Location position system for relay assisted tracking

An apparatus for transmitting a signal containing an identifier the apparatus comprising:

• a power source for providing power to the apparatus;
• a receiver for receiving a signal containing an initial position of the apparatus from a dispenser which dispenses the apparatus;
• a computing unit programmed to determine a location of the apparatus;
• an antenna;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the antenna for transmitting a signal containing an identifier and information corresponding to the determined location.

A method for locating objects the method comprising:

• providing a tag unit for transmitting a first signal containing identifying information, the tag unit comprising a computing unit which is programmed to accept positioning coordinates of the tag unit from a dispenser, which dispenses the tag unit;
• receiving the first signal containing identifying information in a relay unit;
• deriving, from the first signal, information concerning a location of the tag unit;
• transmitting a further signal, from the relay unit, containing the derived information concerning the location of the tag unit;
• receiving the further signal in a tag location determination unit;
• and
• processing the further signal within the tag location determination unit to derive the location of the tag unit.

A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising:

• providing location information to each relay within a first group of relays within the array;
• transmitting signals containing the location information from each relay within the first group of relays to each relay within a second group of relays within the array;
• and
• determining a location of each relay within the second group of relays based on the location information received from each relay within the first group of relays;
• wherein each relay within the second group of relays determines its own location.

A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising:

• providing location information to each tag within a group of tags;
• transmitting signals containing the location information from each tag within the group of tags to each relay within a group of relays within the array;
• and
• determining a location of each relay within the group of relays based on the location information received from each tag within the group of tags;
• wherein each relay within the group of relays determines its own location.