Abstract: A wireless local area network system includes a plurality of access point stations at known locations that receive and transmit communication signals within the wireless local area network. A mobile access point station receives and transmits communication signals within the wireless local area network. A location processor is operatively connected to each of the access point stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from the mobile access point station and determining which communication signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conducting differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile access point station.

Abstract: A system of the present invention is operative for locating a wireless mobile device in communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a plurality of cells defining a wireless local area network each having an access point base station. The access point base stations communicate with wireless mobile devices using wireless communication signals as typically spread spectrum communication signals. A processor is operatively connected to each of the access point base stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from a mobile device and determine which signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conduct differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile device.

Abstract: An object tracking system for locating radio-tagged objects within a monitored environment has a plurality tag transmission readers that detect RF transmissions from the tags, and generate output signals representative of the time-of-arrival of first-to-arrive tag transmissions. An object location processor processes the first to arrive signals in accordance with a multilateration algorithm to geolocate a tag. In order to modify the operation of a tag that comes within a prescribed region of the monitored environment (such as passing through a doorway), one or more relatively short range, magnetic field proximity-based, tag-programming ‘pingers’, are placed proximate to the region. A magnetic field receiver on the tag detects the field generated by the pinger and causes the tag to change operation such as increase its RF transmission rate.

Abstract: A vehicle tag includes a housing and a tag connector supported by the housing for connecting to a diagnostic jack of a vehicle on-board diagnostic (OBD) system. A tag transmitter is carried by the housing and operative with the tag connector for receiving telemetry data from the OBD system and transmitting the telemetry data in an RF pulse.

Abstract: A system of the present invention is operative for locating a wireless mobile device in communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a plurality of cells defining a wireless local area network each having an access point base station. The access point base stations communicate with wireless mobile devices using wireless communication signals as typically spread spectrum communication signals. A processor is operatively connected to each of the access point base stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from a mobile device and determine which signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conduct differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile device.

Abstract: A wireless local area network system includes a plurality of access point stations at known locations that receive and transmit communication signals within the wireless local area network. A mobile access point station receives and transmits communication signals within the wireless local area network. A location processor is operatively connected to each of the access point stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from the mobile access point station and determining which communication signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conducting differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile access point station.

Abstract: An object tracking system for locating radio-tagged objects within a monitored environment has a plurality tag transmission readers that detect RF transmissions from the tags, and generate output signals representative of the time-of-arrival of first-to-arrive tag transmissions. An object location processor processes the first to arrive signals in accordance with a multilateration algorithm to geolocate a tag. In order to modify the operation of a tag that comes within a prescribed region of the monitored environment (such as passing through a doorway), one or more relatively short range, magnetic field proximity-based, tag-programming ‘pingers’, are placed proximate to the region. A magnetic field receiver on the tag detects the field generated by the pinger and causes the tag to change operation such as increase its RF transmission rate.

Abstract: An object tracking system for locating radio-tagged objects has a plurality tag transmission readers that detect tag transmissions, and generate time-of-arrival output signals representative of the time-of-arrival of first-to-arrive tag transmissions on the basis of clock signals generated by local clock generators at the tag reader sites. The tag reader sites may transmit time-of-arrival signals to an object location processor by way of a wireless local area network. Measurements made on transmissions from a fixed position reference tag are used to update a reader clock offset database employed by the processor to maintain the reader clocks effectively time aligned.

Abstract: A distributed radio geo-location and tracking system has a distributed subsystem architecture that distributes its processing workload over a plurality of information handling and processing subsystems. For maximum detection capability, each of a plurality of tag emission receivers is equipped with a circularly polarized, omnidirectional antenna, to provide hemispherical coverage. The receivers are coupled to a partitioned plurality of detection processors, that are coupled via distributed association processors to multiple location processors. Each detection processor demodulates and time stamps received energy correlated to known spreading codes of the tags, to associate received energy with only one tag. It transmits a message containing this information over a communication framework to an association processor.

Abstract: A ledger mechanism for a rod cutting apparatus comprises a ledger; a coupling rod on which the ledger is fixedly mounted; and a pair of spaced gear arrangements each having a gear ratio of 2:1 to generate a pair of points, one point on each gear arrangement, which reciprocate in synchronism along straight parallel paths, wherein the coupling rod is pivotally coupled at one end to one of said pair of points on one gear arrangement, and at its opposite end to the other of said pair of points on the other gear arrangement so that the ledger reciprocates linearly.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the height of a column of tobacco or similar particulate material in a downwardly extending channel, comprising a first capacitor, a second capacitor formed partly by an electrode plate extending above and below the desired average level of the top surface of the tobacco column in the channel during use, a third capacitor formed partly by an electrode plate lying permanently below the top surface of the tobacco column, and an electrical circuit which compares the value of the second capacitor with the sum of the values of the first and third capacitors and from which output signal can be obtained which reflects that comparison.