Abstract: A seal device includes a locking member with a magnetically permeable material portion, and structure that can receive the locking member. The structure supports a magnetic field generator and detector at locations spaced from each other and from a region that is occupied by the portion of the locking member when the locking member is received by the structure. The structure defines a main flux path as a loop having a first portion, a second portion and a remainder that are mutually exclusive, and that collectively define the entirety of the flux path. The first and second portions are respectively within the magnetic field generator and the region, and most of the remainder extends through magnetically permeable material of the structure. The detector is located where the magnetic field has different characteristics when the portion of the locking member is respectively present in and absent from the region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: configuring a wall portion to have an opening therethrough and to have a first annular surface extending around the opening; supporting on a circuit board an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts and having a second annular surface; and resisting fluid flow from one side of the wall portion to an opposite side thereof through the opening, including compressing between the first and second annular surfaces a seal ring having third and fourth annular surfaces that respectively engage the first and second annular surfaces, the electrical contacts each having a portion that is accessible through the opening.

Abstract: An identification device establishes a relative hierarchy of associated containers as logistical units, providing multi-layer visibility of nested and adjacent containers. The relative hierarchy comprises lower-layer containers and upper-layer containers relative to the identification device. An integrated reader device reads heterogeneous tag types. This allows disparate tag types simultaneously using a single device.

Abstract: A tag stores information identifying the sequence in which it received wireless signpost signals from different signposts. In another configuration, a tag maintains data identifying a group of signposts that are to be treated as equivalent. In yet another configuration, wireless signpost signals transmitted by each of a plurality of signposts all contain the same signpost code. In still another configuration, a signpost has an interface through which a signpost code of the signpost can be selectively set.

Abstract: A seal bolt includes: an elongate and electrically conductive part with a portion extending between first and second locations lengthwise of the bolt; an electrically conductive layer that, between the first and second locations, is spaced from the elongate part; an electrically insulating layer that, between the first and second locations, is disposed between the conductive layer and the elongate part; and structure that electrically couples the elongate part and the conductive layer at a third location, the second location being between the first and third locations. In one configuration, the insulating layer includes aluminum oxide. In another configuration, the conductive layer is one of an amorphous metal and stainless steel. In still another configuration, the conductive layer includes a strip that, from the first location to the second location, has a width less than a circumference of the elongate part.

Abstract: A tag responds to receipt of a short-range wireless signal by altering the operation of a transmitter that transmits long-range wireless signals containing a unique tag identification, and conforming to a satellite or cellular network communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag responds to receipt of a short-range wireless signal by altering operation of a receiver that receives long-range wireless signals containing positioning information, the tag determining location information from the positioning information. According to another aspect, a tag responds to receipt of a short-range wireless signal by altering operation of a sensor section having a sensor responsive to a condition.

Abstract: A tag can transmit a tag signal, and responds to receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining whether the signpost that generated the signal is currently active. When the signpost is respectively determined to be active and inactive, the tag respectively includes and excludes from the tag signal an information portion that relates to the signpost that generated the received signpost signal. In another configuration, a tag has first and second antennas, receives wireless signpost signals through at least one of the antennas, and responds to receipt of a signpost signal containing antenna select information by causing a selected one of the first and second antennas to be disabled and the other of the first and second antennas to receive wireless signpost signals.

Abstract: A tag has circuitry that can transmit and receive wireless signals, including receipt of first and second wireless signals that are different. The circuitry responds to a predetermined event by inhibiting wireless transmissions for up to a selected time interval, while waiting for receipt of one of the first and second wireless signals. The circuitry responds to receipt during the selected time interval of one of the second wireless signals before receipt of one of the first wireless signals by continuing to inhibit wireless transmissions, and responds to expiration of the selected time interval without receipt of either of the first and second wireless signals by transmitting a selected wireless signal.

Abstract: A tag receives a wireless signpost signal that contains a signpost code, converts the signpost code into location information representative of a physical location of a signpost that transmitted the received signpost signal, and transmits a wireless tag signal that includes the location information. In a different configuration, a tag receives a wireless signpost signal that includes a signpost code, and determines whether the signpost that generated the received signpost signal is a replacement for a different signpost. If it is a replacement, the tag transmits a wireless tag signal containing an information portion that relates to the signpost replaced by the signpost that generated the received signpost signal.

Abstract: An apparatus has a sensor with an electrically conductive ground member, electrically conductive first and second parts spaced from and proximate to each other and the ground member, and an insulator disposed between the ground member and the first and second parts. A different configuration involves a tag having circuitry, and a sensor supported on the tag and having electrically conductive first and second parts that are spaced from and proximate to each other, the first and second parts each being electrically coupled to the circuitry.

Abstract: A tag detects a condition, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of information regarding the selected condition, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag carries out geofencing analysis, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of results of the geofencing analysis, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than in the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol.

Abstract: A tag can communicate according to a cellular telephone network communication protocol, and includes one of: passive circuitry, semi-passive circuitry, or circuitry capable of communicating according to a radio frequency identification communication protocol or a satellite communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag can receive satellite signals containing positioning information, and can transmit according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to yet another aspect, a tag can transmit according to each of first and second communication protocols that are each one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol.

Abstract: A tag has a circuit portion that functions as a reader capable of wireless communication with other tags. According to a different aspect, a tag has a circuit portion with first and second modes, the circuitry consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and exiting the second mode only in response to an act by a human. According to yet another aspect, a tag can receive wireless communications conforming to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. The tag responds to receipt of a predetermined wireless signal conforming to the one protocol by carrying out one of first action that includes causing the tag to enter an electronically secure state, or a second action that includes causing the tag to exit the electronically secure state.

Abstract: A tag has a sensor that can detect a condition in the region of the tag. The tag effects an operational adjustment relating to the sensor based on sensor configuration information in a received wireless signal. According to a different aspect, a tag can receive wireless signals containing positioning information, and wireless signals containing location information indicating with a first accuracy the current location of the tag. The further signals conform to one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. The tag determines from the positioning information with a second accuracy greater than the first accuracy the current location of the tag, the tag being responsive to the location information for more rapidly effecting the determination with the second accuracy.

Abstract: A drum has a body, a lid, and fastening structure cooperable with portions of the body and lid to effect a releasable coupling therebetween. A sensor is disposed between the two portions. According to a different aspect, a support member has a flange with a hole, and a pressure sensor on the flange. A tag on the support member has circuitry responsive to the sensor for transmitting wireless signals. According to yet another aspect, a drum has a body, a lid, and fastening structure to effect a releasable coupling between the lid and the body. A method involves monitoring with a pressure sensor a force produced by the fastening structure.

Abstract: A tag includes a housing, an antenna disposed within the housing, and circuitry within the housing that is electrically coupled to the antenna. A battery within the housing is electrically coupled to the circuitry, the battery being positioned so as to avoid significant interference with electromagnetic fields associated with the antenna. A tag holder can be detachably coupled to a radio frequency tag, and has structure facilitating attachment of the tag holder to an object other than a tag. A tag includes a circuit and an antenna, the antenna having a plurality of conductive segments and capacitors that are coupled in series to form an endless loop.

Abstract: One aspect involves receiving by a tag of wireless communications that utilize a first security provision, and wireless communications that utilize a second security provision different from the first security provision. A different aspect involves receiving by an entity of an authentication request that is based on a first digital certificate unknown to the entity, and determining by the entity, without external authentication of the first digital certificate, whether the first digital certificate is in a trust relationship with a second digital certificate that is different from the first digital certificate and that is known to the entity.

Abstract: A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve storing in a tag a selected digital certificate that permits secure access to said tag from externally thereof.

Abstract: One aspect involves a communication that contains a portion encrypted with a selected key can be wirelessly transmitted by a part for reception and decryption by plural tags. A different aspect involves a tag receiving a first sequence of wireless communications that each contain sequencing information regarding the first sequence, while receiving a second sequence of wireless communications that each include sequencing information regarding the second sequence, and further involves monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the first sequence while separately monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the second sequence.