Abstract: XCB poly-radio devices as finders, locators, scanners, sensors, and radio topology reporters. XCB devices function as “smart objects” in the TOT and combine transceivers operating in the telecommunications and the low power ISM radio spectra, with default power management setting overrides under local control of a Bluetooth modem controller, and can be authenticated on a variety of local area networks (LANs), personal area networks (PANs), piconets and cellular networks. Finding, wayfinding, tracking, scanning, locating and proximity monitoring are provided as complementary services supplemented by a Bluetooth Proximity Locator Services Toolkit, Cellular Remote Locator Services Toolkit, and a “Tap-2-Connect” community-supported on-demand lost-and-found data or voice link between an owner and a passerby who finds a lost smart object.

Abstract: A finder device typically attachable to a personal object, the device having utility in finding the object when lost or missing. The beacon recognizes a structured verbal code from a speaker and actuates a signal response effective in locating the object, even when out of sight. The response can take the form of a sound or other display to draw the user's attention to its location and may optionally be supplemented by a radio emission. A simple “finder” typically recognizes only one inquiry, such as “find keys”, or at most two inquiries, such as “find keys” and “find me” (where “find me” is directed at an object selected by a user”) and responds by actuating an audio, visual or tactile display. By providing a kit having multiple finders that each have one purpose selected from “find keys”, “find wallet”, “find phone”, and so forth, a user can attach each finder to the corresponding object and quickly find the object when needed by speaking the code phrase.

Abstract: XCB dual-radio devices as finders, locators, scanners, sensors, and radio topology reporters for pet location management services. Finding, tracking, scanning, locating and proximity monitoring are provided as complementary services supplemented by a Bluetooth Proximity Locator Services Toolkit and a Cellular Remote Locator Services Toolkit. The radiotag devices may also include a user interface with exterior “homing” switch accessible to a user. The switch may activate an “on demand” location fix and communication package useful in pet location services and recovery. For example, smart systems enable alerts, messaging, maps and mixed media support as community services for pet location and tracking.

Abstract: In a tracking device system, a networked smart device is enabled to cause execution of an executable function if a trigger condition of a conditional rule is satisfied. The conditional rules are customizable on a user interface of the smart device. The trigger condition may be any sensor information from a tracking device, or a location, a time, a date, a button press, a proximity, and more generally a trigger condition can be any condition that has a truth value by which an IF/THEN conditional rule can be evaluated and either is satisfied or is not. Executable functions for use in conditional rules may be selected from functions of the smart device, but also may include functions of a remote apparatus or functions such as an alarm state activation of a tracking device. Tracking devices have portable Bluetooth radiosets. According to one embodiment, a smart device is a smartphone, smartwatch or other personal computing device.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a minder device includes a selector and a transceiver. The selector is configurable in one of multiple configurations each corresponding to a respective one of multiple responses. And the transceiver is configured to receive, from a host server via a cellular network, a message from a monitor device associated with the minder device, and to send, to the monitor device via a cellular network and the host server, the one of the responses corresponding to the one of the configurations in which the selector is configured. For example, such a device can be a less-expensive alternative to, and can allow more monitor control, than a smart phone. Furthermore, such a device can be suitable for tracking and locating children too young to have a smart phone, for tracking and locating pets, and for tracking and locating objects.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Architectures, devices, systems and methods incorporating beacon transmissions that comply with a defined communications protocol having a digital identifier value, in which the transmissions incorporate frames, sometimes termed a major value and a minor value, in which the transmissions incorporate sensor data encoded on the fly into one or more of the bitstrings of the protocol by a bitwise substitution process. Sensor data may include temperature, light intensity, smoke, voltage, sound, motion, displacement, acceleration, humidity, pressure, radiation, button-press stimulus event, compass direction, proximity, or other stimuli or sensor data, for example, and is more generally termed “contextual content”. According to the relationships and permissions established by a receiving device and/or the system operator, look-up results are processed to configure notifications tied to the contextual content of the broadcast.

Abstract: Autonomous cellular transceivers for data logging, tracking and managing shipments, the devices having auto-provisioning capability. To auto-provision itself, the cellular device must be associated in a digital record with a particular shipment or object based on physical attachment or proximity—without manual assistance. Subsequent logging, tracking and managing records in a database or databases accessible to one or more users must be updated to reflect that assignment. Auto-provisioning is achieved by associating a cellular identification number of the autonomous cellular device with a shipment or object having a unique shipping identification number or an inventory identification number. Once the identifiers are coupled, the system creates a “shipment profile” of relevant data collected by a sensor or sensors on the cellular device while en route. The system will monitor, log, and report timepoint, waypoint, condition of the goods (as evidenced or extrapolated from sensor data) while in transit.

Abstract: In a tracking device system, a networked smart device is enabled to cause execution of an executable function if a trigger condition of a conditional rule is satisfied. The conditional rules are customizable on a user interface of the smart device. The trigger condition may be any sensor information from a tracking device, or a location, a time, a date, a button press, a proximity, and more generally a trigger condition can be any condition that has a truth value by which an IF/THEN conditional rule can be evaluated and either is satisfied or is not. Executable functions for use in conditional rules may be selected from functions of the smart device, but also may include functions of a remote apparatus or functions such as an alarm state activation of a tracking device. Tracking devices have portable Bluetooth radiosets. According to one embodiment, a smart device is a smartphone, smartwatch or other personal computing device.

Abstract: Architectures, devices, systems and methods incorporating beacon transmissions that comply with a defined communications protocol having a digital identifier value and any associated message frames, sometimes termed a major value and a minor value, in which the transmissions incorporate sensor data encoded on the fly into one or more of the bitstrings of the protocol by a bitwise substitution process. Sensor data may include temperature, light intensity, smoke, voltage, sound, motion, displacement, acceleration, humidity, pressure, radiation, button-press stimulus event, compass direction, proximity, or other stimuli or sensor data, for example, and is more generally termed “contextual content”. According to relationships and permissions established by a receiving device and/or the system operator, look-up results are processed to configure notifications tied to the contextual content of the broadcast.

Abstract: Tracking devices having extended service life for use as finders, locators, sensors, and radio contact reporters. The devices combine a Bluetooth digital radioset and a cellular frequency modulation radioset and are operative with or without a smart device and with or without a cellular radio network. Finding, locating and sensing are provided as a Bluetooth network service, as a cellular network service, or as a service mediated on a network that combines Bluetooth and cellular radio nodes, with “Bluecell” devices acting as hubs. Bluecell devices can be authenticated on both Bluetooth and cellular networks. Systems and methods for using the dual radio devices are also disclosed. Power management schema made possible by dual radio control of on-board processing circuit function enable extended operation of Bluecell devices as part of an IoT. Remotely controllable devices having a service life of a year or more are described.

Abstract: Autonomous cellular transceivers for data logging, tracking and managing shipments, the devices having auto-provisioning capability. To auto-provision itself, the cellular device must be associated in a digital record with a particular shipment or object based on physical attachment or proximity—without manual assistance. Subsequent logging, tracking and managing records in a database or databases accessible to one or more users must be updated to reflect that assignment. Auto-provisioning is achieved by associating a cellular identification number of the autonomous cellular device with a shipment or object having a unique shipping identification number or an inventory identification number. Once the identifiers are coupled, the system creates a “shipment profile” of relevant data collected by a sensor or sensors on the cellular device while en route. The system will monitor, log, and report timepoint, waypoint, condition of the goods (as evidenced or extrapolated from sensor data) while in transit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a battery includes a housing, a power terminal, a power cell, a switch, and a circuit. The power cell is disposed within the housing, and the switch is disposed within the housing and is coupled between the power cell and the power terminal. And the circuit is disposed within the housing and is configured to receive a control signal from a source external to the housing and to control the switch in response to the control signal.

Abstract: In a tracking device, a crescent-shaped printed circuit board partially encircles a battery to minimize a thickness of the tracking device. A speaker and a light-emitting diode emit alerts upon receiving a command of a control apparatus or in response to a motion or a temperature sensed by a sensor. A local network has one hub for tracking a plurality of tracking devices and a wider area network has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of the plurality of tracking devices. The wide area network tracks the plurality of tracking devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: Remote actuation of machines or machine systems is realized by a system for coupling a radiobeacon to a smart device and in turn to a broader network. The smart device is configured as a proximity-actuated “community nodal device” by an application that operates as part of the system. The community nodal device is given instructions to function as a “soft switch”: to automatically “upswitch”, amplify, and broadcast low energy, local area radiobeacon “messages” to a cloud-based server, where the message is interpreted according to rules or policies established by an operator, and a command is transmitted for execution to a remote device. Conventional smart devices generally discard data not addressed to the owner of the smart device.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data. An apparatus and methods for finding and tracking a plurality of radiotag/objects designated as a group 303 by a user.