Device location and identification system

摘要

A method and system for identifying panels that embed active and passive components of an electronic device, or that hide certain key components of a building's infrastructure in the plenum of the ceiling. In one aspect, a panel is provided with a phosphorescent or other light-responsive indicia that is representative of an object hidden within the panel or that is part of the building infrastructure hidden by a plurality of panels. A panel having a device embedded within it is identified by first placing a light-responsive indicia on the panel that is representative of the devices stored therein or the building infrastructure lying above it. The panel is then irradiated and the light-responsive indicia observed. In another aspect, a panel having an embedded object is provided with an indicator device that is embedded in the same panel. The indicator detects a query signal emitted by a scanner, compares the detected signal with information stored in the memory of the indicator, and if a match is found, emits a visible or audible signal from a signal output device into the room below. The signal output device can be a light emitting diode or a sound generator.