Patent ID: 7774242

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a first proximity sensor, the first proximity sensor comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; an alert component coupled to the processor; a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor; an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface; and wherein the memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item and the memory embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to exchange the identifier with a second proximity sensor through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the specific information with information received from the second proximity sensor, and the item is cargo and the specific information comprises identifiers of materials in other potential cargo excluded from co-location with the item, wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison or negative comparison of the specific information with the information received from the second proximity sensor.