A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Systems and methods for a smart electronic article surveillance (EAS) circuit that may be incorporated into electronic devices and used to selectively provide EAS and other functionalities. Such functionalities may be provided by sharing large electrical components across the different functionalities, which may include passive EAS capabilities, inductive charging, and/or wireless communications. One or more software or solid-state switches may be used to selectively and repeatedly change between the wireless communication/inductive charging capabilities and the passive EAS capabilities. The EAS functionality may be provided by using a switch to connect passive circuitry across an antenna component to form a passive EAS circuit. The non-EAS functionality may be provided by using the switch to de-couple the passive circuitry from then antenna and instead, couple the antenna to other electronic circuitry.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store. The wheel assemblies may include LEDs or other visual indicators that alert store personnel when a wheel assembly is in a particular state.

Systems and methods for a smart electronic article surveillance (EAS) circuit that may be incorporated into electronic devices and used to selectively provide EAS and other functionalities. Such functionalities may be provided by sharing large electrical components across the different functionalities, which may include passive EAS capabilities, inductive charging, and/or wireless communications. One or more software or solid-state switches may be used to selectively and repeatedly change between the wireless communication/inductive charging capabilities and the passive EAS capabilities. The EAS functionality may be provided by using a switch to connect passive circuitry across an antenna component to form a passive EAS circuit. The non-EAS functionality may be provided by using the switch to de-couple the passive circuitry from then antenna and instead, couple the antenna to other electronic circuitry.

A dual communication frequency RFID circuit includes a logic unit for processing data signals received or transmitted at a first frequency by a first antenna or at a second frequency by a second antenna, and a unit for managing the state of a tamper loop linked to the integrated circuit by two connection terminals. The management unit includes a first low-pass filter linked to a first connection terminal, a second low-pass filter linked to a second connection terminal, a current source for supplying a current through the first low-pass filter, a switch linked at the output of the second low-pass filter, and a first inverter connected between the current source and the first low-pass filter for supplying an output signal for the state of the tamper loop to the logic unit.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.

A dual communication frequency RFID circuit includes a logic unit for processing data signals received or transmitted at a first frequency by a first antenna or at a second frequency by a second antenna, and a unit for managing the state of a tamper loop linked to the integrated circuit by two connection terminals. The management unit includes a first low-pass filter linked to a first connection terminal, a second low-pass filter linked to a second connection terminal, a current source for supplying a current through the first low-pass filter, a switch linked at the output of the second low-pass filter, and a first inverter connected between the current source and the first low-pass filter for supplying an output signal for the state of the tamper loop to the logic unit.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store. The wheel assemblies may include LEDs or other visual indicators that alert store personnel when a wheel assembly is in a particular state.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate bi-directionally on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system supports both unicast and multicast command transmissions from the access points to the wheel assemblies, including multicast transmissions in which the target wheel assemblies are specified in terms of their states. For example, an access point can transmit a command that is addressed to all wheel assemblies that are locked, or to all wheel assemblies that are moving.