Abstract: An antenna includes a body support structure, an extruding mechanism to exert an extrusion force, an extrusion plate to inhibit motion of an extension plate, an extrusion support structure, a nadir panel including one or more communication patches; one or more petals including one or more additional communication patches, one or more extension arms, and an extension mechanism exert an extension force upon the extension plate. The relative position and orientation of the components are altered by the operation of the extension mechanism and the extension mechanism from a stowed state to an extruded state to an extended state. A control system may be included to initiate and control the state of the antenna as well as operate the communications of the antenna once deployed.

Abstract: An antenna includes a body support structure, an extruding mechanism to exert an extrusion force, an extrusion plate to inhibit motion of an extension plate, an extrusion support structure, a nadir panel including one or more communication patches; one or more petals including one or more additional communication patches, one or more extension arms, and an extension mechanism exert an extension force upon the extension plate. The relative position and orientation of the components are altered by the operation of the extension mechanism and the extension mechanism from a stowed state to an extruded state to an extended state. A control system may be included to initiate and control the state of the antenna as well as operate the communications of the antenna once deployed.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, RFID systems are provided that include a distributed RFID antenna array utilizing one or more circular polarized helical antennas. A plurality of RFID tags may be used, with each RFID tag including a linear polarized antenna for communicating RFID tag signals. One or more receiver antennas may be used for receiving the RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. An RFID tag signal reader may be used to process RFID tag signals received by the receiver antennas. In one example, the receiver antennas may include a circular polarized helical antenna element. One or more transmitter antennas may be used for transmitting an RF signal to the plurality of RFID tags, the transmitter antennas including a circular polarized helical antenna element. A transmitter may be used to generate the RF signal for transmission by the transmitter antennas. In one example, the RFID tag signal reader and the transmitter may be included in a single reader/transmitter unit.

Abstract: An electronic tire maintenance system is provided for measuring a parameter of a device at a first location. The system includes a sensor for measuring the device parameter and generating a data signal representing the measured parameter. The system also includes a microprocessor coupled to the sensor for activating the sensor on a first periodic basis to measure the device parameter. The microprocessor includes a memory for storing the generated data signal representing the measured parameter. A transmitter and a receiver are coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor periodically partially awakens to determine, on a second periodic basis, if a received transmission is a valid interrogation signal and, if so, fully awakens and responds to the valid interrogation signal, via the transmitter, by at least transmitting the last stored measured parameter.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are described for monitoring the open stock merchandising. A product label may be used that includes an electronic identification device that outputs information identifying one or more products to be stocked on one or more retail display structures, such as a shelf. A wireless communication device may be used that communicates with a wireless communication system. The product label may also include one or more connectors for electrically coupling the electronic identification device to the wireless communication. The wireless communication device may be configured to receive the information identifying the one or more products via the one or more connectors and wirelessly communicate the information to the wireless communication system. The information may be used to determine if a first product is adjacent to a second product on one or more retail display structures.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, RFID systems are provided that include a distributed RFID antenna array utilizing one or more circular polarized helical antennas. A plurality of RFID tags may be used, with each RFID tag including a linear polarized antenna for communicating RFID tag signals. One or more receiver antennas may be used for receiving the RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. An RFID tag signal reader may be used to process RFID tag signals received by the receiver antennas. In one example, the receiver antennas may include a circular polarized helical antenna element. One or more transmitter antennas may be used for transmitting an RF signal to the plurality of RFID tags, the transmitter antennas including a circular polarized helical antenna element. A transmitter may be used to generate the RF signal for transmission by the transmitter antennas. In one example, the RFID tag signal reader and the transmitter may be included in a single reader/transmitter unit.

Abstract: A contact-based system for inexpensively monitoring the presence, location, and timing of various advertising and merchandising materials at a variety of retail facilities has been disclosed. This includes sign holders, display holders, stocking section identifiers, and the like that contain a plurality of contact point sensors that match or mate with contacts positioned on the material to be monitored. Identifying contacts are placed on the material to be monitored at a factory such that when they are inserted into a pre-specified location at a facility, contact is made. The contact data is then decoded data and relayed wirelessly to a device at the facility that in turn relays the data to a remote server to determine if the merchandising materials have been positioned in that facility and at a plurality of facilities at the right place and at the right time.

Abstract: A low product stock display system for detecting at least one of fully stocked, partially stocked, and empty (no stock) shelf has been described. The presence/absence of stock can be detected by conductive contact sensors, inductance sensors, weight sensors, optical sensors, and, in the preferred embodiment, with an RF transmission line. The data from a sensor is wirelessly relayed to an external server for processing across a plurality of facilities, and can provide alerts to personnel or systems responsible for reordering or restocking the particular shelf or display at the facility.

Abstract: A system and method for using a plurality of spaced receiver/transmitters controlled by a centralized BRT that includes a programmable device for selecting successive pairs of receiver/transmitters for interrogating at least some RF tags associated with respective objects in a given area, receiving responses from the interrogated RF tags, and sending the received response data to the centralized BRT for analysis.

Abstract: A non-attached monitoring device includes monitoring assembly and an antenna configured to radiate signals from the monitoring assembly. The antenna is configured to radiate through the oriented attenuating body of the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device with respect to the tire sidewall. In one embodiment, the antenna has a body that is looped back on itself. The body may be parallel to or perpendicular to the antenna ground plane. In another embodiment, a radiating slot antenna is configured to provide transmissions through the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device.

Abstract: An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a backscatter tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a backscatter reader on a periodic basis. The tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver. The tag uses sleep modes to conserve power. The tag transmits tag data to a reader automatically on a periodic basis or upon an event. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper, status data (e.g., delivered, displayed), and time and date information. This data is processed by a central server to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.