An object location system having tags for tracking objects. A finder and tags each have a memory, and RF send and receive capabilities. The finder stores tag identification codes in its memory, and associates the tag identification codes with descriptive text identifying an object to a user. A user
An object location system having tags for tracking objects. A finder and tags each have a memory, and RF send and receive capabilities. The finder stores tag identification codes in its memory, and associates the tag identification codes with descriptive text identifying an object to a user. A user selects a descriptive text identifier to locate an object, and the finder transmits a search RF signal including the tag identification code to locate the tag attached to the desired object. The tags receive the search RF signal and compare the transmitted tag identification code with their own stored identification codes. A tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal if the transmitted and stored tag identification codes match. The finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, and indicates a relative proximity of the finder to the object.
대표청구항▼
The invention claim is: 1. An electronic object location system comprising: at least eight identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable t
The invention claim is: 1. An electronic object location system comprising: at least eight identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object; and a single portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier; wherein said finder is configured for direct communication with each individual identification tag of said at least eight of identification tags; wherein said finder memory is programmable such that at least one of tag identification codes and descriptive text identifiers can be added, deleted and edited by the user, whereby a flexible number of identification tags can be used with the finder, wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmns a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted rag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory, wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code matches its own tag identification code, and wherein the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object. 2. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder is programmable so tat user-defined text may be associated wit each identification tag. 3. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the tag identification code is programmed RF the finder from stored tag identification codes prior to use of the tag. 4. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the selection of a descriptive text identifier is from a pre-defined list of descriptive text entries. 5. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder senses proximity to the identification tag by the strength of the found RF signal. 6. The electronic object location system according to claim 5, wherein the finder further comprises at least one visual indicator to visually signal proximity to the identification tag. 7. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder further comprises a sound generator to audibly signal proximity to the identification tag. 8. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has a display for displaying the descriptive text identifiers for selection of tag to be searched for. 9. The electronic object location system according to claim 8, wherein the finder includes a scroller for scrolling up and down a list of descriptive text identifiers. 10. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder includes a keypad input. 11. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the tinder includes a text input device. 12. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag comprises a sound generator to generate a sound when identified to help in location thereof. 13. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 10 MHz-10 GHz. 14. The electronic object location system according to claim 13, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 27-50 MHz. 15. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has a data input means for downloading data from a computer. 16. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries. 17. The electronic object location system according to claim 16, wherein the finder has a charging cradle for recharging the batteries. 18. The electronic object location system according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag includes a battery, and wherein the identification tag can emit a signal when its battery is low of charge. 19. The electronic object location system according to claim 18, wherein the identification tag transmits an RF signal to the finder when its battery is low, and the finder displays a visual indication or emits a sound indication of a low tag battery. 20. The electronic object location system according to claim 18, wherein the identification tag emits a sound when its battery is low. 21. An electronic object location system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each rag being attachable to an object; and a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifie; wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein an identification zag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted tag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory, wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code watches its own rag identification code, wherein the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object, wherein the tag identification code is programmed by the finder from stored tag identification codes prior to use of the tag, and wherein the finder includes at least one contact for mating with at least one contact provided on the identification tag for programming the identification code into the tag. 22. An electronic object location system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for staring a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object; and a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder niwnory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique rag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier; wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted tag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory, wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code marches its own tag identification code, wherein the finder signals to the user that the object wit the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries and a charging cradle for recharging the batteries and wherein the finder emits a sound; f it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period. 23. An electronic object location system comprising: a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each rag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object; and a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag idenafication codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier; wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted rag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory, wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code matches its own tag identification code, and wherein the finder signals to the user that the object wit the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object, wherein the identification tag comprises circuitry attached to an object by a manufacturer. 24. The electronic object location system according to claim 23, wherein the finder interrogates the identification rag for its identification code at the time that the descriptive text identifier is associated with the tag. 25. A porrable finder for use in an electronic object locator system, the finder comprising: a processor; an internal finder memory; RF send and receive capabilities; and at least one contact for mating with an identification tag for programming an identification code into the tag, wherein said finder stores a plurality of unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier; wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate an identification tag associated wit said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein after a response from the selected identification tag, the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object. 26. The finder according to claim 25, wherein the selection of a descriptive text identifier is from pre-defined list of descriptive text entries. 27. The finder according to claim 25, wherein the finder senses proximity to the identification rag by the strength of the found response from the tag signal. 28. The finder according to claim 27, further comprising at least one visual indicator to visually signal proximity to the identification tag. 29. The finder according to claim 27, further comprising a sound generator to audibly signal proximity to the identification tag. 30. The finder according to claim 25, further comprising a display for displaying the descriptive text identifiers for selection of a tag to be searched for. 31. The finder according to claim 30, further comprising a scroller for scrolling up and down a list of descriptive text identifiers. 32. The finder according to claim 25, further comprising a keypad input. 33. The finder according to claim 25, further comprising a text input device. 34. The finder according to claim 25, wherein the radio frequency of the search and found RF signals is in the range of 10 MHz-10 GHz. 35. The finder according to claim 34, wherein the radio frequency of the search and response RF signals is in the range of 27-50 MHz. 36. The finder according to claim 25, further comprising a data input means for downloading data front a computer. 37. The finder according to claim 25, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries. 38. The finder according to claim 37, further comprising a charging cradle for recharging the finder batteries. 39. A portable finder for use in an electronic object locator system, the finder comprising: a processor, an internal finder memory; and RF send and receive capabilities, wherein said finder stores a plurality of unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier; wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate an identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated wit said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code, wherein after a response from the selected identification tag, the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive tat identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object, wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries and a charging cradle for recharging the finder batteries, and wherein the finder emits a sound if it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (23)
Kipnis Alan R. (20529 Dumont St. Woodland Hills CA 91364), Apparatus for locating a plurality of objects.
Sharon R. Garber ; Bernard A. Gonzalez ; Mitchell B. Grunes ; Richard H. Jackson ; Gerald L. Karel ; John M. Kruse ; Richard W. Lindahl ; James E. Nash ; Chester Piotrowski ; John D. Yorkovi, Application for radio frequency identification systems.
Cannon ; Jr. Thomas C. (East Hanover NJ) Sizer Theodore (Little Silver NJ) Vannucci Giovanni (Middletown NJ) Wilson Robert W. (Holmdel NJ) Wright Gregory A. (Colts Neck NJ), Object locator system and methods therefor.
Goldstein Steven W. (8901 Burdette Rd. Bethesda MD 20817), Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices.
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