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Device and method for alerting to the need to recover something, identifying it, and determining its location for purposes of recovery

  • US 6,545,606 B2
  • Filed: 01/25/2001
  • Issued: 04/08/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A recovery system for alerting to an event requiring initiation of recovery efforts, identifying by unique identifier a person or object in need of recovery, providing interim support means for the person or object, and locating the person or object with sufficient accuracy to effect a recovery, comprising:

  • an attachable apparatus that supports the person or object, wherein said attachable apparatus is suitable for constant wear by the person when engaged in activities that require moderate physical exertion;

    a communications device having at least a transmit function, wherein said communications device comprises a personal locator beacon (PLB) module incorporating at least one RF transmitter that may be manually or automatically activated, at least one antenna, a power source, operable connections between said at least one RF transmitter, said power source, and said at least one antenna, wherein said at least one RF transmitter that operates with an average power output of less than 15 mW, and at least one sensor in operable communication with at least said at least one transmitter, wherein said at least one sensor detects the occurrence of a pre-specified event for use in activation of said communications device, wherein said activation of said communications device pauses during a first period to establish that said pre-specified event has occurred and said at least one sensor activates operation of said communications device upon establishing said occurrence, wherein, upon said activation, said at least one RF transmitter transmits continually for a second period of between one-half hour and one and one-half hours, wherein during a third period of one to five hours immediately succeeding said second period, said at least one RF transmitter operates at a duty cycle of between 15% and 35%, wherein during a fourth period immediately succeeding said third period, said at least one RF transmitter transmits at a duty cycle of between 5% and 15%, wherein said communications device is suitable for affixing unobtrusively to said attachable device; and

    a small, lightweight, low cost receiving sub-system, wherein said receiving sub-system is monitored at least on a guard channel, and wherein said receiving sub-system provides a timely indication of a need to initiate a recovery effort.

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