DE102004004587A1 - Device and method for retrieving objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a location aid (1) for finding objects by means of a search unit and an object to be found, wherein the search unit and locating aid (1) each have an omnidirectional antenna, a power supply and electronic circuits with semiconductor components, and wherein the search unit additionally comprises a Display unit, an input unit and one or more antennas, which are suitable for direction determination. In addition, possible methods for determining the direction from the search unit to the locating aid (1) are described.

Description

method and Device for Finding Objects The present invention describes a method and apparatus for retrieving objects that it allows objects, which were prepared accordingly, by means of radio bearings using a search unit, but independent from external radio stations, to locate and thus find targeted.

From the US 6,297,768 For example, a remote control device is known for locating, for example, cars using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal as a locating signal. Here, a GPS receiver in the car determines its current position and transmits it, on request, to a search unit. The transmission of data is done using a wireless network, at least at the location of the GPS receiver must be available.

So that places according to the US 6,297,768 can be performed, in addition to the availability of the GPS signal an existing wireless network, as well as its availability and a valid authorization for access to the wireless network is required. Furthermore, the spatial resolution of the search device is limited to the resolution accuracy of the GPS satellites. This means that the best expected spatial resolution is typically in the range of about 10m to about 100m.

The US 6,297,768 thus discloses a device for determining the position of objects over long distances using a GPS signal and using external radio systems which can be used by a user but can not be controlled.

A problem in the US 6,297,768 disclosed apparatus and of similar systems is the use of GPS and / or other satellite-based location signals. These are subject to a number of possible sources of error, as is known to the person skilled in the art.

So can satellite-based Locating signals disturbed, for example be from ionosphere and troposphere the earth and uncontrolled reflected in buildings, what leads to wrong position determinations. Furthermore, the hangs Accuracy of positioning from the accuracy of the im Locating signal receiver built-in clock, which gives the time specification for the distance calculation supplies. Furthermore have ephemeris errors of the satellites, as well as the number and arrangement of the visible and thus available Satellite strong influence on the accuracy of positioning. The main limitation However, that is System, like any other satellite positioning system, within of buildings, underground - like in underground garages or subways - or in public Transportation is restricted, there the walls or the material between the transmitter and the satellite the locating signal strongly weaken.

A The first object of the present invention is therefore a device and a method for retrieving objects without satellite-based locator signal sources and without the use of wireless networks.

Under "radio network" here is any kind understood by radio networks, which switching stations and / or Relay antennas such as satellites or antennas installed on the ground.

An apparatus and method according to the present invention can therefore be used to retrieve objects within or even underground. In contrast to US 6,297,768 is not worked with a satellite-based signal, but transmitter and receiver exchange radio signals directly without further external aids. According to the present invention, there is always a direct radio contact between a search unit and a positioning aid attached to the object to be found.

A Another object of the present invention is, for this purpose, a cost-effective device, as well to provide an easy to implement method.

A first embodiment The present invention uses radio signals in a frequency range from about 400MHz to about 2.5GHz and is particularly suitable for finding of objects within a radius of about 5km at a frequency used by about 400MHz to about 300m at a frequency of about 2.5GHz. These embodiment is meant for finding objects of daily life and allows as search unit for searching, for example, a, according to the present invention, modified radio telephone to use.

It but further embodiments are conceivable and possible, which operate at lower frequencies and therefore have a larger radius of effect, if the antennas are designed to be correspondingly large.

A another embodiment The present invention also allows the user, besides the direction of the object to be found also its distance from Searchers or from a search unit.

These Tasks are performed according to the present Invention solved by a system which has a search engine and one to be found Has object attached locating aid, which is independent of external radio stations works and which allows the direction of objects to be found to determine and the objects Find with an accuracy that decreases with distance increases from the object to be found.

The Tasks are solved by the subject of the independent Claims. Advantageous further embodiments arise from the dependent ones Claims.

An apparatus for retrieving objects which can be operated independently of external radio networks and / or radio stations, according to the present invention comprises at least the following elements:
On the one hand, a search unit, which assists the user in finding or locating an object. This search unit comprises an input unit, a display unit, an omnidirectional antenna, a further set of directional antennas, a power supply, one or more electrical circuits having one or more memory devices and one or more processors for executing programs, and special semiconductor devices for operating the direction-determining antennas.

To the others a tracking aid, which is connected to the object to be found is. This indicates a power supply, an omnidirectional Antenna and one or more semiconductor devices, which radio logic, Have program logic and / or memory elements.

"Omnidirectional" means that the sparking antenna radiates the same amount of energy in all spatial directions and that the signal intensity received by the antenna is independent of Angle of incidence of the incoming radio signal is.

This is valid only for ideal omnidirectional antennas. Real, as omnidirectional designated antennas have a, but small, spatial directionality with respect to Receiving and transmitting of radio signals.

According to one first embodiment be input unit, display unit, omnidirectional antenna, Power supply and a part of the electrical circuits with the Memory chips and a processor by a conventional Radiotelephone provided. The additionally required set of antennas for Direction determination, as well as the special semiconductor components for Operating these antennas and additional circuit elements be according to this embodiment integrated into the radiotelephone and / or connected to the radiotelephone.

It is however also conceivable and possible an independent one Search unit. This can be beneficial if given Components, such as the locating antennas or the display unit, for the Search should be optimized. This is particularly advantageous if available Space is insufficient for larger antennas for smaller frequencies to integrate. Likewise, the integration of a second sentence of antennas conceivable to provide a direct bearing of the locating aid in To realize a combination with a distance determination.

Of Furthermore, it is possible the search unit in portable devices or computers, such as laptop computers, palmtop computers or the like to integrate, which among other things has the advantage that a high-resolution visual Display unit from the basic unit provided.

For the retrieval of objects according to the present invention, the procedure is as follows:
On the object to be found later, a positioning aid is attached as preparation. This locating aid can be permanently connected to the object to be found, for example by gluing, incorporation into the article by the manufacturer or the like. However, it is also conceivable and possible to removably apply the locating aid to the object, for example in the form of a tag, a magnetic clip or a chip card or the like to be inserted.

to Distinguishing different items, the radio unit can be programmable be equipped, i. the user can be given the opportunity, unique and identification numbers distinguishable by the search unit, e.g. in shape an alphanumeric code. This also constitutes one Protection against abuse because this code is known only to the user.

Since the radio traffic can be intercepted, it is advantageous to transmit the code in encrypted form. This makes it difficult for an unwanted listener to remember the identification and later to locate an object that does not belong to him. In this case, a "public key-private key" method is advantageous, wherein the identification before the radio transmitter is to be combined with a random number to the same radio signals.

Should an object is searched, a portable search unit is turned on and from the list of known, stored in the search unit, objects the one to be found selected. The selection allows it's the search unit, targeted to the object to be found matched signal containing the unique code of the one to be found Item to send.

The in this way, uniquely identified positioning help, on am affixed to the finding object emitted radio signal by sending back a response signal. The resending the response signal is done in a first embodiment evenly in all Spatial directions. While The search between radio detection and search station constantly radio signal exchanged, so that the direction from search unit to locating aid and thus to the object to be found again and again determined.

Of the User is approaching with the search unit of the locating aid and thus the one to be found Object by identifying himself with the search unit Direction moves.

The Exchange of radio signals between tracking aid and search unit and the moving of the search unit in the direction of the locating aid is repeated, until the object has been found.

In a further embodiment the locating aid is designed on the object to be found so that the response signal primary is sent in the direction of the search unit.

A Analysis of the received response signal by the search unit shows the user the direction of the object to be found, for example by means of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display or by means of one in its volume and / or his pitch varying acoustic signal.

The Search engine can as well designed for it be, from the intensity of the received response signal provides an estimate of the distance to be found To determine the subject.

A possibility for distance estimation it is the signal strength of the received signal with that of the transmitted radio signal compare and the mitigation with already determined distances from experiments to compare. Because properties and thickness of obstacles between the search unit and the locating aid are not known, the user is shown a number of possible distances. Knowledge of the environment allows the user the real distance from the list of displayed distances to a few options limit. By further approaching to the locating aid and thus the object to be searched improved the distance estimation, because the search help already covered Distance can involve and the distance to the tracking aid running decreases, bringing the uncertainty of the material between the search unit and the locating aid is also smaller.

According to one another embodiment used at least two search units, so in addition to Direction also the distance of the locating aid of the search units can be determined by a Dreickspeilung. These search units can both in one device be integrated, or there will be at least two devices each provided at least one search unit.

guided from the visual and / or audible indication, the user moves with the portable search unit to the object to be found. The direction of the object to be found becomes in the background by transmitting and receiving radio signals between portable search unit and found object again and again, so that the user with an accuracy that gets better the more he does approaching the object to be found, to this object brought up becomes.

The The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

1 shows in plan view an embodiment of a locating aid according to the present invention,

2 shows the location help 1 in side view,

3 shows a further embodiment of a locating aid according to the present invention,

4 shows an alternative antenna geometry for the location in a search unit (evaluation of the polarization) according to the present invention,

5 shows the schematic structure of an antenna element of the antenna 4 that is used in the search unit,

6 shows a circuit of a possible arrangement for the evaluation (amplitude) of the bearing signal in the search unit according to the present Er contraption,

7 shows a circuit for a further possible arrangement for the evaluation (phase) of the direction finding signal in the search unit according to the present invention,

8th shows the basic elements of a search unit according to the present invention,

9 shows the basic elements of a locating aid according to the present invention, and

10a to 10c show the calculation for determining the transit time difference for direction determination according to the 7 shown circuit.

1 shows in plan view the schematic structure of a tracking aid 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. One the locating aid 1 enveloping Kunststoffma sse is not shown. The drawing is enlarged and not true to scale.

On a carrier plate 6 is a battery 4 applied. On the battery 4 there is a first semiconductor chip 3 , which with a helical, three-dimensional antenna 5 via a contact pad 7 with the semiconductor chip 3 is in electrically conductive contact. The semiconductor chip 3 is via wires (not shown) electrically conductive with the positive pole and the negative pole (both not shown) of the battery 4 connected. On the semiconductor chip 3 is a second semiconductor chip 2 applied, which is also electrically conductive with the battery 4 connected is. Furthermore, there is an electrical contact (not shown) between the semiconductor chip 3 and the semiconductor chip 2 , The antenna 5 is through the carrier plate 6 mechanically protected and is completely embedded in an enveloping plastic material (not shown).

The carrier plate 6 serves as a base for fixing the battery 4 , as well as for mechanical support of the antenna 5 , The carrier plate 6 may be made of flexible or rigid material and may have additional elements such as holes, hooks, rivets or the like, which allow the locating aid 1 easy to attach to the object to be found later. It is also conceivable and possible that the locating aid 1 without support plate 6 embedded in a plastic mass.

On the battery 4 is a first semiconductor chip 3 applied, which is in accordance with the present invention, a radio chip, such as a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) chip or a Bluetooth chip, ie a semiconductor chip, which is able to process radio signals.

The task of the radio chip is to convert the radio signals into digital data and vice versa, ie to convert digital data into radio signals. The semiconductor chip 3 becomes during the operation of the locating aid 1 from the battery 4 powered, so the locator 1 can be operated independently of an external power source.

Instead of the battery 4 can be used to power the location aid 1 Also, a resonant circuit or a photocell can be used with accumulator.

Depending on the application of the locating aid 1 It may be beneficial if instead of a battery 4 a photocell is used with an accumulator. This is the case, for example, if there is enough space on the locator 1 is provided for the photocell and the accumulator and if it can be assumed that the object to be found later will be sufficiently supplied with light.

For special applications, it is also conceivable and possible, instead of a battery to use a resonant circuit as a power source, which is fed by the intercepted antenna signal. The advantage of using a resonant circuit is that an unlimited life of the locating aid 1 is achieved because the energy required for transmission is supplied by the search unit with the radio signal. In addition, such a tracking aid 1 without battery 4 , but with resonant circuit, can be produced very inexpensively.

On the semiconductor chip 3 is another semiconductor chip 2 applied, which in operation also from the battery 4 is powered and which a non-volatile memory element, such as a flash memory semiconductor memory, and circuits for controlling the locating aid 1 or of the semiconductor chip 3 contains.

According to the present invention is on the semiconductor chip 2 stored the user defined, specific alphanumeric code of the object to be found. Furthermore, the semiconductor chip controls 2 the transmission and reception sequences of the semiconductor chip 3 , It is also conceivable and possible to have additional functions on the semiconductor chip 2 to implement, such as the storage of other, object-specific data or the encryption of the data exchanged with the search unit.

In a further, not shown embodiment of the present invention, the locating aid 1 sensors, such as temperature sensors or accelerometers, their information from the semiconductor chip 2 read out and / or stored and / or to the semiconductor chip 3 forward, and thus can be transmitted to the search unit.

One Accelerometer can be beneficial as it provides information about it can determine whether the object to be found is moving or at rest. An accelerometer can be realized by a piezo sensor.

Other sensors are useful if information about the environment in which the object to be found, statements on whether the object is endangered by its storage at a certain location, for example by overheating. By choosing suitable sensors, it is also possible to make a statement about the type of environment in which the object to be searched is located. It is also possible by the analysis of the radio signal, for example by absorption of certain frequencies, conclusions on the material between the locating aid 1 and the search unit.

Furthermore, it is conceivable and possible that the functionalities of semiconductor chip 2 and semiconductor chip 3 integrated in a single semiconductor chip. The illustrated here, consisting of two semiconductor chips embodiment has the advantage that for the semiconductor chip 3 a commercially available radio chip and a known radio standard, such as GSM standard or Bluetooth standard, can be used. Today, these radio chips are produced as reliable standard semiconductor components in large numbers and at low production costs.

In the 1 shown, helical, three-dimensional antenna 5 is used to send and receive radio signals to locate the tracking aid 1 , The illustrated antenna 5 represents a form of an omnidirectional antenna, so an antenna that emits signals as uniformly as possible in all directions and can receive all signals in the first approximation, regardless of the direction of their emitting source.

An omnidirectional antenna is needed to avoid the occurrence of a so-called "blind spot", that is, an angle between tracking aid 1 and search unit within which the item to be found can not be located.

"Even in all Directions "is an approximation, no real existing antenna sends radio signals in all directions evenly. However, at least some energy is emitted in each direction. The same applies to the reception of the radio signals.

Around one possible to obtain ideal omnidirectional antenna, as known in the art is common in practice several antennas to a quasi-ideal, omnidirectional antenna composite composed. However, antennas are also known which are omnidirectional Behavior due to their geometry, such as helical antennas, have. Both antenna types - assembled and simple - are for use according to the present invention Invention suitable. A detailed Discussion of different types of antennas, as well as their functions For example, the book "Antennas For All Applications "by John D. Krauss and Ronald J. Marhefka, published in 2002 in McGraw-Rill Publisher, New York.

In operation, the antenna conducts 5 Radio signals in the form of electrical pulses to the semiconductor chip 3 continues and / or transmits through the semiconductor chip 3 , via the electrically conductive contact pad 7 , modulated electrical pulses as radio signals for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data. It is advantageous if the extension of the antenna is greater than about half the wavelength of the radio signal used, since then the conversion of electrical pulses into radio signals and vice versa happens with the least possible loss of energy.

2 shows the locating aid 1 according to the embodiment 1 in side view with the enveloping plastic mass 8th ,

Task of the plastic mass 8th is it, the locating aid 1 to provide mechanical stability and to serve as a protective housing for the components contained therein. The shape of the plastic mass 8th can, except by the size of the battery 4 , the size of the two semiconductor chips 2 and 3 and the antenna 5 , Also determined by the nature of the object to be found, as well as the type of attachment to this object.

It is the antenna 5 , which offers the most possibilities, their form and thus the form of the resulting locating aid 1 adapt to the desired application. In the 1 respectively. 2 shown helical, three-dimensional antenna geometry allows the production of a very compact positioning aid 1 , which in addition to a length and width and a certain height corresponding to the extent of the antenna 5 has.

However, it is also conceivable and possible to use an omnidirectional antenna instead of the helical, three-dimensional antenna geometry, which has long wires which are incorporated into the object to be found. Such an antenna geometry allows Bei play the production of a very flat, "sheet-shaped" positioning aid 1 ,

Such an embodiment of the present invention is advantageous when the locating aid 1 in the object to be found later, for example, as an intermediate layer to be incorporated.

As well conceivable is the execution by means of several antennas, which are omnidirectional as a sum, but working individually as directional antennas. These can be used with suitable circuitry very energetic and therefore over long distances measurable Send out signals. The reason is that the tracking aid only in the Solid angle emits signals in which the part of the antenna set when receiving the search query determines the highest intensity Has. However, such circuits are complicated and expensive.

Further Omnidirectional antenna geometries are known in the art and also conceivable and possible.

3 shows a further embodiment of the locating aid 1 according to the present invention. The battery 4 is on the carrier plate 6 attached. On the battery 4 is the semiconductor chip 3 and on this the semiconductor chip 2 applied. Semiconductor chip 3 is electrically conductive with the battery as in the first embodiment 4 connected, semiconductor chip 2 is electrically conductive with the semiconductor chip 3 and the battery 4 connected (not shown). The windings of the helical, three-dimensional antenna 5 are the battery according to this embodiment 4 and around the two semiconductor chips 2 and 3 arranged around. The antenna 5 is in turn via the contact pad 7 with the semiconductor chip 3 connected and located near the surface of the plastic mass 8th ,

In the 3 embodiment shown provided a particularly compact, button-like shape of the locating aid according to the invention 1 dar. As with all other embodiments of the locating aid 1 It is also conceivable and possible here, additional elements for fixing the locating aid 1 on the object to be located later, for example on the carrier plate 6 and / or in the plastic mass 8th to install.

A button-like shape is to be preferred if it is assumed that the positioning aid 1 will be exposed to strong mechanical loads.

4 and 5 show an alternative antenna geometry according to the present invention. 4 shows an antenna 40 with subelements 401 . 402 . 411 . 412 . 421 . 422 . 431 and 432 , The Elements 401 and 402 are along a line A, 411 and 412 along a line C, 421 and 422 along a line B, as well 431 and 432 arranged along a line D. The lines A and B, which are perpendicular to each other, stretch, as in 5 shown, a first level AB, which is perpendicular to a second level CD, which is spanned by the lines C and D. The 5 illustrates the spatial arrangement of the antennas of 4 ,

Such an antenna geometry is used when the direction of the object to be found is exploited by utilizing the polarization of the locating aid 1 transmitted radio signal to be determined.

The antennas 401 to 432 need not be cylindrical, it is important that the reception sensitivity is high only in one plane or one direction, in all perpendicular directions low. It is known to the person skilled in the art that this requirement is met by several antenna shapes.

In the 4 and 5 shown antenna geometry allows determining the direction of the object to be found when the search unit is moved during the search process. If a third antenna plane (not shown here), which is perpendicular to the two planes shown, is introduced, it is no longer necessary to move the search unit, since all spatial directions are detected simultaneously with this antenna geometry.

From the locating aid 1 the radio signals propagate radially in all directions. It is known to the person skilled in the art that the oscillation direction of the electric field or the polarization is perpendicular to the propagation direction. From the search unit to the location aid 1 Exactly there is an excellent direction, which the direct or straight-line connection between Ortungshilfe 1 and search unit which can be determined by utilizing the polarization of the radio signal. By determining the amplitudes of the antennas according to the 4 and 5 from the radio signal induced alternating currents, the direction becomes the tracking aid 1 determined on the object to be found, in which the direction is calculated for which the amplitude becomes maximum. This direction is perpendicular to the direction of the straight-line connection between the search unit and locating aid 1 , In this case, a non-linear, or circular or elliptical, polarized radiation is required, which is generated by the locating aid.

The Method is particularly suitable for distances of the object to be searched from the search unit that tall against about 1 wavelength the frequency used. At a search frequency of, for example about 800 MHz, this is about 37 cm.

The angular resolution of the search unit is constant, but the solid angle of the searched object, seen by the search unit, increases quadratically as the distance of the search unit from the object to be found or the locating aid decreases 1 , This means for a direction determination, which is based on the determination of the polarization of the locating aid 1 emitted radio signal is based, that the direction of the object to be found is determined more accurately, the closer one gets to the object to be found, to the distance between the search unit and detection aid 1 is about 1 wavelength. If the distance is less than approximately 1 wavelength, the accuracy no longer increases to such an extent.

6 shows a diagram of a possible arrangement for a possible evaluation of the bearing signal in the search unit according to the present invention. Three omnidirectional antennas 11 are via electrical lines with a circuit 12 connected the amplitudes of the signal as DC voltage to the operational amplifier 13 deliver. The voltages of two antennas each are connected to the operational amplifiers 13 subtracted from each other and reinforced. These values are at the terminals 14 provided and passed on to analog-to-digital converters for further processing, which then provide these data to the search unit in digital form.

Because the amplitude of the locating aid 1 received radio signal from the square of the distance of the antennas 11 from the locating aid 1 Depending on the relative distances of the antennas in the search unit for locating assistance 1 determine. From this, the direction of the signal can then be determined.

The circuit 12 for determining the amplitude of the received signal can be determined by the following method:
First, the square of the input signal is averaged over approximately one period. Instead of forming the mean of the squared signal by an integrator, this can be achieved via other variants, such as a low-pass filter. Since very small differences must be measured, a low-noise, consisting of as few components circuit is advantageous.

This method measures small differences in received field strength by generating a DC signal from the original signal by squaring followed by averaging. The result of these steps is proportional to the square of the input amplitude and inversely proportional to the frequency of the received radiation, which is known. In this method, the angular resolution is not constant, but it decreases with decreasing distance to the positioning aid 1 too strong, because the relative distance of the antennas in the search unit to the locating aid 1 stronger than linear decreases.

the A person skilled in the art is also aware that a corresponding positioning method even with a larger number Antennas can be performed in the search unit. This has the Advantage that a higher Accuracy can be achieved and / or simple, or non-omnidirectional Antennas can be used. However, to consider a complex the angle-dependent reception sensitivity the antennas used in the evaluation of the search unit To avoid it, it is advantageous to use omnidirectional antennas.

The Embodiments described herein mean that at least three different, not on a straight line lying places an amplitude can be measured.

A Direction determination according to this method is advantageously carried out with three omnidirectional antennas. the One skilled in the art knows that this method also works with only two omnidirectional ones Antennas performed can be, especially if the user the position of the two Antennas changes, for example, by rotating the search unit during the direction determination. The direction then becomes two successive measurements, those with different positions of the two omnidirectional Antennas performed be determined. In this way, again at three linearly independent positions measured the amplitude of the incident radio signals.

7 shows a circuit for another possible arrangement for the evaluation of the DF signal according to the present invention. This method measures the phase difference of a signal detected by two antennas.

First, the signal coming from the antenna via the electrical line 21 arrives, through the variable high-frequency amplifier 22 strengthened. It is advantageous to design the gain programmably so that the gain can be adjusted to the signal intensity.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a bandpass filter according to the expected frequency between the antenna and the variable high-frequency amplifier 22 so that noise and unwanted signals can not affect the accuracy of the measurement.

After amplification, the signal is multiplied by two antennas each by a multiplier module 23 , It will be the following Multiplication carried out: Signal A is multiplied once with signal B and signal A is used once by means of a block for phase shifting 24 90 ° phase shifted multiplied by signal B. The result is using an integrator 25 averaged and sent to the analog-to-digital converters for further processing 26 forwarded. After this step there is a voltage at the terminal 27 which is proportional to the sine of the phase difference. At the connection 28 is a voltage proportional to the cosine of the phase difference. Thereafter, the values are available in digital form to the program logic in the search help. From the two digitized voltages, the phase difference can be calculated directly. The full bill is in the 10a to 10c shown.

These Circuit allows a very accurate location of the object to be found with very simple means, as a simple analog to digital converter module can be used: the high-frequency signal is converted into a DC voltage, from which the phase difference can be calculated directly.

Of the Advantage of this circuit is that the search unit is very compact, or formed with closely juxtaposed, omnidirectional antennas can be.

A method that is used to determine the direction of a circuit as in 7 shown, operated, gives a constant angular resolution. The time difference is measured in the reception of signals from two omnidirectional antennas with a high accuracy. This circuit determines the phase difference of the instantaneous signal between two antennas, which come about by the transit time differences due to the slightly different distance to the positioning aid, so the source of the radio signals. The phase difference of the signal, which is measured at two different positions, is proportional to the time difference of the signal reception. Thus one knows, if one presupposes a plane wave, or knows the wave geometry, the direction to the source. For this purpose, a right triangle is formed, from which two distances and the right angle are known. Thus, the direction of the locating aid 1 be determined.

There the temporal resolution depends only on the distance of the two antennas in the search unit, is the resulting angular resolution the search unit constant. The angular extent of the object to be found but increases with decreasing distance. It means that at constant resolution with decreasing distance a seemingly larger object is found. The accuracy of the bearing thus decreases with decreasing distance the search unit for locating more than linear to.

8th and 9 show in an overview the basic elements of a search unit and a location aid according to the present invention.

1

tracking Help

2

logic chip

3

radio chip

4

battery

5

antenna

6

support plate

7

Contact pad

8th

Plastic compound

9

casing

11

omnidirectional antenna

12

circuit to determine the amplitudes

13

operational amplifiers

14

Connection (to analog-to-digital converter)

21

electrical management

22

variable RF amplifier

23

multiplier block

24

90-degree phase shift block

25

integrator

26

Analog to digital converter

27

Connection to the internal search engine digital logic

28

Connection to the internal search engine digital logic

Claims (16)

Device for finding objects, which has a search unit and a positioning aid attached to the object ( 1 ), wherein search unit and locating aid ( 1 ) each having an omnidirectional antenna, a power supply, and electronic circuits with semiconductor devices, and wherein the search unit additionally comprises a display unit, an input unit and one or more antennas, which are suitable for direction determination. Device for finding objects after Claim 1, characterized in that an omnidirectional antenna, Power supply, electronic circuits with semiconductor components, display unit and / or input unit for the search unit is provided by a radiotelephone. Device for finding objects according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that an omnidirectional antenna, power supply, electronic circuits with semiconductor components, display unit and / or input for. the search unit can be provided by a portable computer. Device for finding objects after one of the previous claims, characterized in that omnidirectional antenna, power supply, electronic circuits with semiconductor components, display unit and / or input unit for the search unit be provided by a palmtop computer. Device for locating objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating aid ( 1 ) has the shape of a button. Device for locating objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating aid ( 1 ) is designed as a chip card. Device for locating objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating aid ( 1 ) is designed as a trailer. Device for locating objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating aid ( 1 ) is designed leaf-shaped. Device for locating objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating aid ( 1 ) has one or more sensors. Device for finding objects after Claim 9, characterized in that the at least one sensor has at least one temperature sensor. Device for finding objects after Claim 9, characterized in that the at least one sensor has at least one accelerometer. Method for finding an object using a device according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: a) for preparing a later search, attaching a positioning aid ( 1 ) on the object to be found later; b) in preparation for a later search, storing in the search unit a unique alphanumeric code for the object to be searched; c) to carry out a search by the search unit emitting a radio signal having the unique code of the object to be found; d) For carrying out a search, receiving the radio signal emitted by the search unit by the locating aid ( 1 ) and, thereby activated, emitting a response signal from the locating aid ( 1 ); e) For carrying out a search, receiving the data obtained from the locating aid ( 1 ) transmitted response signal from the search unit and determining the direction from which the response signal comes through the search unit; f) approximation of the search unit by the user to the positioning aid ( 1 ) by moving the search unit in the direction determined in e), wherein the steps d, e and f are repeated until the object has been found. Method for finding an object according to claim 12, characterized in that the direction from a search unit to a locating aid ( 1 ) by evaluating the polarization of one of the locating aid ( 1 ) transmitted radio signal is determined. Method for finding an object according to claim 12, characterized in that the direction from a search unit to a locating aid ( 1 ) by evaluating the amplitude of one of the locating aid ( 1 ) transmitted radio signal is determined. Method for finding objects according to claim 12, characterized in that the direction from a search unit to a locating aid ( 1 ) by evaluating the phase difference of one of the locating aid ( 1 ) transmitted radio signal is determined. Method for finding objects according to one of Claims 12-15, characterized in that the distance from a search unit to a location aid ( 1 ) by evaluating the amplitude of the locating aid ( 1 ) transmitted radio signal when approaching the search unit to the locating aid ( 1 ) is determined.