Subject: [NEXTEL-1] University Students Design Wireless Leash for Children

From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 17:25:53 -0400

University Students Design Wireless Leash for Children

A group of mechanical engineering students at the University of Pittsburgh have
designed a wireless version of a leash parents use on children to keep them
from wandering. Parents wear a pager-like device and their child wears a
wristwatch-looking device. The parent sets an acceptable distance and the
devices beep when they go outside the range. Though other similar devices
exist, the students have improved the design enough for the university to file a
patent. Several companies are interested in buying the rights to the design.

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http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/06022003_nw_leash.html

The Wireless Child Leash

SINKING SPRING, PA-June 2, 2003 - Remember those
leashes that a lot of parents used on their preschool children
years ago? They kept curious children from wandering off,
but they were embarrassing. Now a Berks County native is
part of a team that has designed an alternative.

Jared C. Schoenly, 21, is a mechanical engineering major at
the University of Pittsburgh. He and four of his classmates
have developed a cordless version.

It works by having the adult wear a device that looks like a
pager, while the child wears a device that looks like a
wristwatch. When the devices get far enough apart, both
devices begin beeping. The adult can decide how far apart
the devices can get before they beep.

The work with gadgetry is nothing new for Schoenly.

"I've been playing with steam engines and stuff since I was
6," Schoenly said. "I've been playing with trains since I was
old enough to crawl."

Marlin H. Mickle, a professor of electrical engineering at Pitt
and the project's adviser, said similar devices to the one
Schoenly is working on exist already. But he said the Pitt
students have improved the device enough that the university
is filing for a patent.

What's more, Mickle said several companies are interested
in purchasing the rights. He declined to name the companies,
citing confidentiality agreements.

Even if the product is never marketed, Schoenly said
designing a prototype will help him find work in the future.

"It's a very good experience getting you ready for the real
world," he said.

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