Article locator system

A system comprising:

• two or more locator modules, each of the locator modules comprising:
• a first memory unit operable to store one or more first address codes;
• a first transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit a locator signal, wherein the locator signal includes a first address code;
• a first receiver operable to receive a return signal transmitted by a transceiver module;
• one or more antennas operably connectable to the first transmitter and the first receiver;
• and
• a first control unit operable to determine a relative direction of the transceiver module from the first locator module;
• and
• the transceiver module comprising:
• a second memory unit operable to store a second address code;
• a second receiver operable to receive the locator signal transmitted from the first locator module;
• a second transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit the return signal;
• a second control unit operable to compare the first address code transmitted by the first locator module with the second address code, and activate the second transmitter to transmit the return signal if the two codes are the same;
• and
• a timer operable to activate the second receiver and second control unit;
• wherein if one of the two or more locator modules is not successful in locating the transceiver module, the locator module is operable to command at least one other of the two or more locator modules to attempt to locate the transceiver module.

A system comprising:

• a portable locator module comprising:
• a first radio frequency transmitter operable to transmit a first address code;
• a first receiver configured to receive a return signal transmitted by a second transmitter;
• an antenna array operably connectable to the first transmitter and the first receiver by a switch;
• and
• a first control unit operable to control the switch, the first control unit operable to determine the bearing of a transceiver module from the control unit;
• and
• the transceiver module comprising:
• a second receiver operable to receive the signal transmitted by the first transmitter;
• the second transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit the return signal;
• a second control unit operable to compare the first address code transmitted by the locator module with an address code stored in the transceiver module and activate the second transmitter to wirelessly transmit the return signal if the two codes match.