Patent ID: 6567044
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method of locating a subject of monitoring which is out of sight of a responsible party charged with monitoring location of the subject of monitoring, comprising the steps of:attaching a beacon comprising a transmitter and receiver of radiant energy to the subject being monitored; providing at least one miniature, unmanned remotely guided mobile vehicle functioning as at least one first scanning platform having a transmitter and receiver of radiant energy; providing at least two second scanning platforms each having a transmitter and receiver of radiant energy; causing the at least one first scanning platform to negotiate a predetermined search site while under remote guidance and to transmit activation signals to the receiver of the subject being monitored; causing each second scanning platform to transmit activation signals to the receiver of the subject being monitored; causing the receiver of the subject being monitored to transmit a response signal from the beacon responsive to receiving an activation signal from any one of the at least one first scanning platform and the second scanning platforms; receiving the response signal at the receiver of at least three of the first scanning platform and second platforms; causing each one of the at least one first scanning platform and the second scanning platforms to acquire time and location data from a global positioning system; causing each one of the first scanning platform and the second scanning platforms to transmit a location signal to a central station, wherein the location signal indicates the time and location of the first scanning platform or second scanning platform upon receiving the response signal; and performing triangulation analysis to determine location of the beacon of the subject being monitored.