Apparatus, system, and method for locating a transceiver using RF communications and radio services
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transmitting and receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, the apparatus comprising:
- a receiver module configured to receive an RF signal, decode a serial number contained in the RF signal, and determine whether the RF signal originated from a companion device or from a foreign transmitter.a transmitter module configured to selectively transmit a message using a low power RF signal and a high power RF signal; and
a control module configured to respond to a message containing a matching serial number originating from the companion device by sending a low power RF transmission containing an identification code, and to a message containing a matching serial number originating from the foreign transmitter by sending a high power RF transmission containing a station identifier of the foreign transmitter; and
wherein the foreign transmitter comprises an amateur radio (HAM) transmitter and the station identifier comprises call letters allocated to the operator of the HAM transmitter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method are provided for locating a transceiver using RF communications and radio services. The apparatus, system, and method include a transceiver that receives an RF signal, decodes a serial number, and responds by transmitting either a low power signal with a unique identification code and location information, or a high power signal with a station identifier received from the RF signal and location information. The high power signal is transmitted in response to a licensed radio operator (such as a HAM, police, etc.) and is transmitted using the licensed radio operator'"'"'s station identifier. Since the licensed radio operator is the control operator, the current invention may be owned and operated by the general public without a special license. The current invention allows a mobile transceiver to provide a greatly expanded transmission range that enhances the probability of locating the transceiver.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transmitting and receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, the apparatus comprising:
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a receiver module configured to receive an RF signal, decode a serial number contained in the RF signal, and determine whether the RF signal originated from a companion device or from a foreign transmitter. a transmitter module configured to selectively transmit a message using a low power RF signal and a high power RF signal; and a control module configured to respond to a message containing a matching serial number originating from the companion device by sending a low power RF transmission containing an identification code, and to a message containing a matching serial number originating from the foreign transmitter by sending a high power RF transmission containing a station identifier of the foreign transmitter; and wherein the foreign transmitter comprises an amateur radio (HAM) transmitter and the station identifier comprises call letters allocated to the operator of the HAM transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for locating a mobile transceiver, the method comprising:
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receiving an Radio Frequency (RF) signal comprising a serial number; determining whether the RF signal originated from a companion device or a foreign transmitter; selectively transmitting a message comprising a unique device identification code using a low power RF signal and a message comprising a station identifier of the foreign transmitter using a high power RF signal, in response to the RF signal originating from the companion device and from the foreign transmitter; and wherein the foreign transmitter comprises an amateur radio (HAM) transmitter and the station identifier comprises call letters allocated to the operator of the HAM transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for monitoring the location of a mobile transceiver, the system comprising:
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a mobile RF transceiver comprising; a receiver configured to receive a Radio Frequency (RF) signal comprising a serial number; a controller configured to determine whether the RF signal originated from a companion device or a foreign transmitter and to compose a message comprising a unique identification code and location information when responding to the companion device and a station identifier of the foreign transmitter and location information when responding to a foreign transmitter; and a transmitter configured to selectively transmit a message using a low power RF signal and a high power RF signal, in response to the RF signal originating from a companion device and from a foreign transmitter; a companion device comprising; a receiver configured to receive a Radio Frequency (RF) signal comprising the unique identification code; a controller configured to determine a distance to the mobile RF transceiver and further configured to signal an alarm if the mobile transceiver does not respond or if the distance to the mobile transceiver exceeds a predetermined threshold; a transmitter configured to transmit a message using a low power RF signal comprising a serial number; a foreign transceiver configured to transmit a message containing a station identifier and a serial number, and also to receive a message containing the transmitter station identifier and determine bearing and distance to the mobile RF transceiver; and wherein the mobile RF transceiver is configured to conserve power by interrupting power to its transmitter and operating its receiver at periodic intervals to monitor for RF signals, the mobile RF transceiver control module further configured to respond to a message containing a general call code from the foreign transceiver if no valid message has been received during a predefined time period; and wherein the foreign transmitter comprises an amateur radio (HAM) transmitter and the station identifier comprises call letters allocated to the operator of the HAM transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification