Abstract: A method of detecting motion in a load bearing member on a machine. The method includes positioning a Doppler radar detector on the machine and orienting the Doppler radar detector such that the Doppler radar detector floods the load bearing member transmitted radio frequency signals. The method further includes receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the load bearing member with an antenna and generating intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals. The method further includes measuring the intermediate frequency signals.

Abstract: A system includes a three dimensional antenna and mobile devices that wirelessly communicate with the antenna. A phase of arrival and a phase difference of arrival are calculated, and a distance between the three dimensional antenna and the mobile device is calculated. A direction between the three dimensional antenna and the mobile device is calculated. The direction calculation includes an angular spread function of multipath scattering in the communication between the three dimensional antenna and the mobile device. The direction calculation further includes an estimation of a propagation delay and an angle in the communication between the three dimensional antenna and the mobile device.

Abstract: A first mobile device includes a location processor, a communication processor, and a display, and a second mobile device includes a location processor and a communication processor. The first mobile device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the second mobile device, and the first mobile device is configured to display a superimposed icon representing a location of the second mobile device as viewed from the perspective of the first mobile device when the first mobile device is pointed in the direction of the second mobile device.

Abstract: A non-contact motion sensor comprising a radar detector that includes a first antenna, a second antenna that is orthogonal to the first antenna and a third antenna that is orthogonal to the first antenna and the second antenna. The non-contact motion sensor further includes a control that collects and analyzes signals that are received from the radar detector.

Abstract: A computer-based system is configured to receive data relating to locations and identities of a plurality of persons in a structure, and display on an output device a plurality of icons representing the locations in the structure and the identities of one or more of an individual person and a group of persons.

Abstract: A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating life of the power source. This could allow, for example, a power source replacement schedule to be generated for the device. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message could also be sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the device and thus provide real-time data. The data may also be stored in memory, collected over time, and analyzed or used in various ways. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of power source performance and any associated operational and replacement costs.

Abstract: A system and method are used to determine at least two distances to a mobile asset in a structure from first and second anchor transceivers placed a known distance from each other. A view of the structure is created as a function of a location corresponding to the two anchor transceivers. A representation of the mobile asset is included in the view of the structure.

Abstract: A non-contact motion sensor comprising a radar detector that includes a first antenna, a second antenna that is orthogonal to the first antenna and a third antenna that is orthogonal to the first antenna and the second antenna. The non-contact motion sensor further includes a control that collects and analyzes signals that are received from the radar detector.

Abstract: A method of detecting motion in a load bearing member on a machine. The method includes positioning a Doppler radar detector on the machine and orienting the Doppler radar detector such that the Doppler radar detector floods the load bearing member transmitted radio frequency signals. The method further includes receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the load bearing member with an antenna and generating intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals. The method further includes measuring the intermediate frequency signals.

Abstract: A method of detecting motion in components that form part of a structure. The method includes flooding a first component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the first component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a first set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the first set of intermediate frequency signals. The method further includes flooding a second component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the second component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a second set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the additional reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the second set of intermediate frequency.

Abstract: A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance between the asset tag and the reader based on the signals. The system further includes a controller receiving a measured distance from each of the plurality of readers and determining a location of the asset based on the measured distances.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and to receive the sensor. The sensor assembly further includes a wireless module located between the sensor and the base. The wireless module is configured to transmit position information. The wireless module may include one or more electrical contacts used to form at least one electrical connection between the base of the sensor assembly and the sensor. The wireless module may also include a printed circuit board having the contacts, wireless radio circuitry, an antenna, and other components. The printed circuit board could be substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure.

Abstract: A wireless bridge includes a first universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) for coupling to a serial bus that receives data packets. A protocol independent module has a timer set to a desired time to detect a start and/or an end of a data packet received from the serial bus. A wireless transceiver is coupled to the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter for sending and receiving data packets.

Abstract: Beacon generators transmit wireless beacon signals for use in tracking an object. Among other things, a wireless beacon signal from a particular beacon generator contains information identifying a power supply voltage associated with that beacon generator. A tracking device associated with the object receives one or more of the beacon signals. The tracking device measures the signal strength of a received beacon signal, and the tracking device identifies the power supply voltage associated with the beacon generator that transmitted the received beacon signal. The tracking device or an external component, such as a control unit, can use the identified signal strength and the identified power supply voltage to determine the location of the object. As a particular example, signal strengths and power supply voltages associated with at least three beacon signals can be used to identify the location of the object.

Abstract: A method for automatically estimating the spatial positions between cameras in a camera network utilizes unique identifying signals, such as RFID signals, transmitting between nearby cameras to estimate the relative distances or positions between cameras from received signal strength (RSS), time of arrival (TOA), or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements to thereby determine the neighboring relationship among the cameras. A discover-locate process can be used to discover, from the estimated relative distances, unknown cameras in the vicinity of at least three cameras at known locations. Absolute locations of the discovered unknown cameras can then be calculated using a geometric calculation. The discover-locate process can be cascaded throughout the network to discover and locate all unknown cameras automatically using previously discovered and located cameras.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of estimating location of a mobile beaconing device within a building includes steps: concurrently transmitting from the beaconing device at least first and second signals, which respectively indicates at least first and second transmit power levels thereof; receiving the at least first and second signals by a plurality of anchor devices at different known locations; estimating first distances between the beaconing device and each anchor device as a function of signal power levels of the first signal received by each anchor device, and second distances between the beaconing device and each anchor device as a function of signal power levels of the second signal received by each anchor devices; and calculating an estimated location of the beaconing device as a function of the estimated first distances and second distances.

Abstract: A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance between the asset tag and the reader based on the signals. The system further includes a controller receiving a measured distance from each of the plurality of readers and determining a location of the asset based on the measured distances.

Abstract: A system for providing audio-based information pertaining to a situation communicated to a first responder en route to the situation. The information may include real-time and current data of the on-going situation (e.g., a building fire). The information may be relayed to the first responder by a dispatch center, or other intermediary, or come directly from monitoring instrumentation at a location of the situation. Also, background and/or preplanned information about the location may be provided to the first responder via a handset or other device. The responder may request certain information via the handset or device in a vehicle en route with voice requests or button activation. Visual displays of information on the instrumentation may be converted to audio- or speech-based displays for the responder.

Abstract: Beacon generators transmit wireless beacon signals for use in tracking an object. Among other things, a wireless beacon signal from a particular beacon generator contains information identifying a power supply voltage associated with that beacon generator. A tracking device associated with the object receives one or more of the beacon signals. The tracking device measures the signal strength of a received beacon signal, and the tracking device identifies the power supply voltage associated with the beacon generator that transmitted the received beacon signal. The tracking device or an external component, such as a control unit, can use the identified signal strength and the identified power supply voltage to determine the location of the object. As a particular example, signal strengths and power supply voltages associated with at least three beacon signals can be used to identify the location of the object.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and to receive the sensor. The sensor assembly further includes a wireless module located between the sensor and the base. The wireless module is configured to transmit position information. The wireless module may include one or more electrical contacts used to form at least one electrical connection between the base of the sensor assembly and the sensor. The wireless module may also include a printed circuit board having the contacts, wireless radio circuitry, an antenna, and other components. The printed circuit board could be substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure.