Abstract: Systems and methods for managing inventory pricing. The methods comprise: programming, at a first location, an Electronic Smart Tag (“EST”) with at least first item level information comprising a first item description in a first language and a first item price in a first monetary currency; outputting the first item level information from the EST; and automatically replacing the first item level information being output from the EST with second item level information in response to the ESTs arrival at a second location different than and remote from the first location. The second item level information comprises the first item description in a second language different than the first language and the first item price in a second monetary currency different than the first monetary currency.

Abstract: A hand hygiene monitoring system is provided. The hand hygiene monitoring system includes a wearable device coupled to a user, and a beacon associated with a hand hygiene station and configured to communicate with the wearable device. The wearable device is configured to initiate monitoring for a hand hygiene operation based on determining the wearable device is located within a predetermined distance from the beacon, and monitor hand hygiene parameters associated with the hand hygiene operation. The hand hygiene parameters are associated with a quality level of the hand hygiene operation performed by the user.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (500, 600) for adaptively managing power for an Energy Harvesting System (“EHS”). The methods involve: measuring a light intensity level available in a surrounding environment; wirelessly communicating a first wireless signal from the EHS (100) to a remote device (700) for causing the light intensity level to be increased by remotely turning on a light source (106, 108) or opening a cover preventing light emitted from the light source from reaching the EHC, when the light intensity level is below a pre-specified level; using an Energy Harvesting Circuit (“EHC”) to recharge a rechargeable battery (310) when the light intensity level rises above the pre-specified level; and wirelessly communicating a second wireless signal from the EHS to the remote device for causing the light source be turned off or the cover to be closed, when the capacity or state-of-charge of the rechargeable battery reaches a pre-specified value.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a survivor in a search and rescue area. The at least one sensor is preferably an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver sensor. The UAV includes a UAV data link transceiver for wirelessly communicating information concerning the survivor to a command center.

Abstract: A method for operating a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”). The methods comprise: capturing RF energy by the WAS, where the RF energy is emitted within a surrounding environment from equipment disposed at an access point of a restricted area; passing the RF energy through a switch that is normally in a position which provides an electrical connection between an antenna of the WAS and a full wave rectifier of the WAS; performing operations by the WAS to convert the RF energy into direct current for generating electric power; supplying the electric power to an energy storage device of the WAS for charging the energy storage device to a pre-determined voltage level; and supplying power from the energy storage device to a controller of the WAS when a voltage level of the energy storage device is equal to or greater than the pre-determined voltage level.

Abstract: Optical data transceiver is used to illuminate a secured space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. One or more retroreflected optical data signals are received at the optical data transceiver from reflector elements disposed in the secured space. The retroreflected optical data signals are authenticated and a security event notification is selectively communicated to an enterprise security management controller if a variation occurs in regard to at least one retroreflected optical beam condition. The variation can involve a disruption of the optical beam and/or a displacement of the optical beam.

Abstract: Optical data transceiver is used to illuminate a secured space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. One or more retroreflected optical data signals are received at the optical data transceiver from reflector elements disposed in the secured space. The retroreflected optical data signals are authenticated and a security event notification is selectively communicated to an enterprise security management controller if a variation occurs in regard to at least one retroreflected optical beam condition. The variation can involve a disruption of the optical beam and/or a displacement of the optical beam.

Abstract: Monitoring a water intrusion condition at a facility comprises using an optical data transceiver to illuminate a monitored interior space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. The optical data transceiver receives one or more retroreflected optical data signals which have been respectively retroreflected in response to the optical data signal. A water intrusion event notification is communicated to an enterprise monitoring controller if a variation occurs in regard to at least one optical beam condition associated with one or more of the retroreflected optical data signals.

Abstract: System for controlling access comprises a reader unit (108) which is disposed at a portal (102) to a controlled access area (118) and a wearable access device (WAD) (114) which is worn by a user (116). The reader and the WAD implement a bidirectional optical communication protocol (BOCP) to communicate digital data. The WAD receives an interrogation signal from the reader for initiating an access control interaction. At least one of the reader and the WAD uses a predetermined optical beam width (142, 308) and a boresight direction (140, 306) of an optical beam associated with the wireless optical communication link to facilitate a selective determination as to whether the WAD will respond to the interrogation signal with a reply signal to continue with the access control interaction.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for powering an electrical load (322) in an environment. The methods involve using a battery (310) to simultaneously supply electrical energy to control electronics (308, 316) and a Super Capacitor (“SC”) storage element (314) immediately after a system has been disposed in the environment and turned on. In effect, the control electronics are caused to perform intended functions thereof nearly instantaneously after turning on the system. The SC storage element is charged from a first charge state in which approximately zero volts exist across terminals thereof to a second charge state in which greater than zero volts exists across the terminals. The SC storage element is then used to supply electrical energy to the electrical load of the system so as to cause the electrical load to perform intended functions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an opening and closing of an object, such as a door or window. The methods comprise: causing a piezoelectric transducer to oscillate in response to an opening of the object; harvesting energy generated as a result of the piezoelectric transducer's oscillation to power a transceiver; and transmitting, from the transceiver to a remote device, information indicating that the opening of the object has been detected by a wireless sensor coupled to the object. The information may specify a logical address linked to a physical location of the object (e.g., a MAC address).

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a survivor in a search and rescue area. The at least one sensor is preferably an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver sensor. The UAV includes a UAV data link transceiver for wirelessly communicating information concerning the survivor to a command center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID transponder (102). The methods involve: performing energy harvesting operations by a voltage scavenging device (130) of the RFID transponder to collect energy from an RF field, magnetic field, heat, light or movement of the RFID transponder; increasing or decreasing, by a voltage converter of the RFID transponder, a voltage level of a signal received from the voltage scavenging device to a sub-threshold voltage level that is at least one order of magnitude below a normal operating range for the RFID transponder; and supplying an operating voltage at the sub-threshold voltage level to at least a transceiver circuit (124) of the RFID transponder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an opening and closing of an object, such as a door or window. The methods comprise: causing a piezoelectric transducer to oscillate in response to an opening of the object; harvesting energy generated as a result of the piezoelectric transducer's oscillation to power a transceiver; and transmitting, from the transceiver to a remote device, information indicating that the opening of the object has been detected by a wireless sensor coupled to the object. The information may specify a logical address linked to a physical location of the object (e.g., a MAC address).

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to a Restricted Area (“RA”). The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter RA; checking whether the person is authorized to enter RA using a first unique identifier associated with a wearable access sensor being worn thereby; causing the person's Portable Communication Device (“PCD”) to transmit a second unique identifier and location information useful in determining the PCD's location within a surrounding environment, when a determination is made that the person is authorized to enter RA; using the second unique identifier and location information to confirm that the person is currently located at an access point of RA; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into RA when it is determined that the person desires to enter RA, the person is authorized to enter RA, and the person is currently located at the access point of RA.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300, 400) for controlling access to a restricted area. The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter or exit the restricted area based on (1) Received Signal Strength Indicator (“RSSI”) measurement data specifying a power present in a signal received from a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”) worn by the person or (2) rate of change data specifying a rate of change of a charging voltage of an energy storage device disposed within the WAS; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into or exit from the restricted area when a determination is made that the person desires to enter or exit the restricted area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (500, 600) for adaptively managing power for an Energy Harvesting System (“EHS”). The methods involve: measuring a light intensity level available in a surrounding environment; wirelessly communicating a first wireless signal from the EHS (100) to a remote device (700) for causing the light intensity level to be increased by remotely turning on a light source (106, 108) or opening a cover preventing light emitted from the light source from reaching the EHC, when the light intensity level is below a pre-specified level; using an Energy Harvesting Circuit (“EHC”) to recharge a rechargeable battery (310) when the light intensity level rises above the pre-specified level; and wirelessly communicating a second wireless signal from the EHS to the remote device for causing the light source be turned off or the cover to be closed, when the capacity or state-of-charge of the rechargeable battery reaches a pre-specified value.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for powering an electrical load (322) in an environment. The methods involve using a battery (310) to simultaneously supply electrical energy to control electronics (308, 316) and a Super Capacitor (“SC”) storage element (314) immediately after a system has been disposed in the environment and turned on. In effect, the control electronics are caused to perform intended functions thereof nearly instantaneously after turning on the system. The SC storage element is charged from a first charge state in which approximately zero volts exist across terminals thereof to a second charge state in which greater than zero volts exists across the terminals. The SC storage element is then used to supply electrical energy to the electrical load of the system so as to cause the electrical load to perform intended functions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to a Restricted Area (“RA”). The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter RA; checking whether the person is authorized to enter RA using a first unique identifier associated with a wearable access sensor being worn thereby; causing the person's Portable Communication Device (“PCD”) to transmit a second unique identifier and location information useful in determining the PCD's location within a surrounding environment, when a determination is made that the person is authorized to enter RA; using the second unique identifier and location information to confirm that the person is currently located at an access point of RA; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into RA when it is determined that the person desires to enter RA, the person is authorized to enter RA, and the person is currently located at the access point of RA.

Abstract: A method for operating a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”). The methods comprise: capturing RF energy by the WAS, where the RF energy is emitted within a surrounding environment from equipment disposed at an access point of a restricted area; passing the RF energy through a switch that is normally in a position which provides an electrical connection between an antenna of the WAS and a full wave rectifier of the WAS; performing operations by the WAS to convert the RF energy into direct current for generating electric power; supplying the electric power to an energy storage device of the WAS for charging the energy storage device to a pre-determined voltage level; and supplying power from the energy storage device to a controller of the WAS when a voltage level of the energy storage device is equal to or greater than the pre-determined voltage level.