Abstract: A system comprises a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container; an operation center; and a device (e.g., a lock) outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors (possibly using a wireless standard) and with the operation center (possibly using a satellite or cellular network), capable of receiving the sensor information, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center. The sensor network may include an arrangement of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radioactivity sensors, chemical/biological toxin sensors, chemical explosive sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, collision sensors, and/or light sensors. The device may include a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers. The operation center may monitor messages received from the devices to determine proper responses.

Abstract: A keyed antenna apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for adapting a wireless access point (12, 12a, 12b) to an external antenna (52, 54) or an external antenna group (22). A plurality of notches (62, 64) in a keyed jack (26, 26a, 26b, 26c) accept a keyed plug (28, 28a, 28b) having thereon key projections (72, 74). The key projections (72, 74) produce signals by depressing microswitches (76), contacting electrical contacts (78), or the like. The signals selectively cause an antenna switch (18) to switch a signal path (19) between internal antennas (50, 20a, 20b) and external antennas (52, 54). Further, the signals selectively cause a wireless adapter (16) to modify radio frequency signal characteristics, such as power.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aperture-fed patch antenna assembly that is recessed into a conductive surface of an external shell of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an antenna feed attached to a removable core of the electronic device may be removed from the external shell without requiring a manual disconnecting of the antenna feed from a wireless radio modem in the electronic device. The patch antenna assembly includes a shim having an aperture therein and positioned between a primary dielectric and a printed circuit board to create a secondary dielectric between the primary dielectric and the printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the primary dielectric is ceramic and the shim is plastic.

Abstract: A keyed antenna apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for adapting a wireless access point (12, 12a, 12b) to an external antenna (52, 54) or an external antenna group (22). A plurality of notches (62, 64) in a keyed jack (26, 26a, 26b, 26c) accept a keyed plug (28, 28a, 28b) having thereon key projections (72, 74). The key projections (72, 74) produce signals by depressing microswitches (76), contacting electrical contacts (78), or the like. The signals selectively cause an antenna switch (18) to switch a signal path (19) between internal antennas (50, 20a, 20b) and external antennas (52, 54). Further, the signals selectively cause a wireless adapter (16) to modify radio frequency signal characteristics, such as power.

Abstract: A two-way communication system using a delay element in one unit allows frequency information from an uplink signal received during an uplink receiving period to be delayed, then modulated and amplified for use in a transmitted signal in a downlink transmitting period.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aperture-fed patch antenna assembly that is recessed into a conductive surface of an external shell of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an antenna feed attached to a removable core of the electronic device may be removed from the external shell without requiring a manual disconnecting of the antenna feed from a wireless radio modem in the electronic device. The patch antenna assembly includes a shim having an aperture therein and positioned between a primary dielectric and a printed circuit board to create a secondary dielectric between the primary dielectric and the printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the primary dielectric is ceramic and the shim is plastic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aperture-fed patch antenna assembly that is recessed into a conductive surface of an external shell of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an antenna feed attached to a removable core of the electronic device may be removed from the external shell without requiring a manual disconnecting of the antenna feed from a wireless radio modem in the electronic device. The patch antenna assembly includes a shim having an aperture therein and positioned between a primary dielectric and a printed circuit board to create a secondary dielectric between the primary dielectric and the printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the primary dielectric is ceramic and the shim is plastic.

Abstract: A tetherless handset telephone with an earpiece connection port is disclosed. The handset is small in size and has an internal antenna. Thus, the handset can easily be placed within the user's pocket. A belt carrier for use with the handset holds the handset upside-down with the connection port easily accessible. The handset is arranged so that it can be cradled within a base unit and recharged while the handset is face-up.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a base station and a plurality of terminal units which can be mobile. The base station establishes connections among sets of two or more of the mobile units so as to permit private, full-duplex conversations to take place within each set of terminal units. A number of such conversations can take place concurrently. The base station allocates packet time slots for each active terminal unit to transmit, and dynamically reduces the allocation per terminal unit only as the number of active terminal units increases. The terminal units are able to transmit the same isochronous information (such as voice) regardless of the number of packet time slots allocated to the terminal unit, by compressing the data by a greater amount when fewer packet slots are allocated, and by a lesser amount when a greater number of packet slots are allocated per unit of time.