Abstract: The invention is comprised of a self-constructed group of identical hubs, which extends the usable battery life of all hubs in the group by forming a self-healing network that eliminates unnecessary network traffic and assures communication integrity. The group communicates with a larger system which includes a server and various administrative devices that are used to monitor the location and status of the hubs and the palletized goods. Each hub is a stand-alone device that has a processor, memory, GPS transponder, various transceiver circuits, condition indicators, and a battery. Each hub is attached to a single pallet. The hubs are each capable of communication with the server through a variety of transceivers. However, only the hub that is determined by the group to be the best, communicates with the server at any one time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a secure method and enabling processes to: (1) through the use of personal nomadic communicators (PNCs) to automatically declare passenger occupancy in transport conveyances including but not limited to road vehicles, aircraft, trains, marine vessels, (2) monitor and assess the pattern of physical movements of passenger PNCs prior to, during, and after their use of such transport conveyances, (3) verify and record passenger occupancy based on such assessments and any suspicious patterns suggesting fraudulent declarations through the improper use and placement of PNCs not belonging to passengers, and (4) transfer occupancy data to management systems which utilise passenger occupancy as a factor in decision making including but not limited to determining occupancy related entitlements to the operators/owners/managers of transport conveyances.