Abstract: The tag includes: a tag for monitoring the security of a patient, the tag comprising,a housing having a wall, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface,an electronic circuit located in the housing, the electronic circuit including an alarm circuit, including a capacitance measuring circuit, the capacitance measuring circuit having first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes located adjacent the inner surface and in spaced relation from one another to form a capacitor, the alarm circuit having means for generating an alarm signal upon the capacitance measuring circuit detecting a level of capacitance corresponding to an alarm condition, whereby the outer surface of the housing is placed in contact with the patient, with the first and second electrodes capacitively coupled to the patient, but without the first and second electrodes in physical contact with the patient, the capacitance measuring circuit detects an alarm condition when the patient is no longer in contact with the oute

Abstract: A fume hood sash sensor uses multiplexed sensors to measure sash position. The sensor transmitter or receiver elements may be multiplexed. Furthermore, the sensor may employ passive, passive remote powered transponder, or powered transponder elements on the sashes to measure sash position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an asset security tag comprising a housing, a transmitter transmitting radio frequency waves, the transmitter located in the housing, an electronic circuit located in the housing and coupled to the transmitter, the electronic circuit transmitting an alarm signal when the asset has been relocated to an unauthorized area, and a tag removal alarm circuit for detecting an unauthorized removal of the asset security tag from the asset and for enabling the transmitter to transmit an alarm signal upon detecting the unauthorized removal, whereby the asset security tag may be secured to an asset, and either unauthorized relocation of the asset or unauthorized removal of the tag from the asset will cause an alarm signal to be transmitted.

Abstract: A transponder (30), intended to exchange data during a half duplex communication, includes a coil (3), a capacitor (8) connected to the coil to form a resonant circuit, and processing means (33) arranged to process the data. The transponder further includes switching means (32) arranged so that, under the control of the processing means, the switching means connect the processing means in series with the capacitor and the coil which are connected to form, during the entire duration of the reception phase, a parallel LC circuit and, during the entire duration of the transmission phase, a series LC circuit to optimize the electric power exchanged between an antenna and the processing means.

Abstract: Protective mask communication systems are provided for use in hazardous environments, e.g., firefighting and hazardous waste clean-up operations. The systems allow wearers of protective masks working in a hazardous area to readily communicate both with each other and with personnel and automated systems outside of the area. Preferred systems provide short range radio communication between mask wearers.

Abstract: An EAS marker for use in a microwave-GMI article surveillance system includes a length of wire which exhibits a giant magneto-impedance effect, and deactivation elements installed along the length of the wire. The deactivation elements exhibit semi-hard ferromagnetic properties and have a triangular profile, or alternatively exhibit acute-angle corners or have edges that cross the wire at acute angles. The deactivation elements can be magnetized to disable the marker.

Abstract: An RF tag for inclusion in a smart label comprises a stiff substrate sized to be received in the smart label, an antenna carried by the substrate and an integrated circuit having a memory circuit carried by the substrate and coupled to the antenna by wire bonding. The substrate may be strain relieved, for example, by forming a pair of generally opposed serpentine edges on the substrate, or forming a plurality of grooves in at least one surface of the substrate. A smart label comprises the RF tag between a face sheet and an adhesive. A release liner may cover the adhesive. A compressably deformable material having a low viscoelastic modulus is received between the first surface of the substrate and the face sheet partially surrounding the circuit structure and wire bonds to hydrostatically protect against damage. A film layer with a blister may envelop the low viscoelastic modulus material.

Abstract: A system for locating movable objects and detecting the failure of the object to visit a designated area within a predetermined time, including a base unit, a transceiver attached to the movable object, and a locating device. The base unit includes a transmitter circuit which generates a first signal for substantially continuous transmission within a zone, which encompasses the designated area. When the movable object enters the zone, the receiver portion of the transceiver receives the first signal and resets a timer within the transceiver. If the movable object fails to revisit the zone within the predetermined time, based on predictions of the movable object's movements, the timer times out and switches the transceiver transmitter into an active mode wherein the transceiver emits a second signal.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus and method for an electronic equipment security and recovery system in which the disconnection of electrical power and subsequent movement of the equipment automatically renders the equipment inoperative. Upon obtaining the equipment from the manufacturer, and connecting it to a source of power, the owner inputs a security code into a microprocessor incorporated in the equipment, and enrolls in a security system maintained by a database provider, giving at that time the serial number designation of the equipment, the security code, and appropriate owner identification information. If the equipment were to be stolen--or simply sold or given away--, the removal of the equipment from the power source is sensed, and the equipment rendered inoperative. If the security code is not re-inputted, the then possessor of the equipment usually brings it to a servicing repair facility where, with manufacturer instructions, the serial number designation can be retrieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for testing RFID tags using wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. The method and apparatus allow RFID tags to be tested individually or in groups while they are in close proximity to each other (e.g., within the read range of the tag).

Abstract: An electronic band tag includes a plurality of conductive wires supported within a band of material wherein each of the wires provide either an open circuit or a closed circuit to form a coded pattern of open and closed circuits. After an electrical discontinuity has been formed in at least one of the wires, the coded pattern of the wires is converted into a unique tag ID. The band tag utilizes both the radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to enable a system including multiple tags to locate subjects (i.e. objects and persons) within a tracking environment. Each band tag includes a battery-operated, microprocessor-based electronic circuit for each subject to be located. Each band tag automatically transmits digitized infrared light signals to provide a fine determination of its subject's location. Each band tag transmits RF and IR signals upon actuation of a page request/alert push button switch on its electronic circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of monitoring mobile objects or persons utilizes the Global Positioning System satellites and cellular telephone communications. The apparatus may include first and second remote units adapted to be worn on the monitored person or object. These remote units would comprise the position and data sensors as well as the transmitter device to transmit the information back to a central tracking station. The remote units may be operative to monitor many data items such as system integrity, motion, temperature, audio, and the like in addition to position. This data would then be transmitted back to a central monitoring station operative to process and display the information. The system is also adapted to monitor persons in hazardous environments such as radioactivity or poisonous gases or even to monitor inanimate objects such as automobiles.

Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) marker is adapted for direct application to optically recorded media such as compact disks, CD-ROM's, laser disks, digital video disks, and the like. The marker includes a support sheet and one or more marker elements which are positioned such that the mass distribution of the marker is symmetrically disposed about the center of the marker. This ensures that when the marker is properly positioned on the optically recorded media, the marker does not adversely affect the mechanical balance of the media.

Abstract: An inventive rear lamp module for a vehicle incorporates a trailer tow connector to provide electrical signals to a trailer that is to be pulled by the vehicle. Preferably, two separate connectors are formed on a rear face of an electric lamp module. A first connector receives input signals from the vehicle and a second connector is an optional connector to be connected to a trailer connector when the trailer is connected to a vehicle. The present invention eliminates the need of a separate wire harness for the trailer connector, and thus reduces cost. In addition, by positioning the trailer tow connector within a plastic part mounted in a secure position in the vehicle, the trailer tow connector is easily maintained.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly (12) such as used on a radio frequency identification tag, or other device, includes an integrated circuit (14) coupled to first and second printed conductors (16a) and (16b), such as tag electrodes, on a flexible substrate (18). The printed conductors (16a and 16b) may be conductors in the form of printed ink electrostatic antennas. The integrated circuit (14), is disposed in a generally co-planar arrangement with the flexible substrate (18). That is, the integrated circuit (14) is positioned in-line with the flexible substrate (18).

Abstract: A security assembly for an article to be monitored has a housing to be mounted to an article to be monitored, a fastener that extends into the housing and that is capable of being secured to an article to be monitored to maintain the housing in an operative position on an article to be monitored, and a switch on the housing and having first and second states. The fastener is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The switch is in the first state with the fastener in the first position. The switch is changed from the first state into the second state as an incident of the fastener being moved from the first position into the second position.

Abstract: The distress call emitting device comprises an earthquake sensor for detecting an earthquake of a prescribed intensity or greater and/or a receiver for receiving a radio signal from a remote transmitter. Therefore, even when the user is unable to call for a help, the distress call emitting device of the present invention produces a distress call in his behalf by sound and/or light. The distress call can be initiated either by detecting the intensity of the earthquake or by operating a remote transmitter which may be carried by the user. If the device is linked to a telephone line, the distress call can be made also through a telephone line. Thus, even when the user is too weak to call for a help by his own effort, the device is either automatically activated by an earthquake or remotely activated by pressing a switch on a portable transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of monitoring mobile objects or persons using the utilizes the Global Positioning System satellites and cellular telephone communications. The apparatus may include first and second remote units adapted to be worn on the monitored person or object. These remote units would comprise the position and data sensors as well as the transmitter device to transmit the information back to a central tracking station. The remote units may be operative to monitor many data items such as system integrity, motion temperature, audio, and the like in addition to position. This data would then be transmitted back to a central monitoring station operative to process and display the information. The system is also adapted to monitor persons in hazardous environments such as radioactivity or poisonous gases or even to monitor inanimate objects such as automobiles.

Abstract: A plurality of lights operated by timers and/or a radio frequency remote control device are used to direct students from one activity to another. The lights are preferably arranged in a housing to resemble a traffic signal, the housing also including electrical circuitry to actuate the lights in response to timers, the remote control device, or noise levels above a selected threshold to communicate with the students. For example, a red light could signal the class to be quiet, a yellow light could indicate it is time to prepare for the next classroom activity, and a green light indicate it is time to move on to the next activity. The invention replaces the tedium of vocally repeating classroom instructions with signaling lights controlled automatically or responsive to the remote control device.

Abstract: The lost pet notification system includes three elements: a pet collar that automatically activates an alarm once the pet becomes lost, a portable hand held unit that continually monitors the location of the pet, and a base station that automatically transmits a signal to the owner once the portable unit determines that the pet is lost. The pet collar continually receives a polling signal from the portable unit while the pet is within transmission range of the portable unit. In response to each polling signal, the pet collar transmits a reply signal to the portable unit. Once the polling signal can no longer be detected by the pet collar, the pet collar automatically activates an alarm. In addition, the portable unit activates an alarm and also transmits a notification signal to the base station. Once the notification signal is received, a the base station automatically places a telephone call to the predetermined telephone number and plays the associated message to alert the pet owner that the pet is lost.