A system for preventing wandering of an individual includes: a wearable alert device worn by the individual and including a controller, an antenna in communication with the controller, an alert component in communication with the controller for providing an alert to the wearer of the alert device, and a power supply in communication with the controller; and at least one base unit including a controller, the at least one base unit in communication with the alert device. When the alert device is determined to be in an area of caution in relation to the at least one bas unit, an alert is generated on the alert device that is perceptible to the wearer of the bracelet, the alert including one or more of arrhythmic vibrations and audible sounds.

A proximity detection apparatus for avoidance of nearby subjects includes an article, a detector, an alert device and a controller. The article is for a user. The detector is configured to generate a detected value in response to sensing infrared radiation emitted from a subject in a vicinity of the article. The alert device is configured to generate an alert in response to a control signal. The controller is in communication with the detector and the alert device. The controller is configured to set a first predetermined value associated with a proximity condition of an unacceptable proximity range, configured to determine when the detected value exceeds the first predetermined value, and generate the control signal to the alert device to present the alert to inform the user that the subject is within the unacceptable proximity range.

Systems, methods, and devices for locating items, people, and/or animals are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, locator devices for locating a target device are provided, the locator devices comprising: a first transceiver configured to communicate with a second transceiver in the target device; a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver configured to receive data from a plurality of satellites for calculating a location; a visual indicator; and a hardware processor that: receives signals from the first transceiver; calculates an estimated distance between the locator device and a target device based on the signals; controls whether the GNSS receiver is powered on or off based on the estimated distance; and causes the visual indicator indicate an estimated direction to the target device from the locator device.

Systems and methods for providing a health monitoring and emergency response service are provided. Each element in a plurality of data elements is obtained from a health monitoring device connected to a corresponding subject in a plural of subjects. An alert is triggered through analysis of the data element or manually triggered by the subject or a subject's circle of support. The subject or one or more members of the circle of support of the subject verifies or rejects the alert. The alert is sent to a remote monitoring alarm center and emergency responders are dispatched.

An apparatus and method for tracking an object includes a transmitter that generates a signal and a receiver that receives the signal generated by the transmitter. The receiver generates an alert signal when a distance between the transmitter and receiver is greater than a predetermined value. The receiver is retained in a retaining element, such as a wrist band, while the transmitter is secured to an object. The receiver is programmable to generate the alert signal only when the predetermined distance has been exceeded. The retaining element optionally includes multiple retaining features so that multiple receivers may be retained in a single retaining element. Each receiver is programmable to communicate only with one corresponding transmitter by assigning each transmitter/receiver pair with a unique identification code. The unique identification code expires after use so that each transmitter may only communicate with a single receiver.

An alert system to assist in child safety in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle insert adapted to be inserted between the male and female parts of a standard safety belt found in most automobiles or for a child car safety seat. It may also include a portable receiver device designed to be carried by a vehicle operator. The seat belt buckle insert detects whether the seat belt has been buckled and the temperature is within an acceptable range, as well as the approximate distance between the seat belt buckle insert and portable receiver device. The seat belt buckle transmits information gathered to the portable receiver device and triggers alerts notifying the vehicle operator of a child's safety status.

There is provided an eyeglasses-type wearable terminal that causes a user to more reliably recognize the position of a predetermined object, which includes an image capturing unit that captures the periphery of the user. The eyeglasses-type wearable terminal also includes a determiner that determines whether a predetermined target object is included in a video acquired by image capturing using the image capturing unit. The eyeglasses-type wearable terminal further includes a display unit that displays the position of the predetermined target object in a case in which the determiner determines that the predetermined target object is included.

To allow a smartphone and a tag to cooperate in searching for a suitcase, this suitcase search system comprises a smartphone, an application function unit which is implemented by an application program, and a tag attached to a suitcase. The smartphone comprises a display device, an input device, and two communication devices. The application function unit comprises a connection verification device and a suitcase lifting prevention device. The tag comprises: two communication units which correspond with the two communication devices of the smartphone; a light emitting unit; a control unit; and a power supply unit. The control unit controls each of a connection establishment mode, a sleep mode, and a wake-up mode. In the wake-up mode, the light emitting unit is caused to emit light at a blink interval which corresponds to the strengths of two radio waves.

The light emitting unit is provided with a light guiding plate. The light guiding plate comprises an acrylic plate and a film adhered to the acrylic plate, and functions as an identification marker for the possessor of the tag. It is desirable for a power switch of the tag to be locked.

A mobile device can include ranging circuitry to determine distance to another mobile device. A first wireless protocol can establish an initial communication session to perform authentication and/or exchange ranging settings. A second protocol can perform ranging, and other wireless protocols can transmit content. In one example, the distance information can be used to display a relative position of another device on a user interface of a sending device. The user interface can allow a user to quickly and accurately select the recipient device for sending the data item. As other example, the distance information obtained from ranging can be used to trigger a notification (e.g., a reminder) to be output from a first mobile device or used to display a visual indicator on a receiving device. Proximity of a device (e.g., as determined by a distance) can be used to suggest recipient for a new communication.

This disclosure describes novel schemes and utilities that promote sustainable usage of smartphones. It describes apparatus and methods to prevent phone loss, prevent overheating problems, decrease energy waste of the battery, prevent overcharging, decrease packaging waste, and encourage sustainable behavior among users to increase the life of the electronic product. In addition, this application characterize mechanism for localization of people and objects. The apparatus and methods may be applied to promote sustainable usage of other electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, pocket PCs, personal digital assistants (PDAs), e-readers, wearable devices, and etc. In addition, a framework has been presented which can be applied to promote sustainable behavior for any consumer electronics products including smartphones. In addition, novel localization apparatus and methods is presented in this application that can be applied for general localization/tracking purposes.