Abstract: Increasing security of a group of automated devices includes designating, by a processor, a host machine to provide a communication path for each of the group of automated devices and a communication-capable resource; limiting communication between each of the group of automated devices and a) any communication-capable resource other than the group of automated devices, or b) at least some members of the group of automated devices, to the communication path provided by the host machine; monitoring, by the host machine, at least a first communication characteristic or pattern related to any one of the group of automated devices; identifying, by the host machine, a communication-related anomaly in the monitored first communication characteristic or pattern; and providing, by the host machine, an alert when the communication-related anomaly is identified.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal(s) of the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip, a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the chip and a non-conductive coating disposed upon a surface of the tag. The chip comprises a memory element providing electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit and output terminals. The antenna is in electrical communication with the output terminals. The non-conductive coating covers the chip and defines a perimeter. The perimeter is disposed over and exposes a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, a radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The output of the sensor alters the value of at least one bit in the memory of the chip. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, an analog to digital converter, a passive radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The analog to digital converter is adapted to convert an analog output of the sensor to a digital value. The analog to digital converter includes input and output terminals. The input terminals of the analog to digital converter are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The passive radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal(s) of the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, a radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The output of the sensor alters the value of at least one bit in the memory of the chip. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip, a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the chip and a non-conductive coating disposed upon a surface of the tag. The chip comprises a memory element providing electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit and output terminals. The antenna is in electrical communication with the output terminals. The non-conductive coating covers the chip and defines a perimeter. The perimeter is disposed over and exposes a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one sensor, an analog to digital converter, a passive radio-frequency chip, and a first antenna. The sensor is adapted to provide an output analogous to a change in an environment of the sensor. The sensor produces an analog output and includes output terminals. The analog to digital converter is adapted to convert an analog output of the sensor to a digital value. The analog to digital converter includes input and output terminals. The input terminals of the analog to digital converter are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the sensor. The passive radio-frequency chip comprises a memory element, input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the analog to digital converter. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminals of the chip.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing discrete articles from a material web using a cyclic master reference signal to synchronize the servo actuation of multiple operational units in a manufacturing apparatus to perform periodic operations on successive product segments of the material web and thereby form the articles, without the need for ongoing external phasing or registration to maintain synchronization of the operational units relative to the articles being made. The method is particularly suited for application in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles and other products formed from web materials. Because of the coordination by a common reference signal, the execution by each of the individual servo systems of its programmed actuation instructions results in its actuation being synchronous with that of the other servo systems.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing discrete articles from a material web using a cyclic master reference signal to synchronize the servo actuation of multiple operational units in a manufacturing apparatus to perform periodic operations on successive product segments of the material web and thereby form the articles, without the need for ongoing external phasing or registration to maintain synchronization of the operational units relative to the articles being made. The method is particularly suited for application in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles and other products formed from web materials. Because of the coordination by a common reference signal, the execution by each of the individual servo systems of its programmed actuation instructions results in its actuation being synchronous with that of the other servo systems.