A sensor-enabled aerial vehicle carries spatial electric and magnetic field detection sensors and a processing system that employs algorithmic methods to process sensor data. The sensors effectively detect electric and magnetic fields that emanate from energized objects, and the algorithmic methodology analyzes the sensor data to distinguish whether the energized object is unintentionally energized. The aerial propulsion system is enclosed within two electrically conducting hemispheres that are electrically insulated from each other. Alternatively, the hemispheres may be suspended below the aerial vehicle. The hemispheres function as a large area electric-field collection surface, wherein a small alternating current (AC) developed between the two hemispheres is proportional to the collected AC electric fields.

An unwanted process is prevented from being performed due to near field communication based on a process performed via an antenna which is not intended by a user. An information processing apparatus (1) includes a communication antenna determination unit (22) configured to, when a proximity state of an NFC terminal (10) to an NFC antenna (12) continues, determines that the NFC antenna (12) is an NFC antenna (12) that performs near field communication for executing a prescribed process.

Near field detection using a magnetometer is disclosed. A transmitter may distort magnetometer measurements of Earth's magnetic field by producing rapid but controlled fluctuations to encode a specific message in a manipulated magnetic field. When a mobile device is brought in range of the transmitter, a magnetometer of the mobile device detects that manipulated magnetic field. An application running on the mobile device forms messages based on the magnetometer output. In response to detecting the specific message, the application may execute an action on the mobile device or a remote device. NFC read-based near field detection similarly involves the application accessing an NFC chip of the mobile device, and scanning for one or more particular NFC tags that are read by the NFC chip. In response to detecting a particular NFC tag, the application executes an action on the mobile device or a remote device.

Disclosed is a sensing device including a guided surface wave receive structure, a physical parameter sensor, and a radio frequency transmitter. The guided surface wave receive structure may be configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. The physical parameter sensor may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The physical parameter sensor may also measure a physical parameter associated with a physical environment local to the physical parameter sensor. The radio frequency transmitter may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure and communicatively coupled to the physical parameter sensor. The radio frequency transmitter may also obtain a physical parameter measurement and transmit the physical parameter measurement over a wireless network.

Near field detection using a magnetometer is disclosed. A transmitter may distort magnetometer measurements of Earth's magnetic field by producing rapid but controlled fluctuations to encode a specific message in a manipulated magnetic field. When a mobile device is brought in range of the transmitter, a magnetometer of the mobile device detects that manipulated magnetic field. An application running on the mobile device forms messages based on the magnetometer output. In response to detecting the specific message, the application may execute an action on the mobile device or a remote device. NFC read-based near field detection similarly involves the application accessing an NFC chip of the mobile device, and scanning for one or more particular NFC tags that are read by the NFC chip. In response to detecting a particular NFC tag, the application executes an action on the mobile device or a remote device.

A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to an antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a near-field detection application to perform a method including transmitting, via the antenna array, a signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receiving any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The method includes determining whether a near-field obstruction exists based on characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the method includes triggering the processor subsystem to perform one or more responsive operations on the communication device. The operations include a selected one of: (i) altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communication device; and (ii) triggering an application to execute on the communication device, the application intended to interact with a user of the communication device.

A sensor device includes a first detector circuit, a near field communication (NFC) circuit, and a sensor package. The first detector circuit configured to detect a stimulus using a resistive change polymer type detector, a capacitive shift polymer type detector, a dielectric change polymer type detector, a graphene based sensor, or a metal-oxide (MOX) type detector. The NFC circuit having an NFC powered receiver and an NFC data transceiver. The NFC power receiver configured to receive power from a mobile device using an NFC standard protocol and to provide operating power for the sensor device. The NFC data transceiver configured to transmit data to the mobile device using the NFC standard protocol, the data corresponding to the first stimulus. The sensor package configured to house the first detector circuit and the NFC circuit.

A passive sensor network constituted by a reader (5), wireless energy emitters (2), and fully passive sensors (1) is described. The passive sensors allow continuously the data collection and transfer thereof whenever requested by the reader, via backscatter at a frequency (4), and in parallel the reception of energy from the transmitters (3). Each sensor integrates an antenna, two impedance matching networks, a semiconductor, a microcontroller and one or more sensors that do not require the use of their own power supply or batteries. The reader (remote unit) initiates the communication process. This communication is achieved by sending radio frequency commands recognized by the passive sensors. These sensors, upon receiving the commands from the reader, initiate the back transmission of data according to the received command. The power transmitters are used to allow continuous power supply of the passive sensors.

Systems and methods for determining a position of an object relative to another object are disclosed. One or more inductive rangefinders are used to determine a distance between an object, such as a stackable container for a drilling operation, and a second such container. A crane or other moving device is capable of stacking the containers on top of one another without the need for human operators being nearby. A processing unit makes calculations to identify the distance between the objects and a direction in which the object should move to arrive at the desired location.

The present disclosure describes techniques and systems for wireless communication via a mobile relay. These techniques may include a user device that determines that a transceiver is unavailable for communicating with a base station via a wireless connection. The user device then uses a mobile relay to communicate with the base station while the transceiver is unavailable. The mobile relay may be used for transmitting or receiving data from the base station. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile relay may participate in the wireless connection as an external resource of the mobile device or may establish an independent wireless connection with the base station.