Changes of a vertical and horizontal position of an item are programmatically monitored relative to at least one three-dimensional (3D) item-specific proximity exclusion attribute that precludes movement of the item into a defined 3D item-configured prohibited region by iteratively querying an item tag of the item for measured vertical and horizontal coordinates of the item tag. In response to determining that a detected change of at least one of the vertical and horizontal position of the item results in the item being located within the defined 3D item-configured prohibited region, an item-specific proximity exclusion alert is generated indicating that the item is located within the defined 3D item-configured prohibited region.

Changes of a vertical and horizontal position of an item are programmatically monitored relative to at least one three-dimensional (3D) item-specific proximity exclusion attribute that precludes movement of the item into a defined 3D item-configured prohibited region by iteratively querying an item tag of the item for measured vertical and horizontal coordinates of the item tag. In response to determining that a detected change of at least one of the vertical and horizontal position of the item results in the item being located within the defined 3D item-configured prohibited region, an item-specific proximity exclusion alert is generated indicating that the item is located within the defined 3D item-configured prohibited region.

Techniques for operating a sensor are provided. An example method according to these techniques includes sensing, at the sensor, changes in intensity of a magnetic field of a magnet affixed to a monitored asset to produce sensor data, wherein the monitored asset is disposed in a non-metallic liquid or solid medium, and wherein the sensor is disposed outside of the non-metallic medium; The method also includes analyzing, at the sensor, the sensor data to produce feature information indicative of vibration of the monitored asset. The method also includes providing the feature information to a predictive algorithm to generate prognosis information indicating an occurrence of a known condition of the monitored asset.

A system and method of for estimating the depth of a marker may include a marker locator. The marker locator may include a first transmitter that generates a first activation signal, second transmitter that generates a second activation signal, a receiver that detects first and second response signals, and a processor that determines a depth of a marker based on the first and second response signals. The first transmitter is located at a first position, and the second transmitter is located at a second position apart from the first position. The first and second response signals respectively correspond to the first and second activation signals. The processor is coupled to the receiver. According to some embodiments, the first and second activation signals and the first and second response signals may be separated by time division multiplexing.

A system and method of for estimating the depth of a marker may include a marker locator. The marker locator may include a first transmitter that generates a first activation signal, second transmitter that generates a second activation signal, a receiver that detects first and second response signals, and a processor that determines a depth of a marker based on the first and second response signals. The first transmitter is located at a first position, and the second transmitter is located at a second position apart from the first position. The first and second response signals respectively correspond to the first and second activation signals. The processor is coupled to the receiver. According to some embodiments, the first and second activation signals and the first and second response signals may be separated by time division multiplexing.

A pipeline pig (5) for cleaning pipelines (6) and/or for recovering products from a pipeline is disclosed. The pipeline pig (5) comprises at least one radiofrequency identification tag (4a, 4b) as a means for identification and for the sending, receiving and storing of data. The pipeline pig (5) may be used in pipeline systems used for the production of sterile food or pharmaceutical products.

A pipeline pig (5) for cleaning pipelines (6) and/or for recovering products from a pipeline is disclosed. The pipeline pig (5) comprises at least one radiofrequency identification tag (4a, 4b) as a means for identification and for the sending, receiving and storing of data. The pipeline pig (5) may be used in pipeline systems used for the production of sterile food or pharmaceutical products.

The present invention describes a tag comprising a magnetic element in the form of a microwire of 80-250 microns with giant magnetoimpedance which, when joined to an object, allows for the wireless detection of same by modulating the reflectivity of the microwire. Detection is performed by using a system that emits an electromagnetic wave that has a frequency between 1 and 20 GHz and a low frequency magnetic field (0.01-50 Hz), and detects the modulation of the reflectivity of the microwire. Thus, objects at distances greater than 1 m can be detected.

The present invention describes a tag comprising a magnetic element in the form of a microwire of 80-250 microns with giant magnetoimpedance which, when joined to an object, allows for the wireless detection of same by modulating the reflectivity of the microwire. Detection is performed by using a system that emits an electromagnetic wave that has a frequency between 1 and 20 GHz and a low frequency magnetic field (0.01-50 Hz), and detects the modulation of the reflectivity of the microwire. Thus, objects at distances greater than 1 m can be detected.

A medical supplies cabinet is disclosed. The cabinet comprises a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there is provided at least one medical supplies receptacle. The receptacle(s) is/are of a shape and configuration to be able to at least partly receive and hold at least one medical item. A sensor is associated with the receptacle(s). The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence and/or absence, or removal of the medical item in/from the receptacle.