Location of objects
First Claim
1. A locating system for locating predetermined labelled objects which includesa transceiver unit which comprises a narrow beamwidth antenna means for transmitting an energising signal at a predetermined first frequency and for receiving a returned signal at a predetermined second frequency from an object to be located, the energising signal incorporating a predetermined transponder category code for activating members of a predetermined group of labelled objects;
- anda plurality of label-like transponders, each of which is affixable to an object to be located, each transponder including logic circuitry, the logic circuitry including a memory means in which a category code is stored for activating the transponders of the said members when they receive the transponder category code, the logic circuitry further including a time delay means and a transponder identification code such that, upon the members of the group of transponders being activated, each transponder radiates its returned signal, including the transponder identification code, to the transceiver unit in a time delayed manner so that the returned signals are received serially by the transceiver unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A locating system 10 for locating predetermined labelled objects 20 includes a transceiver unit 12 which comprises a narrow beamwidth antenna 14 for transmitting an energizing signal 16 at a predetermined first frequency and for receiving a returned signal 22 at a predetermined second frequency from an object to be located, the energizing signal 16 incorporating a predetermined transponder category code. A plurality of label-like transponders 18 is provided, each of which is affixable to an object 20 to be located. Each transponder 18 includes logic circuitry in order that each transponder 18 in a predetermined group of labelled objects 20 constituting the category radiates a returned signal 22, including a transponder identification code, to the transceiver unit 12 in a time-delayed manner so that returned signals 22 are received serially by the transceiver unit 12.
188 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A locating system for locating predetermined labelled objects which includes
a transceiver unit which comprises a narrow beamwidth antenna means for transmitting an energising signal at a predetermined first frequency and for receiving a returned signal at a predetermined second frequency from an object to be located, the energising signal incorporating a predetermined transponder category code for activating members of a predetermined group of labelled objects; - and
a plurality of label-like transponders, each of which is affixable to an object to be located, each transponder including logic circuitry, the logic circuitry including a memory means in which a category code is stored for activating the transponders of the said members when they receive the transponder category code, the logic circuitry further including a time delay means and a transponder identification code such that, upon the members of the group of transponders being activated, each transponder radiates its returned signal, including the transponder identification code, to the transceiver unit in a time delayed manner so that the returned signals are received serially by the transceiver unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of locating predetermined labelled objects which includes
affixing a label-like transponder to each object; -
modifying an energising signal to incorporate a predetermined transponder category code; transmitting the energising signal via a narrow beamwidth antenna means at a predetermined first frequency for activating the transponders of members of a predetermined group of labelled objects; comparing the transponder category code with a category code stored in a memory means of logic circuitry of each transponder; and causing each transponder of the group to radiate a returned signal incorporating a transponder identification code at a predetermined second frequency in a time delayed manner so that the returned signals are received serially by the antenna means, - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification