Patent ID: 9741213
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: G08B,H04W

Claim:
1. A radio communication apparatus comprising: a transmitter which, in operation, transmits, using a near field radio communication protocol, a calling signal to a locator attachable to an item, wherein the locator periodically wakes up to enter into a monitor period having a first period length, during which the locator performs reception monitor operation of the calling signal; and a controller which, in operation, enters into a calling period having a second period length, during which the transmitter successively transmits a plurality of calling signals, the second period length being greater than the first period length, and when a response signal is received from the locator stops the successive transmission of the plurality of calling signals even prior to expiration of the calling period, wherein the calling period includes multiple frames of a fixed length and each frame includes a transmission period, in which the calling signal is transmitted, and a standby period, which is shorter than the transmission period and in which the controller monitors for the response signal from the locator.