Abstract: Efficiently and reliably tracking information for devices in a network, for example, a heterogeneous network of a plurality of devices of different types, includes collecting and storing information in a computationally efficient and secure manner that ensures to a high degree of certainty the integrity of the information for future access and use. The information may be collected from one or more sensors/data sources, for example, over a predetermined period of time, and may be grouped into a single transaction record. The transaction record may be sent from a gateway to a server of a network cloud, for example, during a predefined time slot of cycle based in part on the number of gateways and sensors in the system. Each transaction record may include a one-way hash of, and a reference to, an immediately preceding transaction record for the overall system for which information is being tracked.

Abstract: Managing a lifecycle of a container includes defining a plurality of states, each state corresponding to a particular phase in the lifecycle of the container, determining one or more current properties of the container while a current defined state of the container is in a first defined state of the plurality of defined states, and controlling an action associated with the container based on at least the first defined state and the one or more determined properties of the container. Determining one or more current properties of the container may include determining a current fill level of the container and information about at least one other current physical property of the container. Controlling an action may include changing the defined state of the container from the first defined state to a second defined state of the plurality of defined states.

Abstract: A system for managing a lifecycle of each of a plurality of containers remotely located from one or more servers has at least a first database defining information for managing the lifecycles of the plurality containers. Each of the plurality of containers has a sensor device physically coupled thereto. The system includes one or more container management components communicatively coupled to, and remotely located from, the one or more servers, and each container management component manages, at least in part, a lifecycle of one or more of the plurality of containers based at least in part on the information defined in the first database. At least one of the one or more container management components may be included in a sensor device physically coupled to the one or more containers, and the sensor device may be in direct communication with at least one of the one or more servers.

Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring a container includes a first sensor that detects signals indicative of a level to which a container is filled with contents, a second sensor that detects at least a first property of the container other than the level to which a container is filled with contents, and a processing unit coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the processing unit having a first interface to communicate with the first sensor, and a second interface to communicate with the second sensor. The sensor device monitors the level and the at least a first property of the container. The sensor device may be physically coupled to the container. The sensor device may further include an ultrasonic sensor controller that processes signals detected by the first sensor to determine the level to which the container may be filled with the contents.