. When such a coded signal is received, the electronic circuit 15 energises the audible warning device 17. One or more control buttons 18 may be 30 provided on the housing 11 for turning the device on/off and/or for silencing the audible warning device 17.

The audible warning device 17 further includes a memory device (not shown) in which an audible warning signal, such as a tune or melody, is stored. The memory 35 device may be pre-programmed with the signature tune or jingle associated with a

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company or a particular product or service, so that the key finder 10 may, for example, be given away as part of an advertising campaign. Alternatively, the memory device may be a reprogrammable memory device operable to receive and store a tune or melody, for example by download across the cellular telephone 5 network, allowing the user of the key finder 10 to change the audible warning signal.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a GSM telecommunications network 20 which is divided into a plurality of area cells 21. Each cell 21 comprises an antenna tower 22 connected to a base station 23. The base stations 23 are 10 connected to a cellular telephone exchange 24, which is connected to the public telephone network 25 and to other cellular telephone exchanges.

In use, when a person loses their keys within the cellular telephone network 20, the key finder device 10 can be activated by dialling a predetermined telephone number 15 from a mobile or wired telephone T connected to the public telephone network 25. The telephone number is unique to the sim card 16 contained within the device 10 and when the number is dialled, a unique coded signal is transmitted to the key finder device 10 over the cellular telephone network 20.

20 The key finder device 10 receives the signal from the nearest antenna tower 22 in the network. When the coded signal is received, the electronic circuit 15 inside the device 10 actuates the audible warning device 17 to output an audible warning signal. This audible warning signal can be thus be used by the person to trace the location of the keys K. Alternatively, the audible warning signal may alert someone 25 to the presence of the person's keys, so that they can be returned to the person, for example by posting them to an address printed on the device 10 or by telephoning a toll free number printed on the device 10.

A key finder device in accordance with the present invention is simple and 30 inexpensive in construction yet enables the location of keys to be traced anywhere in the world where there is cellular network coverage.

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Claims

1. A key finder device in the form of a key fob and means for attaching the key fob to one or more keys, the device comprising a radio receiver arranged to

5 receive a coded trigger signal via a cellular telephone network and a warning device for emitting an audible alert signal when said trigger signal is received.

2. A key finder device as claimed in claim 1, in which the receiver is arranged to receive a coded trigger signal within the radio frequency range of 800MHz to

10 1GHz.

3. A key finder device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, comprising a Subscriber Identity Module which causes the device to have a unique telephone number on said cellular telephone network.

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4. A key finder device as claimed in claim 3, in which said Subscriber Identity Module comprises a SIM card.

5. A key finder device as claimed in claim 4, in which said SIM card is

20 removable.

6. A key finder device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the warning device is arranged to emit an audible alert signal which comprises a tune or melody.

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7. A key finder device as claimed in claim 6, in which the warning device comprises a memory device in which the tune or melody is pre-programmed.

8. A key finder device as claimed in claim 6, in which the warning device

30 comprises a re-programmable memory device operable to receive and store a tune or melody.

9. A key finder device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said key attachment means comprises a key ring attached to the key fob.

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10. A key finder device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of finding a key, the method comprising polling a telephone number 5 to cause a coded radio signal to be transmitted over the cellular telecommunications network to a key finder device attached to said key, such that said key finder device emits an audible signal, and using said audible signal to provide an indication of the whereabouts of the key.

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12. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which said polling step comprises dialling a predetermined telephone number.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which said polling step comprises sending a message to a predetermined telephone number.

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14. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which said polling step is carried out using a telephone connected to the public telephone network.

15. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which said polling step is 20 carried out using a telephone connected to the cellular telecommunications network.

16. A method of finding a key or keys, the method being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.