Methods and system to assist search for lost and submerged objects
First Claim
1. A first device configured to be located at an object to aid in the location of the object when the object is lost and submerged comprising:
- a receiver at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to receive an interrogation signal when sent from a search second device near the surface; and
a transmitter at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to transmit a ping signal to the search second device in response to the interrogation signal from the search second device;
whereina parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of at least one of the parameters of the interrogation signal to substantially increase the distance between the search second-device and the transmitter across which the search second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the search second device and the transmitter across which than the search second device can detect a ping signal from the transmitter using the parameter without the modification.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for aiding a large area search for submerged objects such as aircraft. A searcher transmits interrogation signals to be received by a device at the target object. The interrogation signals have a long range relative to that of returned signals. The target device responds with a ping signal modified to be more easily found by means of information contained in the interrogation signal. The information may be inherent in the nature of the received signal or data encoded and embedded by the searching device. The target device may use a microprocessor to do complex operations using the information from the interrogation signal and other information. Detection of a weak ping is facilitated by such means as being beamed in the direction of the interrogation, arriving at a predictable time, or having parameters adapted to values requested by the searcher.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A first device configured to be located at an object to aid in the location of the object when the object is lost and submerged comprising:
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a receiver at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to receive an interrogation signal when sent from a search second device near the surface; and a transmitter at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to transmit a ping signal to the search second device in response to the interrogation signal from the search second device;
whereina parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of at least one of the parameters of the interrogation signal to substantially increase the distance between the search second-device and the transmitter across which the search second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the search second device and the transmitter across which than the search second device can detect a ping signal from the transmitter using the parameter without the modification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16)
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7. A first device configured to be located at an object to aid in the location of the object when the object is lost and submerged comprising:
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a receiver at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to receive information when sent from a search second device near the surface comprising encoded information encoded in an interrogation signal; and a transmitter at a submerged depth substantially below a surface configured to transmit a ping signal to the search second device in response to the interrogation signal from the search second device;
wherein;a parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of the encoded information to substantially increase the distance between the search second-device and the transmitter across which the search second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the search second device and the transmitter across which than the search second device can detect a ping signal from the transmitter using the parameter without the modification. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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17. A method for facilitating location of a target first device located at a lost and submerged object;
- comprising;
extracting encoded information from the interrogation signal when an interrogation signal sent from a search second device near the surface is received by the target first device at a submerged depth substantially below a surface; and transmitting from a transmitter at a submerged depth substantially below a surface a ping signal to the search second device in response to the interrogation signal from the target device with at least one parameter of the ping signal determined at least in part by the extracted encoded information to help the search second device determine the presence of the target device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- comprising;
Specification