Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Architectures, devices, systems and methods incorporating beacon transmissions that comply with a defined communications protocol having a digital identifier value and any associated message frames, sometimes termed a major value and a minor value, in which the transmissions incorporate sensor data encoded on the fly into one or more of the bitstrings of the protocol by a bitwise substitution process. Sensor data may include temperature, light intensity, smoke, voltage, sound, motion, displacement, acceleration, humidity, pressure, radiation, button-press stimulus event, compass direction, proximity, or other stimuli or sensor data, for example, and is more generally termed “contextual content”. According to relationships and permissions established by a receiving device and/or the system operator, look-up results are processed to configure notifications tied to the contextual content of the broadcast.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: In a tracking device, a crescent-shaped PCB partially encircles a battery to minimize thickness of the device. A speaker and an LED emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor. A local network has one hub to tracking devices and a wider area network has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices. A wide area network tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: In a tracking device, a crescent-shaped PCB partially encircles a battery to minimize thickness of the device. A speaker and an LED emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor. A local network has one hub to tracking devices and a wider area network has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices. A wide area network tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: A device for operation as part of a system or network, the device combining a power cell, a battery housing enclosing the power cell, and an on-board radiobeacon within the housing, where the battery is configured to supply DC power to an external apparatus and to the radiobeacon in parallel. A sensor or sensor package may also be included in the battery device and reports to the system or network. In response to a sensor or clock-derived trigger, a microcontroller in the battery uses the radiobeacon to broadcast messages to a radio receiver of a smart device or a network system. The radiobeacon has a unique identifier, and because the messages are low energy, low power radio transmissions having a maximum range of less that about 300 ft (about 100 m). Any smart device or network receiving the beacon signal may track, map and monitor the signal from the device.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: A paintball launching device generally includes a launch head having a plurality of ports therein, each port being adapted to receive a paintball. A launching mechanism, including a connector for coupling the launch head to a source of compressed gas, is provided. A manifold within the launch head provides a flow path for expansion of the compressed gas upon activation of the device, causing the paintballs to be simultaneously propelled from the ports.