Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote device that includes a sensor for determining or measuring a desired parameter, a receiver for receiving position data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system, a processor for determining whether or not alert conditions are present and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the measured parameter data and the position data to a central station, such as an application service provider (ASP). The ASP, in turn, may communicate the measured data, position data and notification of any alerts to an end user via an alert device. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote device that includes a sensor for determining or measuring a desired parameter, a receiver for receiving position data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system, a processor for determining whether or not alert conditions are present and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the measured parameter data and the position data to a central station, such as an application service provider (ASP). The ASP, in turn, may communicate the measured data, position data and notification of any alerts to an end user via an alert device. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote device that includes a sensor for determining or measuring a desired parameter, a receiver for receiving position data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system, a processor for determining whether or not alert conditions are present and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the measured parameter data and the position data to a central station, such as an application service provider (ASP). The ASP, in turn, may communicate the measured data, position data and notification of any alerts to an end user via an alert device. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Abstract: A system for tracking persons or things. One or more tracking units are associated with persons or things to be tracked. Each tracking unit includes one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes to provide distance and heading or directional information. A master control station (MCS) receives the distance and heading information or location information based thereon. MCS may also display for displaying the location of at least one of the tracking units. The MCS programmed to determine the location based on: determination of a reference point and heading for the at least one tracking unit; data from the accelerometers and gyroscope, which provides distance and direction information; and aggregation of the distance and direction information.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote device that includes a sensor for determining or measuring a desired parameter, a receiver for receiving position data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system, a processor for determining whether or not alert conditions are present and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the measured parameter data and the position data to a central station, such as an application service provider (ASP). The ASP, in turn, may communicate the measured data, position data and notification of any alerts to an end user via an alert device. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for tracking and locating a person, an animal or an object three-dimensionally having at least one remote localization and sensing device, each device having a processing unit for calculating location coordinates; an information storage device for storing directional, distance, physiological and identification data; at least one sensor for providing sensor data; an accelerometer for providing speed and distance data; a magnetic flux gate sensor for providing directional data; and a transceiver for communicating location and sensor data to an ASP. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Abstract: A method and a system for remotely monitoring a person includes a portable unit including a self-recharging battery, the portable unit being adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the person; a global positioning satellite transmitting global positioning system (GPS) data to the portable unit; and a central unit disposed remotely from the portable unit, the central unit being in communication with the portable unit via a ground station.

Abstract: A method and a system for remotely monitoring a person include a portable unit, a global positioning system (GPS) satellite, a central unit and a ground station. The portable unit is adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the person and is adapted to be a part of an artificial body part of the person. Furthermore, the portable unit is disposed proximately to a skin surface of the person. The GPS satellite transmits GPS data to the portable unit. The central unit, which is disposed remotely from the portable unit, is in communication with the portable unit via the ground station.

Abstract: A method and a system for remotely monitoring a person includes a portable unit including a self-recharging battery, the portable unit being adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the person; a global positioning satellite transmitting global positioning system (GPS) data to the portable unit; and a central unit disposed remotely from the portable unit, the central unit being in communication with the portable unit via a ground station.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting the position of a carriage moveable along a track. The mechanism includes a wheel fixed to the carriage which rotates as the carriage moves along the track. A mark is disposed on a portion of the wheel. A detector is fixed to the carriage for sensing the mark as the wheel rotates and outputs a signal in response. A carriage processor receives the signal and determines the position of the carriage along the track.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting the position of a carriage moveable along a track. The mechanism includes a wheel fixed to the carriage which rotates as the carriage moves along the track. A mark is disposed on a portion of the wheel. A detector is fixed to the carriage for sensing the mark as the wheel rotates and outputs a signal in response. A carriage processor receives the signal and determines the position of the carriage along the track.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting the position of a carriage moveable along a track. The mechanism includes a wheel fixed to the carriage which rotates as the carriage moves along the track. A mark is disposed on a portion of the wheel. A detector is fixed to the carriage for sensing the mark as the wheel rotates and outputs a signal in response. A carriage processor receives the signal and determines the position of the carriage along the track.

Abstract: A moving electrical contact for connecting a track-mounted moveable carriage to a signal rail. The moving electrical contact comprises a spring plate secured to the moveable carriage on one end and a contact pad attached to the other end of the spring plate. The contact pad is biased against the signal rail by the tension in the spring plate. The contact pad is constructed from approximately sixteen layers of a wire mesh consisting of tin coated, stainless steel conductive wire knitted in a tricot pattern and may include conducting jelly.

Abstract: A method for confirming the authenticity of an article including placing a semi hard piece of material on an article then printing a magnetic pattern on the semi hard piece of material. In order to view the pattern, a viewer containing a suspension of materials will be placed over the semi hard piece of material. The suspension of materials will then orient in the presence of a magnetic field adjacent to the magnetic material.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards and integrated circuit assemblies have security markers formed thereon by deposition techniques or affixed thereto, either directly or by prior encasement of the markers in a resin prior to such affixation.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system capable of reliable operation at high frequencies such as about 8 MHz, has an arrangement of transmitter and receiver antennas each lying in a flat, horizontal plane in substantial alignment with each other, with the receiver antenna positioned at the floor of a passageway at an interrogation zone and the transmitter antenna positioned overhead. Each antenna takes the form of a pair of parallel-connected, coplanar loops with the transmitter-connected loops being positioned such that electrical current flows around each loop in parallel in the same direction (a ++ configuration) and in the receiver antenna electrical current flows around each loop in parallel in mutually opposite directions (a +- configuration). The antennas are approximately of the same size and overall configuration, and they are positioned in substantial alignment so that the currents induced in the receiver antenna by the field from the transmitter antenna will effectively cancel.

Abstract: A desensitizer apparatus for desensitizing a security sensor element in a book spine. The apparatus includes a scanner which scans along a surface against which book spines are positioned and which detects sensor elements in the spines to be sure that only one book is positioned against the surface. If only one sensor element is detected, a signal is generated which operates a drive mechanism to move desensitizer magnets close to the surface to deactivate the sensor element in the book.

Abstract: A deactivatable electronic theft detection marker is made from a strip or ribbon of high magnetic permeability strip or ribbon and then high magnetic coercivity material is deposited on the strip or ribbon by electroplating.

Abstract: A responder for electronic article surveillance apparatus is made by subjecting a plurality of magnetizable elements to heating in the presence of a magnetic field and maintaining the field at a different intensity for each element as it is cooled to provide different magnetic characteristics so that when the responder is subjected to a cyclically varying magnetic interrogation field its several elements produce spaced apart pulses in each cycle.

Abstract: Magnetically desensitized targets or sensor elements on protected articles are resensitized by means of rotating permanent magnets which are moved relative to the magnetized target desensitizer elements such that the elements become subjected to reversing magnetic fields of gradually decreasing intensity.