Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for establishing the whereabouts of an asset being tracked while in the process of being transported to a given destination. This may optionally be accomplished by utilizing identification beacons in the form of RF or other wireless transmitters to establish to a tracking system that a given asset is being transported via the appropriate structure in a pre-established schedule. Further, by knowing in advance that a given structure will be used for transportation or temporary storage, sensing parameters of smart tracking devices may be adjusted to better accommodate customer alert situations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for initiating procedures whereby a smart device is able to analyze situational data sensed by the device, compare one or more event signatures representative of the sensed data with one or more sets of event signatures in a library of event signatures to logically determine completion of a job function and to then cause a specific action to be taken.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for a universally operable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader base unit. An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags, one at a time, that are commercially available as well as communicate with data collecting entities using any of at least two communication standards. The reader comprises a microprocessor (microcontroller) portion having at least one set of plug-in connectors. The reader then operates in different operational logic processes in accordance with the types and parameters of attached plug-in modules. The plug-in modules will typically comprise RF frequency modules for communicating with the RFID tags as well as a communication standard model for communicating with a computer network. Additionally, the plug-in modules contain memory that contains data and code used by the microprocessor in performing the operations obtainable by specific types of plug-in modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electronically and wirelessly monitoring a plurality of ID tags of assets as a service for a plurality of tagged asset users and notifying the tagged asset user and/or other authorized entities when conditions sensed by tag circuitry exceeds predetermined boundaries. Typically, the tag will include wireless GPS and/or other sensing circuitry along with telephone type circuitry for communicating sensed data, such as location, to the monitoring service. The notification may further include advertising or other information specifically helpful to the owner of the tagged asset.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for a universally operable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader base unit. An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags, one at a time, that are commercially available as well as communicate with data collecting entities using any of at least two communication standards. The reader comprises a microprocessor (microcontroller) portion having at least one set of plug-in connectors. The reader then operates in different operational logic processes in accordance with the types and parameters of attached plug-in modules. The plug-in modules will typically comprise RF frequency modules for communicating with the RIFD tags as well as a communication standard model for communicating with a computer network. Additionally, the plug-in modules contain memory that contains data and code used by the microprocessor in performing the operations obtainable by specific types of plug-in modules.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags that are commercially available. Additionally, the RFID base unit can communicate with any number of devices, including but not limited to computer networks, which allow for dynamic access and updates to tailor the RFID base unit for virtually any situation. Particularly, the RFID base unit would be useful in safety and/or security applications to enable and disable automated devices.