RFID-based sensors, RFID readers and software sense a changed condition. In one embodiment, an RFID-based sensor includes a base that may be placed at a location where a condition may change. The sensor includes an RFID tag that is coupled to the base. The sensor also includes a detector that can be electrically coupled to the RFID tag. If the condition changes, an electrical property of the detector also changes, impacting an operation of the RFID tag. The impacted operation can be detected by an RFID reader/interrogator so as to provide a notification. An advantage over the prior art is that the condition change can be sensed wirelessly over a domain that can be laborious or hazardous to access otherwise. Moreover, RFID based sensors can be made by modifying common RFID tags.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivery of merchandise with freshness levels matched to customer preferences. In some embodiments, there is provided a system including: merchandise items intended for delivery to various destinations; sensor tags measuring freshness levels of the merchandise; a delivery database containing delivery information for the merchandise; a customer preference database including customer preference of freshness level for merchandise; and a control circuit that receives sensor measurements, determines a measured freshness level, and compares the measured freshness level with a customer's freshness level preference for a particular merchandise item.

The invention relates to a system for detecting the evolution of an environmental parameter (1), comprising: at least one detection module (12) including an LC resonant circuit responsive to an evolution of said environmental parameter, configured to operate, as a function of the value of said environmental parameter, either in a first mode, in which said resonant circuit has a resonance frequency within a predefined range for which the detection module is detectable by magnetic coupling by excitation in said range, or in a second mode, in which said resonant circuit has a resonance frequency outside said range or an absence of resonance frequency; a declaration module (11) arranged in proximity to said detection module (12), configured to communicate without near-field contact even in the event of a variation in the value of said environmental parameter, and configured to declare the presence of the detection module.

An agent activated non-metal antenna for an ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless sensor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in electronic communication with the non-metal antenna, and a wireless data communication integrated circuit (IC), includes a conductive stimuli-responsive hydrogel material configured to be inactive prior to an interaction with an activating agent and active upon the interaction with the activating agent. The antenna is further configured to transmit power to turn on the wireless data communication IC only when the non-metal antenna is active upon interaction with the activating agent.

A communication system provided in a working vehicle includes: an identification device that stores identification information; a communication device that outputs electric waves to communicate with the identification device; an ambient temperature judging unit that judges whether or not an ambient temperature of the environment in which the identification device is disposed exceeds an operational temperature at which an operation of the identification device is ensured; and a communication controller that prohibits the communication device from outputting the electric waves when the ambient temperature judges that the ambient temperature exceeds the operational temperature.

At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a mobile sensing system comprising a sensing device for measuring a thermal property of an object, comprising an RF circuit and an antenna electronically coupled to the RF circuit, a sensor electronically coupled to the RF circuit, and a thermal source thermally coupled to the sensor and electronically coupled to the RF circuit, a mobile device having a processor, an RF reader connected to or integrated with the mobile device, wherein the RF reader is configured to interrogate the sensing device; wherein the sensing device receives power when the RF reader interrogates the sensing device and provides at least a portion of the power to the thermal source.

A system and method of tracking the position and status of plants or plant parts in a greenhouse or other growing area using identification tags such as RFID tags is disclosed.

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for updating the location information for a gas detector device. A gas detector device may comprise a wireless scanner operable to receive information from one or more passive tags. In some cases, the passive tags may comprise location information. When the gas detector scans a passive tag, the location information stored on the gas detector may be updated accordingly. In some cases, the subsequent readings of the gas detector may be associated with the updated location information. In some cases, the passive tags may be located at critical areas within a facility, such as entrances or exits to locations.

An electronic tag device for cargo or baggage comprising a housing, a microcontroller, a memory, a wireless communications module, and a sensor module. The microcontroller is configured to receive itinerary data via the wireless communications module while the microcontroller is operating in a first mode and store the itinerary data in memory. The itinerary data may include at least a place of departure, a departure time, a place of arrival, and an arrival time. The microcontroller is further configured to enter a second mode based on at least one of the departure time in the itinerary and sensor data received from the sensor module, wherein the wireless communications module is disabled in the second mode, and return to the first mode based on at least one of the arrival time in the itinerary and sensor data received from the sensor module. The microcontroller will communicate with a remote system using the communications module while in the first mode and turn off all communication while in the second mode.

An adaptive method and system for monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly uses sensor-based ID nodes within the container and a command node. Sensors on each ID node generate sensor data about an environmental condition proximate the ID node as disposed within the container. Each ID node periodically broadcasts the sensor data. The command node monitors a first group of sensor data from the ID nodes over a first time period to detect an initial environmental threshold condition related to the container, then monitors a subsequent group of sensor data over a second time period under a modified monitoring parameter to detect a secondary environmental threshold condition related to the container as the anomaly. In response to detecting the secondary condition, the command node generates an alert notification and transmits the alert notification to an external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the anomaly.