Abstract: In a tracking device, a crescent-shaped printed circuit board partially encircles a battery to minimize thickness of the tracking device. A speaker and a light-emitting diode emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus or in response to a motion or 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: 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: 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: A device for operation as part of a system or network, the device combining a power cell, a battery housing enclosing the power cell, and a radiobeacon, where the battery is configured to supply DC power to an external apparatus and to the radiobeacon in parallel. A sensor or sensor package may also be included in the battery device and reports to the system or network. In response to a sensor or clock-derived trigger, a microcontroller in the battery uses the radiobeacon to broadcast messages to a radio receiver of a smart device or a network system. The radiobeacon has a unique identifier, and because the messages are low energy, low power radio transmissions having a maximum range of less that about 300 ft (about 100 m). A smart device with an installed application and appropriate permissions that receives the beacon signal may track, map and monitor the signal from the device. The device may be provided with a kill switch.

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: 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 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: 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: A quick-connect adaptor for conveying data or data and power from a first electronic unit to a second electronic unit. The adaptor includes a connectable interface between a first body part and a second body part, wherein the parts may be coupled with rotationally symmetry such that a 180 degree rotation of either body part, either clockwise or counterclockwise, results in an identical electrical connection, eliminating the need for checking alignment when making a connection. The first and second body parts in either of two rotational orientations are secured together by a magnetic “snap” connection. Three-piece and two-piece kits are disclosed for coupling with popular devices. In an optional embodiment, at least one end of the interface includes a “smart sensor” and a processor or logic gates that configure communications so as to be correctly wired in either rotational orientation, even before an electrical connection is made.

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 frames corresponding to a universally unique identifier (UUID) value, a major value, and a minor value, in which the transmissions incorporate sensor data encoded on the fly into one or more of the values or frames of the protocol. 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 system, look-up results are processed to configure notifications tied to the contextual content of the broadcast. Notifications to a receiving device and/or system are configured according to contextual data broadcast by the beacon.

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: 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: A quick-connect adaptor for conveying data or data and power from a first electronic unit to a second electronic unit. The adaptor includes a connectable interface between a first body part and a second body part, wherein the parts may be coupled with rotationally symmetry such that a 180 degree rotation of either body part, either clockwise or counterclockwise, results in an identical electrical connection, eliminating the need for checking alignment when making a connection. The first and second body parts in either of two rotational orientations are secured together by a magnetic “snap” connection. Three-piece and two-piece kits are disclosed for coupling with popular devices. In an optional embodiment, at least one end of the interface includes a “smart sensor” and a processor or logic gates that configure communications so as to be correctly wired in either rotational orientation, even before an electrical connection is made.

Abstract: A quick connect adaptor for conveying data or data and power from a first electronic unit to a second electronic unit. The adaptor includes a connectable interface between a first body part and a second body part, wherein the parts may be coupled with rotationally symmetry such that a 180 degree rotation of an adaptor body part, either clockwise or counterclockwise, results in an identical connection, eliminating the need for checking alignment when making a connection. A magnetic coupling secures the first and second body parts in either of two rotational orientations. In another embodiment, at least one end of the interface includes a “smart sensor” for detecting the magnetic polarity during the docking process and a processor or logic gates that configure communications so as to be correctly wired when coupled in either rotational orientation, even before an electrical connection is made.

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.