# US 10,871,566 B2 · Methods and system to assist search and interception of lost objects

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- Number: US 10,871,566 B2
- Document ID: US10871566B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/997,815
- Filed: 2018-06-05
- Published: 2018-09-27
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-09
- Applicants: Thomas Danaher Harvey
- Inventors: Thomas Danaher Harvey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871566B2

## CPC

- G01S 15/42: Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates (indirect measurement G01S15/46)
- B63C 7/26: Means for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels (means for searching for underwater objects B63C11/48; buoys in general B63B22/00)
- B64D 25/20: Releasing of crash-position indicators
- G01S 15/74: Systems using reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
- B64D 2045/0065: {Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals}
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52)
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

Devices and methods for aiding a large area search for objects. A searcher transmits interrogation signals of long range relative to the return range to be received by a device at the target object. The target device responds with a ping signal modified to be more easily found by means of information contained in the interrogation signal. The information may be in the nature of the received signal or data encoded and embedded. The target device may use a microprocessor to do complex operations using the information from the interrogation signal and other information. Detection of a weak ping is facilitated by such means as being beamed in the direction of the interrogation, arriving at a predictable time, or having parameters adapted to values requested by the searcher. The object is then intercepted with help of the ping or other signals from the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of tracking a lost object comprising:
placing a first device with an object so that the first device will remain near the object when the object becomes lost;
transmitting an interrogation signal to the first device;
transmitting a ping signal from the first device to a search second device wherein a parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of at least one of the parameters of the interrogation signal to substantially increase the distance between the search second-device and first device across which the search second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the search second device and the first device across which the search second device can detect a ping signal using the parameter without the modification; and,
after receiving the ping signal and after the object has become lost, at least one of approaching the object, destroying the object and capturing the object.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the object is a container and the first device is concealed inside the container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the object is a vehicle and the first device is concealed inside the vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein:
the interception of the object is by a second vehicle by means of signals from the first device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the ping signal is transmitted only in response to an interrogation signal which indicates that successful detection of the ping signal is probable.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the interception is by means of a vehicle which is guided to approach the object by signals from the first device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the object is submerged.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the parameter of the ping signal is at least one of frequency of the ping signal, delay of the ping signal from receipt of the interrogation signal, and direction of emission of the ping signal.

### Claim 9

A first device for tracking a lost object comprising:
a receiver to receive an interrogation signal;
a first transmitter to transmit a ping signal wherein a parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of at least one of the parameters of the interrogation signal to substantially increase the distance between a search second-device and the first device across which the search second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the search second device and the first device across which the search second device can detect a ping signal from the transmitter using the parameter without the modification; and
a transmitter which is one of the first transmitter and a second transmitter to transmit multiple signals to aid in the interception of the lost object after the object has been detected.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the object is a container and the device is concealed inside the container.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the object is a vehicle and the device is concealed inside the vehicle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The device of claim 11 wherein:
the interception of the object is by a second vehicle by means of signals from the device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the ping signal is transmitted only in response to an interrogation signal which indicates that successful detection of the ping signal is probable.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the interception is by means of a vehicle which is guided to approach the object by signals from the first device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the object is submerged.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9 wherein:
the parameter of the ping signal is at least one of frequency of the ping signal, delay of the ping signal from receipt of the interrogation signal, and direction of emission of the ping signal.

### Claim 17

A method of intercepting a device comprising
transmitting from a first transmitter an interrogation first signal to search for the device when the device in an unknown location in an area substantially larger than the area which can be reached by a signal from a second transmitter at the device wherein the range of the first transmitter is larger than the range of return signals transmitted from the second transmitter without using a parameter set as a function of information provided by the receipt at the device of the interrogation signal;
receiving a second signal from the second transmitter wherein the distance that the second signal can be detected is substantially increased by a modification of a parameter of the second signal as a function of a parameter of the interrogation first signal; and
guiding an interceptor to the device by means of a multiplicity of signals from at least one of the second transmitter and a third transmitter at the device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein:
the interception of the object is by a second vehicle.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein:
the second signal is transmitted only in response to an interrogation first signal which indicates that successful detection of the second signal is probable.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein:
the parameter of the second signal is at least one of frequency of the ping signal, delay of the ping signal from receipt of the interrogation signal, and direction of emission of the ping signal.