Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: A method apparatus are directed to identify items disposed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart bottom of basket (BoB). Certain aspects envision a distance measurement sensor and computing system connected to the shopping cart. A first set of distance measurements of the bottom shelf when empty is obtained via the distance measurement sensor. Next, at a checkout stand, a second set of distance measurements of the shelf are taken, which can be used to compare with the first set of distance measurements to identify if there is an object on the BoB. An alert can be provided to a checkout attendant if there is an object on the BoB.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: A wireless communication method to alter RF regulatory channel hopping requirements (regulations) between a pair of transceivers is envisioned wherein an embedded transceiver embedded in an RF attenuating medium transmits signals at a lower hopping requirement than a paired open-air transceiver. The communication method adheres to these regulations, which define a threshold power for transmission above which require a high degree of frequency hopping. Because the attenuating medium attenuates the open-air RF signal from the embedded transceiver, channel hopping in the embedded transceiver is lowered however, the channel hopping in the open-air transceiver is not lowered. The two transceivers are essentially powered equally.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: Described is a battery de-passivation circuit that generally comprises a battery having a de-passivation circuit attached across its positive and negative terminals. The de-passivation circuit includes a switch that can open or close the de-passivation circuit, a resistor that can regulate the amount of current drawn from the battery and a clock and timer controller system that controls the switch. The controller system controls closing the circuit long enough to bring the passivation level build-up within the battery to an acceptable lower level and controls opening the circuit long enough to allow passivation levels to build-up to an acceptable upper level.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: A method apparatus are directed to identify items disposed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart bottom of basket (BoB). Certain aspects envision a distance measurement sensor and computing system connected to the shopping cart. A first set of distance measurements of the bottom shelf when empty is obtained via the distance measurement sensor. Next, at a checkout stand, a second set of distance measurements of the shelf are taken, which can be used to compare with the first set of distance measurements to identify if there is an object on the BoB. An alert can be provided to a checkout attendant if there is an object on the BoB.

Abstract: A wireless communication method to alter RF regulatory channel hopping requirements (regulations) between a pair of transceivers is envisioned wherein an embedded transceiver embedded in an RF attenuating medium transmits signals at a lower hopping requirement than a paired open-air transceiver. The communication method adheres to these regulations, which define a threshold power for transmission above which require a high degree of frequency hopping. Because the attenuating medium attenuates the open-air RF signal from the embedded transceiver, channel hopping in the embedded transceiver is lowered however, the channel hopping in the open-air transceiver is not lowered. The two transceivers are essentially powered equally.

Abstract: Described is a battery de-passivation circuit that generally comprises a battery having a de-passivation circuit attached across its positive and negative terminals. The de-passivation circuit includes a switch that can open or close the de-passivation circuit, a resistor that can regulate the amount of current drawn from the battery and a clock and timer controller system that controls the switch. The controller system controls closing the circuit long enough to bring the passivation level build-up within the battery to an acceptable lower level and controls opening the circuit long enough to allow passivation levels to build-up to an acceptable upper level.

Abstract: A variable tuning transceiver sealed in a protective housing, such as a bolus, is adjusted to transmit a near optimally tuned signal at a select frequency while in vivo in an animal. More specifically, the variable tuning transceiver provides a plurality of incident power transmissions over an antenna at a plurality of corresponding different capacitance levels as defined by a variable tuning circuit in the transceiver. A detector circuit, also in the transceiver, detects reflected power for each of the incident power transmissions conditioned at each capacitance level which is affected by the dielectric constant in the animal and any mismatches in the antenna. Each reflected power can then be stored in nontransient memory in the transceiver whereby the microprocessor, also in the transceiver, can select the capacitance level with the lowest reflected power found and therefore the strongest external signal from the capacitance levels sampled.

Abstract: A method apparatus are directed to identify items disposed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart bottom of basket (BoB). Certain aspects envision a distance measurement sensor and computing system connected to the shopping cart. A first set of distance measurements of the bottom shelf when empty is obtained via the distance measurement sensor. Next, at a checkout stand, a second set of distance measurements of the shelf are taken, which can be used to compare with the first set of distance measurements to identify if there is an object on the BoB. An alert can be provided to a checkout attendant if there is an object on the BoB.

Abstract: A method apparatus are directed to identify items disposed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart bottom of basket (BoB). Certain aspects envision a distance measurement sensor and computing system connected to the shopping cart. A first set of distance measurements of the bottom shelf when empty is obtained via the distance measurement sensor. Next, at a checkout stand, a second set of distance measurements of the shelf are taken, which can be used to compare with the first set of distance measurements to identify if there is an object on the BoB. An alert can be provided to a checkout attendant if there is an object on the BoB.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods to provide agnostic sensor data obtained from a sensor and transmitted to a central database by a transmitter device. In one aspect, a value sensed by a sensor component is converted at the transmitter device to an agnostic value defined by a dimensionless universal scale and offset. The agnostic value is then sent to a data acquisition database where it is converted back to the original value. This is accomplished by first providing the data acquisition database with a sensor definition of a scale and offset used to convert the sensor values in addition to any sensor indicia and other parameters to display the data acquired at the data acquisition database. The wireless sensors database and user interface are also automatically updated when a new sensor type is attached to the network utilizing configuration data that resides in the new sensor that is sent to the database on its first connection.

Abstract: A bolus that communicates with an external transceiver by way of radio waves produced by an electrically small H-antenna is described. The electrically small H-antenna is connected to a conductive cylindrical antenna that houses a battery and chipset that includes a transceiver, identification information and at least one sensor. The H-antenna and the conductive cylindrical antenna are arranged so that electrical currents that produce the radio waves are essentially always aligned to work together. The bolus is essentially a hermetically sealed capsule containing the antennas that is meant to be ingested by a cow or other ruminant animal. The bolus is configured to transmit radio waves in essentially an omnidirectional pattern more efficiently when the boluses inside of a cow stomach than when the boluses outside of the cow.

Abstract: Described is a battery de-passivation circuit that generally comprises a battery having a de-passivation circuit attached across its positive and negative terminals. The de-passivation circuit includes a switch that can open or close the de-passivation circuit, a resistor that can regulate the amount of current drawn from the battery and a clock and timer controller system that controls the switch. The controller system controls closing the circuit long enough to bring the passivation level build-up within the battery to an acceptable lower level and controls opening the circuit long enough to allow passivation levels to build-up to an acceptable upper level.

Abstract: A variable tuning transceiver sealed in a protective housing, such as a bolus, is adjusted to transmit a near optimally tuned signal at a select frequency while in vivo in an animal. More specifically, the variable tuning transceiver provides a plurality of incident power transmissions over an antenna at a plurality of corresponding different capacitance levels as defined by a variable tuning circuit in the transceiver. A detector circuit, also in the transceiver, detects reflected power for each of the incident power transmissions conditioned at each capacitance level which is affected by the dielectric constant in the animal and any mismatches in the antenna. Each reflected power can then be stored in nontransient memory in the transceiver whereby the microprocessor, also in the transceiver, can select the capacitance level with the lowest reflected power found and therefore the strongest external signal from the capacitance levels sampled.

Abstract: A method for using an RFID tag to retain information of an environment, such as high temperature, that is beyond the operable limits of the RFID tag. The method generally comprises providing an RFID tag that has nonvolatile RFID memory that can communicate with an RFID interrogator system. Exposing the RFID tag to a first environment (such as a high temperature) that renders the RFID tag inoperable. Collecting a first sensor value of the first environment and storing the first sensor value in nonvolatile memory accessible by the RFID interrogation system. Later, exposing the RFID tag and the sensor to a second environment that renders the RFID tag operable (such as room temperature). Wirelessly transmitting the first sensor value to the RFID tag via the RFID interrogator system while the first sensor is in the second environment, and storing the first sensor value in the nonvolatile RFID memory while the RFID tag is in the second environment.

Abstract: A bolus that communicates with an external transceiver by way of radio waves produced by an electrically small H-antenna is described. The electrically small H-antenna is connected to a conductive cylindrical antenna that houses a battery and chipset that includes a transceiver, identification information and at least one sensor. The H-antenna and the conductive cylindrical antenna are arranged so that electrical currents that produce the radio waves are essentially always aligned to work together. The bolus is essentially a hermetically sealed capsule containing the antennas that is meant to be ingested by a cow or other ruminant animal. The bolus is configured to transmit radio waves in essentially an omnidirectional pattern more efficiently when the boluses inside of a cow stomach than when the boluses outside of the cow.