About Ion Kids Child Locator

Who is Bluespan?

Bluespan is a Texas-based company that designs, tests and brings to market devices to help people better monitor the whereabouts of their children, pets and property through the use of wireless technology.

What is ionTechnology?

ionTechnology is Bluespan's proprietary system for people to use to monitor and locate other persons or objects. In most applications, ionTechnology consists of two components: a Base Unit for monitoring and locating and a "tag" device that is attached to the person or object being monitored.

Is ionTechnology safe?

ionTechnology operates in the unlicensed FCC frequency spectrum in the same range as cordless phones and garage door openers. All ionTechnology is designed to be in compliance with FCC standards.

What is ionKids?

ionKids is a unique system that allows you to monitor the location of your children when they're at a neighborhood park, theme park, mall, airport, or even when they're just playing in the backyard. ionKids has two components: a specially designed, tamper-resistant Wristag that is worn by the child, and a Base Unit that is used by the parent. The Wristag is designed to be fun to wear and requires no interaction on the part of the child.

Each Wristag is created with a unique identification number which, upon activation, is instantly transferred to the parent's Base Unit for monitoring. Every few seconds, ionTechnology simultaneously changes the transmission frequency, Wristag ID and corresponding information in the Base Unit, significantly reducing the chances that a third party can scan or monitor a child's Wristag.

Wristags have rechargeable batteries and can transmit a receivable signal to the Base Unit from up to 350 feet when outdoors and up to 200 feet indoors. The handheld Base Unit allows parents to monitor up to four Wristags at once. Features and alarms on the Base Unit include:

• "Return to Base" paging of all monitored Wristags
• Ability to disable one particular Wristag
• Simple activation of "FIND" when child exceeds the area being monitored
• Wristag Tamper or Removal alarm
• Low Battery Indicator

Why should I use ionKids?

Because sometimes even the best parent needs help. Let's face it, kids are fast and they can quickly get out of sight. Countless times each year, parents lose children for a brief period in a mall, a park or any number of locations. The stress and panic associated with this can be overwhelming, but it can be alleviated using technology and education. Bluespan is addressing this problem directly through the development of ionKids.

What makes ionKids superior to GPS Technology?

• GPS only tells the person (or child) with the GPS device where they are. It does not tell anyone else (such as a parent or police) where the child is. In order to tell another person where the child is requires some type of communication system such as a cell phone or walkie-talkie connection. It was developed by the military and was designed to locate large objects such as airports, aircraft carriers our buildings. It was not designed to find people inside of buildings.

There is not a GPS product on the market that is small enough to be worn by a child under the age of 10.

• GPS was designed to identify the coordinates (latitude, longitude and altitude) of objects such as buildings, airports, aircraft carriers, etc.

• GPS operates through satellites transmitting signals to Earth. Tall buildings, canyons, tree canopies or building roofs, easily block those signals. It is impossible for GPS signals to penetrate to the first floor of most two story buildings and, therefore, it is nearly impossible to determine the

• GPS will not work underground in areas such as caves or caverns.

• Even if a GPS device was integrated into a cell phone device it would only operate properly in the country (and in the locations in that country) where the cell carrier offers service. It would not work in other parts of the country where cell coverage is non-existent or in other countries.

• GPS does not work in areas where either the GPS signal was weak (such in major cities where tall buildings block GPS signals from reaching the ground)

• At least three strong satellite signals are required to accurately triangulate a position.

• The location information would be transmitted back to the parent as either latitude / longitude coordinates (such as 36 degrees, 42 minutes, 16 seconds north latitude and 18 degrees, 17 minutes, 12 seconds west longitude), which are meaningless to most people or would be plotted back to a service like Mapquest. If plotted back to Mapquest then the parent would need to be at a computer to find out where their child is located. This is extremely impractical for parks, malls, airports, etc. A service could be provided whereby the parent could call a phone number and the customer service personnel could “ping” the bracelet and within a minute or two report back to the parent where the child is AT THAT TIME. There is, of course, the possibility that by the time the parent gets to where the child was, the child has moved to a new location, which would result in the “finding” process starting all over again.

• It does not have the capability to provide instant information.

Why ionKids point-to-point solution is superior to GPS alternatives

• ionKids products are small enough to be worn by children as young as two years old.

• Because no third party interface is required, ionKids products ionKids works ANYWHERE, even underground. ionKids products have been used or are currently in use in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Sweden, France, and England.

• ionKids products do not require any third party intervention or software to make the units operate effectively.

• ionKids products do not require any monthly, subscription or membership fees associated with using third parties.

• ionKids products provides INSTANT information on the child’s location. It instantly tells the parent the child has moved outside of their Security Zone.

• ionKids products provides an INSTANT method for determining the direction and proximity the child is from the parent, which INSTANTLY relieves the panic associated with not being able to see your child.

How does ionKids monitor my children?

ionKids uses wireless radio frequency communication to monitor your child. Each Wristag, when activated by the parents' Base Unit, will transmit a unique identification number that will only be monitored by the activating Base Unit. In addition, each communication between an individual Wristag and its Base Unit will be transmitted on a different frequency, making it possible for multiple Wristags to be used in the same close environment without transmission interference.

Will my ionKids Child Locator work abroad?

We often find that our ionKids Child Locators are shipped out of the U.S. We are only authorized to sell our units in the U.S., Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. We hope to soon also be approved to sell ionKids in Canada.

Europe and Asia use different electrical systems that require 220-240V, instead of the 110V that our ionKids Child Locators were designed to handle. Just using a plug converter will not work; doing so will destroy the unit. The customer would need to purchase a transformer / converter from a store like Radio Shack. These converters cost $70.00. Also please be advised that the converter must be “center negative” in the plug. If the polarity is reversed, then the unit will short circuit.

Please be aware that our ionKids Child Locators work in the 900 MHz spectrum; however, most of Europe and Asia do not permit products to operate in that frequency range because that part of the spectrum is reserved for their GSM telephones. Customers could be arrested for operating a 900 MHz product in those parts of the world; similarly, as we could be arrested for operating products that could interfere with emergency or military frequency spectrum.

People have taken our products overseas and have experienced problems with the units. Some have destroyed the units. Others discovered that the units don’t work properly. The ionKids Child Locators probably will not work well in many parts of Europe and Asia because of interference with the cell phones in those continents; therefore, we cannot offer warranty or guarantee services on products taken outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, or New Zealand. If you wish to ship to customers in Europe or Asia, or are shipping to a customer who is taking or sending the unit to Europe or Asia I strongly encourage you to send a notice to the customer informing them of the limitations and problems they may encounter in those areas and that will not be covered by warranty services.

Helpful Hints:

• The charging brick voltage may be between 5-8V. Anything that can supply more than 350 MA will work.
• A 4.5V output won't damage the ionKids Child Locator, but it will probably not deliver a full charge.
• A 9V brick will work but could cause undue heat inside the Base/Wristag while charging. This could result in overheating of the power brick, the Base Unit or the Wristag. Overheating will cause the ionKids Child Locators to short circuit and will void the warranty.
• Supplying 12V directly will damage the ionKids Child Locator.
• The 6V and 5.7V converters will not harm the ionKids Child Locator.
• Make sure the polarity at the plug is negative.
• Using the product in any country where GSM 900 MHz Mobile Phones are used (i.e. most of the world) is not advised. The ionKids Child Locator might encounter sporadic jamming depending on how close it is to a cell phone or cell tower.
• It is unlikely to interfere with the cell phone system, but it would still not be legal to use it.

Why does Bluespan use wireless technology and not GPS or cell towers?

Ask yourself: How many times have my cell calls been lost or dropped? Cell towers cannot be found everywhere in the U.S. And they don't always provide a consistent and strong signal. Global Positioning System (GPS) signals cannot penetrate roofs of buildings, and they don't generally work as well in areas like cities, where tall buildings can block signals. Bluespan created a system that works in shopping centers, airports, malls and theme parks. Bluespan's ionTechnology and ionKids Products do not rely on cell towers or satellites to locate your child, so cloud cover or a building's roof will not prevent you from finding your loved ones.

What is the range of the Wristag?

Using the Base Unit, you can monitor each Wristag at a range of up to 350 feet outdoors and up to 200 feet indoors.

Can anyone else monitor my children?

Each time the Base Unit and the Wristag communicate, the ID Number of that particular Wristag is changed using a rolling code technique similar to that used by other wireless devices, such as garage door openers or cordless phones. This significantly reduces the chances of a third party scanning frequencies and being able to monitor your child. Without the Base Unit, it is difficult for a third party to monitor your child's Wristag signal. In addition, after each communication between the Base Unit and Wristag, the signal frequency changes, making it even harder for someone else to monitor the whereabouts of your child.

How many children can I monitor at once with ionKids?

You can monitor up to four children or Wristags at once from one Base Unit.

Won't my child be able to remove the Wristag?

ionKids Wristags are adjustable for a snug fit against your child's skin and contain a simple, yet strong, locking mechanism that cannot be easily opened without a key. A key to your child's Wristag comes with the Base Unit. The ionKids system also comes with additional keys that fit on a standard key ring.

What happens if my child's Wristag comes off?

The underside of the Wristag is equipped with sensors that detect the presence of the child's skin. If the sensors detect a gap greater than that which is allowed by the sensor between the Wristag and the child's skin, they immediately send a "tamper" alarm to the Base Unit to warn parents of the possibility that the Wristag has been removed. Should the Wristag be improperly removed from the child, an alarm on the Wristag would sound within seconds.

Will ionKids prevent my child from being abducted?

No technology currently available can prevent a forced abduction. Bluespan's products are not designed to prevent abductions, but they can help you ensure that you are aware when a child or loved one travels outside an area you are monitoring.

What size wrists will the Wristags fit?

Wristags are presently one size fits all for children between the ages of 2 and 10. The Wristag will securely and comfortably adjust for wrist diameters of 4 1/4" to 5 1/4". Bluespan is presently developing additional products for larger children and adults.

What country was the Ion Product made in?

Different components are manufactured in many different parts of the world. Bluespan is an Austin, Texas-based company.

What are Base Unit and Wristag features?

Base Unit can easily be carried in a purse or pocket as it is the size of a small TV remote control (1 1/2" x 6"). It allows parents to monitor up to 4 Wristags simultaneously. Note: Additional Wristags sold separately.

Features include:

• "Return to Base" paging of all monitored Wristags.
• Ability to disable an individual Wristag from the Base Unit.
• Wristag tamper or removal alarm. Tamper can be deactivated by the Base Unit.
• Low Battery Indicator for both Base Unit and Wristag.
• No batteries required as both units include rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries that will last UP TO 10 years.
• The Wristag is fun to wear and requires no interaction from child.
• Both devices send and receive signals up to 350 feet outdoors, 200 feet indoors.
• The Wristag adjusts to fit snugly on children of different sizes.
• The Wristag has a strong locking mechanism that cannot be easily opened without a key, which comes with Base Unit.

Can you set up a different monitoring range on Base Unit for each child?

No. All Wristags are set at the same monitoring distance on the Base Unit.

How close does the need to be to the Base Unit to activate the Wristag?

The Wristag must be within 1-2 inches of the base unit to be able to activate and the red dots must be in alignment.

What lights should go on the Base Unit when it is charging?

If the Base Unit Battery has enough power to turn on, then when it is plugged into the charger (and the charger is plugged into a power source) the Base Unit will turn on and go to the Activate screen as it would in a normal "Turn On" process. The Base Unit can be used as normal while plugged into the power source. The Power Button can be depressed, and the Base Unit turned off, while attached to the Charger. If the Base Unit is turned off then "Charging Only" will be shown in the display window.

If the Base Unit Battery is too low to turn on the Unit, then when plugged into a power source it will simply state "Charging Only" in the Display Window. This means that the Base Unit cannot be used to MONITOR or FIND Wristags.

Are the Wristags waterproofed?

No and they should not be used in or around water. Bluespan is currently testing waterproofed Wristags. Should water enter either the Wristag or Base Unit, the devices will be damaged and the Warranty will be voided.

What happens when a non-waterproof Wristag Unit is worn in a swimming pool?

The unit will short out because water will enter the device. It will cause it to trigger an "out-of-range" alarm on the Base Unit. The Wristag will be ruined and will not function again.

What kind of Warranty Coverage is offered for the product?

Please see our warranty on our Web site for the most up-to-date warranty information.

What is the minimum Comfort Zone Distance that a Unit could be set for?

Between 18-20 feet as long as there is no obstruction.

Will my child be able to remove the Wristag?

ionKids Wristags are adjustable for a snug fit against your child's skin, but contain a simple, yet strong, locking mechanism that cannot be easily opened without a key. A key to your child's Wristag comes with the Base Unit. The ionKids System also comes with additional keys that fit on a standard key ring.

Can I activate a Wristag when it is connected to the charger?

No. You must remove the Wristag from the charging cradle to activate the unit.

Is Bluespan concerned about "special needs" children?

Many parents who have children with special needs have purchased ionKids Products and have found them to be devices that have changed their lives. We have found that our devices can really help monitor a child (or children) who are afflicted with illnesses such as Down's Syndrome or Autism. If your child has one of these Developmental disorders you know how quickly they move and how rapidly they can disappear from view. IonKids Products can help you keep track of your child so they are safe.

Will this product be available for animals in the near future?

Products have been designed and prototyped and may be available for sale during 2006. Please check the status on our Web site.

How long will a charge last on a Base Unit and Wristag?

The Base Unit will hold an 18 hour charge, but if in search mode the battery will wear down sooner. The Wristag has similar characteristics.

Does Bluespan have a technical support for this product? Where can Tech support be reached via phone?

Does the Base Unit track my children?

No. To track it would have to keep tabs on the location of the child at all times that the Wristag is activated. Tracking would entail being able to find the child by following the child's path.

The Base Unit monitors the status and signal strength of the Wristag. By pressing the FIND button a parent can locate the child based on the Wristag's signal strength during the time the FIND feature is activated. The Base Unit can tell you where the child is but cannot tell you how the child got there. Tracking could tell you how the child got there.

Can the Base Unit find a Wristag that is on the other side of a wall?

Yes, but wall thickness and composition will affect the range of the Wristag since some signals cannot penetrate walls. Regularly during testing Wristags were found on the other side of interior and exterior walls of traditional construction materials. Signals even have been monitored and found in "heavy" areas such as TV and radio studios.

How does the Base Unit FIND a child if the child is out of range?

The Base Unit FIND Software and Antenna are about 20% more powerful than the Monitor Software and Antenna. Therefore, if a child goes out of range (MONITOR) at 300 feet the FIND software and antenna will be able to FIND the child up to about 350-360 feet.

How much does the Base Unit weigh?

Approximately 8 ounces.

Are the Wristag Keys unique to each Wristag unit?

No. The keys do not need to be unique, as the product is not designed to prevent abductions. The latch is designed solely to keep the child from removing the bracelet.

If the latch on the Wristag strap breaks, can it be replaced?

Yes. If your latch breaks simply contact customer service at Bluespan: 888-8-ionkids. We will promptly mail you a replacement Wristag latch. Replacing the latch is as simple as putting a new band on a watch. Instructions for replacing the latch can be found at www.ion-kids.com/wristag_latch.html. You must be a registered user to obtain complimentary latch replacements. Please be sure to register using the link on the top of this page.