Key locator with remote tracking

Abstract

A key locator with tracking capability. A bent rod-shaped first member has a bent first end portion and a second end portion. A second member is configured for selectively retaining keys. The bent first end portion and second end portion are opposed to each other. The bend rod-shaped first member incorporates a planar bent center region intermediate to the bent first end portion and the second end portion to form the interior of the key locator. The bent first end portion and the second end portion are not urged against each other and are configured to allow the bent center region to hang from an edge. The bent first end portion of the bent rod-shaped first member substantially permanently and flexibly interlocks with the second member. A tracking device is connected to the key locator and is in radio frequency communication with a user's smart phone. In a preferred embodiment the tracking device enables a user of the smart phone to find the key locator if it is lost or misplaced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A key locator with tracking capability, comprising:
 a) a bent rod-shaped first member having a bent first end portion and a second end portion; and   b) a second member configured for selectively retaining at least one key;   wherein
 said bent first end portion and said second end portion are opposed to each other; 
 said bent rod-shaped first member incorporates a planar bent center region intermediate said bent first end portion and said second end portion thereby forming an interior of the key locator; 
 said bent first end portion and said second end portion are not urged against each other and are configured to allow said bent center region to hang from an edge; 
 said bent first end portion of said bent rod-shaped first member substantially permanently and flexibly interlocks with the second member; and 
   c) a tracking device connected to said key locator, said tracking device in radio frequency communication with a smart phone.   
     
     
         2 . The key locator of  claim 1 , wherein said radio frequency communication is Bluetooth radio frequency communication. 
     
     
         3 . The key locator of  claim 1 , wherein said radio frequency communication is Bluetooth Low Energy radio frequency communication. 
     
     
         4 . The key locator as in  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device comprises:
 a) an RF module,   b) a microcontroller programmed to periodically measure and store the signal strength of said radio frequency communication, compare the signal strength to previously stored values, and transmit an alert to said smart phone when said signal strength varies from said stored values by a predetermined amount; and   
       wherein said smart phone comprises programming to alert a user when said alert is received. 
     
     
         5 . The key locator as in  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device is rigidly connected to said key locator at said second end portion of said bent rod-shaped first member. 
     
     
         6 . The key locator as in  claim 1  wherein said tracking device is removably connected to said key locator. 
     
     
         7 . The key locator of  claim 1 , wherein the edge is an upper edge of a side panel of a bag-like purse. 
     
     
         8 . The key locator of  claim 5 , wherein the bag-like purse is a purse, a backpack, or a briefcase. 
     
     
         9 . The key locator of  claim 1 , wherein the planar bent center region is u-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The key locator as in  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device is powered by a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         11 . The key locator as in  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device further comprises an emergency alert button and is programmed to provide an alert signal upon pressing of said emergency alert button. 
     
     
         12 . The key locator as in  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device is programmed to provide and audible alert when said smart phone receives a call or text message. 
     
     
         13 . A key locator key locator with tracking capability, comprising:
 a) a bent rod-shaped first member having a first end portion and a second end portion; and   b) a second member comprising a closed form clasp that is configured for selectively retaining at least one key; wherein   said first end portion and said second end portion are opposed to each other;   said bent rod-shaped first member incorporates a planar bent center region intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion thereby forming an interior of the key locator;   said first end portion and said second end portion are not urged against each other and are configured to allow said planar bent center region to hang from an edge;   said first end portion of said bent rod-shaped first member is configured for substantially permanently and flexibly engaging with the second member; and   c) a tracking device connected to said key locator, said tracking device in radio frequency communication with a smart phone.   
     
     
         14 . The key locator of  claim 10 , wherein said radio frequency communication is Bluetooth radio frequency communication. 
     
     
         15 . The key locator of  claim 10 , wherein said radio frequency communication is Bluetooth Low Energy radio frequency communication. 
     
     
         16 . The key locator as in  claim 10 , wherein said tracking device comprises:
 a) an RF module,   b) a microcontroller programmed to periodically measure and store the signal strength of said radio frequency communication, compare the signal strength to previously stored values, and transmit an alert to said smart phone when said signal strength varies from said stored values by a predetermined amount; and   
       wherein said smart phone comprises programming to alert a user when said alert is received. 
     
     
         17 . The key locator as in  claim 10 , wherein said tracking device is rigidly connected to said key locator. 
     
     
         18 . The key locator as in  claim 10  wherein said tracking device is removably connected to said key locator. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising the steps of:
 a) retaining at least one key by a second member of an apparatus that comprises at least said second member and a bent rod-shaped first member and wherein said apparatus comprises a tracking device for transmitting and receiving tracking information via radio frequency, wherein the second member is configured for selectively retaining at least one key, wherein
 (i) said bent rod-shaped first member of said apparatus has a bent first end portion and a second end portion, wherein said bent first end portion and said second end portion are opposed to each other, 
 (ii) said bent rod-shaped first member incorporates a planar bent center region intermediate said bent first end portion and said second end portion thereby forming an interior of the apparatus, wherein said bent first end portion and said second end portion are not urged against each other and are configured to allow said bent center region to hang from an upper edge of a side panel of a bag-like purse, 
 (iii) said bent first end portion of said bent rod-shaped first member substantially permanently and flexibly interlocks with said second member, and 
   b) hanging the apparatus from said upper edge of said side panel of said bag-like purse with the bent center region overhanging the side panel so that said second end portion is exposed;   c) retrieving said bent rod-shaped first member of said apparatus from said upper edge such that, when said bent rod-shaped first member is retrieved from the upper edge, the at least one key retained by the second member is necessarily retrieved; and   d) establishing radio frequency communication between said tracking device and a smart phone.