Abstract: A tracking and telemetry system includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The at least one transmitter is arranged for transmitting a first or identification signal according to a time schedule, and the at least one receiver is arranged for receiving the transmitted first signal. The at least one transmitter is arranged for receiving a second or programming signal and setting or adapting or otherwise altering the time schedule for the transmission of the first signal in response to the second signal. Furthermore, there are provided a transmitter and a programming station arranged for setting or adapting or otherwise altering the time schedule in response to said second signal.

Abstract: An electronic assembly may be contained in a label that performs time-temperature integration (TTI) and indicates that time and/or temperature levels have been reached that may compromise the quality, shelf life, or safety of the item to which the label is affixed. The label may be used on a wide variety of objects that require careful handling in terms of temperature and/or time elapsed before use. The labeling system includes circuitry that measures and calculates, and indictor(s) that signal that the time has come for discounted sale, and, later, that the time has come for disposal rather than sale. Optionally, the circuitry may act as an “over-temperature alarm” system, to measure, calculate, and indicate when a one-time temperature violation has occurred that is of such a magnitude that the item is immediately considered compromised or spoiled. The label may take the form of a flexible, disposable label that is typically powered by a small battery.

Abstract: Programming an electronic monitoring tag attached to a printing apparatus replaceable module includes electronically reading tag identification data from an electronic monitoring tag associated with the replaceable module, and electronically verifying that the tag identification data matches predetermined identification criteria. If the tag identification data matches the predetermined identification criteria, electronically programming the electronic monitoring tag with tag content.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of satellite nodes coupled to a sensing device or an actuator and logically dispersed around an access node are configured to wirelessly communicate alarm conditions. A first satellite node detects and accesses an alarm condition and then prepares an alarm message containing an alarm code corresponding to the alarm condition and an address indication. The first satellite node may thereafter receive alarm messages from other satellite nodes logically further from the access node than the first satellite node. Alarm codes contained in the received alarm messages are filtered and compared to the alarm code of the prepared alarm message. The first satellite node includes a sender address in the prepared alarm message for each received alarm message containing an alarm code that matches the alarm code of the prepared alarm message. The first satellite node transmits the prepared alarm message to the access node.

Abstract: A monitoring and locating device includes one or more remote child units and a parent unit in communication with each of the child units. The parent unit is adapted to assign and transmit an individual identifier to each child unit. The parent unit is constructed and arranged to continuously monitor each of the child units by transmitting and receiving signals to each of the child units using the individual identifiers assigned thereto. The monitoring and locating device may be used in a method for monitoring and tracking a living entity that includes acquiring the plurality of child units using the parent unit based at least in part on user input. Monitoring each of the plurality of child units individually with the parent unit. Tracking the location of each child unit with the parent unit and locating a selected child unit of the plurality of child units with the parent unit based upon the tracked location thereof.

Abstract: A child monitoring system for allowing an adult to be alerted when a child moved beyond a specific range from the adult. The child monitoring system includes an adult assembly transmitting a monitoring signal over freespace. The adult assembly is designed for being worn by the adult. At least one child assembly receiving the monitoring signal whereby the child assembly produces an alarm sound when the child assembly detects that the monitoring signal is traveling over a distance greater than a pre-determined safe distance. The child assembly is designed for being worn by the child whereby the alarm sound emitted by the child assembly alerts others that the child has ventured to far away from the supervising adult.

Abstract: A contactless ambient condition detection system includes at least one base connectable to a power and signal transmitting cable and a compatible detector. The detector removably engages the base. Electrical energy, from the cable is wirelessly coupled to the detector via the base. The detector is in wireless bidirectional communication with the base. Alarm indicating signals, generated remotely, can be wirelessly coupled, from the cable via the base, to the detector. Locally generated alarms can be wirelessly coupled to the cable. Detectors can be replaced without exposing the installer to AC contacts.

Abstract: A system and method for agricultural data collection and management is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for agricultural items throughout the production cycle. Individual item data is efficiently collected, transferred, and shared in a transactional, event-oriented, row-oriented structure with few columns without need for creating relational structures. The system includes software components for data collection and real-time data lookup components; share, switch, route, and interface components; extract, transform, and load components; and report and analyze data components. Embodiments include data acquisition from multiple RFID reader locations; a web-based information system for a beef marketing alliance; value-based procurement, and supply chain management.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security, telemetry and control system which utilizes wireless communication between a control unit and smart relay(s) within the vehicle and also utilizes wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote base station to monitor and protect a vehicle or piece of equipment against unauthorized users and thieves.

Abstract: A system and method for acquisition management of subject position information that utilizes radio frequency identification (RF ID) to store position information in position tags. Tag programmers receive position information from external positioning systems, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), from manual inputs, such as keypads, or other tag programmers. The tag programmers program each position tag with the received position information. Both the tag programmers and the position tags can be portable or fixed. Implementations include portable tag programmers and fixed position tags for subject position guidance, and portable tag programmers for collection sample labeling. Other implementations include fixed tag programmers and portable position tags for subject route recordation. Position tags can contain other associated information such as destination address of an affixed subject for subject routing.

Abstract: A system is described for detecting at least one event of interest. The system comprises a detector, a programmable controller, and a network. Upon detection of an event of interest, the detector communicates that information to the programmable controller through the network. The programmable controller allows a user, who may be in diverse geographic locations, to control the detector.

Abstract: A mobile telephone includes a control device, which comprises a receiver to receive an enabling signal and a controller to enable operation of the mobile telephone in dependence upon the enabling signal. An active badge transmits the enabling signal. If the telephone and the badge are separated and the mobile telephone is no longer able to receive the enabling signal, then the controller disables the mobile telephone.

Abstract: An automated, real-time, reprogrammable monitoring and control system for portable, remote sensors and subjects includes one or more portable monitoring units, each of the portable monitoring units having a sensor, a location-determining device, and a sensor interface unit. Each sensor interface unit is separately configured to monitor its sensor and to transmit that sensor's data, via a digital wireless communications network, to a central monitoring device. The portable unit is carried or worn by a person or animal, or affixed to an inanimate subject.

Abstract: A user interface for a mobile office is provided for allowing simple, safe, and convenient access to electronic mail, calendar, news, and web browser functions. The dialog or number of steps required to access desired items is minimized using a state controller responsive to voice commands and manual activations of reconfigurable steering wheel switches. Someone unfamiliar with the user interface is assisted by prompts for various commands and can use the mobile office without needing to resort to use of the reconfigurable steering wheel control elements. A more experienced user can bypass prompts by interrupting them with voice commands and can quickly move through various steps by utilizing the configurable steering wheel control elements to gain access to individual items within the mail, calendar, and news functions.

Abstract: Data is stored on a tag unit. The tag unit provides for alert monitoring capabilities and monitoring of events, these capabilities allow for supply chain plans to be restructured and for events to be rescheduled. The tag unit is attached to an item for tracking purposes. The tag unit monitors and stores a status of the item. Then the item is sent to a destination. The tag unit is scanned when the item has been sent to a destination. The data on the tag unit is updated as a function of scanning. The data is updated when the tag unit is scanned at a destination. Then the data on the tag unit is validated. The data is validated for security purposes. The data on the tag unit is scanned to identify conditions to trigger actions. The system recovers from failure to read data on the tag unit by reconstructing the expected data from a history of the tag unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recording changes associated with the acceleration of a structure. An exemplary embodiment includes an accelerometer array having at least one silicon beam type accelerometer, a nonvolatile memory, a clock timer, a programmable control unit operatively coupled to the accelerometer array, at least one non-volatile memory, and clock timer. The accelerometer array, the at least one non-volatile memory, the clock timer and the programmable control unit can be formed on a common semiconductor substrate (e.g., integrated), with the accelerometer array disposed in a central region.

Abstract: A wireless communication system to obtain data from a medical asset, such as mobile equipment. The system utilizes a transmitter coupled to a programmable interface. The programmable interface is, in turn, coupled to a device associated with the asset. The device or application communicates data about the asset to the interface. The interface is programmed by a user to communicate with the device and couple the data to the transmitter in a configuration selected by the system user. The transmitter is operable to transmit the information to one or more antennas of the wireless communication system. The information from the antennas is coupled to a cell controller and to an information system.

Abstract: A user contracts for service with an operations center (12) in order to provide monitoring and tracking services for a plurality of devices (30). After contracting for service, the operations center provides an agent (81) for download by a user to one or more of the user's devices (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 630) for which the user has contracted for service. The agent is installed on the devices associated with the user's sites and communicates with the operations center. A listening process (710) at the operations center listens for periodically sent beacon packets (640) generated by a monitored device (630). Using location indicators included with the beacon packets and generated by an agent (681) on the monitored device, the operations center provides notifications (712) to a handler regarding the location of the monitored device if the monitored device is reported as stolen.

Abstract: A personal and/or institutional health and wellness communications system, which may be used for a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations using two-way communication devices and a bi-directional communication network. In one application two-way pagers are adapted for use in the system. In one application cellular devices are adapted for use in the system. In one application an assisted living response center is established using various embodiments of the present personal and/or institutional communications system. The system provides multiple levels of prioritization, authentication of person (task, step, process or order), and confirmation via interrogation of person, device, or related monitor. One embodiment provides a method for receiving, evaluating and responding to calls received from a subscriber, patient, related party, or health care provider or health care system.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a master station and a plurality of monitor stations which are spaced from the master station. Each of the monitor stations includes a programmable computer which is connected with a radio and a sensor. The computer and radio may be enclosed in an explosion-proof housing. To change a program in the computer at a monitor station, the program change may be transmitted from the master station to the monitor station. In addition, data relating to a condition to be sensed may be transmitted from the master station to the monitor station.

Abstract: A system is described for detecting at least one event of interest. The system comprises a detector, a programmable controller, and a network. Upon detection of an event of interest, the detector communicates that information to the programmable controller through the network. The programmable controller allows a user, who may be in diverse geographic locations, to control the detector.

Abstract: A vehicle security system for performing selectable vehicle security functions that are programmable in a wireless manner. The system has a microcontroller controlling a vehicle security interface including at least a siren control unit and a vehicle head/signal light controlling unit. A physically independent remote programming unit is used for transmitting function-programming information to the microcontroller, and a radio receiver is connected to the microcontroller for receiving function-programming information transmitted by the remote programming unit. The remote programming unit includes a switch array for setting up a security function code pattern representing the selected security functions. The remote programming unit also includes a radio transmitter for sending, in an electromagnetic transmission, the function-programming command in a signal string representing the security function code pattern to the microcontroller.