Abstract: A method and system for steam leak detection. The method comprises obtaining real-time temperature data representing a heat dissipation of a steam pipe along a steam pipe route, processing the real-time temperature data in real-time to determine at least one indication of a potential steam leak based on the real-time temperature data and to generate a processed image for display, and displaying the processed image to depict the heat dissipation of the steam pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved communications comprising the step of providing an infrastructure-based communication network, connecting said infrastructure-based communications network to a primary communications system and introducing users of personal communication devices to said infrastructure-based communications network. The step of providing an infrastructure-based communications network includes the steps of adapting existing infrastructure devices to relay electromagnetic radiation that is propagated by the primary communications system. The adapted infrastructure devices are selected from the group consisting of manhole covers, sewer gratings, ventilation gratings, storm drain gratings, utility poles, lighting poles, telephone junction boxes and traffic signal junction boxes. An apparatus for providing improved communications within an urban environment comprises a plurality of urban infrastructure-based devices adapted to interact with a primary communications system.

Abstract: A wireless tether serves to warn if a tethered article moves away from the tethering location, such as a child moving away from a parent, or luggage being removed from its owner, or equipment being removed from a facility. A transmitting module on each tethered article periodically transmits a low power identification signal including a coded value. A receiving module at the tethering location receives identification signals transmitted by the transmitting module(s) and compares the coded value thereof to a stored coded value predetermined to correspond to that of the particular tethered article. If there is correspondence, the tethered article is near the tethering location. If there is not correspondence within a predetermined time interval, the tethered article has moved away and an alarm is raised. The "length" of the tether is adjusted by adjusting the transmission range of the transmitting module to the receiving module.

Abstract: A locating system and method employs a plurality of radio frequency readers arrayed with respect to a region having a plurality of zones within which a plurality of radio frequency tags are to be located. Each reader identifies those tags present within its coverage area. The coverage areas of all the readers taken together substantially cover the region and at least part of the coverage area of each reader overlaps at least part of the coverage area of at least one other reader. A data processor receives the identification of the tags within the coverage area of each reader and applies a set of locating rules to determine therefrom in which zone within the region each identified tag is located.

Abstract: A vehicle information system including a tag system mounted in a vehicle. The tag system transmits vehicle-related data acquired from the vehicle to an interrogator. The vehicle information system utilizes a bus in the vehicle with low-cost RF communications in the tag system and an interrogator to remotely access the vehicle-related data as the vehicle exits or enters a designated area. The interrogator provides the vehicle-related data acquired from the tag system to a host computer.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a concomitant method of operation for the apparatus, for responding to an interrogation signal transmitted by a remotely located interrogator comprising: a demodulator for demodulating the interrogation signal; a signal processor, coupled to the demodulator, for interpreting a set up instruction contained in the interrogation signal and for initiating a counter to count cycles of a carrier wave signal contained in the interrogation signal; and a modulator, coupled to the signal processor, for transmitting a pulse when the signal processor indicates that the counter has attained a count value that matches a codeword stored in the signal processor.