A system for communicating information to a person in a local area. The system includes a device arranged noticeable by the person and a power source arranged to power the device. The system further includes a relay arranged in-between the power source and the device, and a control unit arranged to generate a control signal in response to an event. The relay is arranged to connect the device to the power source in absence of the control signal, and to temporarily disconnect the device from the power source in response to the control signal generated by the control unit, thereby communicating the information to the person.

A system and method is described that enables an observer to quickly and easily identify specific and individual distributed electronic devices from a collection of dozens, or with variations up to hundreds of thousands. The solution is simultaneously active on all of the devices, is reconfigurable at any time, and only requires specifically defined colored optical patterns generated at each device to be in the observer's visual range. Implementable with a single LED display the system is easily adapted to limited space applications and incurs minimal cost.

A system and method is described that enables an observer to quickly and easily identify specific and individual distributed electronic devices from a collection of dozens, or with variations up to hundreds of thousands. The solution is simultaneously active on all of the devices, is reconfigurable at any time, and only requires specifically defined colored optical patterns generated at each device to be in the observer's visual range. Implementable with a single LED display the system is easily adapted to limited space applications and incurs minimal cost.

A transducer for measuring the thickness of ice in a body of water includes a transducer body, at least one ice presence sensor for measuring the presence of ice at a point beyond a boundary layer between the transducer body and the body of water, a flotation element, a controller, and a display assembly. The transducer body includes waterproof membrane sealed orifices positioned on the transducer body for one or more ice presence sensors. A tether point attaches an anchor to keep the transducer at a fixed location in the water body. The ice presence sensor includes a sense probe passing through the waterproof membrane, a sense probe seal, a drive rod, a switch, and an actuator. The display includes one or more visible elements to indicate ice thickness at the transducer location. The ice thickness is inferred by the collective indications at the one or more ice presence sensors.

A transducer for measuring the thickness of ice in a body of water includes a transducer body, at least one ice presence sensor for measuring the presence of ice at a point beyond a boundary layer between the transducer body and the body of water, a flotation element, a controller, and a display assembly. The transducer body includes waterproof membrane sealed orifices positioned on the transducer body for one or more ice presence sensors. A tether point attaches an anchor to keep the transducer at a fixed location in the water body. The ice presence sensor includes a sense probe passing through the waterproof membrane, a sense probe seal, a drive rod, a switch, and an actuator. The display includes one or more visible elements to indicate ice thickness at the transducer location. The ice thickness is inferred by the collective indications at the one or more ice presence sensors.

A method for detecting and distributing alert data based upon both receiving alert data encoded in a terrestrial television broadcast transmission and receiving an identification of a location of a device includes receiving, by a first device in a plurality of devices in a mesh network, a terrestrial broadcast signal including at least one datacast packet. A second device in the plurality of devices receives a satellite transmission identifying a location of the second device. The method includes confirming, by a notification engine executed by a third device in the plurality of devices in the mesh network, receipt of both the satellite transmission and alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal. The method includes activating, by the notification engine, at least one alert module in the mesh network, upon confirmation of the receipt of both the satellite transmission and the alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal.

A method for detecting and distributing alert data based upon both receiving alert data encoded in a terrestrial television broadcast transmission and receiving an identification of a location of a device includes receiving, by a first device in a plurality of devices in a mesh network, a terrestrial broadcast signal including at least one datacast packet. A second device in the plurality of devices receives a satellite transmission identifying a location of the second device. The method includes confirming, by a notification engine executed by a third device in the plurality of devices in the mesh network, receipt of both the satellite transmission and alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal. The method includes activating, by the notification engine, at least one alert module in the mesh network, upon confirmation of the receipt of both the satellite transmission and the alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal.

Systems and methods for service drone landing zone operations are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining location-specific information for a location, the location-specific information including at least images of the location from at least one of a vehicle or a mobile device at the location, determining a landing area for a drone at the location using the location-specific information. receiving localizing signals from at least one of the vehicle or the mobile device as the drone approaches the location, and causing the drone to land in the landing area using the localizing signals.

The present invention relates to a system, device, and method for checking functionality of tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights of a vehicle and/or a connected trailer. The invention includes a key fob device that wirelessly connects with a vehicle's on-board light control module (i.e. ECU). The key fob can be used from outside of the vehicle to transmit wireless instructions to flash or actuate tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights for a predetermined time enabling a user standing behind the vehicle to check the functionality of the lights of the vehicle. The user can activate control buttons on the key fob to selectively activate tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights. The present invention eliminates the need to ask for assistance to check functionality of vehicle lights or spend time getting in and out of a truck cab to check the lights while alone.

The present invention relates to a system, device, and method for checking functionality of tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights of a vehicle and/or a connected trailer. The invention includes a key fob device that wirelessly connects with a vehicle's on-board light control module (i.e. ECU). The key fob can be used from outside of the vehicle to transmit wireless instructions to flash or actuate tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights for a predetermined time enabling a user standing behind the vehicle to check the functionality of the lights of the vehicle. The user can activate control buttons on the key fob to selectively activate tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights. The present invention eliminates the need to ask for assistance to check functionality of vehicle lights or spend time getting in and out of a truck cab to check the lights while alone.