Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-02-06
Mullen, Thomas (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S691100, C340S693400, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184789
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to addressable displays.
2. Description of Related Art
Systems for locating missing or lost objects are known. For example, lost or stolen vehicles can be located by transmitting an activation signal to a transceiver located in the vehicle that emits a homing signal in response to receiving the activation signal. The transceiver's, and thus vehicle's, location can be determined based on the homing signal emitted by the transceiver. For example, known triangulation techniques can be used to accurately determine the transceiver's location. However, the homing signal emitted by the transceiver does not provide a visual indication of the transceiver's location. Thus, an electronic device is needed to receive and process the homing signal to determine the transceiver's location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method for locating an object by determining an object to be located and an identity that corresponds to the object. A signal, which is not necessarily visible, that corresponds to the object's identity is emitted. A visual indication from the object is then received that indicates that the signal has been received. The visual indication can be any effect on ambient and/or reflected radiation, and is not necessarily detectable by the human eye. Instead, the visual indication could be detected by a device, such as an infrared camera and display, which can in turn provide a human-visible indication of the object's location.
In one aspect of the invention, the visual indication is a visual change in an object's appearance.
In one aspect of the invention, a location of the object can be determined based on detecting a change in visual appearance of the object.
In one aspect of the invention, an ambient energy-powered display associated with the object is provided that changes a display state based on the received signal.
In one aspect of the invention, the visual indication from the object that the signal has been received is detectable by the human eye.
The invention also provides an object locator that includes a display, power source, controller and receiver. A receiver detects a signal that corresponds to the object locator and the controller controls the display to change display states in response to the received signal.
In one aspect of the invention, the power source is an ambient energy power source that provides electrical energy to operate the object locator.
In one aspect of the invention, the display is a bistable display.
In one aspect of the invention, the display is a rotating element display.
In one aspect of the invention, the power source is a transformerless power source that includes at least one solar cell.
The invention also provides a position locator system that includes a locating system that determines an identity of an object to be located and transmits a signal corresponding to the determined identity. A plurality of object locators are also provided and when the signal emitted by the position locator corresponds to a given object locator, the object locator display changes display state. Thus, one object in a group of many objects can be visually identified relatively easily.
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Howard Matthew E.
Preas Bryan T.
Reich Victoria Ann
Richley Edward A.
Silverman Alexander E.
Mullen Thomas
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Reich Victoria Ann
Xerox Corporation
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