Abstract: The invention relates to a volumetrically efficient solenoid antenna fabricated on or within a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The antenna may be used in many applications requiring a short-range wireless communication or sensing link, such as RFID systems, badge readers, contactless connectors, proximity sensors, and short-range data links. The antenna may be, for example, fabricated on or within a printed circuit board of an RFID reader, thereby enabling a perpendicular orientation of the RFID reader with respect to the z-axis of an RFID tag, where the x-y axes are the length and width of the tag. This perpendicular orientation enables the user to point or aim the RFID reader directly at the RFID tag for efficient information transfer between the reader and a single tag in a multiple tag environment.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system is described that utilizes a substantially-contiguous conductive shield to shape an electromagnetic field formed by an antenna for communication with RFID tags. The antenna and the conductive shield have substantially planar forms, and may be mounted to a surface of a check-in/check-out area. The conductive shield is positioned around the antenna and within a plane parallel to the antenna, e.g., within the same plane. The conductive shield shapes the electromagnetic field to extend substantially in a direction perpendicular to the antenna, and prevents the electromagnetic field from forming substantially over the conductive shield.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) label. One embodiment of the invention provides an environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) label, comprising: a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; an RFID antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, where the RFID antenna is consisting essentially of tin, aluminum, palladium, gold, or combinations thereof; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a first layer of repulpable adhesive attached to the substrate. The present invention also provides methods using environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) labels.

Abstract: A multi-loop antenna is described having a plurality of conductive loops to produce an electromagnetic field for radio frequency identification (RFID) communication with RFID tags. The conductive loops are spaced apart at least a distance that is selected based on a dimension of the RFID tags with which the antenna communicates. In this manner, the loops are positioned and spaced in a manner that reduces the size of the holes within the resulting magnetic field. In addition, the configuration of the described dual-loop antenna increases the coverage of the antenna, and decreases inter-winding capacitance, thereby increasing overall read range achieved by the antenna.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing a one-touch search to locate a selected item associated with an RFID tag. The techniques allow, for example, an RFID reader to perform a search where a user selects an item from a list, and the RFID reader, without any further input from the user, interrogates one or more RFID tags until an RFID tag associated with the selected item is found. The RFID reader may also allow a user to associate items with an RFID tag, view items associated with an RFID tag, and edit item lists associated with an RFID tag. In this way, an RFID reader may associate any number of items to an RFID tag, repeatedly edit existing item lists associated with an RFID tag, and quickly search multiple RFID tags until a desired item associated with a particular RFID tag is found.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of monitoring items and/or materials from a manufacturing process using a plurality of RFID tagged containers, and a plurality of stations associated with different portions of the manufacturing process, where each station includes an RFID reader.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. For example, an exit control system is described that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected facility. A series of antennas are setup to produce interrogation corridors located near the exit of the protected area. RFID tags are attached to the articles to be protected. Each tag includes information that uniquely identifies the article to which it is affixed and status information as to whether the articles removal from the facility is authorized. The RF reader outputs RF signals through the antennas to create electromagnetic fields within the interrogation corridors. The reader outputs RF power from a single port to the multiple antennas via a splitter/combiner. In this way, a single RF reader with only one transmitter/receiver port simultaneously interrogates multiple antennas. A variety of techniques are described by which the reader can detect the removal of an unauthorized article.

Abstract: A sensor assembly has a plurality of sensing elements configured to be positioned within a seat of a vehicle. Each of the sensing elements include an output signal indicating the presence or absence of an occupant. The sensor assembly includes a cable with a plurality of conductors that are in electrical communication with the output signals of the sensing elements. The sensor assembly further provides a non-conductive spacer positioned between the cable and the plurality of sensing elements. A method for providing a sensor assembly having a spacer between sensing elements and conductors attached thereto to reduce unwanted coupling of signals onto the conductors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensing element electrically connected to a conductor of a flexible multiconductor cable using a conductive patch, which is electrically connected to the conductor. A method of forming a sensor assembly includes electrically connecting an electrically conductive patch to a sensing element and electrically connecting a conductor of a multiconductor cable to the electrically conductive patch.

Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on filamentous articles by applying a voided or otherwise substantially uneven coating to at least some of the exposed portion of a filamentous article or to a rotating substrate. The filamentous article or substrate is passed through an improvement station containing a plurality of coating-wetted rolls that contact and re-contact the wet coating at different positions along the length of the filamentous article or rotating substrate, wherein the periods of the rolls improve the uniformity of the coating. For coatings applied to a rotating substrate, the uniform wet coating is transferred to the filamentous article. The final coating can be very thin, very uniform and completely or substantially void-free. The coating improvement can be quickly and easily obtained using low cost equipment.

Abstract: A system for locating a position marker includes a locating device for locating the position marker, and a GPS device communicatively coupled to the locating device that provides GPS coordinate data when the position marker is located by the locating device. Electronic memory is provided in at least one of the locating device and the GPS device for storing a data record associating the GPS coordinate data with the located position marker.

Abstract: A digital kick meter measures capacitive kick between two conductors and ground of a cable. The digital kick meter includes a resistance measuring circuit connectable to two of the conductors to provide a signal indicative of a capacitance between the two conductors. A filter is coupled to the resistance measuring circuit to filter a signal provided by the resistance measuring circuit, thereby producing a kick signal. Processing circuitry is coupled to the filter, and a graphical user interface (GUI) is coupled to the processing circuitry to display data related to the kick signal. The GUI may include an active bar graph dynamically displaying the kick signal on a graduated scale and retaining a peak value of the kick signal on the graduated scale.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic wave shield cover having an array of first yarn members (10) formed by bundling (48) ends of polyester fibers around which a tin-plated copper metallic foil (12) is wound. The second yarn member (20) is formed by bundling 96 ends of polyester fibers. Doubled-yarn groups (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) of the first yarn members running in the first direction (warp) from upper right to lower left and doubled-yarn groups (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) of the second yarn members (20) running in the first direction (warp), and doubled-yarn groups (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) of the first yarn members running in the second direction (weft) from upper left to lower right and doubled-yarn groups (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) of the second yarn members running in the second (weft) direction are arranged so that the interlacing is made in such a manner that if the doubled-yarn group, running in the one direction is twice disposed beneath the doubled-yarn groups running in the other direction, then it is twice disposed above the latter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filler material useful for communication cables, such as electrical cables and optical cables. In one embodiment, (a) from about 50 to 95 percent by weight mineral oil; (b) less than about 10 percent by weight block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene/butylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, and combinations thereof; (c) less than about 35 percent by weight petroleum wax; (d) less than about 20 percent by weight hollow glass microspheres; and (e) less than about 10 percent by weight thixotropic agent selected from the group consisting of clay, colloidal metal oxide, fumed metal oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A circuit marker bearing a visual indicium is configured to removably attach to an access cover of an insulation displacement connector block. The circuit marker comprises a body adapted to attach to the access cover, means for attaching the body to the access cover, where the means includes at least one projection extending from the body and is adapted to engage with a recess formed in the access cover.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of sealing an enclosable container, the method entails positioning a sealant material within the enclosable container, and closing the enclosable container to compress the sealant material. The sealant material includes a silicone gel, a microsphere filler, and optionally, a silica filler.

Abstract: A testing and cut-off device for a telephone or computer line to connect two incoming strands to two outgoing strands, comprises a testing well inside which are located a first couple of terminals corresponding to the two incoming strands and a second couple of terminals corresponding to the two outgoing strands, and a pivotal cover for closing the well. These two couples of terminals are insulated from one another, when the cover is open. Each terminal is accessible from the outside by a testing plug. The device further comprises electrical contacts in the cover for interconnecting the terminals when the cover is closed. Said interconnection means in the pivotal cover also comprise means for galvanically linking the latter with an additional electrical component outside the well when the cover is closed. The additional component may be within or outside the cover. If outside it may be connected by wires joined to insulation displacement contacts attached to the cover.

Abstract: An access cover configured to pivotally connect to an insulation displacement connector (IDC) block includes a body and a releasable securing mechanism extending from the body. The body includes an opening configured to receive a testing device and a recess configured to receive an electrical conductor. The releasable securing mechanism is configured to engage with the IDC block to releaseably fix the access cover in a closed position.

Abstract: A telecommunications terminal module (10) is provided, having a splitter group or other electrical or electronic component (26) integrated in the terminal module (10), and two rows of contacts (18, 18?) with contacts (14, 14?,) to which cable cores (16) can be connected from the outside of the terminal module (10), the contacts (14) being connected with contacts (32) of the splitter group (26) inside the terminal module (10), and the contacts (14) being designed in such a way that they approach each other inside the terminal module (10), at least in parts, but are electrically separated from one another and are separately connected to the splitter group (26).

Abstract: A re-enterable enclosure for a splice between cables, comprises two cover members with internal walls that are configured to form a cavity for enclosing the cable splice when the cover members are engaged with each other in a closed position. At least one of the cover members also has internal walls that are configured to define containment spaces which at least partly surround the cavity. In use, those containment spaces may contain sealant material. At least one internal wall in one cover member can telescope into a containment space in the other cover member so that, if sealant material is contained therein, it will be compressed when the cover members are engaged with each other in the closed position. By changing the containment spaces that are used to contain sealant material, different levels of protection against humidity can be provided for the cable splice in the cavity.