Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sensing impacts applied to an article during a production and transportation process. The systems and methods can include a plurality of impact sensors fixed to the article and a processor coupled to the plurality of impact sensors. Each impact sensor can be fixed to the article at a corresponding sensor location and the plurality of impact sensors can be configured to generate a plurality of impact measurements in response to an impact applied to the article. The processor can be configured to: receive the plurality of impact measurements from the plurality of impact sensors; determine, from the plurality of impact measurements, that an impact condition is satisfied; determine an impact location based on the plurality of impact measurements and the corresponding sensor locations; and determine an overall impact magnitude based on the impact location and the plurality of impact measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a plurality of assets using a plurality of location tags are provided. The plurality of assets includes a conveyor system and at least one other asset. At least a subset of the location tags is positioned at a fixed position along the conveyor system, and at least one location tag is positioned at the at least one other asset. Each location tag includes at least one environmental sensor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to transmit a sensor signal to a network system and at least one information signal to a mobile receiver. The mobile receiver moves with respect to the conveyor system such that the distance between the mobile receiver and the subset of the location tags continuously changes, and a position of the mobile receiver is determined based on a signal strength of the information signal.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for detecting axial forces, including residual forces, resulting from applying a crimp cap to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a closing member, a capping section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing system. The closing member and the capping section can define a flange assembly to which a crimp cap can be attached. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the residual force measurement data in response to an axial force resulting at the flange assembly of the container or at the first end of the closing member. The residual force measurement data can be generated once the external force applied during the capping process has been removed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting axial forces applied to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a container section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing section. The device housing can extend between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis. The container section can be mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end. The container section can have an open first section end and a closed second section end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The container section can define a cavity bounded by the first section end, the second section end and the at least one sidewall. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the force measurement data in response to an axial force applied at the first section end.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting axial forces applied to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a container section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing section. The device housing can extend between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis. The container section can be mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end. The container section can have an open first section end and a closed second section end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The container section can define a cavity bounded by the first section end, the second section end and the at least one sidewall. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the force measurement data in response to an axial force applied at the first section end.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting axial forces applied to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a container section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing section. The device housing can extend between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis. The container section can be mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end. The container section can have an open first section end and a closed second section end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The container section can define a cavity bounded by the first section end, the second section end and the at least one sidewall. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the force measurement data in response to an axial force applied at the first section end.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting axial forces applied to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a container section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing section. The device housing can extend between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis. The container section can be mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end. The container section can have an open first section end and a closed second section end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The container section can define a cavity bounded by the first section end, the second section end and the at least one sidewall. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the force measurement data in response to an axial force applied at the first section end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sensing impacts applied to an article during a production and transportation process. The systems and methods can include a plurality of impact sensors fixed to the article and a processor coupled to the plurality of impact sensors. Each impact sensor can be fixed to the article at a corresponding sensor location and the plurality of impact sensors can be configured to generate a plurality of impact measurements in response to an impact applied to the article. The processor can be configured to: receive the plurality of impact measurements from the plurality of impact sensors; determine, from the plurality of impact measurements, that an impact condition is satisfied; determine an impact location based on the plurality of impact measurements and the corresponding sensor locations; and determine an overall impact magnitude based on the impact location and the plurality of impact measurements.

Abstract: A handheld communication device to communicate with a remote universal serial bus (USB) host controller via an integrated power and data port is provided. The device includes a microprocessor communicating with a power management integrated circuit (IC), wherein said microprocessor requires greater than 100 mA to be enumerated with the USB host controller. The device includes a USB microcontroller communicating with the USB host controller via a multiplexer and integrated power and data port, wherein the USB microcontroller requires less than 100 mA to be enumerated with the USB host controller, and wherein if a current available from the rechargeable battery is below a specified threshold required to power up the microprocessor, then the USB microcontroller performs USB enumeration with the USB host controller.

Abstract: A handheld communication device to communicate with a remote universal serial bus (USB) host controller via an integrated power and data port is provided. The device includes a microprocessor communicating with a power management integrated circuit (IC), wherein said microprocessor requires greater than 100 mA to be enumerated with the USB host controller. The device includes a USB microcontroller communicating with the USB host controller via a multiplexer and integrated power and data port, wherein the USB microcontroller requires less than 100 mA to be enumerated with the USB host controller, and wherein if a current available from the rechargeable battery is below a specified threshold required to power up the microprocessor, then the USB microcontroller performs USB enumeration with the USB host controller.

Abstract: The proposed solution relates to enumeration of a handheld device by a host controller in a laptop, and more particularly to a method and apparatus to support USB enumeration of such a handheld device where greater than 100 mA is required to enumerate the chipset associated with the handheld device. The proposed solution comprises a handheld device with an added USB microcontroller. In operation, the integrated USB microcontroller is only powered up when the USB charging cable is plugged in and the rechargeable battery level is below the threshold required to power up the handheld device with less than 100 mA pre-enumeration USB current. The integrated USB microcontroller performs USB enumeration with the host controller using the pre-enumeration 100 mA current, so that the charging current can be increased to 500 mA post enumeration.

Abstract: The proposed solution relates to enumeration of a handheld device by a host controller in a laptop, and more particularly to a method and apparatus to support USB enumeration of such a handheld device where greater than 100 mA is required to enumerate the chipset associated with the handheld device. The proposed solution comprises a handheld device with an added USB microcontroller. In operation, the integrated USB microcontroller is only powered up when the USB charging cable is plugged in and the rechargeable battery level is below the threshold required to power up the handheld device with less than 100 mA pre-enumeration USB current. The integrated USB microcontroller performs USB enumeration with the host controller using the pre-enumeration 100 mA current, so that the charging current can be increased to 500 mA post enumeration.