AnywhereUSB - USB Over IP: "AnywhereUSB [can] connect USB devices anywhere on a wired or wireless LAN, while eliminating the need for locally-attached host PCs.  AnywhereUSB/5 provides five USB ports, which deliver the same Plug and Play user experience as onboard USB ports. Software drivers are loaded onto a host PC or server, enabling remote devices to communicate with the host, without changing existing application software. Peripheral devices can be centrally managed and monitored from a remote server or PC via an IP address."  $300 list, $250 through resellers, $200 under advertised developer demo program.  11:40:43 AM    

Watchport USB Sensors: "The Watchport Series is the first complete line of Plug and Play USB devices for 24/7 environmental monitoring. Choose from sensors for proximity, distance, acceleration/tilt, humidity/temperature, water and temperature. The Watchport Series also includes the Watchport/V USB camera. .. Watchport Manager application software provides centralized device status and historical data logging, and allows the easy integration of multiple Watchport devices without additional software development. The customizable software can send email, beeper or phone alerts when undesirable conditions are detected.."  Devices are small and USB-powered, $200 list, $150-190 through resellers, $130 under advertised developer demo program.  11:36:36 AM