Abstract: A system and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, includes a tag adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, including a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric signal; and a circuit to impress said electric signal on the internal human (or an animal) body where the medical product is used; and a transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic signal; and a detector including a receptor for receiving the electric signal from the body and a detector connected to the receptor for detecting the electric signal. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at the output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated.

Abstract: A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for providing a semi-passive transponder system in a vehicle. A semi-passive module employing backscatter technology is provided with an internal energy source that provides operating energy for at least a portion of the modules operating circuitry to reduce the energy requirements of a corresponding interrogator device. The module may be associated with tires mounted on a vehicle such that bi-directional communications may be established between the module and a centrally located interrogator module on the vehicle. The internal energy source may correspond to a battery, a fuel cell, a rechargeable device, an energy harvesting device, or similar devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for protecting tire electronics from electrical discharge damage during a tire inspection procedure. Aspects of different embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to various techniques for providing protection from high-voltage discharge for tire electronics devices. Exemplary techniques disclosed correspond to methodologies for preventing contact with a high-voltage source, controlling conditions produced by contact with high-voltage sources, or nullifying effects of contact with high-voltage sources.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, includes a tag adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, including a means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric signal; and a means to impress said electric signal on the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and a detecting means including reception means for receiving the electric signal from the body and a detector means connected to the reception means for detecting the electric signal. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at the output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a methodology for deriving data related to various selected tire (10) conditions. One or more sensors are analyzed in a manner similar to that of analyzing an electro-cardiogram taken from a human patient in order to determine selected operational characteristics of the monitored tires (10). Analysis of the signal waveforms may involve analysis of a single waveform and/or comparison of paired waveforms originating for sensors associated with a single tire or paired tires (10).

Abstract: A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-contained radio apparatus for the transmission of data includes a resiliently deformable patch, a resiliently deformable antenna carried by the patch, a post secured to the patch and upstanding from an upper surface of the patch, the post providing at an end remote from the patch a mounting for a radio device, and, electrical conductors extending from the antenna to the end of the post remote from the patch for operably connecting the antenna to a radio device mounted on the post. The radio apparatus is useful for attaching to objects that undergo bending stresses, such as tires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a methodology for deriving data related to various selected tire (10) conditions. One or more sensors are analyzed in a manner similar to that of analyzing an electro-cardiogram taken from a human patient in order to determine selected operational characteristics of the monitored tires (10). Analysis of the signal waveforms may involve analysis of a single waveform and/or comparison of paired waveforms originating for sensors associated with a single tire or paired tires (10).

Abstract: Calibration constants unique to a particular sensor are derived and stored in a memory with which the sensor is associated and then read from the memory and used to provide compensation for data readings (14). Calibration constants may be derived and stored in the memory following installation of the sensor in an item to be monitored (14).

Abstract: Methods for determining the resonant frequency for interrogation of a resonant device include steps for generating and transmitting RF interrogation pulses of various bandwidths to energize one or more SAW resonator elements. Initial RF interrogation pulses have a relatively wide bandwidth, such that the general location of a resonant device's resonant frequency can be expediently determined. Then, interrogation pulses having smaller bandwidth pulses can be transmitted near the determined general location of resonance to further narrow the location of resonance. In some emodiments, one or more initial interrogation pulses are transmitted in the center of or at an expected value within a range of operation of a resonant device.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing method includes a method for optimizing the uniformity of a tire by reducing the after cure radial force variation. The after cure radial force variation vector is modeled as a vector sum of each presenting contributions arising from the tire building steps—the “tire room effect vector” and a vector representing contributions arising from the vulcanization and uniformity measurement steps—the “curing room effect vector.” In further detail, both the tire room and curing room effect vectors can be further decomposed into sub-vectors representing each radial force variation contribution for which a measurable indicator is available. For a series of tires, the method obtains such measurements as the before cure radial runout (RRO) at one or more stages of the building sequence, measurements of loading angles on the tire building equipment, and measurements made during vulcanization process.

Abstract: A self-contained radio apparatus for the transmission of data includes a resiliently deformable patch, a resiliently deformable antenna carried by the patch, a post secured to the patch and upstanding from an upper surface of the patch, the post providing at an end remote from the patch a mounting for a radio device, and, electrical conductors extending from the antenna to the end of the post remote from the patch for operably connecting the antenna to a radio device mounted on the post. The radio apparatus is useful for attaching to objects that undergo bending stresses, such as tires.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a rotating tire's mechanical energy concerns a power generation device with a piezoelectric structure and a power conditioning module. The piezoelectric structure preferably comprises a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix. Such piezoelectric structure additionally comprises interdigital electrode layers on opposing sides of the fiber/epoxy matrix configuration. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. Electrode layers within the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure and stores it in an energy storage device, preferably an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: An improved electronics device for a tire includes a radio device and an antenna intended to be attached to or embedded in a tire, the antenna being shaped to absorb tensile stress applied by the tire, and having a meandering shape. A preferred shape is a sinusoidal wave pattern. The antenna body may be a wire formed of spring steel, brass coated spring steel, or spring brass.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a rotating tire's mechanical energy concerns a power generation device with a piezoelectric structure and a power conditioning module. The piezoelectric structure preferably comprises a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix. Such piezoelectric structure additionally comprises interdigital electrode layers on opposing sides of the fiber/epoxy matrix configuration. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. Electrode layers within the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure and stores it in an energy storage device, preferably an electrolytic capacitor.