MULTIMODE DEVICE FOR LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING ITEMS

• US 20140240165A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cornett, Alan, Becker, Robert Charles, Carlson, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 9,562,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/45
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/04 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/7036 Collocated with electrical equipment other than beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/78 discriminating between different kinds of targets, e.g. IFF-radar, i.e. identification of friend or foe G01S13/75, G01S13/79 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/74 Systems using reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2201/01 adapted for specific applications or environments
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

An integrated identification system including a housing, an active light beacon supported by the housing, an RF beacon supported by the housing, and a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon.

Claims

1. An integrated identification system comprising:

a housing;

an active light beacon supported by the housing;

an RF beacon supported by the housing; and

a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon.

2. The integrated identification system of claim 1 and further comprising an IR reflector supported by the housing.

3. The integrated identification system of claim 1 and further comprising an IR reflector disposed on an outside surface of the housing.

4. The integrated identification system of claim 1 wherein the RF beacon includes a battery and operates at a low duty cycle to conserve battery life.

5. The integrated identification system of claim 1 wherein the RF beacon transmits a coded RF signal.

6. The integrated identification system of claim 5 wherein the coded RF signal is coded to uniquely identify an item or person.

7. The integrated identification system of claim 1 wherein the active light beacon emits an IR pulse of light that is coded.