A computer implemented method, computer program product and computer system for sensor selection. The computer system can run the computer program to execute the method by dividing a two-dimensional area into cells, wherein the cells are arranged in a grid; receiving a selection trigger for a subset of cells of the grid, wherein at least one cell of the subset has at least one sensor and the at least one cell has a sampling frequency associated; determining a set of constraints for the at least one sensor; selecting the at least one sensor if the at least one sensor complies with the set of constraints; and calculating a sampling frequency of the at least one sensor dependent on the sampling frequency of the at least one cell.

An oscillator-based sensor interface circuit includes first and second input nodes arranged to receive first and second electrical signals representative of an electrical quantity, respectively; an analog filter; a first oscillator arranged to receive a first oscillator input signal and a second oscillator different from the first oscillator and arranged to receive a second oscillator input signal; a comparator arranged to compare signals coming from the first and second oscillators; a first feedback element arranged to receive a representation of the digital comparator output signal and to convert the representation into a first feedback signal to be applied to the oscillation means; a digital filter arranged to yield an output signal, being an filtered version of the digital comparator output signal; a second feedback element arranged to receive the output signal and to convert the output signal into a second feedback signal.

To provide a sensor apparatus and sensor system using a low-power input source such as a microbial fuel cell, provided is a sensor apparatus including a microbial fuel cell; a boosting DC-DC circuit that operates based on an input voltage from the microbial fuel cell and boosts the input voltage; a power storage element that stores power output from the boosting DC-DC circuit; and a sensor element that operates based on power output from the power storage element, as well as a sensor system that includes this sensor apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus.

To provide a sensor apparatus and sensor system using a low-power input source such as a microbial fuel cell, provided is a sensor apparatus including a microbial fuel cell; a boosting DC-DC circuit that operates based on an input voltage from the microbial fuel cell and boosts the input voltage; a power storage element that stores power output from the boosting DC-DC circuit; and a sensor element that operates based on power output from the power storage element, as well as a sensor system that includes this sensor apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

This power cable comprises at least one conductive element and further comprises: at least one means (36) for measuring at least one physical quantity; at least one electronic circuit (32), connected to the measurement means (36) and suitable for receiving from the at least one measurement means (36) at least one signal representative of the at least one physical quantity; and at least one energy harvesting system (30) disposed inside the cable, suitable for supplying the at least one electronic circuit (32) with electrical energy from the electrical energy available in the at least one conductive element.

This power cable comprises at least one conductive element and further comprises: at least one means (36) for measuring at least one physical quantity; at least one electronic circuit (32), connected to the measurement means (36) and suitable for receiving from the at least one measurement means (36) at least one signal representative of the at least one physical quantity; and at least one energy harvesting system (30) disposed inside the cable, suitable for supplying the at least one electronic circuit (32) with electrical energy from the electrical energy available in the at least one conductive element.

A system and method for monitoring a container environment using a control device for communicably coupling a data collection unit and an external device, the data collection unit having one or more openings for receiving one or more containers and configured to: monitor parameters of the at least one container; compare the monitored parameters with predetermined upper or lower limits; detect that the monitored parameters are within the predetermined upper or lower limits and indicate an in-range condition; detect that the monitored parameters exceed the predetermined upper or lower limits and indicate an out-of-range condition; and transmit, to the external device, a signal indicative of at least one of the in-range condition and the out-of-range condition.

Capacitively isolated current-loaded or current-driven charge pump circuits and related methods transfer electrical energy from a primary side to a secondary side over a capacitive isolation boundary, using a controlled current source to charge isolation capacitors with constant current, as opposed to current impulses, while maintaining output voltage within tolerance. The charge pump circuits provide DC-to-DC converters that can be used in isolated power supplies, particularly in low-power applications and in such devices as sensor transmitters that have separate electrical ground planes. The devices and methods transfer electrical energy over an isolated capacitive barrier in a manner that is efficient, inexpensive, and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI).