Communication elements, communication systems, time-of-use tracking elements, methods of communicating, and methods of controlling communication of information regarding assets

A method, comprising:

• repeating a sequence comprising [1] sending from a communication element transceiver a series of broadcast signals during a time period of a first duration, followed by [2] not sending any broadcast signal from the communication element transceiver for a time period of a second duration,
• discontinuing said sequence upon [a] the communication element transceiver receiving from any controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period during which the communication element transceiver is sending a series of broadcast signals, or [b] a sensor that is attached to an asset detecting a jerking motion during said sequence,
• entering a mode in which the communication element performs at least one authorized function requested by a first controller, upon:
• the communication element transceiver receiving from the first controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period during which the communication element transceiver is sending a series of broadcast signals,
• or
• the communication element transceiver receiving from the first controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period of a third duration starting immediately after the sensor detecting a jerking motion,
• said authorized functions comprising communicating to the first controller information stored in an electronic storage device regarding an asset upon such information being requested by the first controller,
• and exiting said mode in which the communication element performs any authorized functions requested by a first controller, and resuming said repeating of said sequence upon passage of a time period of a fourth duration during which [A] the communication element transceiver does not receive any communication from the first controller and [B] the sensor does not detect any jerking motion.

A method, comprising:

• for each of a plurality of communication elements that each comprises a respective communication element transceiver, a respective sensor and a respective electronic storage device, repeating a sequence comprising [1] sending from the communication element transceiver a series of broadcast signals during a time period of a first duration, followed by [2] not sending any broadcast signal from the communication element transceiver for a time period of a second duration,
• for each communication element in a first group of the communication elements, discontinuing said sequence upon [a] the respective communication element transceiver receiving from any controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period during which the communication element transceiver is sending a series of broadcast signals, or [b] the respective sensor of the communication element detecting a jerking motion during said sequence, said first group comprising at least one of said plurality of communication elements,
• for each of at least one communication element in the first group of communication elements, entering a mode in which the communication element performs at least one authorized function requested by a controller, upon:
• the respective communication element transceiver receiving from the controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period during which the respective communication element transceiver is sending a series of broadcast signals,
• or
• the respective communication element transceiver receiving from the controller a controller signal that comprises a valid identification key during a time period of a third duration starting immediately after the respective sensor of the communication element detecting a jerking motion,
• said authorized functions comprising communicating to the controller information stored in the respective electronic storage device of the communication element regarding an asset upon such information being requested by the controller,
• and
• for each communication element that has entered said mode in which the communication element performs any authorized functions requested by a controller, exiting said mode in which the communication element performs any authorized functions requested by a controller, and resuming said repeating of said sequence upon passage of a time period of a fourth duration during which [A] the respective communication element transceiver does not receive any communication from the controller and [B] the respective sensor of the communication element does not detect any jerking motion.

A method of communicating information regarding an asset from a communication element to a controller, comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting from a first communication element a first series of broadcast signals, the first series of broadcast signals comprising a first quantity of broadcast signals transmitted in a first time span, the first communication element capable of receiving signals during the first time span, each broadcast signal in the first series of broadcast signals containing identification information for at least a first asset, the first communication element attached to the first asset, the first communication element comprising a first sensor and a first electronic storage device;
• wirelessly transmitting from the first communication element a second series of broadcast signals, the second series of broadcast signals comprising a second quantity of broadcast signals transmitted in a third time span, the first communication element capable of receiving signals during the third time span, each broadcast signal in the second series of broadcast signals containing identification information for at least the first asset,
• the third time span after a second time span, the second time span after the first time span, the first communication element incapable of receiving signals during the second time span, the second time span at least five times as long as the first time span, the second time span at least five times as long as the third time span,
• during a fourth time span, causing the first asset to undergo a jerking motion, said jerking motion sensed by the first sensor, said first communication element going into a connection mode upon said sensor sensing said jerking motion, said connection mode causing said first communication element to wirelessly transmit a third series of broadcast signals, the third series of broadcast signals comprising a third quantity of broadcast signals transmitted in a fifth time span, the first communication element capable of receiving signals during the fifth time span, each broadcast signal in the third series of broadcast signals containing identification information for at least the first asset, the fifth time span after the fourth time span, the second time span at least five times as long as the fifth time span,
• wirelessly receiving by a first controller at least one of the broadcast signals in the third series of broadcast signals during the fifth time span,
• wirelessly transmitting from the first controller at least a first connection request within the fifth time span, said first connection request comprising identification information for the first controller,
• after said wirelessly transmitting from the first controller at least a first connection request, the first communication element verifying that the identification information for the first controller is valid,
• after said first communication element verifying that the identification information for the first controller is valid, transmitting to said first controller information stored in said first electronic storage device regarding the first asset.

A time-of-use tracking element, comprising:

• a sensor;
• and
• an electronic storage device,
• the sensor configured to detect jerking motion,
• the electronic storage device configured to store data representing a cumulative quantity of time during which jerking motion has been detected by the sensor.

A communication element, comprising:

• a communication element transceiver;
• a sensor,
• an antenna, and
• a housing,
• the sensor configured to detect jerking motion,
• the housing comprising at least a first exterior surface and at least a first interior surface, the first interior surface and the first exterior surface adjacent to one another on opposite sides of a first region of the housing, the antenna in contact with the first interior surface.