is x2info key bluetooth communication?

[rotorblades]

[KSagal]

I thought it was a different protocol.

I think it is zigbee.

[rotorblades]

i wonder if that could be used like a lowjack to find stolen segways.if the console is transmiting anything it couldbe found im thinking. big antenna sensitive receiver?

[Tritium]

Welcome Back Mr Laurenzano!

[dale@thecoys.net]

Originally Posted by rotorblades

i wonder if that could be used like a lowjack to find stolen segways.if the console is transmiting anything it couldbe found im thinking. big antenna sensitive receiver?

As a practical matter - no.

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by rotorblades

i wonder if that could be used like a lowjack to find stolen segways.if the console is transmiting anything it couldbe found im thinking. big antenna sensitive receiver?

I'm thinking the range is very small, maybe 10 feet. Less if there are obstructions, like a wall.

I do not know how that limit is reached, however. I presume the signal goes further, but the receiving capacity of the infokey is such, that beyond that the signal is too weak for the key to find it.

With that in mind, a horribly powerful receiver may pick up the signal from further than the 10 feet, but lets assume the signal will continue to weaken beyond that 10 feet, first too weak for the infokey, next too weak for a focused receiver with a better antenna system than the infokey, and eventually too weak to be distinguished from background signals and noises.

I suspect that all that happens within the first 25 feet. After that, I do not believe the technology exists that would be able to distinguish the weak signals from the segway platform from other bits of radiation, possibly from other boards and electronics on the segway, and surely in other devices in most any modern home or office.

So I concur, effectively the answer is no. I do not believe that anyone could, even with a very sensitive receiver, locate a missing segway from farther away than 25 or so feet. I suspect that if you are that close to it, you may be able to find it yourself.

Besides, it may be able to market a radio based anti theft, recovery system that has an effective range of twenty five feet. I know that segways are pretty expensive, and by extension, people who own them are willing to part with their dollars relatively easily, but I cannot imagine many folks willing to consider the purchase of a technology that will find your missing segway as long as you can get yourself within 25 feet.

Upon consideration, if anyone looses their segway, but is willing to send for me, and willing to pay my expenses to arrive within 25 feet of their segway, I will be happy to attempt to find it for free. (Gratuities accepted, and round trip transportation and expenses required)

[dale@thecoys.net]

...and, of course, the Segway will not transmit anything unless it receives a correct signal from the associated infokey.

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by dale@thecoys.net

...and, of course, the Segway will not transmit anything unless it receives a correct signal from the associated infokey.

I agree with a segway that is 'off'. It is clear that there are no segways that are really off however, as can be evidenced by those who loose their rear battery to the power draw from an 'off' segway.

So, a dark segway will receive signals from an infokey, but not transmit? Probably. However, an 'on' segway will transmit freely, regardless of a local infokey.

I have left a running segway, and after a short while more than 10 or more feet away, the infokey turns off, but the segway is still running. Many of us who have glidden away and left the infokey behind know that the presence of the infokey is needed to start the segway, not to keep it running.

In this situation, the running segway will continue to transmit willy nilly, till it is found by the roving drone sensor system, or the batteries go dead, whichever comes first...

[Bob.Kerns]

Originally Posted by KSagal

I thought it was a different protocol.

I think it is zigbee.

Yes, http://www.zigbee.org/

[SegwayUtah]

As KSagal as Bob.Kearns alluded, the InfoKey uses IEEE 802.15.4 rather than Bluetooth.

It's not technically using Zigbee (since it's not using interoperable Zigbee profiles), but it is using the same radios, basic packet structure, etc. Most people probably still refer to this as Zigbee though, since that's a familiar brand (and much friendlier than a set of #s).

BTW for riders who are engineers: if you want to monitor the 802.15.4 traffic you can buy a cheap Zigbee or 802.15.4 USB sniffer. Anything security related is almost definitely going to be encrypted, but you'll see the 802.15.4 packets. I did this when I got my i2 years ago.

Chris