Abstract: An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits signpost signals (24) that are received by a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711). The tag in turn transmits radio frequency beacon signals (72) which are received by a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The tag can vary the duration of the beacon signals, for example in dependence on whether it is currently receiving a signpost signal. Further, the tag can dynamically vary the transmission rate and/or transmission power of the beacon signals, for example following receipt of a signpost signal. Varying these parameters can facilitate compliance with governmental regulations.

Abstract: A tag detects a condition, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of information regarding the selected condition, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag carries out geofencing analysis, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of results of the geofencing analysis, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than in the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol.

Abstract: One aspect involves a communication that contains a portion encrypted with a selected key can be wirelessly transmitted by a part for reception and decryption by plural tags. A different aspect involves a tag receiving a first sequence of wireless communications that each contain sequencing information regarding the first sequence, while receiving a second sequence of wireless communications that each include sequencing information regarding the second sequence, and further involves monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the first sequence while separately monitoring the sequencing information from received communications of the second sequence.

Abstract: A supply chain network system comprises a site data appliance (SDA) and a Universal Data Appliance Protocol (UDAP) adapter coupled with one or more data source equipments (DSE). The SDA collects specification information comprising event information from the one or more DSE. A server is coupled with the SDA in the supply chain network. In response to the server requesting the specification information, the SDA sends to the server the specification information in a Description Document. A data center (DC) is coupled with the server in the supply chain network. The DC receives the Description Document and maps the event information in the specification information with event handlers. A mapping of the event information with the event handlers is sent from the DC to the server. When an event is generated by the one or more DSE, the map is used to select an appropriate event handler to execute.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves: monitoring a voltage of a battery over time; evaluating whether a rate of voltage decrease of the battery is in excess of a threshold; and indicating that the battery is subject to a low voltage condition when the rate of voltage decrease exceeds the threshold. Another aspect of the invention involves: causing a circuit powered by a battery to respond to battery replacement by thereafter applying a selected load to the battery during a selected time interval. A further aspect involves: periodically sampling a voltage of a battery; and applying a load to the battery during a selected time interval before each sampling of the battery voltage.

Abstract: Spaced first and second signposts transmit wireless signals containing different signpost identifications. A first path of travel passes through the transmission range of the first signpost, and a second path of travel passes through the transmission range of the second signpost but not the transmission range of the first signpost. A different configuration includes plural hallways extending away from a common intersection in respective directions, with a respective signpost in each hallway that transmits wireless signals containing a respective different signpost identification.

Abstract: One aspect involves receiving by a tag of wireless communications that utilize a first security provision, and wireless communications that utilize a second security provision different from the first security provision. A different aspect involves receiving by an entity of an authentication request that is based on a first digital certificate unknown to the entity, and determining by the entity, without external authentication of the first digital certificate, whether the first digital certificate is in a trust relationship with a second digital certificate that is different from the first digital certificate and that is known to the entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for determining a distance between a signpost and a tag and for locating a tag using multiple signposts. The system uses a signal received at a tag from a signpost, and from them measures the signal strength of the signal with respect to one or more antennas on the tag. The system calculates an RSSI using the measured signal strength, from which a distance can be determined between the signpost and the tag. The system also uses signals received from multiple signposts, to measure multiple signal strengths, resulting in multiple distance determinations corresponding to the various signposts, thereby establishing a location for the tag.

Abstract: A tag receives wireless signpost signals that include timing data, determines time information associated with an event as a function of the timing data, and transmits a wireless tag signal that contains the time information. In a another configuration, a signpost transmits wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range; a reader proximate to the signpost receives wireless tag signals with a reception range that is approximately the same as the selected transmission range; and a tag movable relative to the signpost and reader responds to receipt of a wireless signpost signal by transmitting a wireless tag signal containing a tag code associated with the tag.

Abstract: A system and method provides efficient message processing of assets. The system and method places all messages in a queue as they are received from an information feed and groups the messages according to the entities with which they are associated. The messages within each group are sorted according to the time the message was generated by the information feed, and then are processed in the order in which they were generated.

Abstract: A system and method provides efficient message processing of assets by placing all messages in a queue as they are received from an information feed. Messages are grouped according to the entities with which they are associated and messages within each group are sorted according to the time the message was generated by the information feed. Messages are processed in the order in which they were generated using a system that accounts for delayed or out-of-order messages by evaluating the message state, comparing it to the last stored state, and delaying the processing of messages arriving ahead of earlier-generated messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: configuring a wall portion to have an opening therethrough and to have a first annular surface extending around the opening; supporting on a circuit board an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts and having a second annular surface; and resisting fluid flow from one side of the wall portion to an opposite side thereof through the opening, including compressing between the first and second annular surfaces a seal ring having third and fourth annular surfaces that respectively engage the first and second annular surfaces, the electrical contacts each having a portion that is accessible through the opening.

Abstract: A tag has a receiver section, a transmitter section, and a further section, the further section being responsive to receipt by the receiver section of a wireless signpost signal from one signpost in a group of signposts for thereafter inhibiting transmission of tag signals by the transmitter section pending receipt by the receiver section of a respective signpost signal from each signpost in the group. A different configuration includes a tag having a receiver section, a transmitter section, and a further section, the further section inhibiting transmission of tag signals by the transmitter section during a time period that ends as a function of the absence of receipt by the receiver section of signpost signals, the further section responding to receipt of signpost signals by the receiver section during the time period by saving information relating to signposts that generated the signpost signals.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves: maintaining a record of how long a circuit operates in each of a plurality of different operating modes thereof, starting from a point in time at which a battery that powers the circuit is replaced; calculating for each of the operating modes as a function of the record a cumulative current drain from the point in time to a current time; and determining as a function of the cumulative current drains whether the battery is subject to a low voltage condition. Another aspect involves: monitoring a voltage of a battery; periodically determining whether the voltage of the battery is subject to a low voltage condition; and maintaining a count of the number of times that the determining results in a determination that the battery is subject to a low voltage condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve a radio frequency identification tag that receives a wireless signal containing a message type conforming to an extension of a standard communication protocol and having an extended services segment, the tag then transmitting the extended services segment through an extended services interface. According to a different aspect, a method and apparatus involve a radio frequency identification tag that stores data which includes respective information regarding each of multiple extended services, and that responds to receipt of a wireless signal which is an extension to a standard protocol by transmitting a further wireless signal which is an extension to the protocol and contains at least part of the data. According to yet another aspect, a method and apparatus involve a radio frequency identification tag that responds to receipt of one wireless signal by transmitting a further wireless signal containing information regarding multiple sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve a plurality of first devices, and a second device movable relative thereto. According to one aspect, the first and second devices respectively transmit first information and second information containing unique identification codes, the first information also containing position information. The devices collectively include circuitry that estimates distances therebetween, one of the first and second information including the estimate. According to a different aspect, one of the second device and each first device transmits its identification code, and the devices collectively include circuitry that determines two successive sets of estimates representing respective distances between the second device and each first device. One of the second device and each first device transmits information that includes both estimates for that first device, and identification codes for the second device and that first device.

Abstract: A support includes a base having an outwardly extending projection with a passageway therethrough, and having a tag receiving portion configured to removably support a tag on the base adjacent one end of the passageway. A different arrangement involves a tag that includes a housing having an opening therethrough and having an annular surface around the opening, an annular gasket engaging the annular surface, and circuitry within the housing having a sensor located in the region of the opening and having a transmitter that can transmit wireless signals. A method includes defining a passageway that provides fluid communication between an interior and exterior of a container, supporting a tag on the exterior of the container, and causing the tag to sense, at a location in the region of an end of the passageway, a condition within the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for determining a distance between a signpost and a tag and for locating a tag using multiple signposts. The system uses a signal received at a tag from a signpost, and from them measures the signal strength of the signal with respect to one or more antennas on the tag. The system calculates an RSSI using the measured signal strength, from which a distance can be determined between the signpost and the tag. The system also uses signals received from multiple signposts, to measure multiple signal strengths, resulting in multiple distance determinations corresponding to the various signposts, thereby establishing a location for the tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing expanded compatibility in identification tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices. Integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tags configured for compatibility with passive and active readers, respectively. Additionally, the integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tag readers for compatibility with passive and active tags, respectively. A first combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag reader for collecting information over a passive channel, and sending the information over an active channel. A second combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag receiver/transceiver for communication over both active and passive channels. A third combination comprises an active tag and an active tag reader for collecting information over an active channel, and sending information over an active channel.

Abstract: A tag can switch between first and second modes of operation, and consumes less power in the first mode. In the second mode, the tag can receive wireless signals having successive first and second portions. If the tag identifies a repetitive pattern of the wireless signals, the tag ignores the second portions of the signals. Otherwise the tag receives the second portions. In another embodiment, while in the second mode, the tag can receive wireless signals having successive first, second and third portions. The tag switches between the first and second modes at one rate until it detects the first portion, and then switches at a higher rate until it detects the second portion, and then stays in the second mode and receives the third portion.