Abstract: Apparatus for remote monitoring of a portable pressurized container, such as the tank of a fire extinguisher, includes a pressure sensor that detects pressure of material contained within a volume defined by the portable container and communications circuitry in communication with the pressure sensor that issues a signal containing information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to a remote central station.

Abstract: A child restraint system includes an electronic control unit having an event data recorder for storing data relating to proper adjustment or installation of the child restraint system. The control unit receives an electrical signal from one or more sensors mounted on the child seat and determines conditions of the child seat based upon the value of the property indicated by the signal. The event data recorder is configured to store the resulting data and to allow the stored data to be retrieved in response to an inquiry. Thus, in the event of a vehicle accident or other incident, the electronic control unit may be connected to an external diagnostic unit, and the relevant data may be downloaded to the diagnostic unit for evaluation.

Abstract: A distributed sensor networks employing mobile sensing nodes that are carried to desired locations by attaching themselves to moving hosts and detaching themselves when the host arrives at the desired location or is moving away from the desired location. Each sensing node may carry a plurality of environmental sensors and communicates with nearby sensing nodes using a short range wireless link. The node further carries a location sensing mechanism and uses either active, passive or attractive means to attach itself to a moving host.

Abstract: A method of supervising a plurality of displaced devices includes having each device emit a supervisory signal that is detectable by a designated unit. Indicia can be included indicative that an intervening message has been sent from a respective device. The designated unit can respond to missing, expected supervisory signals as well as unreceived messages.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for managing electronic asset tags for asset devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a system having one or more asset devices in communication with a network where each asset device has an electronic asset tag, where the electronic asset tag has contents including an asset number associated with the asset device having the electronic asset tag. The system may also include an asset tag manager in communication with the network to access the contents of the electronic asset tags of the one or more asset devices. In a further embodiment, the asset tag manager may be adapted to modify the contents of the electronic asset tags of the one or more asset devices. In another further embodiment, the asset tag manager may be adapted to reload to an asset device the contents of the electronic asset tag of the asset device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle security device. It relates, more particularly, to a security device or system which operatively serves as an alarm and/or immobilizer. The invention provides a vehicle security system including first and second parts, each including an electronic sub-circuit and a housing, and a communications link. In the operative configuration of the system on a vehicle, the first part is permanently mounted on the vehicle and the second part temporarily. The sub-circuits are interconnected via the link to define an integral control circuit, thus rendering the system operative. Should the vehicle be sold and the purchaser not require the system, the second part and the link may be removed and re-used by the seller. The value of only the first part is sacrificed by the seller. The system is aimed primarily at vehicle dealers.

Abstract: A vehicle speeding alert system is implemented on a GPS enabled wireless device in communication with a wireless network. The alert system periodically determines the speed of a vehicle by determining the speed of the wireless device carried therein, using GPS signals received by the wireless device. For example, speed can be calculated by dividing a certain distance that the wireless device travels by the time it takes to travel that distance. The vehicle's speed is then compared to the speed limit of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling. The speed limit is determined by comparing the wireless device's location to map data relating to the geographic area around the location. The map data may be stored on the wireless device, or obtained from a map database accessible over the network. If the vehicle speed is above the speed limit, a notification or alert is issued.

Abstract: A moving, pulsed-light-source light sculpture display with communication between a stationary portion, i.e. the knobs and buttons and their corresponding electronics, and rotating and illuminated PCBs. An optical data link is implemented with an IR LED in the stationary base unit and an IR receiver on the rotating PCB. A user interface allows the user to easily draw in the 3D volume of the display in real time. The portion of the user interface used to create sculptures in the 3D volume of voxels includes multiple physical elements including knobs, pushbuttons, and a multi-position slide switch. Another element of the user interface is a movable blinking cursor in the display volume that indicates the current voxel being manipulated. User interface controls also provide functions for data in memory for saving/recalling user sculptures and animation. Animations are facilitated in which 3D volumes of the volumetric display move in synchronization.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power to a load device. The apparatus include a standby loss prevention module or a transformer system including the module. The module and system are directed to sensing load requirements and controlling a transformer accordingly to reduce power consumption when the load is in a stand by mode. One method includes interposing a control switch between an electrical supply and a load device, determining when the load device requires full-level operational power, activating the control switch to interpose a step-up transformer between the electrical supply and the load device, providing full-level operational power to the load device, and deactivating the step-up transformer when the load device is not in use.

Abstract: Vehicle theft deterrence is affected by requiring the entry of an enabling code to prevent disablement of vehicle operation. System operational variables may be programmed by operators. The system is substantially integrated with existing vehicle control systems.

Abstract: An electronic proximity switch employs two oscillators coupled through two electrical paths, one associated with an antenna serving as a proximity switch sensor. Absorption by an object near the antenna changes the coupling between the oscillators producing a dramatic phase shift that may be detected and used for switching purposes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method accurately maintaining times and scoring for a sports activity.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for embedding business process into an RFID grid. The system includes at least an RFID Transceiver (Reader) s and antennae that read RFID Transponders (Tags) of multiple frequencies and multiple protocols as RFID hardware devices. A first computer program automatically discovers, configures and controls the RFID hardware devices. A computer memory system, connected to the RFID hardware devices, stores discovery, configuration, and control data. A second computer program is used to automatically and remotely receive data from the system and to automatically generate a graphical display of all RFID hardware devices. A third computer program embeds location information in terms of physical business context and zone definitions into the hardware RFID devices.

Abstract: A vertical can be a series of computer-executable instructions that, in response to an incident, collect information regarding that incident and transmit the information for analysis and possible helpful feedback to the user. A general purpose vertical can address types of incidents, such as crashes or hangs, across a variety of applications, while a custom vertical can be written to address application-specific incidents. Verticals can access underlying support mechanisms through an infrastructure, which can also enable applications to request that additional data be collected by the verticals, and set other preferences. Once the data is collected and transmitted, a vertical may receive feedback, that can be a request for additional information or feedback to the user. The feedback to the user can attempt to identify the incident and aid the user in recovering from it and avoiding it in the future.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter in combination with a performance requirement. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: A tamper switch mechanism utilized in security interface devices such as keypad installations to render them tamper-resistant, wherein the devices are generally connected to burglar alarm and fire alarm systems. More particularly, provided is a conductive tamper switch which is installed in a security interface device, such as a keypad, which upon an unauthorized attempt to dislodge the device or keypad from a wall or surface on which it is mounted, will trigger an alarm or generate a warning signal at a monitoring site indicative that an effort at tampering with the device has been effected. Also disclosed is a method of providing the tamper switch mechanism in a security interface device, such as a keypad installation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for asset management in an open environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method correlates a person's RFID tag with an RFID of an asset and uses this information to determine whether an asset is allowed to pass an access point.

Abstract: Intrusion by climbing or jumping over a fence can be detected, and intrusion is detected in a wide area without large-scale equipment. FBGs (grating sections) of different types having different refractive indexes of fiber glass are arranged at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of optical fibers 12, 13A, and 13B, the optical fibers are laid down between poles on the top of a fence or a side thereof, reflected waves from the FBGs are issued by photodetection devices 14, 15A, and 15B in response to an optical input to the optical fibers, and a wavelength shift detection device 16 detects a position of an FBG which exhibits a wavelength shift by swinging of the optical fibers by a stress acting on the fence.

Abstract: A monitoring system apparatus used for monitoring a plurality of diagnostic statistics for a plurality of monitoring receivers. All of the monitoring receivers can be linked together. Each monitoring receiver can be programmed to transmit at least one diagnostic statistic to a selected master receiver at a fixed or variable schedule. The master receiver will generate a report according to the pre-programmed parameters. The report can be printed on a printer or sent to at least one computer that is connected to the master receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating information with a carrier and/or at least one biological reagent is provided. The apparatus can include a carrier adapted to retain at least one biological reagent and at least one non-silicon Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID). The RFID tag can comprise information in the form of an information pointer that can be resolved by an information pointer resolution device. The information pointer and/or resolution device can be used to access a remote system. The carrier can be configured, for example, as a microfluidic processing device or a multi-well plate. Methods and systems using the apparatus are also provided.