Abstract: There is provided a method and system for communicating a signal output from a wireless sensor to a processor on a mobile platform upon interruption of wireless communications with the processor. The wireless sensor is signally connected to a local processor operative to wirelessly communicate with the processor. A second sensor is signally connected to first and second inputs of the processor via an electrical cable. The local processor is operative to selectively interrupt signal transmission from the second sensor to the processor effective to identify the wireless sensor and effective to communicate the wireless sensor signal via the second input of the processor.

Abstract: A contactless information storage device for use in an information access system includes a receiver unit and a transmitter unit. The receiver unit is operable to sense a carrier at a first frequency in a slave mode and be continuously ready to receive an RF signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency in a master mode. In the slave mode, the transmitter unit transmits a response signal at the second frequency in response to reception of an information request signal. In the master mode, the transmitter unit cyclically transmits an information request signal at the first frequency in a transmission period and goes into an inactive state in a sleep period. In the slave mode, the transmitter unit and the receiver unit are caused to go into the master mode, when the receiver unit receives no information request signal in a time period longer than given periods.

Abstract: A system and method are used for electronically detecting the accumulation of dust within a computer system using a capacitive dust sensor. The dust detection system may be implemented on a smaller computer, such as an individual PC, or in a more expansive system, such as a rack-based server system (“rack system”) having multiple servers and other hardware devices. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a capacitive sensor responsive to the accumulation of dust. The capacitive sensor may include one or more capacitive plates integral with a heatsink. As dust collects on the capacitive plates, the capacitance increases. When a capacitance setpoint is reached, indicating the dust has reached a critical level, an alert is generated. The alerts may be received by a management console for the attention of a system administrator. Each alert may contain the identity of the server generating the alert, so that the system administrator knows which server(s) are to be removed for cleaning.

Abstract: A tilt angle sensor detects a tilt angle of a vehicle and outputs a tilt angle signal indicative of the tilt angle. A tire-side communication element is disposed on a tire of the vehicle, and sends a reply signal in response to the tilt angle signal. A chassis-side communication element communicates with the tire-side communication element. A controller starts a communication between the tire-side and the chassis-side communication elements when the tilt angle signal is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. The controller determines that the tire is stolen when the chassis-side communication element disables to receive the reply signal from the tire-side communication element.

Abstract: A sensor detects one or more hazardous materials, such as by measuring the concentration of one or more hazardous gasses. The sensor or an external system can also determine a location of the sensor. This location can be associated with the measured data from the sensor at the external system or at the sensor. The location could be determined at the sensor using GPS or RFID. The location could be determined at the external system using RFID. The external system can use the measured data and the location information to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as mapping hazardous materials in a processing or other environment or identifying trends in the concentration of the hazardous materials.

Abstract: Receiving a switching control signal output from an Wireless tag reader/writer, a switching controller sequentially switches feeding points of an antenna unit, and the Wireless tag reader/writer is made to retain all information from information of an Wireless tag that initially communicates to information of an Wireless tag that finally communicates for each feeding point.

Abstract: A process for tracking an object within an inventory control space is provided. The space is illustratively a medical care delivery setting. An active radiofrequency (RFID) tag is encoded with a single-use code and associated with an inventory item. After a trigger event, the RFID tag transmits a modified broadcast. The single-use code that is a new number with at least one sparse digit or a new secondary number with a retained primary digit. An RFID tag configured to retain such a code scheme is provided. A hospital inventory item labeled with such an RFID tag is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic key system 100 for a moving body, for example an all-terrain vehicle 10, includes an electronic key 11 and a control unit 50. The electronic key 11 transmits a control code Md stored in a ROM 76. The control unit 50 reads a speed limit Vs and a power limit Ws out of one of first to fourth control mode data Md1 to Md4, which corresponds to the received control code Md, and supplies the limits to a drive control performing section 104. The drive control performing section 104 controls an engine 22 in accordance with the speed limit Vs and the power limit Ws to limit a travel speed V and power W. This renders the driving performance appropriate to the driving condition and/or the driver.

Abstract: Intrusion detection methods and apparatus exploit the infrastructure of the building itself. The preferred embodiments use the existing power line infrastructure to provide power, data, and sensor observables to a monitoring system which is simply connected at one point, namely, the connection of the building to the city power grid. Computer network interfaces may also be used. In terms of sensors, impedance, capacitive, inductive, electric field and Radar modalities may be used.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating with a communication terminal located on a communication medium. The system includes a plurality of communicators, disposed in contact with or in proximity to the communication medium, for communicating with the communication terminal via the communication medium, a detector for detecting reception levels of a signal transmitted from the communication terminal and received via the plurality of communicators, and an associator for associating the communication terminal with one of the plurality of communicators by comparing reception levels of the signal transmitted and received by each of the communicators.

Abstract: A method and system for avoiding tag conflict by identifying a RFID using a K-nary tree search. The tag conflict avoidance system includes a plurality of tags receiving a first signal, converting identification codes of the tags into predetermined codes according to the first signal, and outputting the converted codes as second signals. The tag conflict avoidance system also includes a reader outputting the first signal, receiving the second signals, and identifying the tags using the codes included in the second signals.

Abstract: A security system includes a position detecting device, a sensing device, and a notifying device. The position detecting device detects a position of a vehicle. The sensing device senses a moving object that moves around the vehicle. The sensing device is mounted in the vehicle. The notifying device provides a notification when the position of the vehicle, which is detected by the position detecting device, indicates that the vehicle is parked at a predetermined position, and when the sensing means senses that the moving object is located in a predetermined range from the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting ice formation on the surface of an aircraft includes a small rotatable disc disposed on and flush with a surface of a aircraft wing and/or stabilizer and a DC motor for rotating the disc. The disc is rotated periodically and the peak current which is directly proportional to the torque required to break any ice is monitored. When the torque exceeds a pre-selected amount a warning is sounded in the cockpit. If the torque required to rotate the disc increases a second warning is given and the amount of ice accumulation is calculated. In one embodiment of the invention, a stall warning system is automatically modified to increase the margin to accommodate for the increase due to ice accumulation.

Abstract: A door lock is provided with a biometric sensor and a key cylinder. The biometric sensor is protected by being positioned on a shield, and such that the sensor is not exposed to damage by being on the front face of the door lock. The shield extends vertically downwardly from the remainder of the front face of the door lock, and the sensor is mounted to an inner face of the shield. Thus, the sensor is spaced away from a door when the door lock is mounted on a door. A finger may be inserted into a space between the sensor and the door, and the sensor can then capture information about the fingerprint. This information can be compared to expected fingerprints, and entry into a building can be granted based upon a recognition of this fingerprint.