Patent ID: 6620057
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A63B,G01S

Abstract:
A locator apparatus comprising:a retrievable object including a passive transponder device formed by a plurality of loop transponders oriented at an angle of 90 degrees to each other; said transponder device being configured to resonate at a selected radio frequency and to emit a radio frequency return signal upon being illuminated by a source RF signal at said selected frequency; an active RF transmitter/receiver including a circuit for illuminating said passive transponder with an RF signal at said selected frequency to excite said passive transponder and including a circuit for detecting said emitted return signal and further including a helical antenna for transmission of said selected source signal and detection of said return signal; and at least one indicator included within said RF transmitter/receiver, responsive to said return signal, to communicate a perceptible signal to a user.