Locator system and method

• US 20050212672A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terry L. Fry
• Original Assignee: Terry L. Fry
• Inventors: Fry, Terry L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,301,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0244 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal delay or phase shift
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit

Abstract

A locator system includes two main components, namely, (1) a beacon tag that is readily attached to a person or article, and (2) a transportable finder or receiver/processor for sensing the relative position of the tag and indicating changes in that relative position to a user. The method for locating a person or article preferably uses an audible feedback signal to the user for informing the user, when moving, whether the relative position of the beacon tag is getting closer to the finder or farther from the finder. The locator system includes at least one beacon tag comprising a transmitter programmed to transmit a unique coded pulse signal. The beacon tag is housed in a lightweight portable envelope or container and includes a battery, an antenna, a large programmed gate array and a frequency reference (e.g., a crystal oscillator).

Claims

1. A method for locating an individual or article in a three dimensional space, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a transportable beacon carrying a transmitter connected to an antenna, a programmable device, a portable power source and a control input, all carried in or on a supporting structure, wherein the beacon tag is programmed to transmit a unique coded pulse signal;

(b) providing a portable finder including a housing carrying a display, a programmable device, a receiver connected to an antenna, a portable power source, a control input, an audio signal generator connected to an audio transducer, and an accelerometer adapted to sense motion of the finder, wherein the finder is programmed to receive and decode the unique coded pulse signal of said beacon;

(c) transmitting a precisely timed pair of code sequences from said beacon, said precisely timed pair of code sequences being modulated to define an inter-pulse ranging interval.

2. A method for locating an individual or article of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(d) receiving said beacon precisely timed pair of code sequences and, while said finder is stationary with respect to relative radius to said tag, measuring said inter-pulse ranging interval.

3. A locator system permitting location of a person or article comprising:

a transportable beacon including an active transmission circuit for generating and radiating pulses of electromagnetic energy, said beacon being readily attached to or carried by a person or article; and

a transportable finder or receiver/processor adapted to sense the relative position of the beacon and indicating changes in that relative position to a user.

4. The locator system of claim 3, said beacon being configured to transmit a communication corresponding to activation of a beacon panic button;

said transportable receiver/processor being adapted to receive said communication from the beacon corresponding to activation of said “

panic button” and

, in response, indicate activation of said panic button to said user.

5. The locator system of claim 3, wherein said transportable receiver/processor is further adapted to determine a distance or range to said beacon.

6. The locator system of claim 3, wherein said transportable receiver/processor is further adapted to determine a relative direction to said beacon, and to indicate said relative direction to said user.

7. The locator system of claim 3, wherein said transportable receiver/processor is further adapted to detect the presence of said beacon, and to indicate said presence to said user.

8. The locator system of claim 3, wherein said transportable receiver/processor is further adapted to plot change in relative position of said beacon, and to indicate “

getting closer” and

“

going farther away”

to said user, while said user moves about with said receiver/processor.

9. A method for locating an individual or article in a three dimensional space, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a transportable beacon carrying a transmitter connected to an antenna, a programmable device, a portable power source and a control input, all carried in or on a supporting structure, wherein the beacon is programmed to transmit a unique coded pulse signal comprising a precisely timed pair of code sequences;

(b) providing a portable finder including a housing carrying a display, a programmable device, a receiver connected to an antenna, a portable power source, a control input, an audio signal generator connected to an audio transducer, and an accelerometer adapted to sense motion of the finder, wherein the finder is programmed to receive and decode the unique coded pulse signal of said beacon;

(c) transmitting a precisely timed pair of code sequences from said beacon, said precisely timed pair of code sequences being modulated to define an inter-pulse ranging interval;

(d) receiving said beacon precisely timed pair of code sequences and measuring said inter-pulse ranging interval; and

(e) plotting change in relative position of said beacon, and indicating “

getting closer” and

“

going farther away”

, while said user moves about with said finder.