Radio frequency object locator system

• US 20040217859A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Basix Incorporated, Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Basic Holdings
• Inventors: Goltman, Isay, Pucci, Bianca Gallo, Pucci, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 7,064,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.32
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0236 Threshold setting
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An object location system having tags for tracking objects. A finder and tags each have a memory, and RF send and receive capabilities. The finder stores tag identification codes in its memory, and associates the tag identification codes with descriptive text identifying an object to a user. A user selects a descriptive text identifier to locate an object, and the finder transmits a search RF signal including the tag identification code to locate the tag attached to the desired object. The tags receive the search RF signal and compare the transmitted tag identification code with their own stored identification codes. A tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal if the transmitted and stored tag identification codes match. The finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, and indicates a relative proximity of the finder to the object.

Claims

1. An electronic object location system comprising:

a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object; and

a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;

wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,

wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted tag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory,

wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code matches its own tag identification code, and

wherein the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object.

2. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder is programmable so that user-defined text may be associated with each identification tag.

3. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the tag identification code is programmed by the finder from stored tag identification codes prior to use of the tag.

4. The electronic object location system according to claim 3, wherein the finder includes at least one contact for mating with at least one contact provided on the identification tag for programming the identification code into the tag.

5. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the selection of a descriptive text identifier is from a pre-defined list of descriptive text entries.

6. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder senses proximity to the identification tag by the strength of the found RF signal.

7. The electronic object location system according to claim 6, wherein the finder further comprises at least one visual indicator to visually signal proximity to the identification tag.

8. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder further comprises a sound generator to audibly signal proximity to the identification tag.

9. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has a display for displaying the descriptive text identifiers for selection of tag to be searched for.

10. The electronic object location system according to claim 9, wherein the finder includes a scroller for scrolling up and down a list of descriptive text identifiers.

11. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder includes a keypad input.

12. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder includes a text input device.

13. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag comprises a sound generator to generate a sound when identified to help in location thereof.

14. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 10 MHz -10 GHz.

15. The electronic object location system according to claim 14, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 27-50 MHz.

16. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder memory is programmable.

17. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has a data input means for downloading data from a computer.

18. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries.

19. The electronic object location system according to claim 18, wherein the finder has a charging cradle for recharging the batteries.

20. The electronic object location system according to claim 19, wherein the finder emits a sound if it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period.

21. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag includes a battery, and wherein the identification tag can emit a signal when its battery is low of charge.

22. The electronic object location system according to claim 21, wherein the identification tag transmits an RF signal to the finder when its battery is low, and the finder displays a visual indication or emits a sound indication of a low tag battery.

23. The electronic object location system according to claim 21, wherein the identification tag emits a sound when its battery is low.

24. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag comprises circuitry attached to an object by a manufacturer.

25. The electronic object location system according to claim 24, wherein the finder interrogates the identification tag for its identification code at the time that the descriptive text identifier is associated with the tag.

37. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 10 MHz -10 GHz.

38. The electronic object location system according to claim 37, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 27-50 MHz.

26. A portable finder for use in an electronic object locator system, the finder comprising:

a processor;

an internal finder memory; and

RF send and receive capabilities,

wherein said finder stores a plurality of unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;

wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate an identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,

wherein after a response from the selected identification tag, the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object.

27. The finder according to claim 26, wherein the finder is programmable so that user-defined text may be associated with each identification tag.

28. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising at least one contact for mating with the identification tag for programming the identification code into the tag.

29. The finder according to claim 26, wherein the selection of a descriptive text identifier is from pre-defined list of descriptive text entries.

30. The finder according to claim 26, wherein the finder senses proximity to the identification tag by the strength of the found RF signal.

31. The finder according to claim 30, further comprising at least one visual indicator to visually signal proximity to the identification tag.

32. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising a sound generator to audibly signal proximity to the identification tag.

33. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising a display for displaying the descriptive text identifiers for selection of tag to be searched for.

34. The finder according to claim 33, further comprising a scroller for scrolling up and down a list of descriptive text identifiers.

35. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising a keypad input.

36. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising a text input device.

39. The finder according to claim 26, wherein the finder memory is programmable.

40. The finder according to claim 26, further comprising a data input means for downloading data from a computer.

41. The finder according to claim 26, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries.

42. The finder according to claim 41, further comprising a charging cradle for recharging the finder batteries.

43. The finder according to claim 42, wherein the finder emits a sound if it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period.