Object locator system

• US 6,904,000 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fu Ching Lee
• Original Assignee: Fu Ching Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Fu Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): PIHULIC, DANIEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/712,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20050105394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 367/128, 367/2, 367/6
• US Class Current: 367/128
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

This invention is a system for locating an object. A tag unit (100) that is attached or embedded into the object to be located generates radio frequency signals when excited by an ultrasonic wave (108). The locator unit (100) generates the ultrasonic wave (108) and receives radio frequency signals from the tag unit (110). The locator unit (100) determines the signal strength of the received radio frequency signal and provides a representation of the strength. By monitoring the signal strength indication, the user will be directed to the object.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating an object, said apparatus comprising of:

a locating unit comprising an ultrasonic transducer means for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction beam manner, a radio frequency receiver means to receive a radio frequency of a predetermined characteristics, a signal strength detector means for identifying a strength of said radio frequency signals of predetermined characteristics and a means for activating a display device as a function of said identified strength of said radio frequency signals of predetermined characteristics received from said radio frequency receiver means;

one or more tag units attachable to objects to be located, each tag unit comprising;

an ultrasonic transducer means for converting said transmitted ultrasonic waves to alternating voltage, a power conditioner means to condition the said alternating voltages to a voltage suitable to provide electrical power to a low power radio frequency transmitter, and a radio frequency transmitter means to transmit a radio frequency signal of predetermined characteristics.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer means comprises of piezoelectric material transducers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer means comprises of a plurality of piezoelectric material transducers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises of a plurality of light emitting diodes arrange in a row to indicate signal strength.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises of an audio transducer emitting audio frequency waves of differing intensity to indicate signal strength.