Abstract: A radio system and method for monitoring and locating objects, including individuals, animals and articles, both locally and on a nationwide scale use monitoring base stations communicating by ID code with portable transponders which are secured to the objects to be monitored. The transponder responds to signals transmitted by the base, the latter indicating by an alarm the absence of a timely appropriate response from the transponder. The base is capable of performing and participating in homing techniques to locate a lost transponder. A list of the IDs of all transponders reported missing is distributed from a central source by nationwide communication to a network of radio stations, each station broadcasting the list in an encoded signal in repetitive sequence along with regular programming. Cruising vehicles of public safety departments operating locally nationwide are equipped with automatic monitors for receiving specially coded messages including IDs from transponders within their areas.

Abstract: An integrity indicator formed as an illuminable bead is combined with the pair of flat terminal blades of a miniature plug-in fuse and is positioned in a central window provided in the top wall of the insulator housing thereof. The housing defines a chamber having an open bottom and a central section with relatively narrow lateral sections in which upper portions of the blades are secured. A fuse-wire extends across the central section conductively interconnecting the blades. The illuminable bead has a pair of wire leads extending oppositely into the lateral sections of the chamber, each wire lead conductively contacting the upper portion of one of the blades and connecting the bead in parallel circuit with the fuse-wire. Clamping components formed on the interior of the top wall and on the upper portion of each terminal blade secure each wire lead in operative position.