Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a target such as a vehicle, an animal, a person, or another object in a monitored area without the use of sensors, are provided. Multiple RF field anomaly detection nodes may be spaced through the monitored area and connected, such as in a mesh network. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may include radio transceivers that communicate with one another and which monitor a signal strength of received signals. The nodes may compare the signal strengths to expected strength values. As a target enters a portion of the monitored area, the dielectric properties of the target cause at least one signal strength of at least one received signal to change. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may detect this change and trigger a further action or human readable alert corresponding to the presence of the target.

Abstract: A spotlight system is provided that includes a camera assembly having an infrared camera and an infrared flash. The system includes a spotlight assembly having an infrared spotlight and an infrared sensor. The spotlight assembly is located remotely from the camera assembly, the infrared sensor is communicatively coupled to the infrared spotlight and the infrared sensor and is configured to detect the infrared flash.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a target such as a vehicle, an animal, a person, or another object in a monitored area without the use of sensors, are provided. Multiple RF field anomaly detection nodes may be spaced through the monitored area and connected, such as in a mesh network. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may include radio transceivers that communicate with one another and which monitor a signal strength of received signals. The nodes may compare the signal strengths to expected strength values. As a target enters a portion of the monitored area, the dielectric properties of the target cause at least one signal strength of at least one received signal to change. The RF field anomaly detection nodes may detect this change and trigger a further action or human readable alert corresponding to the presence of the target.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a camera having a first sensor configured to trigger the camera to take a photograph, a trigger device configured to couple to the camera, and a remote sensor node. The trigger device includes a heat generating member (HGM) disposed adjacent to the first sensor, a receiving node communicatively coupled to the HGM, and a housing configured to house at least one of the heat generating member and the receiving node. The remote sensor node is communicatively coupled to the receiving node, and includes a second sensor configured to detect an object in the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is an induction-based lighting system designed to provide power to model displays and other similar applications. The first part of the system is the wireless Power Mat that is placed under the model houses and used as the base for the village, and contains a primary winding that interacts with secondary windings placed inside display components to provide lighting effects, such as one finds in model Christmas villages. The electrical characteristics of the primary winding can be controlled by a microcontroller to make lights in the models blink or change as a user desires.

Abstract: Communications between a central station and plural nodes is managed at the central station. The central station has an answer channel, a number of data channels, and a data channel manager. A node transmits a channel request, which is received by the answer channel. The answer channel queries the data channel manager, which determines if a data channel is available. If so, then the answer channel passes the node's request to the open data channel, which then communicates with the node. The answer channel is freed to handle channel requests from other nodes. The node is unaware of the passing off as the node does not change the address for the central station. A data channel is freed to communicate with other nodes by either receiving a disconnect message from the node or by timing out the connection.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine and an on-board computer that controls the function of the engine. The on-board computer also provides diagnostic information, including instantaneous vehicle speed. The vehicle has an odometer that is present in the passenger compartment. The invention samples the instantaneous vehicle speed from the on-board computer and determines the distance traveled by the vehicle. The sampling rate can be adjusted depending on the speed of the vehicle. The odometer information can be sent off the vehicle by way of a transceiver.