Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A method for node communication in a mobile ad hoc network, which network includes a plurality of wireless mobile nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links connecting the nodes together, includes the steps of transmitting node condition information from a given mobile node using a signal; determining a node condition of the given mobile node, where the node condition includes priority of information to be transmitted by the given mobile node; and varying the signal by changing a transmission characteristic based upon changes in priority of information to be transmitted by the given mobile node.

Abstract: A system for operating a GPS receiver in a GPS-adverse environment includes a plurality of GPS receivers, a plurality of remote sensor interfaces (RSIs), and a computer management system. The GPS receivers are adapted to determine positional parameters based on the GPS satellite signals. A first set of GPS receivers is able to accurately determine its positional parameters and a second set of GPS receivers is unable to do so. Each RSI is associated with a respective GPS receiver. The RSIs are communication nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. The computer management system identifies a GPS receiver that is not accurately determining its positional parameters, and in response, causes GPS information to be provided from one of the first set of GPS receivers to the identified GPS receiver. The identified GPS receiver then determines its positional parameters accurately using the provided GPS information.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A sensor network for monitoring utility power lines comprises a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the utility power lines and communicating sensor data; a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network. The sensor network comprises a common designation network.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: An electronic locking device secures a shipping container and includes a housing, two arms, a sensing circuit, and electronics. The pair of arms extend from the housing and couple to the hasp. The arms transition between locked and unlocked configurations relative to the hasp, with one or both of the arms pivoting relative to the other. A bolt seal locks the arms in the locked configuration. The sensing circuit, which includes sensing contacts, is in a “closed” state or “open” state depending on whether the arms are in the locked or unlocked configuration. The electronics record and report the state of the sensing circuit, thereby indicating whether the arms are locked or unlocked.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a two-way communication component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide the electronic signal to the two-way communication component in order to power up the two-way wireless communication component. The second receiver is configured to screen the radio frequency broadcast for first criteria, and screen the radio frequency broadcast for second criteria. The electric current may be an order of magnitude larger when screening for the first criteria than the second criteria. Screening also may be performed for third criteria, namely, specific data. The second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast than the two-way wireless communication component.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A method of securing a container includes inserting, into a seal device at a container, an electronic bolt; reading, by the seal device, a serial number stored in the electronic bolt; communicating, from the seal device, to a user application, insertion of the bolt; scanning, by the user via a handheld device, a barcode on the seal device representative of an identification of the seal device; communicating, from the handheld device to the user application, the identification of the seal device; inputting, by a user at the container via the handheld device, information associated with the container; communicating, from the handheld device to the user application, the information associated with the container; associating, in a database by the user application, the information associated with the container with the bolt serial number and the identification of the seal device; communicating, by the user application, a confirmation to the seal device.

Abstract: Shipping containers are networked for transferring data between the shipping containers. The shipping containers include sensors for detecting conditions associated with the shipping containers. The conditions sensed by any shipping container whether transported by rail or ship is transmitted from an ad hoc network, via a gateway configured for satellite or cellular communications for example, to a container-tracking application server or equivalent computer system. The computer system is remotely located to the shipping container for central compilation, analysis, and/or display of data regarding the shipping containers.

Abstract: An all weather housing assembly for protection of electrical components includes a first housing having an open end and defining a first compartment for receipt therein of electronic components; a cover attached to the first housing for enclosing the first compartment, the cover further including a mounting structure for receiving and retaining a power source which structure is mounted on a side of the cover that is exterior to the enclosed first compartment; and a second housing having an open end and defining a second compartment that is dimensioned to cover and protect a power source when received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover, the second housing being connected to the first housing independent of the attachment of the cover to the first housing.

Abstract: Multiple standards based radio (“SBR”) devices, each having a high-gain directional antenna, are utilized in a remote sensor interface (“RSI”) unit to optimize detection and reception by the RSI of radio signals from gateway controllers, hopping radios, and other wireless devices.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: A RF data communication device operates in at least two states. In a first state, the device transmits a response to an RF transmission if specific data therein represents an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and if specific data therein corresponds to a class maintained by the device. The device does not transmit a response if specific data in the RF transmission is not representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices, or if specific data therein does not correspond to at least one maintained class. In a second state, the device does not transmit a response when specific data is included therein that is representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and specific data therein corresponds to at least one maintained class.

Abstract: A RF data communication device operates in at least two states. In a first state, the device transmits a response to an RF transmission if specific data therein represents an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and if specific data therein corresponds to a class maintained by the device. The device does not transmit a response if specific data in the RF transmission is not representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices, or if specific data therein does not correspond to at least one maintained class. In a second state, the device does not transmit a response when specific data is included therein that is representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and specific data therein corresponds to at least one maintained class.

Abstract: A system for operating a GPS receiver in a GPS-adverse environment includes a plurality of GPS receivers, a plurality of remote sensor interfaces (RSIs), and a computer management system. The GPS receivers are adapted to determine positional parameters based on the GPS satellite signals. A first set of GPS receivers is able to accurately determine its positional parameters and a second set of GPS receivers is unable to do so. Each RSI is associated with a respective GPS receiver. The RSIs are communication nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. The computer management system identifies a GPS receiver that is not accurately determining its positional parameters, and in response, causes GPS information to be provided from one of the first set of GPS receivers to the identified GPS receiver. The identified GPS receiver then determines its positional parameters accurately using the provided GPS information.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.