Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for remote sensing and/or monitoring utilizing a sensing device, such as may be implemented in a patch that can be placed on or affixed to a subject, where the sensing device includes multiple sensors. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless human temperature skin patch providing accurate measurement of human temperature from a sensing device applied to the skin and even in the presence of differing ambient temperature. In such an embodiment, the patch can include, for example, a flexible, breathable bandage or adhesive strip or pad to affix the sensing device to a patient. The sensing device can include multiple sensors such as two or more temperature sensors that can be used to accurately determine the patient's core body temperature from the measured temperature at the skin.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for remote sensing and/or monitoring utilizing a sensing device, such as may be implemented in a patch that can be placed on or affixed to a subject, where the sensing device includes multiple sensors. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless human temperature skin patch providing accurate measurement of human temperature from a sensing device applied to the skin and even in the presence of differing ambient temperature. In such an embodiment, the patch can include, for example, a flexible, breathable bandage or adhesive strip or pad to affix the sensing device to a patient. The sensing device can include multiple sensors such as two or more temperature sensors that can be used to accurately determine the patient's core body temperature from the measured temperature at the skin.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for remote sensing and/or monitoring utilizing a sensing device, such as may be implemented in a patch that can be placed on or affixed to a subject, where the sensing device includes multiple sensors. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless human temperature skin patch providing accurate measurement of human temperature from a sensing device applied to the skin and even in the presence of differing ambient temperature. In such an embodiment, the patch can include, for example, a flexible, breathable bandage or adhesive strip or pad to affix the sensing device to a patient. The sensing device can include multiple sensors such as two or more temperature sensors that can be used to accurately determine the patient's core body temperature from the measured temperature at the skin.

Abstract: RFID tags, such as those in boluses for ruminant animals, comprise RFID tags may be provided with energy harvesting (EH) capability so that they may collect energy from the environment, either deliberately radiated (such as RF) or gathered from existing sources (i.e., motion, heat, etc.). The energy collected by the RFID tag allows for independent (stand-alone) operation of the tag, such as for logging of temperature in one hour intervals, then transmitting the temperature readings (and ID) periodically (such as six times per day) to a reader (or equivalent, such as an active receiver) using an active RF transmitter (radio) or passive RFID techniques.

Abstract: An annular antenna loop is electrically coupled to a transponder. The antenna and the transponder are at least partially embedded into a non-conductive carrier strip to form a ring assembly to render the antenna and transponder package unitarily transportable. The annular assembly affixes to a tire in a post-manufacture attachment procedure and at a location that minimizes exposure of the annular apparatus to strain and to electromagnetic interference from the metallic wheel rim.

Abstract: An antenna comprises two elongate antenna segments (740, 740?, 862, 940, 970, 1208/1212, 1300, 1320, 1322/1324, 1360, 1360?, 1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1523, 1523?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) which extend from first ends (742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1322e, 1362, 1362?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922)/(744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1324e, 1364, 1364?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924) connected to the antenna coupling coil in opposite directions to second ends (744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1322c, 1366, 1366?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924)/(742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1324c, 1368, 1368?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922) at least partially around the inner surface of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (400, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1751, 1752, 1852, 1852?, 1951, 1951a) and a separate antenna (1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) to an inner surface (1504, 1504?, 1504?, 1704, 1804) of a pneumatic tire (312, 650, 1204, 1350, 1350?, 1550, 1550?, 1550?), and for coupling the transponder module to the antenna by coupling coils which are included with the transponder module (450, 760, 953, 1004, 1024) and the antenna (750, 750?, 866, 938, 968, 1538, 1538?, 1538?, 1638, 1638?, 1738, 1738?, 1838, 1838?, 1938). The transponder module mounting methods generally allow it to be inserted, removed, or accessed for maintenance at any time during the tire's life cycle, and allow sensing access to the tire's inner atmosphere.

Abstract: Annular apparatus comprises a toroidal body composed of a material having high electromagnetic permeability and the body a through bore; an electrical device coupled to the toroidal body; and a loop antenna disposed to extend through the through bore in direct magnetic coupled relationship with the toroidal body. The loop antenna is in a mechanically de-coupled relationship with the toroidal body and lies substantially in a first plane that intersects the toroidal body opening at a right angle. In one embodiment, the electrical device comprises a transponder for monitoring cavity parameters in a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tire condition value in each of a plurality of pneumatic tires of a moving vehicle, wherein each of the tires has associated therewith a passive electronic tire tag for sensing the at least one tire condition value and is responsive to an interrogation signal transmitted thereto to transmit a data modulated signal representative of the at least one tire condition value. The monitoring system includes portable ramp apparatus for supporting the moving vehicle, portable vehicle sensing apparatus for sensing the presence of the moving vehicle and tire pressure sensing apparatus embedded in the ramp apparatus for detecting the presence thereon of a vehicle tire on the ramp apparatus. In addition, the monitoring system includes transmitter antenna structure and receiver antenna structure respectively embedded in the ramp apparatus.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire monitoring system for monitoring pneumatic tire conditions for one or more tire/wheel assemblies mounted on a vehicle, preferably in combination with a tire pressurizing and regulating apparatus, comprises a transponder with a transmitting antenna mounted on the wheel for transmitting a signal indicating tire condition, one or more receivers with receiving antennas fixedly mounted on the vehicle, and circuitry for processing the received signals; the system characterized in that: circuitry for each transponder is on a printed circuit board within a protective housing coaxial to the hub of the wheel or wheel carrier; and each transmitting antenna is selected from the group comprising a partial loop antenna, a helical antenna, a circular dipole antenna, and a small coupling coil adjacent to an endless hoop antenna.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tire condition value in each of a plurality of pneumatic tires of a moving vehicle, wherein each of the tires has associated therewith a passive electronic tire tag for sensing the at least one tire condition value and is responsive to an interrogation signal transmitted thereto to transmit a data modulated signal representative of the at least one tire condition value. The monitoring system includes portable ramp apparatus for supporting the moving vehicle, portable vehicle sensing apparatus for sensing the presence of the moving vehicle and tire pressure sensing apparatus embedded in the ramp apparatus for detecting the presence thereon of a vehicle tire on the ramp apparatus. In addition, the monitoring system includes transmitter antenna structure and receiver antenna structure respectively embedded in the ramp apparatus.

Abstract: A method of monitoring at least one tire condition value of each of a plurality of tires of a moving vehicle, with a monitoring system. Each of the tires has an electronic tire tag for sensing the tire condition value of the associated tire. The monitoring system has vehicle sensing apparatus, ramp apparatus, tire sensing apparatus, transceiver apparatus and computer apparatus removably electrically connected thereto and to the vehicle sensing apparatus and tire sensing apparatus. The method comprises the steps of determining whether the vehicle sensing apparatus has sensed the moving vehicle on the ramp apparatus supporting the moving vehicle. In addition the method includes the steps of determining whether respective tires of the moving vehicle have been sensed by the tire sensing apparatus, and transmitting an interrogation signal when the tire sensing apparatus senses at least one tire.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: According to the invention there is in conjunction with a pneumatic tire (10′) having an electronic tag (100) mounted therein with a patch (70′) having a first side (72′) for mounting against the innerliner of the tire, a second arcuately-shaped side (73′) and an internally threaded member (71′) extending to the arcuately-shaped side (73′). The electronic tag has a pressure sensor (116) located at the bottom of a tubular shaped air inlet structure (118) opening at an upper surface (122a) of the electronic tag, an internally threaded nut (132) having one end (132a) disposed within the electronic tag (100) and an opposite end (132b) extending outward from the upper surface (122a) of the tag, an externally threaded member (134) threaded into the internally threaded nut (132) and extending through the upper surface (122a).

Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.