A radio frequency (RF) device (or "tag") for containing specific information relating to a particular good being shipped from one location (e.g., warehouse) to another (e.g., customer). The device includes a circuitized substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board), a semiconductor chip, an antenna and a power regulator, and is designed in one embodiment to be partly inserted within a good (e.g., a cardboard box) containing one or more of the goods being shipped and tracked. Alternatively, the device may be attached by other means (e.g., adhesive). A shipper can simply track the goods containing such devices using wireless communication devices (e.g., satellites) to quickly and readily ascertain the specific location of the goods at any time as well as the appropriate desired information relating to such goods (e.g., quantity, weight, type, etc.).
A method for communicating to a recipient transceiver from a plurality of transceivers located within the broadcast range of the recipient transceiver includes: transmitting a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and subsequent thereto, transmitting a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers. Each of the plurality of transceivers is associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the recipient transceiver.
A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol. The communications are controlled by electronic circuitry within the second housing component.
A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol. The communications are controlled by electronic circuitry within the second housing component.
A device for receiving and transmitting wireless signals includes a transceiver capable of receiving a wireless signal; and a standards-based radio capable of activation thereof in response to a reception of a wireless signal by the transceiver. The transceiver includes a receiver capable of receiving a wireless signal transmitted to prompt activation of said standards-based radio; and a transmitter configured, in response to a reception by said receiver of a wireless signal transmitted to prompt activation of said standards-based radio, to selectively transmit a wireless signal for another transceiver to prompt activation of another standards-based radio.
