Abstract: Sensors and techniques useful with operating an automated data acquisition and notification system having a plurality of receptacles adapted to store items. In each of the plurality of receptacles, at least one sensor is operated to detect a presence of an item in that receptacle. Light is emitted from a planar surface within the receptacle to a space within the receptacle opposite the planar surface. While that light is emitted light incident on the planar surface is detected. A determination is made whether an amount of light that is detected is significant to indicate a presence of the item.

Abstract: A data acquisition and notification system associated with an array of receptacles having sensors adapted to observe at least one condition or event associated with at least one receptacle. A system database is configured to maintain data representing sensor information. Monitoring hardware is communicatively coupled to each sensor of the array of receptacles and controlled by a data acquisition program that causes the monitoring hardware to gather sensor information from the sensors and communicate the data representing the sensor information to the system database. A notification system is communicatively coupled to the system database and adapted to issue notifications that are based on data maintained by the system database.

Abstract: Generating five Gaussian random variable, statistically identical but independent, signals, squaring four of the signals and combining two or four of the signals to provide the target power return, or radar cross section, of Swerling case one or three targets, respectively. Utilizing the fifth Gaussian random variable and dividing it by the square root of the target power return signal, and multiplying the result by the bandwidth of the fifth Gaussian random variable and a scale factor to provide an output signal representative of the target Doppler frequency scintillation.