Abstract: Various methods of mitigating RF interference with one or more critical care medical devices is provided, wherein a predetermined threshold energy acceleration value is associated with the one or more critical care medical devices that, if exceeded, will cause RF interference with the one or more critical care medical devices. The methods includes generating and transmitting RF energy, wherein at least a portion of said RF energy follows an RF power profile of power versus time having a particular format designed to mitigate interference.

Abstract: Various methods of mitigating RF interference with one or more critical care medical devices is provided, wherein a predetermined threshold energy acceleration value is associated with the one or more critical care medical devices that, if exceeded, will cause RF interference with the one or more critical care medical devices. The methods includes generating and transmitting RF energy, wherein at least a portion of said RF energy follows an RF power profile of power versus time having a particular format designed to mitigate interference.

Abstract: A system for estimating the current position of an asset within a location that includes a transponder associated with the asset, a plurality of wireless interface devices provided within the location, and a central computer system in electronic communication with the wireless interface devices. The central computer system is adapted to: (i) identify a particular one or more of the wireless interface devices that have received a wireless signal from the transponder, and (ii) determine an estimate of the current position based on the identified particular one or more of the wireless interface devices.

Abstract: Various methods of mitigating RF inference with one or more critical care medical devices is provided, wherein a predetermined threshold energy acceleration value is associated with the one or more critical care medical devices that, if exceeded, will cause RF inference with the one or more critical care medical devices. The methods includes generating and transmitting RF energy, wherein at least a portion of said RF energy follows an RF power profile of power versus time having a particular format designed to mitigate interference.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

Abstract: Various methods of mitigating RF inference with one or more critical care medical devices is provided, wherein a predetermined threshold energy acceleration value is associated with the one or more critical care medical devices that, if exceeded, will cause RF inference with the one or more critical care medical devices. The methods includes generating and transmitting RF energy, wherein at least a portion of said RF energy follows an RF power profile of power versus time having a particular format designed to mitigate interference.

Abstract: Various RFID based blister pack embodiments are provided for improving the ability to detect and prevent tampering and counterfeiting of blister packs and/or facilitating the chain of custody tracking of blister packs during manufacture. Some embodiments employ an RFID chip network on the blister pack and some embodiments employ an RFID strap network on the blister pack, wherein the integrity of the network (or lack thereof) is used to indicate the possibility of tampering. Other embodiments determine the possibility of tampering based on the frequency of an RF signal that is received from a chip provided on the blister pack, which will vary depending on whether the associated antenna has been detuned as a result of some type of tampering.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

Abstract: A system for detecting scour associated with a structure having a part thereof extending into a bed of material located under a body of water is provided. The system comprises a sensor unit buried in a portion of the bed of material located in proximity to the part. The sensor unit is structured to float to a surface of the body of water and automatically wirelessly transmit a message after being released from the bed of material in response to at least some of the portion of the bed of material being scoured. The system also comprises a receiver unit structured to wirelessly receive the message.

Abstract: Transponder networks and transponder systems are provided which help to overcome the issues presented to transponders systems by FCC power limitations. One embodiment provides a transponder network that includes a plurality of RFID straps in order to increase the amount of memory that is practically available in the network. Other embodiments provide transponder systems employing a touch probe RFID reader device that enable information to be communicated to and from a transponder or a transponder network by establishing physical contact with the reader device rather than through an air interface.

Abstract: A system for estimating the current position of an asset within a location that includes a transponder associated with the asset, a plurality of wireless interface devices provided within the location, and a central computer system in electronic communication with the wireless interface devices. The central computer system is adapted to: (i) identify a particular one or more of the wireless interface devices that have received a wireless signal from the transponder, and (ii) determine an estimate of the current position based on the identified particular one or more of the wireless interface devices.

Abstract: A power management method for a transponder having a plurality of circuits including at least a first circuit having a first active state requiring at least a first power level, and a second circuit having a second active state requiring at least a second power level greater than the first power level includes receiving a reader device signal in the first circuit, determining in the first circuit, based on information included in the reader signal, whether the reader signal requires a circuit other than the first circuit to operate, and causing the first circuit to provide a wake-up signal and the reader signal to the second circuit if it is determined that the reader signal requires a circuit other than the first circuit to operate. The wake-up signal causes the second circuit to move from an inactive state to the second active state.

Abstract: Various RFID based blister pack embodiments are provided for improving the ability to detect and prevent tampering and counterfeiting of blister packs and/or facilitating the chain of custody tracking of blister packs during manufacture. Some embodiments employ an RFID chip network on the blister pack and some embodiments employ an RFID strap network on the blister pack, wherein the integrity of the network (or lack thereof) is used to indicate the possibility of tampering. Other embodiments determine the possibility of tampering based on the frequency of an RF signal that is received from a chip provided on the blister pack, which will vary depending on whether the associated antenna has been detuned as a result of some type of tampering.

Abstract: A transponder system that includes at least one transponder apparatus that does not have an antenna and a reader device having a touch probe having one or more probe contacts for enabling the reader device to communicate with the transponder apparatus through a temporary physical interface. Also, a method of communicating with a printed circuit board or an item including a printed circuit board using a reader device wherein a transponder apparatus or a transponder chip is provided on the printed circuit board and wherein conductors from independent circuits of the printed circuit board are used to form an antenna for the transponder apparatus or transponder chip.

Abstract: Transponder networks and transponder systems are provided which help to overcome the issues presented to transponders systems by FCC power limitations. One embodiment provides a transponder network that includes a plurality of RFID straps in order to increase the amount of memory that is practically available in the network. Other embodiments provide transponder systems employing a touch probe RFID reader device that enable information to be communicated to and from a transponder or a transponder network by establishing physical contact with the reader device rather than through an air interface.

Abstract: A transponder apparatus having an identifier associated therewith includes a receiver for receiving an RF signal transmitted by an interrogator, a power source and a processing unit that is operatively coupled to the power source and is capable of being in an inactive, sleep state (low current draw) and an active state. The transponder apparatus also includes a buffer device that is structured to: (i) receive an information signal based on the RF signal from the receiver, (ii) determine whether the information signal includes the identifier, and (iii) cause the processing unit to move from the inactive state to the active state and transmit at least a portion of the information signal to the processing unit only if it is determined that the information signal includes the identifier. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.