Abstract: An antenna system for a container monitoring system includes: a short range wireless communications device associated with each container, each short range wireless communications device including a transmitter element and a complementary receiver element; at least one long range communications device communications device associated with each container; a global positioning or GPS element; and an antenna system which is integrated into the construction of each container wall, door, or roof.

Abstract: A system for visually capturing and monitoring the contents and events surrounding a cargo container is provided. The system includes a camera such as a digital camera or still camera.

Abstract: A method for communicating to a recipient transceiver from a plurality of transceivers located within the broadcast range of the recipient transceiver includes: transmitting a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and subsequent thereto, transmitting a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers. Each of the plurality of transceivers is associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the recipient transceiver.

Abstract: A method in a wireless sensor reader for obtaining sensor data from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors includes transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensors wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensors; interrogating the one or more RF addressable sensors to isolate an individual RF addressable sensor; receiving sensor data from the isolated RF addressable sensor, wherein the received sensor data includes sensor identification information; communicating sensor identification information to a processor external to the wireless sensor reader; receiving sensor data processing information; and processing the sensor data based on the received processing information. At least the transmitting step includes common designation network communications. The wireless sensor reader is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal.

Abstract: A method of forming ad hoc RSI hierarchical communication networks among pluralities of wireless transceivers includes assigning to each of the transceivers one or more common designations. A network organization routine of the transceivers operates to establish hierarchical networks based on the transceivers' common designations, resulting in a logical network organization that provides efficiencies for acquiring information from particular transceivers that share a common designation. Each transceiver's common designation is used by a digital processor of the transceiver to selectively receive data packets that are intended for receipt by transceivers sharing the particular common designation. Such a “common designation” network reduces power consumption and signal interference thereby increasing battery life.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, a sensor interface having an analog to digital converter coupled to the one or more sensor elements, at least one antenna, an RF power and communications interface coupled to the at least one antenna and the sensor interface, a controller coupled to the RF power and communications interface and the sensor interface, and a memory coupled to the controller and the sensor interface, wherein the memory is configured to store a tag identification number. The RF addressable sensor communicates with a wireless device that is coupled to a communications network. The wireless device communicates with the RF addressable sensor to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network. At least one of the one or more sensor elements is an antenna. The RF addressable sensor is configured for common designation network communications.

Abstract: A method of forming ad hoc RSI hierarchical communication networks among pluralities of wireless transceivers includes assigning to each of the transceivers one or more common designations. A network organization routine of the transceivers operates to establish hierarchical networks based on the transceivers' common designations, resulting in a logical network organization that provides efficiencies for acquiring information from particular transceivers that share a common designation. Each transceiver's common designation is used by a digital processor of the transceiver to selectively receive data packets that are intended for receipt by transceivers sharing the particular common designation. Such a “common designation” network reduces power consumption and signal interference thereby increasing battery life.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A method in a wireless sensor reader for obtaining sensor data from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors includes transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensors, wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensors; interrogating the one or more RF addressable sensors to isolate an individual RF addressable sensor; receiving sensor data from the isolated RF addressable sensor, wherein the received sensor data includes sensor processing information; and processing the sensor data based on the received processing information. At least the transmitting step includes common designation network communications. The wireless sensor reader is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal. The wireless sensor reader includes a transmitter and a first receiver and a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor network includes (a) one or more RF addressable sensors; (b) one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network; (c) one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network, wherein the one or more wireless sensor readers communicate with the one or more RF addressable sensors to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network, the communications including common designation network communications; (d) a sensor network processor coupled to the communications network. The sensor network processor includes a geolocation processor and a sensor data processor. At least one of the wireless sensor readers is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal and includes a first receiver, a first transmitter, and a second receiver.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, a sensor interface having an analog to digital converter coupled to the one or more sensor elements, at least one antenna, an RF power and communications interface coupled to the at least one antenna and the sensor interface, a controller coupled to the RF power and communications interface and the sensor interface, and a memory coupled to the controller and the sensor interface, wherein the memory is configured to store a tag identification number. The RF addressable sensor communicates with a wireless device that is coupled to a communications network. The wireless device communicates with the RF addressable sensor to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network. The sensor interface includes a memory, which includes a sensor data table. The sensor data table includes sensor processing information.

Abstract: A wireless sensor reader includes at least one antenna configured for communication with one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors; a controller; a network communications module coupled to the controller, the network communications module having an interface for coupling to a communications network; a logic module coupled to the controller; and a user interface. The logic module includes a sensor communications module for receiving sensor data from the one or more RF addressable sensors. The wireless sensor reader is configured for common designation network communications. The wireless sensor reader is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal. The wireless sensor reader includes (i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and (ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide the electronic signal in order to power up the wireless sensor reader.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, a sensor interface having an analog to digital converter coupled to the one or more sensor elements, at least one antenna, an RF power and communications interface coupled to the at least one antenna and the sensor interface, a controller coupled to the RF power and communications interface and the sensor interface, and a memory coupled to the controller and the sensor interface, wherein the memory is configured to store a tag identification number. The RF addressable sensor communicates with a wireless device that is coupled to a communications network. The wireless device communicates with the RF addressable sensor to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network. The RF power and communications interface, memory and sensor interface are implemented in an integrated circuit. The RF addressable sensor is configured for common designation network communications.

Abstract: A method in a radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor for communicating sensor data to a wireless sensor reader for transmission over a communications network, wherein the RF addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements. The method includes (a) receiving signals from the wireless sensor reader; (b) obtaining analog sensor data from at least one sensor element; (c) converting the analog sensor data to digital sensor data; (d) communicating the digital sensor data to the wireless sensor reader for transmission over the communications network; and (e) communicating additional information to the wireless sensor reader. Steps (a) and (d) include common designation network communications. The RF addressable sensor is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal. The RF addressable sensor includes (i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and (ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: An RF addressable sensor network includes one or more RF addressable sensors; one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network; and one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network. The one or more wireless sensor readers communicate with the one or more RF addressable sensors to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network. A wireless sensor reader includes at least one antenna configured for communication with the one or more RF addressable sensors, a controller, a network communications module coupled to the controller, the network communications module having an interface for coupling to a communications network, a logic module coupled to the controller, and a user interface. The logic module includes a sensor communications module for receiving sensor data from the one or more RF addressable sensors.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, a sensor interface having an analog to digital converter coupled to the one or more sensor elements, at least one antenna, an RF power and communications interface coupled to the at least one antenna and the sensor interface, a controller coupled to the RF power and communications interface and the sensor interface, and a memory coupled to the controller and the sensor interface. The memory is configured to store a tag identification number. The sensor interface includes a memory, which includes a sensor data table. The RF power and communications interface, memory and sensor interface are implemented in one or more integrated circuits.