Abstract: A method at a sensor module within a sensor system for communicating with a gateway, the method including storing a timing profile for communications with the gateway; waking a radio core of the sensor module at a threshold time prior to a beacon signal being expected from the gateway; sampling a channel for the beacon signal at the radio core; if the beacon signal is detected: waking a processor on the sensor module; exchanging communication with the gateway; and powering down the processor and radio core upon completion of the exchanging communication.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting and reporting a battery tamper event with regard to an intrinsically-safe or explosion-proof device while the device is located in a hazardous environment. The device may include a location sensor for determining that the device is in a hazardous location. While in the hazardous location, the device may detect an open enclosure event using a sensor and, if so, it may monitor for detection of a battery tampering event. The battery tampering event may include battery replacement or battery charging. The battery tamper event may be reported to a remote server over a wireless channel when it occurs.

Abstract: An asset tracking device and method for detecting the presence of an intermodal shipping container and responsively selecting a preferred location determination. The device may include a controller, a sensor coupled to the controller, a global navigation satellite system chip, and a cellular signal transceiver. While not detecting a container, the controller obtains location data via a global satellite system chip. While a container is detected, the sensor sends a detection signal to the controller and, responsive to the detection signal, the controller obtains location data from a cellular signal transceiver and not from the global satellite system chip.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an asset tracking device and, in particular, determining when an asset tracking device is aboard a ship. The device may have a ship mode in which the device determines it has been loaded onto a ship and in which geolocation is not determined. The device may further have an ocean mode to which it transitions from the ship mode in which it ceases to look for a cellular connection in order to send location reports. The device may detect a beacon signal from a ship-mounted base-station to trigger the ship mode and may detect, or fail to detect, one or more wireless signals or identifiers as the trigger to transition to ocean mode.

Abstract: A method at a sensor module within a sensor system for communicating with a gateway, the method including storing a timing profile for communications with the gateway; waking a radio core of the sensor module at a threshold time prior to a beacon signal being expected from the gateway; sampling a channel for the beacon signal at the radio core; if the beacon signal is detected: waking a processor on the sensor module; exchanging communication with the gateway; and powering down the processor and radio core upon completion of the exchanging communication.

Abstract: A method for updating communication parameters on a mobile device, the method including sending a communication from the mobile device to a server, the communication including a location of the mobile device; receiving at the mobile device, responsive to the communication, a new communication parameter; reconfiguring the mobile device with the new communication parameter; and sending a second communication from the mobile device to the server, the second communication using the new communication parameter.

Abstract: An Internet of Things device and method for controlling the flow of power to a device through remote instructions. The device may include a battery and a switch coupling the battery to a main circuit, the switch including a sensor detecting a first condition. While detecting the first condition, the switch may be open-circuited, decoupling the battery from the main circuit. While not detecting the first condition, the switch is close-circuited, coupling the battery to the main circuit and providing power. The device may further include a controller coupled to a wireless communications module, which may receive instructions from a remote server. These instructions may instruct the controller to send a disable signal to the switch, preventing the switch from becoming open-circuited when the sensor detects the first condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a presence of cargo within a container are described. The determination may comprise transmitting a first electromagnetic signal within the container and receiving a first reflected electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first electromagnetic signal. The first reflected electromagnetic signal may be converted into a set of first magnitude values corresponding to a set of bin values representing a respective distance from the radar device. The first magnitude values may be integrated, using a moving window, over successive subranges of bin values to produce a set of integrated magnitude values. A set of integrated base magnitude values may be subtracted from the set of integrated magnitude values to produce a set of normalized integrated magnitude values. A presence of cargo within the container may then be determined by comparing each of the normalized integrated magnitude values with corresponding threshold values.

Abstract: A method for updating communication parameters on a mobile device, the method including sending a communication from the mobile device to a server, the communication including a location of the mobile device; receiving at the mobile device, responsive to the communication, a new communication parameter; reconfiguring the mobile device with the new communication parameter; and sending a second communication from the mobile device to the server, the second communication using the new communication parameter.

Abstract: A method at a sensor apparatus affixed to a transportation asset, the method including detecting a trigger at the sensor apparatus; taking a threshold number of samples of a displacement-related value of the transportation asset over time; determining that a variance of the threshold number of samples exceeds a threshold; analyzing a frequency property based on the threshold number of samples; and based on the frequency property, determining whether the transportation asset is loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A method at a sensor apparatus affixed to a transportation asset, the method including detecting a trigger at the sensor apparatus; taking a threshold number of samples of a displacement-related value of the transportation asset over time; determining that a variance of the threshold number of samples exceeds a threshold; analyzing a frequency property based on the threshold number of samples; and based on the frequency property, determining whether the transportation asset is loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A method at a sensor module within a sensor system for communicating with a gateway, the method including storing a timing profile for communications with the gateway; waking a radio core of the sensor module at a threshold time prior to a beacon signal being expected from the gateway; sampling a channel for the beacon signal at the radio core; if the beacon signal is detected: waking a processor on the sensor module; exchanging communication with the gateway; and powering down the processor and radio core upon completion of the exchanging communication.

Abstract: A method for updating communication parameters on a mobile device, the method including sending a communication from the mobile device to a server, the communication including a location of the mobile device; receiving at the mobile device, responsive to the communication, a new communication parameter; reconfiguring the mobile device with the new communication parameter; and sending a second communication from the mobile device to the server, the second communication using the new communication parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a presence of cargo within a container are described. The determination may comprise transmitting a first electromagnetic signal within the container and receiving a first reflected electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first electromagnetic signal. The first reflected electromagnetic signal may be converted into a set of first magnitude values corresponding to a set of bin values representing a respective distance from the radar device. The first magnitude values may be integrated, using a moving window, over successive subranges of bin values to produce a set of integrated magnitude values. A set of integrated base magnitude values may be subtracted from the set of integrated magnitude values to produce a set of normalized integrated magnitude values. A presence of cargo within the container may then be determined by comparing each of the normalized integrated magnitude values with corresponding threshold values.

Abstract: A method at a sensor module within a sensor system for communicating with a gateway, the method including storing a timing profile for communications with the gateway; waking a radio core of the sensor module at a threshold time prior to a beacon signal being expected from the gateway; sampling a channel for the beacon signal at the radio core; if the beacon signal is detected: waking a processor on the sensor module; exchanging communication with the gateway; and powering down the processor and radio core upon completion of the exchanging communication.

Abstract: A method for updating communication parameters on a mobile device, the method including sending a communication from the mobile device to a server, the communication including a location of the mobile device; receiving at the mobile device, responsive to the communication, a new communication parameter; reconfiguring the mobile device with the new communication parameter; and sending a second communication from the mobile device to the server, the second communication using the new communication parameter.

Abstract: A method for pairing a first computing device with a second computing device, the method including: detecting motion at the first computing device; determining, at the first computing device, that a pattern of the detected motion corresponds with a saved motion pattern; and activating a communications subsystem on the first computing device based on the determining to begin a pairing process.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the weight of a load when the load is placed on a chassis supported by a spring suspension. The method comprises measuring a first distance to a position fixed relative the ground by at least one sensor mounted on the chassis; detecting a displacement of the chassis relative to the position based on the first distance and a second distance measured to the position by the at least one sensor; determining the weight of the load on the basis of the chassis displacement; and communicating the determined weight of the load.

Abstract: A method for managing radio communications between a gateway and a plurality of sensors of a system for tracking assets is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining properties of a currently tracked asset; determining a current connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors; identifying a preferred connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors based on the properties of the currently tracked asset, the preferred connection configuration having at least one physical layer characteristic that is different from the current connection configuration; and in response to the identifying, causing the gateway and at least one of the plurality of sensors to switch from the current connection configuration to the preferred connection configuration for establishing a new radio connection.

Abstract: A method for sensor provisioning in a wireless sensor network includes determining, at a gateway, that no neighboring gateway is present; in response to no neighboring gateway present, measuring signal strengths from a plurality of sensors; based on the measured signal strengths, identifying a sensor from the plurality of sensors to be paired with the gateway; and in response to identifying the sensor, pairing the gateway and the sensor to enable a secured connection between the gateway and the sensor.