Abstract: A remote wireless network includes a plurality of sensors/transmitters wherein each sensor is uniquely identifiable and lends its unique identity to the transmitter to which it is attached.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide an always-on monitor, alert, control, and share (MACS) device comprising a connection to receive intermittent updates from a real sensor device, the always-on virtual MACS device corresponding to the real sensor device, and a presentation layer to enable a user to interface with the always-on virtual MACS device, the always-on virtual MACS device providing data regardless of the status of the real sensor device.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a fire includes a fire detection device and a control center terminal. The fire detection device includes an LRF for calculating a distance to a location of breakout of a fire using a laser. An infrared camera captures an infrared image and transmits the infrared image to a control unit. A CCD camera captures a CCD image and transmits the CCD image to the control unit. The control unit analyzes the infrared image, determines whether a fire has broken out, performs processing such that the CCD camera captures an area on fire, determines the location of breakout of the fire, performs processing such that the captured image is output to the control center terminal, and controls a function of a warning unit. The warning unit outputs a warning sound or a warning message.

Abstract: A long-range cattle identification system used to monitor a plurality of animals. The system uses a plurality of electronic information tags that are attachable to animals. The electronic information tags transmit and receive electronic information with at least one other electronic information tag. The electronic information tags are spatially disposed so that one electronic information tag can transmit and receive at least one other electronic information tag's individual electronic information to form a mesh network. The system includes a communication device that can communicate with at least one electronic information tag and receive information from that tag. The communication device can also receive the information contained in all the other electronic information tags in the mesh network through the at least one electronic information tag.

Abstract: A communication system that provides communication of information between an end user device and a remote end user. The system includes a communication node mounted on the upper part of a utility pole, and drawing its power from the utility pole through a standard NEMA Locking 3 Pole Receptacle, and adapted to communicate with a nearby user device using the low-power communication protocol, such as the ZigBee protocol (ANSI IEEE 802.15.4) or Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology, and also adapted to communicate with a neighborhood mesh network of nodes mounted on utility poles. The neighborhood mesh network is capable of communicating, through a regional computer network, with the remote end user.

Abstract: A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved usability. Specifically, the proximity sensor device and method provides the ability for a user to easily select the type of adjustment inputted by the proximity sensor device. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor device includes an adjustment region and one or more start tabs adjacent to the adjustment region. The proximity sensor also includes a processor adapted to indicate adjustment of a first type responsive to sensed object motion originating in a first start tab and continuing in the adjustment region. Thus, a user can cause an adjustment of the first type by introducing an object proximate the first start tab, and moving the object from the first start tab and into the adjustment region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a wireless communication module to wirelessly connect with an external device, a sensor to detect movement of the information processing apparatus, and a disconnection control module to instruct the wireless communication module to terminate wireless connection with the external device when start of movement is detected based on information output from the sensor during wireless connection with the external device by the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A multivariate environmental sensing system with redundant transmission pathways with a network of nodes detecting environmental conditions and processing a transmissible signal. Nodes use predetermined criteria to make periodic detections, maintaining a low power state between detections. Power is conserved by deciding whether detections are transmitted immediately, or may be stored for periodic transmission. The nodes power up and immediately transmit urgent detections, storing routine detections for delayed batch transmission. Nodes may transmit signals received from other nodes, passing along signals received from more distant nodes. Transmission may have a predetermined pattern, but the system alters this pattern if there is disruption to the system or pattern. Gateways process data from nodes and pass data to other gateways, on an immediate or deferred basis, to a control center, where data is analyzed.

Abstract: A modular programmable safety device and system coupled with multiple sensors. The device has a memory unit to store the data modules, which can be synthesized into speech and a microprocessor-based speech module, which is connected to the memory and to a transceiver. A remote server computer is connected to the programmable device through a wireless communication system and is provided with a database to store digital data modules and scripts that are either input by a user or downloaded from a third party content provider. Software is operated on the remote server computer to provide the third party contents and the scripts. The device has an external sensor port which is coupled with multiple sensors. The safety device senses a variety of safety parameters programmable with rule sets to communicate with a parent or service provider automatically.

Abstract: A detecting unit that is provided at a detection position on a road detects a road condition near the detection position. A light emitting unit that is provided at the detection position emits a light. A control unit controls a light emission of the light emitting unit based on detected road condition.

Abstract: A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and/or control external devices.

Abstract: An object detection framework enables the definition of a set of related physical objects, and provides a corresponding ability to detect when one or more of the objects disassociates from the set. Object relationships within a set can be defined, and disassociation is detected when one or more of the object relationships no longer holds true, such as when one of the objects is no longer within a threshold proximity of the other objects of the set. Then, one or more responses, such as an alert, are automatically initiated in response to the disassociation. In various non-limiting implementations of the framework, each object of a related set is provisioned with the ability to any one or more of emit, detect and/or transmit detection information, process and/or store detection information, or initiate response(s) to detection information.

Abstract: A smart water timer which includes a water timer, a receiving unit connected to the water timer, and a moisture sensing unit which is in wireless communication with the receiving unit. The smart water timer can sense when the moisture level in the soil is too moist (based on a user setting) and turn off a water supply to a sprinkler as a result A soil moisture sensing unit is placed in the soil in the area to be watered. The soil moisture sensing unit uses a moisture sensing probe and wirelessly transmits a data signal to the receiver, which is connected to the water timer, indicating whether or not the water timer should be permitted to open a water valve.

Abstract: A personal environmental monitoring method and system and a portable monitor for use therein permit real-time mobile monitoring of environmental conditions in the immediate vicinity to ensure compatibility with the particular environmental sensitivities of a person being monitored. The portable monitor may be a fully integrated mobile device that provides real-time mobile monitoring of immediate environmental conditions without network connectivity.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network may be designed by modeling the network as a function of at least one design parameter and/or at least one threat parameter ?, by assessing the model by varying the at least one design parameter to determine an effect on the at least one threat parameter ?, and by choosing a value for the at least one design parameter based on the assessment that produces an acceptably low value for the at least one threat parameter ?.

Abstract: A device for collecting samples of the sea floor, including a collection apparatus, a diving apparatus and a control apparatus.

Abstract: Circuitry for detecting magnetic fields includes a first magnetoresistive sensor and a second magnetoresistive sensor configured to form a gradiometer. The circuitry includes a digital signal processor and a first feedback loop coupled between the first magnetoresistive sensor and the digital signal processor. A second feedback loop which is discrete from the first feedback loop is coupled between the second magnetoresistive sensor and the digital signal processor.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling lighting in a space reduces energy consumption of the light sources by changing at least one of the color rendering index (CRI) and the correlated color temperature (CCT) while maintaining illumination levels. Preferably, the method and system sense movement of people in the space relative to light sources that light the space, and automatically and individually adjust plural solid state lighting devices that form each of the respective light sources to a first lighting condition when people are in a first position, wherein the lamps respectively emit light of a first illumination level and a first CRI at a first electrical power level, and to a second lighting condition when people are in a second position, wherein the light sources respectively emit light of the first illumination level and a smaller CRI than the first CRI and at a lower electrical power level than the first electrical power level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling information from wireless nodes, including nodes for communication with aircraft, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a sensor configured to sense information corresponding to a characteristic of a wireless node. The wireless node can be one of a plurality of wireless nodes configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The wireless nodes can also be linked to a non-wireless network portion. The system can further include a transmitter configured to transmit the information via the network, and a receiver operatively coupled to the transmitter to receive the information via the network. Accordingly, the system can be used to automatically identify and track diagnostic information corresponding to the state of one or more wireless nodes.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided that allows for monitoring and reporting of operational parameters for processes and devices in a subterranean environment. The system includes a plurality of interface devices coupled to sensors at a desired process or device. The interface devices transmit the measured data to a coordinator device through a personal area network. The coordinator device aggregates data from multiple interface devices and transmits the data to a remote service through a communications network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) to increase the accuracy and efficiency of an RFID system is provided. A system includes an RFID component that receives a signal from an RFID reader, and an identifier component that interfaces with the RFID component and identifies the source of the signal. The system further includes a signal strength component that interfaces with the identifier component and measures the strength of the signal. The system can include an environment component that analyzes an operating environment.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a wireless sensor network comprising a plurality of peer to peer nodes is provided. Each node in the network includes, among other things, a sensor for detecting environmental factors. When a potential failure is detected within a node, the node will query its neighboring nodes to determine whether they have the capability to store any data component(s) currently stored within the potentially failing node. Based on the querying, the data component(s) in the potentially failing node are copied to one or more of the neighboring nodes. Thereafter, details of the copying can be broadcast to other nodes in the network, and any routing tables that identify the locations of data components stored throughout the wireless sensor network can be updated.

Abstract: A method for defining an index of a match between a content of two audio sources, comprising: sampling audio from a first source and a second source generating a first and second set of samples; selecting a sequential number of samples N belonging to the first set of samples and N samples belonging to the second set; transferring the first and second sequences of N samples to the frequency domain, generating a first and second sequences of N/2 frequency intervals; for the first sequence, calculating the sign of the derivative; for the second sequence, calculating the sign and the absolute value of the derivative, and a total sum of the absolute values of the derivative and a partial sum of the absolute values of the derivative; the ratio between the partial sum and the total sum being an index of the match of the audio sources.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which maintenance vehicles collect information from sensors and operators, forward the collected information to a server, and, in response, receive maps and operator instructions.

Abstract: A security system with processing optimized for monitoring the actions of a surveillance subject and detecting abnormal actions. The action record of an individual is monitored using a sensor network security system SNS, and the development of an action event is reported as an action, and the corresponding processing of the security system SCS is determined based on this action.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: A method of installing a security system includes activating a security device. An air-borne identification signal is transmitted from the device in response to the activation. The identification signal identifies the activated device. The identification signal is used to ascertain a type of the device. The device is automatically wirelessly configured dependent upon the type of the device.

Abstract: A system for communicating information from a detection device is provided through a waterproof and wireless interface. The system generally includes a communication member having an inductor and coupled to the detection device. An interface including another inductor is in communicating relation with the communication member. Upon a signal from the detection device, a magnetic field is produced by the inductor of the communication member and is transmitted to the inductor of the interface.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method for operating two or more mobile terminals in an interactive session. The mobile terminals are provided with one or more sensors. The data captured by the sensors is sent via a wireless connection to the other mobile terminals that participate in the interactive session. The data received from the other mobile communication terminals is communicated to the user of the respective mobile communication terminals via the user interface.

Abstract: Provided is an alarm device capable of performing transmission and reception reliably while suppressing an amount of current consumption. An alarm device (100) includes: a fire detection circuit (7); a control circuit (1); and a transmitting/receiving circuit (5). The transmitting/receiving circuit (5) transmits the status signal to the another alarm device (100) with a transmission pattern formed by combining transmission periods and transmission suspension periods a predetermined number of times, and receives the status signal transmitted by the another alarm device (100) in an intermittent reception cycle. A time length of each of the transmission periods and the transmission suspension periods is set so that the another alarm device (100) that has failed to receive the status signal transmitted in a first intermittent reception cycle can receive the status signal in a second intermittent reception cycle and subsequent intermittent reception cycles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting changes in a monitored environment. One aspect of the invention relates to a system that comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF) sensors distributed about the monitored environment, such that each RF sensor configured to respond to an interrogation signal with a unique identifier and a radio frequency (RF) interrogator that transmits interrogation sequences of interrogations signals over a plurality of different frequency bands at one or more power levels. The system also includes a response pattern analyzer that determines response patterns for each of the plurality of RF sensors to the interrogation sequences and transmits a change detection indicator if at least one of the determined response patterns vary outside a predetermined background baseline.

Abstract: A flexible audio output device includes control circuits couplable to a communications system and an audio announcement system. The communications system can transmit function specifying parameters to the device. Various forms of directional audio, or verbal messages can be emitted in accordance with received parameters.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a work shoe, is worn by miners. The footwear includes a location determining module which is able to locate its position by means of the timing and data contained in signals sent by it to locator devices which are placed at known locations throughout the mine, and which respond to transmissions made by the locator module. The footwear also contains a low frequency RF module which enables it to selectively transmit an alarm signal encoded with its location upon the selective activation by the wearer. In various embodiments, the invention can include sensors which are able to monitor physiological data of the wearer or the survivability of the ambient conditions where the footwear is located. Embodiments of the invention also provide the wearer with two-way communications capability.

Abstract: A passive microwave receiver array, operating in the one meter to sub-millimeter wavelengths range and including an internationally protected range of frequencies of varying bandwidth, may be used for fire and intrusion detection. One or more receiver array can be used to provide a plurality of frequency ranges that can be detected. In an interior installation, one or more receiver array can be placed inside a wall. In other embodiments, the receiver and array can be in the form of a hand-held or wearable device. This method and apparatus achieves high performance by exploiting conventional low noise amplification block conversion circuits and provides the detection of thermal signals through clear, smoky, misty, or environmentally untenable conditions as well as the detection of fire and intrusion events through a non-metallic wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signaling method for a network system. In this solution, a common analog read signal is fed via a signaling channel to all nodal units under control of a control unit. The read signal is modified by modification means units at each nodal unit for identification of the nodal unit and data indicating the state of each nodal unit is added to the read signal. In the control unit, the state of each nodal unit is determined based on the modification made and the read signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting and identifying an object (O) which is provided with identification elements (Io) and wireless transmission elements (Ao), the object being disposed close to one receiver module (Mi) from among a plurality of receiver modules (M1, . . . , Mi, . . . , Mn). The inventive method includes: (i) an electromagnetic coupling between the object's wireless transmission elements (Ao) and a fixed antenna (Ai) which is associated with the aforementioned receiver module (Mi); and (ii) an electrical coupling between the fixed antenna (Ai) of the receiver module (Mi) and a secondary fixed antenna (3) which is common to all of the fixed antennas (A1, Ai, . . . , An) of the receiver module. Moreover, the common secondary fixed antenna (3) is electromagnetically coupled to a primary fixed antenna (2) which is connected to a read module (4) that is designed to read the identification data originating from the identification elements (Io).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method comprises a container adapted to house contents therein and a sensor device attached to the container, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one sensor that collects past and present data of the container, wherein the data comprises container content identification data, container geographic location data, container motion data, evidence of container tampering data, and biometric data of individuals handling the container; and a processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor and adapted to communicate the data to any of a user and a remote storage device. The processor is adapted to communicate the data into a language of choice of the user. The sensor device comprises an identification code, wherein the processor is adapted to regulate types of services the container is eligible to receive based on the identification code.

Abstract: A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the sensor pack can output an alert signal to security server.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting control system is disclosed that includes a weather detecting device for detecting a weather condition and a degree thereof. The lighting control system also includes a control device for controlling the light emitting apparatus based on the weather condition and the degree of the weather condition.

Abstract: A data acquisition system including a first sensor, a second sensor, and an electronic data acquisition device. The sensors can assume a variety of forms, such as analog, digital, bus, GPS, etc., and have disparate information formats. The data acquisition unit is electronically coupled to the sensors, and includes a processor, an aggregator module and a communication device. The processor processes information from the sensors. The aggregator module correlates signaled information from the first sensor with signaled information from the second sensor based on time. Finally, the communication device is adapted to transmit information generated by the aggregator module to a location remote of the housing.

Abstract: A sensor detects one or more hazardous materials, such as by measuring the concentration of one or more hazardous gasses. The sensor or an external system can also determine a location of the sensor. This location can be associated with the measured data from the sensor at the external system or at the sensor. The location could be determined at the sensor using GPS or RFID. The location could be determined at the external system using RFID. The external system can use the measured data and the location information to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as mapping hazardous materials in a processing or other environment or identifying trends in the concentration of the hazardous materials.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an alarm zone within a perimeter, border and/or building includes capturing video image data of an alarm event detected in the alarm zone, and automatically establishing a cell phone session with an end-user to verify a true or false nature of the detected alarm. The end-user may use the cell phone display to review the video during the cell phone session, and may use the cell phone's key for the verifying. The novel monitoring method with end-user alarm event verification avoids false alarms being raised where the nature of the detected alarm event is false, and the verifying occurs before a false alarm is raised/communicated.

Abstract: An onboard-equipment control apparatus controls activation of an onboard apparatus such as an air conditioner and termination of the operation of the onboard apparatus in order to prevent an onboard battery from running out of residual electric charge in advance. Upon detection of a state in which an onboard radio apparatus is not capable of receiving a termination command from a cellular phone or the cellular phone is not capable of transmitting a termination command to the onboard radio apparatus while the air conditioner is in operation, the onboard-equipment control apparatus forcibly terminates the operation of the air conditioner even before a termination condition is satisfied. Thus, the onboard battery can be prevented in advance from running out of accumulated electric charge required for operating the activated air conditioner thereafter.

Abstract: One or more of telephony functions and communication routing management are controlled by one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information. An analysis of the one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information is compared with a profile and the one or more of telephony functions and communication routing modified in accordance with a rule set associated with the profile. The environmental and physiological information can be acquired by a communications device associated with a person or through the communications device communicating with one or more dedicated environmental or physiological sensors.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatus and systems are provided for adaptation of a wireless communication device based on current environmental conditions, historical environmental condition patterns and/or historical usage patterns. In this regard, the device senses such environmental conditions as light, sound, motion, temperature and the like and, automatically or at user discretion, adjusts functionality on the device that is affected by these conditions. Additionally, by determining environmental and usage patterns the device can adapt to the patterns by providing certain functionality and/or applications to the user at prescribed times of the day, week, month, etc. By being able to automatically adapt the functionality of a wireless communication device, the user of such a device experiences greater ease in using the device and an overall heightened user experience.

Abstract: An intrusion sensing device includes an intrusion detection sensor enclosed within a housing and operable to detect an intrusion into a container. A mounting detection mechanism contacts the surface of the container when the housing is mounted thereto and is operable to detect when the housing is not in contact with the surface of the container. An access detection mechanism is operably connected to an access panel of the housing and operable to detect removal of the access panel from the housing. A control module is operable in a setup mode and an active mode. The control module is adapted to receive an alarm message from the intrusion detection sensor and operable to initiate an alarm event during the setup mode which varies from an alarm event initiated during the active mode. A wireless transmitter is operable to transmit an alarm indication signal to a remote monitoring system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication in a wireless sensor network. In one embodiment, one or more routers in a network may be available for communication with one or more star nodes at a randomized time and/or frequency. A connectivity assessment, which may be performed at several different frequencies and/or times, may be performed to evaluate the quality of communications between devices in the network. Primary and secondary communication relationships may be formed between devices to provide for system redundancy. One or more proxies may be maintained where each proxy includes a status of one or more devices in the network, e.g., one or more star nodes or routers. Proxies may be used to handle information requests and/or status change requests, e.g., a proxy may be requested to change a communication relationship between devices in the network and may generate command signals to cause the corresponding devices to make the change.