Importance

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Abstract

An object locator device is disclosed for use in conjunction with both a GPS satellite system and a two-way communication satellite. The object locating system includes a mobile unit physically connected to the object to be located. The mobile unit includes a satellite communication transceiver capable of receiving and transmitting encoded signals. A decoder is associated with the satellite communication transceiver for decoding a unique signal associated with that mobile unit and for generating an activation signal upon receipt of the unique signal. The mobile unit further includes a GPS receiver which is activated in response to the receipt of the unique signal so that the GPS receiver generates a position signal representative of the position of the mobile unit. The output signal from the GPS receiver is connected as an input signal to the satellite communication transceiver such that the satellite communication transceiver transmits the.position signal to a base station on the communication satellite. The base station physically separated from the remote unit is operable to both transmit the unique signal to the communication satellite in order to activate the mobile unit as well as for receiving the position signal from the communication satellite following activation. The base station creates a display representative of the location of the mobile unit. Preferably, this display signal is transmitted via a telephone line and modem to a computer which generates the display on a computer monitor. Energy conservation algorithms including periodic activation of the satellite communication transceiver as well as activation of the satellite communication transceiver only when the position of the mobile unit has changed more than a threshold amount between periodic signals is disclosed.

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First Claim