Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for performing audits of one or more IOT devices in an IOT system, prior to deployment of the IOT device or during deployment in the field. The audits are used to determine if an IOT device is functional and capable of performing a task assigned to the IOT device. If an audit is failed, the IOT system may determine that the IOT device is defective and needs to be replaced for the respective task. The IOT system remotely initiates the audits, and tracks the status and results of the audits of the IOT devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods prepare an adhesive tape platform with a battery for disposal at an end of its useful life. The adhesive tape platform determines when it is at the end of its useful life and performs an action to drain remaining battery life of the battery. When remaining life in the battery is less than a threshold level, the adhesive tape platform transmits a ready for disposal notification to an Internet of Things (IOT) system of the adhesive tape platform. The adhesive tape platform may determine its life expectancy and operational phases of the adhesive tape platform and assign battery usage for each of the operational phases such that the battery is depleted at an end of a last one of the operational phases. The adhesive tape platform may activate battery draining circuitry to drain the remaining battery life of the battery.

Abstract: The disclosure features a method of creating a communications network. In this method, a first tape node includes a first type of wireless communication interface and a second type of wireless communication interface having a longer range than the first type of wireless communication interface. A second tape node includes the first type of wireless communication interface that is operable to communicate with the first tape node over a wireless communication connection established between the first type of wireless communication interfaces of the first and second tape nodes. Over a wireless communication connection, the first tape node sends programmatic code executable by the first tape node to function as a master tape node with respect to the second tape node.

Abstract: A multi-communication-interface system methods implement fine locationing while conserving battery power. A first wireless-communication interface of a first multi-communication-interface tape node located at a first location in an area detect a first wireless signal from a second tape node at a first time. A first receiver of a second wireless-communication interface of the first multi-communication-interface tape node is activated in response to detecting the first wireless signal and used to receive a first response signal from a first wireless tag in response to an interrogation signal. The first receiver is deactivated to conserve power within an internal battery of the at least one second multi-communication-interface tape node and a location of the first wireless tag at the first time is determined as the first location.

Abstract: An anchor-slot tape node may include a circuit board configured with a processor, memory, sensors, and a low-power wireless communication interface. The anchor-slot tape node may include a stiffener positioned over the circuit board. The anchor-slot tape node may include a battery positioned beneath the circuit board. The anchor-slot tape node may include an outer casing enclosing the battery, the circuit board, and the stiffener, wherein the anchor-slot tape node is shaped and sized to fit within an anchor-slot of a ULD pallet and to be retained within the anchor-slot by friction between the outer casing and internal structure of the anchor-slot.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object includes operating. by a first tape node on the object, in a first operational mode. The first tape node wirelessly communicates with a second tape node on an equipment and determines that the object is being currently transported by the equipment based on the wireless communication with the second tape node. The first tape node then transitions operation of the first tape node from the first operational mode to a second operational mode, in response to determining the object is being transported by the equipment.

Abstract: A method includes determining that an asset with an associated tracking device is lost, and, in response, remotely activating a cellular communication system of the tracking device. A network carrier access plan that provides cellular network service provided by a network carrier to the cellular communication system is also activated. Location data for the asset is received from the tracking device, the location data transmitted from the tracking device using a cellular network connection. The current location of the lost asset is determined based on the received location data.

Abstract: A tracking device comprises a flexible belt body configured to loop around a portion of a pallet, e.g., around a center stringer of a pallet. The flexible belt body has a first portion and a second portion configured to be connected. The tracking device further comprises a first region having one or more sensitive electronic components and a second region having one or more durable electronic components and/or electronic components that benefit from exposure during transportation. The tracking device is positioned on the portion of the pallet such that the first region is oriented towards an interior of the pallet and the second region is oriented towards an exterior of the pallet.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a node of a wireless sensing system from a user device, a request for information describing an asset. The node establishes communication connections with a set of tape nodes of the wireless sensing system, each tape node of the set of tape nodes being associated with a respective asset of the wireless sensing system. The node receives, via the communication connections, information describing the respective assets of the wireless sensing system. The node then filters the information describing the respective assets of the wireless sensing system and transmits the filtered information to the user device for display.

Abstract: A wireless sensor device includes a flexible substrate, a cover layer on the flexible substrate, a device layer between the flexible substrate and the cover layer, and a printed circuit board connecting components of the device layer including an electrostatic discharge protected port for connecting an external sensor probe to the wireless sensor device. The device layer includes a processor, a memory, a battery, a first wireless communication system, and one or more onboard sensors; and a printed circuit board connecting components of the device layer comprising an electrostatic discharge protected port for connecting an external sensor probe to the wireless sensor device. The external probe allows for the wireless sensor device to perform sensor readings in environments that are too extreme or hostile to the wireless sensor device, while the wireless sensor device is safely isolated from the extreme or hostile environment.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to line-powered wireless communications systems, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for providing persistent and ubiquitous wireless communications and sensor networks in physical premises to enable a wide variety of different applications and use cases.

Abstract: A low-cost, multi-function tracking system with a form factor that unobtrusively integrates the components needed to implement a combination of different localization techniques and also is able to perform a useful ancillary function that otherwise would have to be performed with the attendant need for additional materials, labor, and expense. An example tracking system is implemented as an adhesive product that integrates tracking components within a flexible adhesive structure in a way that not only provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting, optimizing, and protecting the components of the tracking system but also maintains the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive product that can be deployed seamlessly and unobtrusively into various tracking applications and workflows, including person and object tracking applications, and asset management workflows such as manufacturing, storage, shipping, delivery, and other logistics associated with moving products and other physical objects.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a monitoring network are described. A server associates a master wireless node with a package in a first set of associated packages. The server and the master wireless node communicate with one another over first type of wireless communications interface. The server also associates a peripheral wireless node with another package in the set and with the master node. The peripheral wireless node and the master wireless node communicate with one another over a second type of wireless communications interface. The peripheral node includes a sensor operative to generate sensor data by sensing an environmental condition. The master wireless node processes the sensor data to generate one or more package-level statistics of the processed sensor data.

Abstract: A gateway node detects loading of a unit load device (ULD) into a vehicle by fusing sensed information. The gateway node, physically coupled to a loading platform of a loader, determines its location and a vehicle identifier (ID) of the vehicle based on the location. The gateway node detects an increase in elevation of the loading platform and receives a movement message containing a unique ID of a tape node attached to the ULD. The gateway node determines that the ULD is being loaded into the vehicle based on the vehicle ID, the detected increase in elevation of the loading platform, and an association of the unique ID with the ULD.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable data storage apparatus provide automated identification techniques that seamlessly and accurately bridge the differences between different identification systems to enable more useful and advanced product and service offerings, such as realtime tracking of shipment location and status.

Abstract: In embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a computing device, a user input corresponding to an asset on a client application executing on the computing device. Responsive to receiving the user input, the computing device wirelessly transmits a request for information on a wireless tag associated with the asset directly to a nearby relay network node of a network of wireless tags. The computing device receives a location of the wireless tag associated with the asset directly from the relay network node. In response to receiving the request for information, the relay network node transmits advertising packets including an identifier of the wireless tag to nearby network nodes of the network of wireless tags.

Abstract: In some implementations, a wireless sensing system may receive sensor data associated with an asset. The sensor data may be associated with a tampering event and the tampering event may include an action performed on the asset. The wireless sensing system may further determine whether the tampering event is performed by an authorized user of the wireless sensing system. The wireless sensing system may further determine whether the tampering event is performed within an authorized location of the wireless sensing system. The wireless sensing system may transmit a notification to a user of the wireless sensing system. The notification may alert the user of the wireless sensing system that the tampering event has occurred.

Abstract: A low-cost, multi-function system with a form factor that unobtrusively integrates the components needed to implement a combination of different functions and also is able to perform a useful ancillary function that otherwise would have to be performed with the attendant need for additional materials, labor, and expense. An example adhesive product that integrates sensing components within a flexible adhesive structure in a way that not only provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting, optimizing, and protecting the components of the tracking system but also maintains the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive product that can be deployed seamlessly and unobtrusively into various applications and workflows, including person and object tracking applications, and asset management workflows such as manufacturing, storage, shipping, delivery, and other logistics associated with moving products and other physical objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods prepare an adhesive tape platform with a battery for disposal at an end of its useful life. The adhesive tape platform determines when it is at the end of its useful life and performs an action to drain remaining battery life of the battery. When remaining life in the battery is less than a threshold level, the adhesive tape platform transmits a ready for disposal notification to an Internet of Things (IoT) system of the adhesive tape platform. The adhesive tape platform may determine its life expectancy and operational phases of the adhesive tape platform and assign battery usage for each of the operational phases such that the battery is depleted at an end of a last one of the operational phases. The adhesive tape platform may activate battery draining circuitry to drain the remaining battery life of the battery.

Abstract: In some implementations, a locating agent may identify, at the locating agent, one or more identifiable access points, each identifiable access point establishing a wireless network and being identifiable to the locating agent via a signal broadcast from the identifiable access point. The locating agent may compare the identified one or more identifiable access points to an access-point database defining known access points to the wireless tracking system. The locating agent may connect to one of the identifiable access points based on the comparing. The locating agent may transmit one or more of sensed and monitoring data captured at the locating agent to an external device via the connected access point.