Object locating system

A locating device for locating objects, said locating device comprising:

• a tag attachable to items to be located, said tag having an associated tag identifier;
• a radio transceiver disposed on said tag for receiving a polling signal containing said tag identifier from a locating unit and for transmitting a signal to said locating unit;
• an audible tone generator for generating an audible signal in response to said polling signal;
• a polling switch for causing said radio transceiver to transmit a polling signal to said locating unit when said polling switch is actuated by a user;
• and
• an indicator for indicating receipt of an acknowledgement signal transmitted by said locating unit in response to said locating unit receiving said polling signal transmitted by said radio transceiver.

A method for locating an item having a polling tag associated therewith, said method comprising:

• broadcasting a polling signal from a locating unit to said tag;
• receiving said polling signal at said tag;
• emitting an audible signal from said tag in response to said polling signal;
• sending an acknowledgement from said tag to said locating unit in response to said polling signal;
• receiving said acknowledgement at said locating unit;
• indicating receipt of said acknowledgement at said locating unit;
• transmitting a polling signal from said tag to said locating unit;
• receiving said polling signal at said locating unit;
• emitting an audible tone from said locating unit in response to said polling signal;
• sending an acknowledgement signal from said locating unit to said tag in response to said receiving said polling signal;
• and
• indicating receipt of said acknowledgement signal from said locating unit at said tag.

A method for locating objects using a mobile terminal, said method comprising:

• displaying a listing of objects on a display in said mobile terminal, each of said objects having a locating tag associated therewith, each tag including an associated tag identifier;
• selecting a desired object from said listing;
• transmitting a polling signal to said locating tags, said polling signal including a tag identifier of said locating tag corresponding to said desired object;
• emitting an audible signal selectively by said locating tag associated with said desired object based on said tag identifier in said polling signal;
• transmitting a polling signal from any one of said locating tags to said mobile terminal;
• receiving at said mobile terminal said polling signal from said any one of said locating tags;
• emitting at said mobile terminal an audible signal in response to said polling signal from said any one of said locating tags;
• determining a location of said mobile terminal based on said audible signal;
• and
• transmitting an acknowledgement signal from said mobile terminal to said any one of said locating tags in response to said polling signal.

A method for locating objects using a cellular telephone, said method comprising:

• displaying a listing of objects on a display in said cellular telephone, each of said objects having a locating tag associated therewith, each tag including an associated tag identifier;
• selecting a desired object from said listing;
• transmitting a polling signal to said locating tags, said polling signal including a tag identifier of said locating tag corresponding to said desired object;
• and
• emitting an audible signal selectively by said locating tag associated with said desired object based on said tag identifier in said polling signal.