A method of locating an underwater based system, the method including determining the underwater based system's geo-location, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmitting RF and acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location to a receiving station. A locator for locating an underwater based system including a buoy, a global positioning system having an antenna and a receiver, an RF transmission system including an antenna and a transmitter, an underwater acoustic transducer, and a locator control unit adapted to determine the underwater based system's geo-location, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmit RF and underwater acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location.

A method of locating an underwater based system, the method including determining the underwater based system's geo-location, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmitting RF and acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location to a receiving station. A locator for locating an underwater based system including a buoy, a global positioning system having an antenna and a receiver, an RF transmission system including an antenna and a transmitter, an underwater acoustic transducer, and a locator control unit adapted to determine the underwater based system's geo-location, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmit RF and underwater acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location.

A real-time locating system (RTLS) for use in tracking assets and people includes tag, beacon and bridge components, where the tag contains a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) transceiver and a microprocessor for operating the transceiver. The tag is powered by a battery that depletes. A photocell is connected to an energy storage device. A capacitor is connected to the energy storage device such that the photocell charges the energy storage device so the capacitor can power the microprocessor and BLE transceiver for performing limited tasks upon battery depletion. The tag also includes a speaker for providing an audible sound to locate an out-of-sight tag and an accelerometer for detecting tag movement. The bridge is able to temporarily toggle each tag into a connectable-advertising state for connection to a smart device. The beacon and bridge are able to self-report location changes estimated with the use of onboard filters.

A real-time locating system (RTLS) for use in tracking assets and people includes tag, beacon and bridge components, where the tag contains a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) transceiver and a microprocessor for operating the transceiver. The tag is powered by a battery that depletes. A photocell is connected to an energy storage device. A capacitor is connected to the energy storage device such that the photocell charges the energy storage device so the capacitor can power the microprocessor and BLE transceiver for performing limited tasks upon battery depletion. The tag also includes a speaker for providing an audible sound to locate an out-of-sight tag and an accelerometer for detecting tag movement. The bridge is able to temporarily toggle each tag into a connectable-advertising state for connection to a smart device. The beacon and bridge are able to self-report location changes estimated with the use of onboard filters.

A method includes configuring a physical environment with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons where a transmit power of the BLE beacons is selected such that (a) wireless devices at particular physical zones within the physical environment receive Bluetooth signals from respective BLE beacons, and (b) physical zones corresponding to BLE beacons are separated by non-BLE-zones. A method includes determining that a wireless device is not located within any physical zones corresponding to BLE beacons, and in response, (a) identifying a last physical zone in which the wireless device was located, (b) determining a trajectory of the wireless device subsequent to detection in the last physical zone, and (c) estimating the location of the wireless device based on the last physical zone in which the wireless device was detected and the trajectory of the wireless device since the detection in the last physical zone.

A method includes configuring a physical environment with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons where a transmit power of the BLE beacons is selected such that (a) wireless devices at particular physical zones within the physical environment receive Bluetooth signals from respective BLE beacons, and (b) physical zones corresponding to BLE beacons are separated by non-BLE-zones. A method includes determining that a wireless device is not located within any physical zones corresponding to BLE beacons, and in response, (a) identifying a last physical zone in which the wireless device was located, (b) determining a trajectory of the wireless device subsequent to detection in the last physical zone, and (c) estimating the location of the wireless device based on the last physical zone in which the wireless device was detected and the trajectory of the wireless device since the detection in the last physical zone.

A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring characteristics of a fire, smoke, thermal and/or water barrier device provided in or on a barrier. The monitored characteristics can be used to identify whether the barrier device is installed correctly or is no longer installed correctly and/or to identify conditions associated with use of the barrier device when installed, including at least one of a temperature associated with the barrier device, presence of water in the barrier device, air flow associated with the barrier device, stress and strains placed on the barrier device, and occupied inner volume (including an amount of change) of the barrier device.

An escape route generating method, device and system. The escape route generating method includes: acquiring an initial route map by identifying identification information of an identification node; receiving fire parameter information; generating an escape route according to the fire parameter information and the initial route map; and providing the escape route.

An escape route generating method, device and system. The escape route generating method includes: acquiring an initial route map by identifying identification information of an identification node; receiving fire parameter information; generating an escape route according to the fire parameter information and the initial route map; and providing the escape route.

In a system of spaced surface markers disposed on a travel surface, each surface marker includes a housing, a power system within the housing producing electrical power from solar energy or vibration, and wireless transceiver(s) within the housing wirelessly communicating with neighboring surface markers. One surface marker relays data from and to another, while a third surface marker relays data from and to a network connection to a remote network. All surface markers may communicate via WiFi. The travel surface may be for vehicles. Each surface marker may communication with a vehicle or mobile device within communication range, to provide location or other information.