Device location and identification system
First Claim
1. A surface covering system comprising:
- a plurality of similar panels;
an object being hidden by at least one of the plurality of panels;
a transmitter/receiver device embedded in the at least one of the plurality of panels, the transmitter/receiver device storing identifying information for the hidden object; and
a scanner for emitting a query signal at a frequency intended to activate a response from the embedded transmitter/receiver device when interrogated by the query signal, whereby the identity and location of the hidden object can be determined.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for identifying panels that embed active and passive components of an electronic device, or that hide certain key components of a building'"'"'s infrastructure in the plenum of the ceiling. In one aspect, a panel is provided with a phosphorescent or other light-responsive indicia that is representative of an object hidden within the panel or that is part of the building infrastructure hidden by a plurality of panels. A panel having a device embedded within it is identified by first placing a light-responsive indicia on the panel that is representative of the devices stored therein or the building infrastructure lying above it. The panel is then irradiated and the light-responsive indicia observed. In another aspect, a panel having an embedded object is provided with an indicator device that is embedded in the same panel. The indicator detects a query signal emitted by a scanner, compares the detected signal with information stored in the memory of the indicator, and if a match is found, emits a visible or audible signal from a signal output device into the room below. The signal output device can be a light emitting diode or a sound generator.
59 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A surface covering system comprising:
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a plurality of similar panels;
an object being hidden by at least one of the plurality of panels;
a transmitter/receiver device embedded in the at least one of the plurality of panels, the transmitter/receiver device storing identifying information for the hidden object; and
a scanner for emitting a query signal at a frequency intended to activate a response from the embedded transmitter/receiver device when interrogated by the query signal, whereby the identity and location of the hidden object can be determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for identifying and locating an object hidden by a surface covering, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of similar panels;
storing identifying information for the hidden object in a memory of a transmitter/receiver device embedded in one of the plurality of panels;
emitting a query signal by a scanner device to interrogate the embedded transmitter/receiver device at a frequency intended to activate a response;
comparing the query signal to the identifying information of the hidden object; and
generating a detectable output signal if the query signal matches the identifying information of the hidden object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A surface covering system comprising:
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a plurality of similar panels;
an object being hidden by at least one of the plurality of panels;
an indicia affixed to a surface of the at least one of the plurality of panels, the indicia containing identifying information for the hidden object; and
an illumination device for irradiating the surface of the at least one of the plurality of panels with a light wave, whereby the identity and location of the hidden object can be determined. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for identifying and locating an object hidden by a surface covering, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of similar panels;
affixing indicia to a surface of at least one of the plurality of panels, the indicia containing identifying information for the hidden object;
irradiating the surface of the at least one of the plurality of panels with a light wave from an illumination device; and
in response to the irradiation from the illumination device, radiating a light wave from the indicia to make the indicia visible to an observer. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification