Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator.

Abstract: An emergency message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting emergency messages. In one embodiment, the emergency message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators receive an emergency message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the emergency condition so that the control operators may request appropriate emergency assistance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and associated method for communicating information. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a general purpose transceiver having a receiver for receiving an information signal and a transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing signal to a central station. A portion of the information signal can include an instruction code, which may be decoded and acted upon accordingly. Other embodiments and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for communicating emergency messages is provided comprising a mobile device comprising an emergency message application and a personal emergency message transceiver, an emergency message control center, wherein the emergency message application is enabled to receive a plurality of emergency messages generated by the emergency message control center.

Abstract: Dual-mode communication devices, methods, and systems are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include devices, method, and systems enabling communication in a spread-spectrum communication protocol, comprising: receiving a first portion of a communication frame at a first frequency channel, wherein the first portion of the communication frame comprises a data channel index that indicates a second frequency channel for receiving a second portion of the communication frame; switching to the second frequency channel; and receiving the second portion of the communication frame at the second frequency channel. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are claimed and disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile inventory unit monitoring system comprising a computer configured to execute at least one computer program, at least one wireless transmitter located proximate to a mobile inventory unit, a plurality of radio-frequency transceivers dispersed geographically at defined locations, and a gateway connected to a wide area network. Select information can be transmitted from the transmitter proximate to the mobile inventory unit, through a transceiver in the plurality of transceivers, through the gateway, and to the wide area network. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and device for monitoring remote device with a wireless, dual-mode communication protocol. As such, a representative embodiment is a system for monitoring and controlling remote devices. The system includes a first and a second remote device; and a first and a second wireless transceiver integrated with the respective remote devices. The wireless transceivers are configured to communicate with at least one of a spread-spectrum communication protocol and a fixed-frequency communication protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and associated method for communicating information. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a general purpose transceiver having a receiver for receiving an information signal and a transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing signal to a central station. A portion of the information signal can include an instruction code, which may be decoded and acted upon accordingly. Other embodiments and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a site controller for use in a communication system. The site controller can be configured to receive original data messages and repeated data messages, identify remote devices in associated with sensor data signals of received data messages and repeated data messages, and provide information related to the sensor data signals to a wide area network for access by a first host computer.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a site controller for use in a communication system. The site controller can be configured to receive original data messages and repeated data messages, identify remote devices in associated with sensor data signals of received data messages and repeated data messages, and provide information related to the sensor data signals to a wide area network for access by a first host computer.

Abstract: A pollution information message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information messages. In one embodiment, the pollution information message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices. Control room operators receive a pollution information message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the detected pollution. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods of monitoring vehicle parking. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle parking monitoring system that includes a parking space sensor enabled to detect the presence of at least one vehicle in a first parking space of a first parking area and a parking area transceiver in communication with the parking space sensor, the parking area transceiver configured to receive information from the parking space sensor and transmit the information to a gateway. The parking area transceiver is also configured to receive information from the gateway. The gateway is connected to a wide area network and configured to receive information from the parking area transceiver and transmit the information to the wide area network, the gateway is also configured to receive information from the wide area network and transmit the information to the parking area transceiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to automotive diagnostic data monitoring systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an automotive diagnostic data monitoring system comprising an automotive transceiver integrated with a vehicle diagnostics data bus, a first local transceiver, and a gateway connected to a wide area network. The automotive transceiver can be configured to transmit and receive information to and from the first local transceiver. The first local transceiver can be configured to transmit and receive information to and from the gateway. The automotive transceiver can be located about an automobile. The vehicle diagnostic data bus can contain diagnostic information related to an automobile. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods for remote irrigation control. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a remote irrigation control system having a rain sensor enabled to detect the amount of rain received in a first rain area, and a first local transceiver in communication with the rain sensor, the first local transceiver configured to receive information from the rain sensor and transmit the information to a gateway, the first local transceiver also configured to receive information from the gateway. The gateway is connected to a wide area network and configured to receive information from the first local transceiver and transmit the information to the wide area network, the gateway also configured to receive information from the wide area network and transmit the information to the first local transceiver. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A pollution information message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information messages. In one embodiment, the pollution information message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices. Control room operators receive a pollution information message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the detected pollution. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring conditions are provided. A system can comprise a plurality of wireless transmitters and a plurality of repeaters. At least one wireless transmitter can be integrated into an alarm. The repeaters can be dispersed throughout a region at defined locations. The system can also include a computer to receive information communicated from the repeaters and the transmitters. The computer can include software for evaluating received information, identifying an alarm condition and an originating location of the alarm condition, and for reporting the alarm condition to a remote location. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile inventory unit monitoring system comprising a computer configured to execute at least one computer program, at least one wireless transmitter located proximate to a mobile inventory unit, a plurality of radio-frequency transceivers dispersed geographically at defined locations, and a gateway connected to a wide area network. Select information can be transmitted from the transmitter proximate to the mobile inventory unit, through a transceiver in the plurality of transceivers, through the gateway, and to the wide area network. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods for remote irrigation control. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a remote irrigation control system having a rain sensor enabled to detect the amount of rain received in a first rain area, and a first local transceiver in communication with the rain sensor, the first local transceiver configured to receive information from the rain sensor and transmit the information to a gateway, the first local transceiver also configured to receive information from the gateway. The gateway is connected to a wide area network and configured to receive information from the first local transceiver and transmit the information to the wide area network, the gateway also configured to receive information from the wide area network and transmit the information to the first local transceiver. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods of monitoring vehicle parking. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle parking monitoring system that includes a parking space sensor enabled to detect the presence of at least one vehicle in a first parking space of a first parking area and a parking area transceiver in communication with the parking space sensor, the parking area transceiver configured to receive information from the parking space sensor and transmit the information to a gateway. The parking area transceiver is also configured to receive information from the gateway. The gateway is connected to a wide area network and configured to receive information from the parking area transceiver and transmit the information to the wide area network, the gateway is also configured to receive information from the wide area network and transmit the information to the parking area transceiver.