Methods and system to assist search and interception of lost objects

A first device configured to be located at an object to determine the location of the object when the object is lost, comprising:

• a receiver at the first device configured to receive information transmitted from a second device configured to search for the object,
• wherein, the object is located at a distance from the first device greater than the range of a ping signal from the first device to the second device,
• wherein, the information comprises encoded information encoded in an interrogation signal;
• and
• a transmitter at the first device configured to transmit a ping signal to the second device in response to an interrogation signal from the second device;
• wherein, a parameter of the ping signal is modified as a function of the encoded information to substantially increase the distance between the second device and the transmitter of the first device across which the second device can detect the ping signal from the distance between the second device and the transmitter of the first device across which than the second device can detect a ping signal from the transmitter using the parameter without the modification.

A search device configured for determining location of a target device located at an object;

• comprising:
• the search device,
• the target device, and
• a transmitter at the search device configured to transmit an interrogation signal with encoded information to initiate the target device to transmit from a transmitter at the target device a ping signal to the search device in response to the interrogation signal from with at least one parameter of the ping signal determined at least in part by encoded information, and
• wherein, the search device determines the presence of the target device.