Emergency locator system
US6275164A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/0231
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A low-cost emergency locator beacon (ELB) device that transmits an identifying serial number in addition to the beacon signal. This transmission includes an audio modulated Manchester encoded digital version of the serial number, and an analog, voice synthesized version of the serial number. In one embodiment, the device incorporates a receiver that enables the user of the device to enter into two-way, direct voice communication with a rescuer. The device also includes an automatic receive function which facilitates operation of the device by users not aware or not able to operate the device. In another embodiment, the ELB device includes an inhibit function which prevents non-emergency, ELB device to ELB device communication. In yet another embodiment, the present device incorporates a global positioning system (GPS) receiver which reads, processes and stores positioning information broadcast by GPS satellites, then broadcasts the GPS position information in conjunction with the beacon signal and identifying serial number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.