Article locating system

An article locating system, comprising:

• a locator module including a first circuit for transmitting a search signal and for receiving a found signal, the locator module including a first power source;
• a base module in selective communication with the locator module over free space including a second power source and a second circuit for receiving the search signal and for transmitting the found signal to the locator module in response to the received search signal, the base module being releasably attached to the article wherein
• the locator module includes an indicator operatively connected to the first circuit to manifest the proximate position of the base module relative to the locator module for locating the article in response to receipt of the found signal by the first circuit, and wherein
• the base module includes a record-playback mechanism that is connected to the second circuit for recording and playing messages.

A system for locating an article, comprising:

• a first unit for transmitting a first signal and for receiving a second signal, the first unit including a first housing and a first circuit within at least a portion of an interior of the first housing, the first circuit including a first indicator responsive to the received second signal;
• a second unit for receiving the first signal and for transmitting the second signal in response to the receipt of the first signal, the second unit being attachable to the article and including a second housing and a second circuit within at least a portion of an interior of the second housing;
• and
• a second indicator connected to the second circuit of the second unit that is activated in response to the first signal being received by the second unit, wherein the second indicator includes a record-playback mechanism and an audio device for playing a pre-recorded audible communication to manifest the proximate position of the second unit relative to the first unit for locating the article.

A method for locating an article, comprising:

• providing a locator unit for transmitting a first signal and for receiving a second signal, the locator unit including a microprocessor and a transceiver connected to a first circuit, the microprocessor generating and encoding the first signal with identification data that is unique to the locator unit;
• providing a base unit for receiving the first signal and for transmitting the second signal to the locator unit in response to the first signal, the base unit being attached to the article and including a microprocessor and a transceiver connected to a second circuit, the microprocessor generating and encoding the second signal with identification data that is unique to the base unit in response to receiving the first signal;
• providing a first indicator connected to the first circuit to manifest the proximate position of the article in response to the second signal;
• and
• providing a second indicator connected to the second circuit, the second indicator including a record/playback device for recording desired messages to be played, wherein the desired messages are played in response to the base unit receiving the first signal from the locator unit to manifest the proximate position of the base unit relative to the locator unit for locating the article.

An article locating system for locating an article, comprising:

• a first unit for transmitting a first encoded signal and for receiving and verifying a second encoded signal, the first unit having a first circuit and a programmable microprocessor to encode the first encoded signal with identification data that is uniquely associated with the first unit;
• and
• a second unit removably attached to the article for receiving and verifying the first encoded signal and for transmitting the second encoded signal, the second unit having a second circuit and a second programmable microprocessor that is used to verify the first encoded signal, relative to the identification data, to encode the second encoded signal, and to transmit the second encoded signal to the first unit, and
• an indicator connected to the first unit to manifest the proximate location of the first unit relative to the second unit for locating the article when the first unit receives and verifies the second encoded signal.