Radio frequency object locator system

An electronic object location system comprising:

• a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each rag being attachable to an object;
• and
• a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifie;
• wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,
• wherein an identification zag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted tag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory,
• wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code watches its own rag identification code,
• wherein the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object,
• wherein the tag identification code is programmed by the finder from stored tag identification codes prior to use of the tag, and
• wherein the finder includes at least one contact for mating with at least one contact provided on the identification tag for programming the identification code into the tag.

An electronic object location system comprising:

• a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each tag having an internal tag memory for staring a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object;
• and
• a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder niwnory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique rag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;
• wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,
• wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted tag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory,
• wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code marches its own tag identification code,
• wherein the finder signals to the user that the object wit the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object,
• wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries and a charging cradle for recharging the batteries and
• wherein the finder emits a sound;
• f it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period.

An electronic object location system comprising:

• a plurality of identification tags, each tag having RF send and receive capabilities, and each rag having an internal tag memory for storing a unique tag identification code associated therewith, each tag being attachable to an object;
• and
• a portable finder having a processor and an internal finder memory, and RF send and receive capabilities, said finder storing a plurality of said unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag idenafication codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;
• wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate the identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,
• wherein an identification tag in the vicinity of the finder receives the search RF signal and compares the transmitted rag identification code with its own tag identification code stored in said internal tag memory,
• wherein the identification tag responds to the finder by transmitting a found RF signal only if the transmitted tag identification code matches its own tag identification code, and
• wherein the finder signals to the user that the object wit the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object,
• wherein the identification tag comprises circuitry attached to an object by a manufacturer.

A porrable finder for use in an electronic object locator system, the finder comprising:

• a processor;
• an internal finder memory;
• RF send and receive capabilities;
• and
• at least one contact for mating with an identification tag for programming an identification code into the tag,
• wherein said finder stores a plurality of unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;
• wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate an identification tag associated wit said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated with said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,
• wherein after a response from the selected identification tag, the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive text identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object.

A portable finder for use in an electronic object locator system, the finder comprising:

• a processor,
• an internal finder memory;
• and
• RF send and receive capabilities,
• wherein said finder stores a plurality of unique tag identification codes in said finder memory, wherein said tag identification codes are associated in said finder memory with descriptive text identifying an object to a user, and wherein said descriptive text identifiers provide an intuitive object identifier;
• wherein a user can select a stored descriptive text identifier for location of a desired object from said finder memory, and said finder then transmits a search RF signal to locate an identification tag associated with said desired object using the stored tag identification code associated wit said selected descriptive text, the search RF signal including the selected tag identification code,
• wherein after a response from the selected identification tag, the finder signals to the user that the object with the selected descriptive tat identifier has been located, said user signal indicating a relative proximity of the finder to the desired object,
• wherein the finder has rechargeable batteries and a charging cradle for recharging the finder batteries, and
• wherein the finder emits a sound if it is left off the charging cradle for longer than a predetermined time period.