Ok, ive patented a device (so dont even try to do it yourself! ^_^) and the next step is to go to a manufacturer, and id like to do that with at least a little bit of knowledge on how it would be accomplished-so i need to know some of the technical aspects involved.
Anyway; my idea is a 'lost item locator' (better name pending) and there would be 3 initial parts to this device.
1) the chips that you place on your easily lost objects (i.e keys, mp3 players, dead cellphones, wallets/purses, glasses, pet collars, etc)
2) the locator
3) the charger
I envision a circular hand held device with (probably) 16 LEDs on the perimiter, and a display screen in the center, after attaching a chip to an object (then losing the object) the locator would communicate to the chip and one of the LEDs would light up to indicate direction of the chip/lost thing. The charger would be a plug-in base, with -and this is the greatest part- a page button to make the locator beep for when the hand-held locator inevitably becomes lost for those of us that are truly hopeless...
What i want to know is the sort of electronic technology that would be required for this, what sorts of communications between locator and chip are available, (50ft range is adiquate, but maybe high end things could go up to a mile or whatever) how multiple chips would work with 1 locator, even estimations of voltages used, and all the other things a novice like me wouldnt forsee.. Any help would be very appreciated!!