Patent · US Active

Object locator system and method

US8983537B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
18References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 2012
Grant dateMar 17, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08B25/10
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A locating system and method for locating objects, such as keys, is disclosed. The locating system may include a transmitter for transmitting an encrypted code in the 900 MHz band. The transmitter may be powered by a battery. By transmitting in the 900 MHz band, the battery power consumed by the transmission may be relatively low and the encrypted code may travel a relatively long distance, such as 100 feet or more. The locating system may include a battery-powered locator device that is configured to detect, receive, and/or decode the encrypted code and determine whether the encrypted code is associated with the locator device or an attached object. After which, the locator device may provide an indication of its position. For instance, an audible sound of 85 dB or greater may be generated. The transmitter may be a self-contained device, or affixed onto or incorporated into a communications device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.