A system and method is disclosed for monitoring graphite electrodes for use in an electric arc furnace includes receiving an electrode identifiers from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader configured to interrogate RFID tags in the vicinity of an electric arc furnace (EAF), wherein the RFID tags are attached to electrodes. The electrode identifier is associated with EAF data collected from the EAF and the association is stored in a memory. The association is used for generating current and past operating parameters of the electric arc furnace for specific electrodes. Data for each specific electrode used in the EAF can also be collected for determining performance parameters for specific electrodes.

A chemically treated, RFID equipped mesh tire label configured to be integrally incorporated within a vulcanized tire and to provide unique identifier(s) and/or other information about the vulcanized tire during and post tire vulcanization, the label comprising: a mesh face layer configured to be adhered to an outer surface of an unvulcanized tire; a mesh backing layer attached to the mesh face layer and adapted to be integrally incorporated in a vulcanized tire after subjecting a green tire to a vulcanization process; and an RFID device affixed between the mesh face and mesh backing layers, the RFID device that is configured to provide unique identifier(s) and/or other information upon being read with an RFID reader during and post tire vulcanization.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamic portal modulation. A method of dynamic radio frequency identification (RFID) modulation comprises identifying in a structure a plurality of different assets to be loaded or unloaded; wherein each asset of the plurality of different assets is of a known identification and includes a passive RFID tag, and all passive RFID tags of the plurality of different assets are not the same. The method also comprises identifying a selected structural opening of a plurality of structural openings to be utilized with unloading or loading of the plurality of different assets, wherein each structural opening of the plurality of structural openings is equipped with an RFID portal including a reader, and each RFID portal includes at least power, sensitivity, mode and off settings; and individually, dynamically tuning the power, sensitivity and mode settings of the RFID portal of the selected structural opening based on the known identification of the plurality of assets and RFID tags utilized in the selected structural opening such that the reader of the RFID portal of the selected structural opening reads every RFID tag of the plurality of different assets to avoid missed reads.

Disclosed is a method for identifying an RFID card as a passive or an active RFID card comprising sending a first RFID command, while keeping an RFID field on; receiving, from the RFID card a corresponding first answering signal; populating a first list with each corresponding first answering signal from the RFID card; sending a second RFID command, wherein the RFID field is paused for a predefined pausing period after sending the second RFID command; receiving, from at least zero active RFID cards, a corresponding second answering signal; populating a second list with each corresponding second answering signal from the at least zero active RFID cards; comparing the entries of the first list with the entries of the second list; identifying each of the at least zero passive RFID cards by having the corresponding first answering signal in the first list but not in the second list.

This disclosure relates to a communication system where a user can use a smart phone to scan a tag, such as a QR code, to retrieve a weblink. The weblink is unique and associated with the location of the tag, which may also be the location of an unpersonalised device, such as a video projector or other A/V equipment. Therefore, when the mobile phone connects to the weblink, the webserver can retrieve information associated with this particular unique code. This information is now specific to the location of the tag and may even include information about the unpersonalised device. The operator receives the information when the communication channel is established and therefore knows exactly what the subject of the call will be. Further, the call can be automatically routed to the most appropriate operator without audio menus to be navigated by the user.

A system including a graphite electrode having a graphite body with first and second opposed ends. The electrode further includes a threaded connector positioned at one of the first or second ends, and a tag coupled to or positioned in the threaded connector, wherein the tag is configured to transmit a signal including information relating to the electrode.

A system for reading RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket includes a chamber sized and configured to receive a shopping cart or basket. The chamber includes a portal sized and configured to accommodate a shopping cart or basket, along with an associated closure that is movable between open and closed conditions. At least one antenna coupled to an RFID reader is associated with an interior of the chamber and oriented to send signals to and receive signals from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber. The chamber and the closure are configured to prevent signals sent to and from RFID tags or labels on merchandise in a shopping cart or basket within the chamber from exiting the chamber. A transport mechanism may be provided to automatically move the shopping cart or basket through the chamber.

A materials handling vehicle operating system is provided comprising a tag layout where a plurality of entry/exit tag sets are arranged along a travel path at different ones of the entry/exit thresholds of a restricted navigation zone. Each entry/exit tag set comprises a release tag, a restriction tag, and an indicator tag. The indicator tag is positioned between the restriction tag and the restricted navigation zone. The restriction tag is positioned between the release tag and the indicator tag. The tag reader and the reader module cooperate to compare identified tag data with stored tag data and initiate a remediation operation when an indicator tag is identified in place of a restriction tag. Tag layouts for one-way and two-way travel into and out of a restricted navigation zone are also contemplated.

Disclosed is a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an implant device associated with a proprietary system provided by a first entity. An external device, that may not be associated with said first entity, is provided and is configured to be calibrated to communicate with the implant device that is located within a patient. The external device may be used in place of an existing reader device that was initially calibrated to communicate with the implant device prior to the implant device being placed within the patient. The external device may be particularly useful for implant devices that communicate wirelessly with external devices where said implant devices are intended to be located within the human body on a permanent or indefinite duration of time.

In some aspects, methods for measuring a level of usage of one or more replaceable consumable components within a material processing system can include detecting a type of consumable component in use within a processing device of the material processing system; determining, using a computing system, if the type of consumable component in use is a specific type of consumable component; and determining, using the computing system, a usage ratio of the specific type of consumable component used relative to other types of consumable components used within the processing device during a cumulative time period of use of the material processing system.