Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antennas systems and methods that are less sensitive to orientation. One example includes an interrogator having a radio frequency transceiver, a first linearly polarized antenna in electrical communication with the transceiver, and a second linearly polarized antenna in electrical communication with the transceiver, the second antenna having a polarization in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first antenna; a control circuit is in electrical communication with the transceiver and with the first and second antennas, the control circuit operable to switch between interrogating with the first antenna and interrogating with the second antenna, and an RFID decoder is coupled to an output of the transceiver to decode an interrogated electromagnetic signal from a tag.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems and methods for adjusting support to an anatomical location using an expandable chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for ranging or determining a distance between a reader and a wireless tag. In one embodiment, a query signal is transmitted from the reader to the wireless tag. The carrier signal from the reader may then be modulated and the modulated signal transmitted from the reader during at least a portion of a response period for the wireless tag. A modulated backscatter response from the wireless tag is received at the reader is used to calculate a distance between the reader and the wireless tag.

Abstract: A dry testing method for a glove (10) made with an air permeable, waterproof material (16). The stem (22) of a tee fitting (24) is connected to an air pump (20) source. A mouth (30) of the glove is tightly attached to one end (32) of the fitting so no air can escape through the mouth. An airflow meter (26) or air pressure gauge connects to another end (28) of the fitting. When the air pump is running, the glove inflates with air and a backpressure is created. The flow meter is read to determine the backpressure level in the inflated glove, the glove being accepted if the meter registers at least a predetermined value indicating the glove does not leak water, but the glove being rejected if the meter reading is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems and processes for synchronous demodulation of signals in detection contexts in order to improve frequency, magnitude and/or phase response over pulsed signal methods. According to a preferred embodiment, a return signal is demodulated for the time corresponding to when its corresponding transmitting signal has been discontinued or has fallen below a certain level. Multiple transmission frequencies, transmitters, and or sensors, among other things, may be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided characterizing the shape of a surface such as a bearing surface on a slider and for processing the shape. The shape is characterized by fitting a curve having a desired shape to measurement data and then determining residual deviations from the desired shape within localized regions. The surface is processed by selecting a material stress pattern to be applied to a working surface of the slider based on measured and desired contour shape parameters in a plurality of localized areas on the bearing surface. The measured contour shape parameter within a first of the plurality of localized areas is weighted more heavily than those within the other localized areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods which can be employed to locate or detect presence of various materials, including nonferrous metals. These systems include new and useful sensors, circuits, systems and devices which power and/or interoperate with the sensors, and methods of making, operating and using such systems. Any or all of the systems, devices or processes can be combined with other systems, devices or processes disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for singulating wireless tags. In one embodiment, a power ramping method is provided for tag singulation. This embodiment involves activating a control of an RFID reader for engaging power to begin reading RFID tags. The first reading is taken at a relatively low transmitting power level. If an RFID tag is not detected at the first power level, the power from the RFID reader is increased to a second higher power level. Increasing the transmitting power may be repeated until there is a final read volume where a single RFID tag, or a select number of such tags, is detected. Certain embodiments may provide for ramping the power down as well as up, so that if multiple tags are detected and only the closest tag is desired to be detected, tags can be excluded systematically from the read volume until only a single tag remains.

Abstract: There is a data reader includes a housing, a radio frequency identification (RFID interrogator for detecting various amounts of data and processing circuitry connected to an output of the RFID interrogator. The data reader further includes a communications unit connected to the output with a loop antenna connected to the communications unit. The loop directional antenna provides gain and directionality when transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal. There is a multiple technology data reader includes an optical data reader having a housing, a photosensitive detector within the housing, and an optical collector for directing light onto the photosensitive detector. Processing circuitry is connected to an output of the photosensitive detector. In addition, the multiple technology data reader has radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator for detecting data.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a method of RFID power ramping for tag singulation that includes activating the trigger control of an RFID reader for engaging power to begin reading RFID tags. A user may take a first reading at a low power level of a volume around the RFID reader establishing a first read volume. If the user does not detect a particular RFID tag, the user may then increase the transmitting power from the RFID reader to a second higher power level obtaining a second reading of RFID tags in a second read volume. The user may once again increase the transmitting power from the RFID reader to a third higher power level obtaining a third reading of RFID tags in a third reading volume. Increasing the RFID transmitting power is repeated until there is a final read volume where the operator reads and recognizes the detected RFID tag. The final step includes deactivating the trigger control of the RFID reader after reading the desired RFID tag.

Abstract: A disposable bag for particularized waste is disclosed, having a sheet of stretchable material and an integrated web structure and associated rib elements in the sheet of stretchable material for structural support of the bag. A second disposable bag for particularized waste is disclosed, having an elongated sheet of stretchable material and first and second closure flaps formed on opposite sides of the elongated sheet of stretchable material for enclosing the waste. A third disposable bag for particularized waste is disclosed, having a corrugated structure integrated in a sheet of stretchable material to allow the sheet of stretchable material to expand.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing various Customer Productivity Applications utilize a web-enabled interactive database to organize, store and retrieve information for the benefit of the customer community to effectively manage the business. The system captures all customers related information and provides on-line, up-to-date information to the users upon request. The system is configured to manage various Customer Productivity Applications to increase the customers' productivity and minimizes cost of ownership by analyzing the customers' fleet, perform industry comparisons, and run iterations to develop fleet optimal performance requirements.

Abstract: A dry testing method for glove (10) made with an air permeable, waterproof material (16). The stem (22) of a tee fitting (24) is connected to an air pump (20) source. A mouth (30) of the glove is tightly attached to one end (32) of the fitting so no air can escape through the mouth. An airflow meter (26) or air pressure gauge connects to another end (28) of the fitting. When the air pump is running, the glove inflates with air and a backpressure is created. The flow meter is read to determine the backpressure level in the inflated glove, the glove being accepted if the meter registers at least a predetermined value indicating the glove does not leak water, but the glove being rejected if the meter reading is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for automatically determining whether an expectation for a health maintenance item has been satisfied is provided. The system generates an expectation for a health maintenance item for a person and the automatically determines whether the expectation has been satisfied. In another embodiment, a computerized method and system generating satisfiers for an expectation for a health maintenance item is provided. The system obtains one or more unsatisfied expectations for a person. The system also obtains possible satisfiers for each of the one or more unsatisfied expectations and displays the possible satisfiers for each of the one or more unsatisfied expectations.