Abstract: An apparatus includes a carrier, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals transmitted by tags on items carried by the carrier for maintaining a local inventory of items carried by the carrier. A different apparatus involves a carrier having a container with an interior, a sensor for detecting a condition externally of the container that can be related to an environment within the container, and a system that handles information from the sensor in a manner facilitating an evaluation of the likelihood that a problem exists within the container. Another apparatus involves a carrier for a plurality of items, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals received from a remote location for determining a current location of the carrier and for evaluating whether the carrier is proceeding along an intended route.

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 container security system has a container interior monitor portion with a container interior light sensing portion responsive to visible light. A different embodiment involves a monitoring device with a support, a door engaging member movable to and from an operational position, and a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of the member away from the operational position. The support may be configured to be supported on an edge portion of a movable door. Alternatively, the monitoring device may include a wireless communication portion, and circuitry responsive to the signal and operatively coupled to the wireless communication portion.

Abstract: A device has a support that can resiliently and removably grip an edge portion of a member with first and second portions thereof disposed on opposite sides of the member. A further portion on the first portion can operatively couple sensing structure to an electrical conductor portion on the third portion. A different embodiment has a support that can resiliently and removably grip an edge portion of a member with first and second portions thereof disposed on opposite sides of the member. A further portion on the support has circuitry coupled to a wireless communication portion on the first portion. Another embodiment has a support with structure supported thereon, the support resiliently and removably gripping the edge portion of a movable door with first and second portions of the support disposed on opposite sides of the edge portion.

Abstract: An intrusion detection technique involves: emitting a wireless signal within a container; detecting the wireless signal near the container; and responding to detection of a change in a characteristic of the detected wireless signal by transmitting a wireless notification to a location remote from the container. A different technique involves: responding to a determination that a condition representative of unauthorized intrusion is present while the container is stationary by transmitting a wireless notification; and responding to a determination that the container is moving by ignoring whether the condition is present. Yet another technique involves: monitoring whether a door of a container is in a closed position; and emitting a wireless signal indicating whether the container door is in the closed position.

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) to a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711), which in turn transmits beacon signals (72) to a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). One of the signpost and tag is mounted on an item to be tracked. A control system (14, 500) is responsive to the reader, and can cause the signpost to vary the signpost signal in a manner which varies at least one operational characteristic of the tag, such as a transmission rate, a transmission power, a tag identification code, a password, or an encryption code, or which shifts the tag between a normal operational mode and a low power operational mode in which its transmitter is disabled.

Abstract: A reader reads identifiers from tags on pallets conveyed past the reader. The reader includes two interleaved linear arrays of antennas with circularly polarized fields. Each antenna is composed of a pair of crossed rods phased to have adjacent antennas of an array generate circularly polarized fields of opposite rotation. The vector components of the polarization in the direction across the width of the conveyor have peaks and nulls, and the interleaved arrays are arranged such that the nulls of one array's fields are covered with the peaks of the other array's fields. This arrangement allows the reader to the identifier from the tag when the tag is at any orientation. A tag at the side of the reader is aligned in the direction of travel by rails on the conveyor. The reader has antennas aligned in the direction of travel to read such tags.

Abstract: A device (12) facilitates sealing and tracking of a container (18). The device includes a bolt (166) which extends through openings in a latch mechanism (19) on the container. The bolt also passes through spaced coils (251, 252) of the seal device. The seal device uses one coil to generate a magnetic field, while monitoring the corresponding magnetic field induced in the other coil. Tampering with the bolt affects the magnetic field, which in turn permits the seal device to detect the tampering. The seal device periodically transmits wireless signals (71), which can be remotely received for purposes of tracking the container and monitoring the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) transmits low frequency signals to a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711), which in turns transmits high frequency signals containing a signpost code from a received signpost signal to a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The signpost can be mounted on one mobile device and the beacon tag on another mobile device, in order to determine when those mobile devices are in close proximity. Further, a sensor (32) can be provided to detect the presence of a mobile device, and to cause the signpost to change the signpost code in its transmitted signals.

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) to a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711), which in turn transmits beacon signals (72) to a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). One of the signpost and tag is mounted on an item to be tracked. A control system (14, 500) is responsive to the reader, and can cause the signpost to vary the signpost signal in a manner which varies at least one operational characteristic of the tag, such as a transmission rate, a transmission power, a tag identification code, a password, or an encryption code, or which shifts the tag between a normal operational mode and a low power operational mode in which its transmitter is disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits relatively low frequency signpost signals that are fundamentally magnetic in character, a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711) which receives the signpost signals and transmits radio frequency signals containing a signpost code (42, 93) from a received signpost signal, and a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530) which receives the radio frequency signals. One of the signpost and tag is stationarily supported, and the other is mounted on a moveable item. Based on the signals received by the reader, the location of the item can determined with a high degree of accuracy.

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, 641643, 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 commerce visibility network allows for the collection and distribution of real-time location and status information regarding the movement of goods and assets through a supply chain. Items and/or conveyances may be individually tagged using radio frequency identifiers or other tagging technologies, such as global positioning satellite technology. The location of an item or conveyance may be marked and information on the location may be stored at a site server. The site server may then upload location information to a data center. Supply chain users may then be charged a fee per tracked item or fee per transaction to access the data center and view reports compiled using the location information regarding each tracked item. This allows for instantaneous access to location and status information of any item in the supply chain. Additionally, aggregation information is provided to allow for the tracking of items which are stored in conveyances, even in several levels of conveyances.

Abstract: A signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) transmits low frequency signals to a beacon tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711), which in turns transmits high frequency signals containing a signpost code from a received signpost signal to a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The signpost can be mounted on one mobile device and the beacon tag on another mobile device, in order to determine when those mobile devices are in close proximity. Further, a sensor (32) can be provided to detect the presence of a mobile device, and to cause the signpost to change the signpost code in its transmitted signals.

Abstract: This invention discloses a small slot antenna incorporated within a flat circuit board and having a three dimension omni-directional radiation pattern. In one embodiment, the antenna is formed as an L shaped slot along two edges of the circuit board of a miniature radio transceiver. The antenna is ideally suited for use in applications where radio frequency inventory tags (operating in the high VHF to low UHF frequency ranges of 400 to 500 mHz) are associated with items for which a high level of inventory control is required. It is important that such tags be able to communicate with vertical and horizontal polarized signals with reasonable gain. This invention features a low cost for manufacture and has application in radio communications in general wherever there is a requirement for a small transceiver with an integrated, orientation insensitive antenna.

Abstract: A communication system that communicates for locating one or more tags in a time and energy efficient manner. The tags are positioned in a communication region and are located by a locator. The tags are located through organized transmission and reception of signals between the tags and the locator. The locator locates and gives directions to tags from the locator using a radio link and a multi-channel ultrasonic acoustic link. The combination of linkages provides the means to determine the unobstructed bearing and distance between the locator and the tag and resolves multipath reflections.

Abstract: An efficient electrically small loop antenna includes a radiation device, an impedance matching network, and a connector that interfaces to associated electronic circuitry. The radiation device includes a conductive planar base element extending in a base plane and a conductive loop connected to the planar base element. The loop connects to the base element so that the electrical current for the antenna flows through both the conductive loop and the planar base element. The impedance matching network matches the radiation device to the associated electronic circuitry. The matching network is integrated into the planar base and is connected to both the conductive loop and the base element so that the electric current supplied to the antenna is conducted through both the base element and the conductive loop.