The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 20, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2001
Ernest A. Carroll, Herndon, VA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Apparatus for and method of locating a subject being monitored as to whereabouts. A beacon having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver is attached to the subject. At least three scanning platforms each having a radio receiver and transmitter and, optionally, an onboard microprocessor and an atomic clock, issue signals which will evoke response signals from the beacon. A central station having a microprocessor, radio receiver and transmitter, and preferably, a display or other output for annunciating location of the sought subject, manages the search. At least one scanning platform is a miniature, unmanned, remotely a piloted vehicle, preferably an aircraft, which passes over a predetermined search area. Response signals from the beacon, when received at a scanning platform, are processed to enable determination of location of the beacon and hence the sought subject by triangulation. Time and location data are acquired by interaction with the global positioning system by the scanning platforms. Alternatively, a single mobile scanning platform can locate the beacon by localization, wherein characteristics of response signals are analyzed and processed.