Abstract: A production tool has a dielectric inclusion, and an RFID device mounted within the dielectric inclusion.

Abstract: Luggage as well as systems, devices, methodologies, and software for use with such luggage are disclosed. The luggage may include one or more compartments and lids that can be locked. The luggage may also include an identification device for obtaining information identifying a user and a computing device, such as a microcontroller or processor. The computing device may be configured to compare identification information with reference identification information to determine whether a user is authorized to access an interior of the luggage. Based on results of the comparison, the computing device may control a locking mechanism to unlock one or more of lids of the luggage to allow a user access to the interior of the luggage. The luggage may also include a GPS transceiver for tracking the luggage, a sensor for weighing the luggage, or a coupling mechanism to couple the luggage to another piece of luggage.

Abstract: In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Abstract: Various examples of deformable sensors are disclosed. In one example, a deformable sensor comprises a ground electrode comprising a plurality of spatially separated lines, and a set of individually-indexed signal channels interdigitated with the spatially separated lines, each individually-indexed signal channel comprising a stretchable conductive path encapsulated in an elastomeric material.

Abstract: In an embodiment a protocol converter module for use with a gas transmitter assembly having a gas sensor, a controller, and a detector transceiver housed within an intrinsically safe detector housing is provided. The controller module comprises a converter housing having a converter mount configured to securely mount the converter module to the detector housing. A controller module includes a first converter transceiver, within the converter housing, configured to bi-directionally exchange data with the detector transceiver utilizing a first protocol. The controller module also includes a second converter transceiver, also within the converter housing, configured to bi-directionally exchange data with an external device using a second protocol. The controller module also include, an electronic converter, also within the converter housing, coupled to the first and second converter transceivers and configured to convert the data between the first and second protocols.

Abstract: Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery apparatus including a battery management device configured to receive voltages and temperatures of cells, and detection data of a current sensor, and a measuring computer configured to calculate a characteristic value of each cell or cell module, based on the detection data acquired from the battery management device at first time intervals, and to send, the acquired detection data or the calculated characteristic value to a control device at second time intervals which are longer than the first time intervals.

Abstract: A computing device includes one or more memory devices storing executable instructions, one or more processors configured to execute the instructions, a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information, a user activity sensor, a battery configured to provide power to the one or more processors, and a battery status visual indicator. The battery status indicator is located on a surface of the computing device and is configured to display, in response an indication from the user activity sensor of an interaction by a user with the computing device, non-text-based information indicating a status of the battery.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the health of an animal using multiple sensors is described. The wearable device may include one or more sensors whose resultant signal levels may be analyzed in the wearable device or uploaded to a data management server for additional analysis. One or more embodiments include variations of the sensor system to determine whether the wearable device is being worn properly by the animal so that the resultant signal levels are of optimal quality.

Abstract: A measurement data monitor of the presently disclosed subject matter has a display section for displaying measurement data measured by a medical device; and a display control section for causing the display section to display measurement data, wherein the measurement data displayed on the display section include elements; that is, a measurement value of measurement data and duration of the measurement value.

Abstract: A distance between at least one antenna of an interrogation system and a transponder, such as an RFID tag, is determined based on derivatives with respect to frequency of the phase and the signal strength of responses transmitted by the transponder and received at the at least one antenna. The derivatives of the phase and the signal strength facilitate compensating for sources of multipath interference. Determining changes in distance may further facilitate determining location, speed, or bearing of the transponder by the interrogation system.

Abstract: Approaches in accordance with various embodiments attempt to provide a user with less disruptive event notifications by being aware of a user's context. Before a notification is sent to multiple computing devices associated with the notifying account, contextual information for each device is determined. The contextual information can be determined by querying each device for information. The information can include how close each device is relative to other devices associated with the same user, if at least one of the devices is moving, whether the user's attention is focused on a particular device, whether the user is engaging multiple devices simultaneously, and the like. Once contextual information associated with each device is determined, an appropriate type of alert associated with the notification is determined for each device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are for storing and retrieving data related to the installation, service, repair or performance of an industrial flow meter or other measurement instrument. Methods and apparatus are also for other processes associated with measurement instruments.

Abstract: A wireless reader has a processor within an integrated circuit, and the processor is used to generate a primary signal to be wirelessly transmitted from an antenna of the wireless reader to a wireless tag. A transmit pin of the integrated circuit is coupled to the processor by a signal path in the integrated circuit. The transmit pin outputs the primary signal from the integrated circuit to the antenna for wireless transmission of the primary signal to the wireless tag. A sensor is configured to sense current or voltage variations of the primary signal at a point in the signal path between the processor and the transmit pin, and a signal extraction unit is configured to extract, based on the current or voltage variations, a data signal wirelessly transmitted by the wireless tag to the wireless reader via load modulation of the primary signal.

Abstract: Medication management and reporting technology, in which output from at least one sensor configured to sense physical activity in a building in which medication of a patient is located is monitored and a determination is made to capture one or more images of the medication based on the monitoring. A camera is used to capture an image of the medication and the captured image is analyzed to detect a state of the medication. Information regarding a schedule by which the medication should be taken by the patient is accessed and an expected state of the medication is determined. The detected state is compared with the expected state and a determination is made that the patient has departed from the schedule based on the comparison revealing that the detected state does not match the expected state. A message indicating the departure from the schedule is sent based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a subject using radio-frequency identification (RFID). In an embodiment, an antenna array comprising a plurality of articulating brackets and a plurality of antennas is provided. Each of the articulating brackets is configured to move one of the plurality of antennas into a plurality of positions, and each of the antennas is configured to receive a RFID signal. In addition, a processor receives RFID data based on RFID signals received by the antennas of the antenna array, and determines a trajectory of a subject based on the RFID data. Based on the determined trajectory of the subject, the processor controls one or more of the articulating brackets to move one or more of the antennas into a position to track the subject.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus and method are provided for determining an input point of a touch. A sensing loop unit includes at least one loop. Each of the at least one loop includes two sub-loops separated by a predetermined distance. An area determination loop unit determines one of the two sub-loops of each of the at least one loop that corresponds to the input point. A controller determines a plurality of candidates of the input point based on a first input signal from the sensing loop unit, and determines the input point from among the plurality of candidates of the input point based on a second input signal from the area determination loop unit.

Abstract: The a system for measuring distance between an RFID reader and tag, including an adaptive linear combiner, which is a tapped delay line with controllable weights on each tap, and outputs that are summed and subtracted from a reference to produce an error signal. After a sufficient number of cycles, the weight distribution indicates the delay of the received signal with respect to the reference, and by extension determines the distance between the tag and receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a temporary installation of a system of RFID-based terminals and user-worn RFID devices within an event interrogation zone. At an event, terminals are located within, and associated with, vendor booths erected in the interrogation zone. User RFID devices are issued to users wishing to enter the interrogation zone. Each user RFID device includes an element worn by the user, and an attached or embedded RFID tag with a stored unique UserID. Products for sampling have unique ProductIDs. The terminals are programmed for: (1) retrieving the UserID when the user enters the vendor booth; (2) retrieving a ProductID of a product sampled by the user; and (3) retrieving the UserID when the user leaves the vendor booth. The UserID and timestamps of entry, departure, and ProductIDs of products sampled are communicated to a server. The system allows tracking of products sampled and user behavior during an event.

Abstract: A security system and method verifies the merits of an alert signal generated by an alarm device. The alarm device is integrated into a premise of a user, and emits an alert signal when an irregular event occurs. The security system and method verifies the merit of the alert signal, so as to differentiate between a false alarm and a true alarm. To achieve the verification, upon detecting and recognizing an alert signal, a remote alarm center attempts to communicate with the end-user through simultaneous channels of communication. The simultaneous use of a plurality of channels of communication enables the remote alarm center to expedite communications with the end-user regarding the triggered alert signal. Upon receiving communication about the triggered alert signal, the end-user may indicate to the remote alarm center, through transmission of a code and within a predetermined duration, the merits of the triggered alert signal.