Wallet or wallet with a slot for one-day tracking

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wallet with a recording function for a tracker according to the features in claim 1. It is known from the prior art that wallets, or so-called wallet clips, can be lost. While wallets do contain means of identification, such as an identity card or similar, it always depends on the honesty of the finder whether such a wallet is returned.

[0002] There are also various state-of-the-art approaches that allow such a wallet to be located again, for example using GPS trackers or similar devices. However, this has not caught on in the mass market.

[0003] However, current technology includes so-called tags that can be located using RFID or NRF technology, potentially employing a short-range detection function. This is particularly relevant in the age of smartphones, allowing users to quickly locate lost keys or wallets, as a display device, especially a smartphone, can guide them to the location of the lost item.

[0004] Such tags or trackers can be passive or active. Active trackers, in particular, have their own power source and sometimes even transmit a signal themselves.

[0005] US patent 2003 / 0178461 A1 discloses a flexible card holder that can be attached to a lanyard. The card holder has at least one pocket for holding a card, at least one side of which is made of transparent plastic to allow the card to be seen from the outside. Information stored on an electronic chip in the card can be read through the plastic material.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 101 385 A1 discloses a wallet which has a protective device against contactless reading of information stored on cards contained therein.

[0007] Further state of the art is formed by DE 203 14 826 U1 and FR 2 779 328 B1.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to integrate a tracker into a purse or wallet, thereby improving its traceability.

[0009] The aforementioned problem is solved by claim 1.

[0010] Preferably, a protective film or covering is arranged on the outside. However, this protective film or covering is specifically not designed to be shielding or radiation-inhibiting.

[0011] This offers two key advantages. Firstly, an active tracker can transmit more effectively and is not blocked by the coins themselves inside a wallet, for example in a coin pocket or similar compartment. Even slight signal amplification can be crucial in making a lost wallet locatable.

[0012] A second significant advantage is, in particular, visual visibility, so that an honest finder may already know that this wallet can be located via a tag or tracker and, for example, use a reading device to read this tag or tracker.

[0013] It is essential that the tracker or tag is not located inside the item and thus potentially shielded, but rather integrated directly into the outer surface in a way that is removable yet cannot be lost, ensuring it is clearly visible. This serves two purposes: firstly, it acts as a deterrent to theft, and secondly, its direct integration into the exterior immediately signals to a finder that a tracker is present, allowing them to begin the process of locating the original owner.

[0014] The receptacle is designed as a pocket. The pocket is accessible, in particular, from inside the wallet or purse. Preferably, the pocket has a form-fitting receptacle. Specifically, the tag or tracker is round and approximately the size of a coin. The pocket itself can also preferably be round, especially the area visible from the outside. In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention provides that a code is additionally applied. In this case, it need not be a wallet, but could also be, for example, a key ring or similar item. The additional application of the code ensures the following.Should the tracker, which transmits its data electronically, become inoperative—for example, because an active tracker has run out of power or a passive or active tracker cannot be read—an additional feature allows the found item to still be traced back to its previous owner by entering the code into a lost and found system. The code can be a numeric code, a barcode, or similar. It can also be readable as a QR code. Through a downstream lost and found system, it is then possible to identify the owner by entering the code. Further features, properties, and aspects are illustrated in the following figures. These serve to facilitate a simple understanding of the invention. They show: Figure 1: Perspective view of a wallet; Figure 2: Perspective view of a wallet; and Figure 3: Longitudinal section view through the outside of a wallet according to... Figure 1 .

[0015] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0016] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wallet 1. A viewing window 4 is incorporated into an outer surface 2 of the wallet 1. This viewing window 4 forms a pocket. For this purpose, the outer surface 2 itself is cut out in the area of ​​the pocket. A tracker 3 is positioned within this cutout. The tracker 3 can be inserted from an inner surface (not shown) or from within the wallet 1. The viewing window 4 can have a diameter D4 that is smaller than the diameter D3 of the tracker 3. The tracker 3 is thus radially enclosed on the outside, but its main body is directly visible from the outside through the viewing window 4 and can transmit data to the outside.

[0017] Figure 2This shows a wallet or clip. This is a simplified version of a wallet, primarily intended for carrying credit cards and possibly banknotes. It also features a slot for a corresponding tracker on one of its outer surfaces (2).

[0018] Figure 3Figure 2 shows a cross-section through such an outer surface (2). Here, a cutout 5 is present in which the outer surface 2 is cut out. A cover or film 6 then covers this from the outside. On the inside, there may be indicated holders 9 that provide a corresponding backing. This could also be a continuous holder 9, a leather seam, or something else, so that the actual tag 3 or tracker 3 is located directly within the outer surface 2 itself. Some coins 8 are shown inside. Credit cards 8 could also be arranged here instead of coins. These do not shield the tracker 3, ensuring that it can maintain its full transmission and reception power to the outside in order to be detectable via wireless communication. Reference symbol:

[0019] 1 - Wallet 2 - Outside 3 - Tag / Tracker 4 - Viewing window 5 - Cutout 6 - Cover / Film 7 - Wall thickness 8 - Coin 9 - Holder D3 diameter D4 diameter

Claims

1. Wallet (1) or wallet with a tag / tracker (3), having at least one outer side (2) which is made of leather and has a wall thickness (7), characterised in that a cutout (5) with a receiving pocket for the tag / tracker (3) is provided in the outer side (2), wherein the tag / tracker (3) is integrated in a releasable and captive manner directly into the cutout (5) of the outer side (2) so as to be directly visible.

2. Wallet (1) or wallet according to claim 1, characterised in that a cover and / or a film is arranged over the cutout (5) of the tracker (3) and faces outwards.

3. Wallet (1) or wallet according to claim 2, characterised in that the wall thickness of the cover or film (6) is thinner than the wall thickness (7) of the outer side (2).

4. Wallet (1) or wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an outwardly visible field of the receptacle (5) is configured to be round.

5. Wallet (1) or wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving pocket is configured to be round.

6. Wallet (1) or wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cutout (5) has a viewing window (4) to the outside.

7. Wallet (1) or wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ends (10) of the viewing window (4) have a reduced wall thickness (7).

8. Wallet (1) or wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ends (10) of the viewing window (4) have a stepped offset (11).