Radio beacon that uses a light emitter as an antenna

Abstract

Emitters for locating an item or person who as in some way become separated from their expected location are provided. The emitters of the present invention comprise a power source, a light emitting means, and a radiowave emitting means, the light emitting means comprising a first and second electrode, a dielectric material and an electroluminescent material being provided between the first and second electrodes, the radiowave emitting means comprising an antenna. The antenna may comprise the first and/or second electrode. The emitter may be a separate unit or may be part of or attached to an item such as a survival suit, a waterproof suit, a wet suit, a dry suit, a diving suit, a coat, a waterproof coat, a harness, a buoyancy item or aid, a life jacket, a life raft, a lifeboat, a floatation aid, a life belt, etc.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A position indicating emitter, comprising: 
       a power source;  
       a light emitter that is coupled to said power source and that has a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electroluminescent material that is positioned substantially between said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein said first electrode, said second electrode, and said electroluminescent material are contained in a casing; and  
       a radio emitter that is coupled to said power source and that uses said light emitter as an antenna.  
     
     
       2. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said casing is provided in a substantially looped form. 
     
     
       3. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said radio emitter transmits through at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode. 
     
     
       4. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said second electrode is provided concentrically around said first electrode. 
     
     
       5. The position indicating emitter of  claim 4 , wherein said second electrode permits passage of visible light from said electroluminescent material to a surrounding environment. 
     
     
       6. The position indicating emitter of  claim 5 , wherein said second electrode is formed from braided wire. 
     
     
       7. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said power source comprises an inverter that produces AC voltage. 
     
     
       8. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1  further comprising an item that may be worn by a user and that has an opening through which a body part of said user may pass, wherein a substantially looped form of said casing substantially encircles said opening. 
     
     
       9. The position indicating emitter of  claim 8 , wherein said opening of said item is intended to pass a neck of said user. 
     
     
       10. The position indicating emitter of  claim 8 , wherein said item is a floatation aid. 
     
     
       11. The position indicating emitter of  claim 8 , wherein said item is an article of clothing. 
     
     
       12. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein a substantially looped form of said casing allows the position indicating emitter to be worn about a user's neck. 
     
     
       13. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said electroluminescent material comprises phosphor. 
     
     
       14. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said casing is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
       15. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said radio emitter continuously radiates a radio signal. 
     
     
       16. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said radio emitter intermittently radiates a radio signal. 
     
     
       17. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitter continuously radiates light. 
     
     
       18. The position indicating emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitter intermittently radiates light.