Patent ID: 7095325

Claim:
A method for identifying a lost asset, the method comprising the steps of: a) periodically transmitting a first predetermined identification signal from a base station, the first predetermined identification signal unique to the asset, each transmission of the first predetermined identification signal separated by a first predetermined period of time; b) receiving the first predetermined identification signal at an asset tag attached to the asset, the asset tag having a predetermined identification code unique to the asset; c) comparing the first predetermined identification signal with the predetermined identification code of the asset at the asset tag; d) synchronizing the asset tag to the base station by transmitting a second predetermined identification signal from the asset tag if the first predetermined identification signal matches the predetermined identification code of the asset, the second predetermined identification signal containing the predetermined identification code of the asset; e) generating a first alarm message at the asset tag indicating that the asset is lost if the first predetermined identification signal does not match the predetermined identification code of the asset or if the first predetermined identification signal is not received after a first predetermined period of time; f) receiving the second predetermined identification signal at the base station; g) comparing the second predetermined identification signal with the first predetermined identification signal at the base station; and h) generating a base alarm message at the base station indicating that the asset is lost if the predetermined identification code of the asset contained in the second predetermined identification signal does not match the first predetermined identification signal or if the second predetermined identification signal is not received after a second predetermined period of time.