Abstract: Examples described herein generally relate to a system for monitoring workers in a retail environment. The system may include a plurality of cameras located in different regions of the retail location and configured to capture a video feed of a respective region. The system may include a computer system comprising a memory storing computer executable instructions. The system may provide a video feed of at least one region of the retail environment to a machine learning classifier, the machine learning classifier trained on labeled videos, to classify a sequence of images of a worker into a probability certainty of an activity being performed by the worker. The processor may determine, based on the probability certainties generated by the machine learning classifier over a period of time, an activity schedule of the worker. The system may determine labor productivity statistics based on the activity schedule.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas. The second power for the given target zone is greater in an aggregate across the second interrogating antennas than the first power for the given target zone.

Abstract: Examples described herein generally relate to a system for monitoring tags in a retail environment. The system includes an exit system including one or more sensors that read a tag to obtain exit system measurements associated with a tag detection event. The system includes a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions to receive a selection of a base configuration, the base configuration including weighting values for a plurality of exit system measurements. The processor may classify a tag detection event into a first tag status for the tag detection event based on application of the weighting values to exit system measurements associated with the tag detection event. The processor may determine a second tag status of the tag after the tag detection event. The processor may update the weighting values using a machine-learning algorithm based on at least the first tag status and the second tag status.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to a sensor that monitors a fire condition and a second RFID device. The first RFID device includes at least one first antenna that receives a fire detection signal from the sensor, and a processing circuit that causes the at least one first antenna to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the fire detection signal through an internal volume of a pipe coupled to a fluid source. The second RFID device includes at least one second antenna that receives the RF signal through the internal volume of the pipe. The second RFID device controls operation of a fluid distribution device responsive to receiving the indication of the fire detection signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to a sensor that monitors a fire condition and a second RFID device. The first RFID device includes at least one first antenna that receives a fire detection signal from the sensor, and a processing circuit that causes the at least one first antenna to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the fire detection signal through an internal volume of a pipe coupled to a fluid source. The second RFID device includes at least one second antenna that receives the RF signal through the internal volume of the pipe. The second RFID device controls operation of a fluid distribution device responsive to receiving the indication of the fire detection signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas.

Abstract: A fire protection system includes a pipe system in fluid communication with a water source. A local processing unit is operatively coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader antenna. Sensors monitoring a sensor area for the presence of a fire are in electrical communication with the local processing unit. Fluid distribution devices in fluid communication with the pipe system are configured to deliver water from the water source to the sensor area. An RFID tag apparatus is coupled to one of the fluid distribution devices and includes an RFID tag antenna positioned within the pipe system and is configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from the RFID reader antenna and local processing unit, through the pipe system.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system of a fire protection system includes at least one first antenna and a processing circuit. The at least one first antenna receives a radio frequency (RF) signal through an internal volume of at least one pipe of the fire protection system. The processing circuit includes one or more processors and memory including computer-readable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a signature of the RF signal, compare the signature to an expected signature, and determine, based on the comparison, that corrosion in the at least one pipe has occurred.

Abstract: Examples described herein generally relate to a system for monitoring tags in a retail environment. The system includes an exit system including one or more sensors that read a tag to obtain exit system measurements associated with a tag detection event. The system includes a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions to receive a selection of a base configuration, the base configuration including weighting values for a plurality of exit system measurements. The processor may classify a tag detection event into a first tag status for the tag detection event based on application of the weighting values to exit system measurements associated with the tag detection event. The processor may determine a second tag status of the tag after the tag detection event. The processor may update the weighting values using a machine-learning algorithm based on at least the first tag status and the second tag status.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas.

Abstract: Examples described herein generally relate to a system for monitoring workers in a retail environment. The system may include a plurality of cameras located in different regions of the retail location and configured to capture a video feed of a respective region. The system may include a computer system comprising a memory storing computer executable instructions. The system may provide a video feed of at least one region of the retail environment to a machine learning classifier, the machine learning classifier trained on labeled videos, to classify a sequence of images of a worker into a probability certainty of an activity being performed by the worker. The processor may determine, based on the probability certainties generated by the machine learning classifier over a period of time, an activity schedule of the worker. The system may determine labor productivity statistics based on the activity schedule.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to a sensor that monitors a fire condition and a second RFID device. The first RFID device includes at least one first antenna that receives a fire detection signal from the sensor, and a processing circuit that causes the at least one first antenna to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the fire detection signal through an internal volume of a pipe coupled to a fluid source. The second RFID device includes at least one second antenna that receives the RF signal through the internal volume of the pipe. The second RFID device controls operation of a fluid distribution device responsive to receiving the indication of the fire detection signal.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system of a fire protection system includes at least one first antenna and a processing circuit. The at least one first antenna receives a radio frequency (RF) signal through an internal volume of at least one pipe of the fire protection system. The processing circuit includes one or more processors and memory including computer-readable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a signature of the RF signal, compare the signature to an expected signature, and determine, based on the comparison, that corrosion in the at least one pipe has occurred.

Abstract: A fire protection system includes a pipe system in fluid communication with a water source. A local processing unit is operatively coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader antenna. Sensors monitoring a sensor area for the presence of a fire are in electrical communication with the local processing unit. Fluid distribution devices in fluid communication with the pipe system are configured to deliver water from the water source to the sensor area. An RFID tag apparatus is coupled to one of the fluid distribution devices and includes an RFID tag antenna positioned within the pipe system and is configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from the RFID reader antenna and local processing unit, through the pipe system.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures or supporting fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network control module permits any or all of power signals, traffic signals and controller command signals to be carried on as few as one wire or cable to a first port of the network control module. In another aspect, a “peripheral array” includes a network control module (in any one of a number of different possible embodiments), with one or more peripheral devices, such as antennas, attached to or coupled with the network control module outputs. In one embodiment, RFID “smart shelving” may be fabricated in sections, with several (for example, 4, 8 or 16) antennas in each section, and as few as one cable coupling adjacent sections. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled storage fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.