Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for producing a bid price for a service or a good. The apparatus is configured to determine market pricing of an offering derivable from a labor pricing model to estimate a cost of a service, or derivable from a bill of materials model to estimate a cost of a good; determine strategic pricing of the offering derivable from a likelihood of an action being taken and a magnitude of pricing change if that action occurs; determine a competitor evaluation of the offering capturing a view of a customer towards each competitive offering along factors that may incorporate factors beyond solely cost; and aggregate the market pricing, the strategic pricing, and the competitor evaluation to produce a bid price for the offering to win a competition within a confidence interval.

Abstract: An interrogator, methods of discerning the presence of an object, and interrogation systems employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation systems include multiple interrogators that communicate with a base command unit to track a location of an object. In another embodiment wherein the object is an RFID object (e.g., an object with an RFID tag), the interrogators employ signal processing techniques such as precharging the RFID object, and correlating a reference code with a reply code from the RIFD object using selected techniques to increase a sensitivity of the interrogator, especially for adverse environments. In other embodiments, the interrogation systems include variations of metal instruments and sponges employed therewith. In yet another embodiment, the interrogation system includes metal interrogators capable of discerning the presence of a metal object, especially in a presence of another metal object.

Abstract: An interrogator, methods of discerning the presence of an object, and interrogation systems employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation systems include multiple interrogators that communicate with a base command unit to track a location of an object. In another embodiment wherein the object is an RFID object (e.g., an object with an RFID tag), the interrogators employ signal processing techniques such as precharging the RFID object, and correlating a reference code with a reply code from the RFID object using selected techniques to increase a sensitivity of the interrogator, especially for adverse environments. In other embodiments, the interrogation systems include variations of metal instruments and sponges employed therewith. In yet another embodiment, the interrogation system includes metal interrogators capable of discerning the presence of a metal object, especially in a presence of another metal object.

Abstract: A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having destructive elements. The weapon also includes a folding lug switch assembly that provides a mechanism to attach the weapon to a delivery vehicle and is configured to close after launching from the delivery vehicle, thereby satisfying a criterion to arm the warhead. The weapon still further includes a guidance section including an antenna configured to receive mission data before launching from the delivery vehicle and further configured to receive instructions after launching from the delivery vehicle to guide the weapon to a target.

Abstract: An interrogation system and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation system includes a structure having a plurality of modules and a washer located within one of the plurality of modules including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with a code. The interrogation system also includes an interrogator configured to read the RFID tag and discern a type of structure based on information about the plurality of modules from the code.

Abstract: An interrogation system employable with an object having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation system includes a database having prior knowledge about the object, and an interrogator that scans the RFID tag and discerns additional information therefrom about the object. The interrogator still further includes a control system that identifies the object based on the prior knowledge and the additional information.

Abstract: A reply code for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a method of improving a reply code for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for interrogation by an interrogator and an RFID tag employing the same. In one embodiment, the reply code includes a preamble having information about a quality of a clock associated with the RFID tag. The reply code also includes a tag identification (ID) code providing a digital signature for the RFID tag. The reply code still further includes an aftamble located aft of the preamble and having information about the quality of the clock. The aftamble cooperates with the preamble to improve a quality of the reply code for interrogation by an interrogator.

Abstract: A monitoring and reporting system for use with an embedded computer of a hosted system and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the monitoring and reporting system includes a device driver configured to monitor a status of a user subsystem of the embedded computer and generate a status signal therefrom. The monitoring and reporting system also includes a modem configured to send a short message to an external device as a function of the status signal. The modem employs a low amount of overhead to send the short message expeditiously.