Abstract: Techniques are provided to estimate the location of an RFID tag using tag read information, such as a tag read count or a tag read rate, and an opportunity metric, such as an inventory cycle duration, inventory cycle rate, or inventory cycle count. A tag tracking system determines read information for a tag in a zone and an opportunity metric associated with the tag and the zone. The tag tracking system then computes a success rate based on the tag read information and opportunity metric, and uses the success rate to estimate the location of the tag.

Abstract: A shrink wrap film for wrapping about a fixture such as a fire hydrant includes a plurality of film layers, a processor embedded between two film layers, a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to receive and transmit wireless communication signals, an audio/visual interface element coupled to the processor and configured to be activated in response to the transceiver receiving a wireless activation signal, and wherein at least one of the plurality of film layers incorporates visual advertising content.

Abstract: A computing device or server receives statuses from devices in a network. The statuses may be determined according to sensor data relating to environmental characteristics, or vital signs of a person or animal. Sound data is generated according to the received statuses, and provided to a computing device, such as one in the vicinity of the devices. The computing device provides audio output reflecting the sound data, such that a user may passively monitor statuses of the devices. The sound data may be further varied according to the proximity of the computing device to the device with which the sound data is associated, indicating to the user which one of a plurality of devices the audio output relates.

Abstract: At a source node in a wireless network, it is determined that target node(s) should be one of activated or deactivated. Message(s) are sent from the source node toward a base station providing wireless access for nodes to the wireless network. The message(s) include an identification of the target node(s) and are configured to indicate that the at least one target node should be one of activated or deactivated. A base station receives the message(s) and sends a message toward each of the target node(s) indicating that the target node(s) should be the one of activated or deactivated. The source and target nodes may be sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network. Methods, apparatus, computer products, and a computer program are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining an access authorization to a transportation vehicle, wherein an internal authorization device emits a request signal into an environment of the transportation vehicle depending on a predefined triggering event. The authorization device checks the response signal received for at least one request condition. Based on the at least one request condition, access to the transportation vehicle is granted. Concurrently, the transportation vehicle-internal authorization device forwards the request signal to a transportation vehicle-internal key processing unit which calculates a comparison response signal and forwards the signal to the authorization device. The authorization device determines a time difference between a time of receipt of the response signal from the environment of the transportation vehicle and a time of receipt of the comparison response signal.

Abstract: A system for detecting a fault in a first wire of a power grid that affects a transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that transport data and that propagate along a surface of the first wire, selecting a backup communication medium from one or more backup communication mediums according to one or more selection criteria, and redirecting the data to the backup communication medium to circumvent the fault. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a tactile information supply module. The tactile information supply module includes a receiver for receiving message information from the outside, a controller for converting the message information into a tactile signal, and an operator for providing tactile information to a user based on the tactile signal, wherein the operator includes at least one tactile sensation provider comprising magnetic particles and a matrix material, and wherein the tactile sensation provider is transformed in response to an external magnetic field to provide the tactile information.

Abstract: A method for determining a piece of equipment to be controlled by a transportable control object disposed in a space having at least one positioning unit capable of determining the relative position of the control object relative to the positioning unit, the method including: a step of determining the position and the orientation of the control object in the space from the position of the at least one positioning unit, a step of determining a direction and a sense pointed at by the control object from the position and orientation of the control object determined in this way, and a step of determining a piece of equipment to be controlled in the space from the direction and sense determined in this way.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, may cause processor to receive a set of user data associated with a user that is attempting to access an electronic lock, receive a request to actuate a locking mechanism of the electronic lock configured to prevent the user from accessing a machine in an industrial automation system, actuate the locking mechanism in response to the request and the set of user data corresponding to an expected set of data, store a log of the request and the set of user data, and send the log to a cloud-based computing system.

Abstract: An outdoor unit and an indoor unit communicate with each other. The outdoor unit includes a communication circuit that outputs a pulse signal to be transmitted to the indoor unit. The indoor unit includes a communication circuit that receives the pulse signal transmitted by the outdoor unit. An air conditioner 100 includes at least one photocoupler to transfer to the communication circuit the pulse signal output by the communication circuit. The communication circuit transmits a pulse signal with a first polarity and a pulse width corrected to be shorter by a predefined correction time than a predefined reference pulse width of the pulse signal.

Abstract: A vehicular electronic key system includes an electronic key and a wireless communication device. The electronic key includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a first controller that switches an operating state between an ON state where a function of the first communication unit is operated, and an OFF state where the function of the first communication unit is at least partially stopped, based on a result of communication of the second communication unit with the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device includes a third communication unit, and a second controller. The first controller switches the operating state when the first controller detects that the electronic key has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside a vehicle based on at least a result of communication of a predetermined signal by the second communication unit.

Abstract: An anti-theft display hanger comprising a foldover which when engaged allows for the display of fashion jewelry, traditionally necklaces, pendants and necklaces, to be more secure, harder to steal, and permanently held in a desired position until disengaged while still presently enclosed merchandise in the most aesthetically, desirable manner for the consumer.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a biosecurity system for the livestock industry, and more specifically, animal production facilities. The livestock biosecurity system comprises a biometric recognition component, a cloud database, and a smart device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). A purpose of the livestock biosecurity system is to track person(s) of interest and verify that persons of interest attempting to gain access to an animal production facility are compliant with pre-set biosecurity protocols. The livestock biosecurity system determines whether the person(s) of interest should or should not be granted entry into an animal production facility based on the preset biosecurity protocols and further provides employee oversight at the facility.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a vehicle apparatus and a key. A confirmer of the vehicle apparatus is configured to confirm existence or non-existence of a second key, which is different from a first key, in a vehicle interior in response to locking of a vehicle by the first key. An authenticator of the key is configured to perform an authentication for authenticating that a user using the key is an authenticated user. An effectivity controller of the vehicle apparatus is configured to disable a function of a permitter concerning the second key when the second key exists in the vehicle interior and the authentication concerning the second key is unsuccessful. The effectivity controller is configured to enable the function of the permitter concerning the second key when the second key exists in the vehicle interior and the authentication concerning the second key is successful.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of tracking a mobile device includes determining by a tracked device, that a pairing status between the tracked device and a command device has changed from a paired status to an unpaired status. A timer is started on the tracked device in response to determining the unpaired status, and in response to the timer reaching a threshold time, a distress packet is transmitted from the tracked device that indicates the tracked device is lost.

Abstract: A remote control device may provide a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.

Abstract: A receiver of the disclosure includes: a load modulator that transmits an active load modulation signal generated by active load modulation to a reader writer, in response to a carrier signal transmitted from the reader writer; and a controller that determines whether the active load modulation signal has reached the reader writer, and controls the load modulator to retransmit the active load modulation signal, after changing a phase of the active load modulation signal with respect to the carrier signal, in a case where the controller determines that the active load modulation signal has not reached the reader writer.

Abstract: A communication device for mounting to an infrastructure, the communication device being configured for communication with a remote communication device via a directive antenna main lobe, the communication device comprising a sensor module configured to measure a movement of the communication device relative to a reference orientation.

Abstract: A device has a distance sensor and a transmitter. The distance sensor, attached to a barrier, measures an opening formed by the barrier. The transmitter transmits a control signal to a barrier controller. The barrier controller controls a movement of the barrier based on the control signal. The device receives a requested size of the opening. The device transmits, to the barrier controller, a first control signal that instructs the barrier controller to move the barrier and a second control signal that instructs the barrier controller to stop the movement of the barrier after an elapsed time has expired. The device measures a final size of the opening and adjusts the elapsed time based on the final size of the opening and the requested size of the opening.

Abstract: A material handling system comprising one or more sub-systems and one or more sensing panels is provided. Each sensing panel may determine whether a mode control token is within a vicinity of the respective sensing panel. When the mode control token is within the vicinity of the respective sensing panel, the sensing panel may generate a signal, and when the mode is outside of the vicinity of the respective sensing panel, the generation of the signal is halted. The material handling system may further include a processor that enables at least one of the one or more sub-systems of the material handling system in response to the generated signal and disables each of the one or more sub-systems of the material handling system in response to a halting of the generation of the signal.