Mini-devicesCell PhonesDigital CamerasiPodsCar keysSecurityLoss and theft DeterrenceBluetooth

According to the Aug 10th edition of the Los Angeles Times, theft of iPods, top-of-the-line cell phones, digital cameras, and other mini-devices are up 34% so far this year in the city of Los Angeles alone.

It's surprising that, to this day, mini-devices (and computer equipment - laptops) offer very few options in the area of "built-in" or "add-on" loss and theft deterrent mechanisms. It appears that manufacturers are in favor of having consumers lose their wares easily so as to encourage product repurchase.

What if there is a way to use existing BlueTooth technology (currently present in newer cell-phones) to alert users/consumers that their mini-device or laptop is being stolen or is about to be lost. This same technology will also allow them to locate valuables (such as car keys) that have been previously misplaced.

Consider this: Using the pairing technology of BlueTooth, a small pocket transmitter that can be clipped or fastened through a belt buckle will emit a piercing squeal when the "host and homing device" pairing connection falls out of range or is broken or severed.

The basic premise here is that a BlueTooth-enabled pocket transmitter communicates with another BlueTooth-enabled mini-device (cell phone). If the electronic device does not have BlueTooth (such as a car key or an iPod), then the pairing can be accomplished using a BlueTooth-enabled casing or key chain.

These BlueTooth-enabled devices, which I envision to be part of the "BlueLink" line of products, sounds like nifty gadgets from the "Sharper Image" catalog. On the contrary, I can see this sold at mass market retailers as security accessories alongside iPods, cell phones and digital cameras.

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