A method and apparatus are disclosed that apply multiuser detection (MUD) analysis to an aggregated RF response from a plurality of simultaneously queried RFID tags, so as to distinguish the individual tag responses. The claimed method thereby significantly reduces RFID detection latency when multiple tags are simultaneously queried. Some embodiments transmit carrier waves at more than one frequency, such as a plurality of equally-spaced frequencies, so as to enhance the MUD analysis by incorporating a multi-frequency dimension. Other embodiments incorporate additional spatial dimensions by deploying multiple RF detection antennae at separated locations. The number of colliding tag responses must be estimated before MUD analysis can be applied. In some embodiments other signal parameters must be estimated, such as signal bias and an impulse function for each responding tag that characterizes alterations of the RF signal while in transit due to propagation distance, passage through intervening objects, and reflections.

Systems and methods for integrated automated sports data collection and analytics are disclosed. Different types of data, for example but not limited, location data, movement data, impact data and biometric data for individual players are collected via wearable sensors in real time during a sports activity and transmitted to a cloud-based platform together with other sports data, including video, timing, scoring, statistics, and events with time code. The cloud-based platform is operable to aggregate, correlate, organize and synchronize various data related to the sports activity; store, query and retrieve various live data and historical data in and from a proprietary database; and perform analytics and provide intelligence to different parties involved in a sports activity, including coaches, trainers, medical staff, live announcers, broadcasters, displays, viewers, and fans and etc. These different parties may subscribe to licensed access to the cloud-based platform for tailored data feeds with real time push.

Systems and methods are described that collect spatio-temporal data using an RFID system that is capable of locating the spatial position of a sensor, which is typically unaware of its location. Such systems and methods can be contrasted with conventional RFID systems in that they are able to determine the location of sensors in space as opposed to with respect to read zones related to the underlying RFID reader infrastructure. One embodiment includes an RFID system having a plurality of read zones and configured to obtain the spatio-temporal state of sensors within a sensor cloud, where the spatio-temporal state of each sensor includes sensor information, a time stamp, and a spatial location specified independently of the read zones of the RFID system, a spatio-temporal database configured to store spatio-temporal state of a plurality of sensors over time, and an application server configured to trigger events based upon the detection of at least one condition by applying at least one filter to the data within the spatio-temporal database.

A sensor system for a fuel rod including a fuel pellet stack, the sensor system including a wireless interrogator disposed outside the fuel rod and a passive sensor component disposed within the fuel rod. The passive sensor component includes a receiver structured to receive an interrogation signal and output an excitation signal in response to receiving the interrogation signal, a reference transmitter structured to output a reference signal to the reference receiver in response to the excitation signal, a sensing transmitter structured to output a sensing signal to the sensing receiver in response to the excitation signal, and a core at least partially disposed within the sensing transmitter and coupled to move in conjunction with expansion or contraction of the fuel pellet stack, to move based on changes in pressure within the fuel rod, or to change temperature based on temperature changes within the fuel rod.

This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for hygiene monitoring in hospitals and drug stores. One sub-system use a combination of radio frequency tags attached to the staff, RF tag readers and infrared/proximity/motion/microphone/touch sensors installed over the faucet and dispenser to monitor if the staff wash their hands properly after going to the restroom. The forth sub-system automatically generate drug expiring label for opened drug container based on RF tag worn by the staff or attached to the container. The system generate and print the label whenever the staff gesture their RF tags in front of them and potentially scan the container bar code or select it from a drop-down menu on its touch screen. The last sub-system can also monitor the inventory of drug/medicine container in the refrigerator and provide a report or alert when they the time gets close to expiration date.

Systems and methods for monitoring an attachment, such as a breaker head, for a mining machine. The system includes a breaker head, a wireless identification tag, a sensor, and an electronic processor. The wireless identification tag is coupled to the breaker head and includes a tag memory storing an identifier of the breaker head and an antenna. The sensor is configured to generate measurement data associated with the breaker head. The electronic processor is configured to receive measurement data from the sensor, generate a notification based on the measurement data, and transmit the notification to the wireless identification tag. Additionally, the wireless identification tag is configured to store the notification. The notification can then be later retrieved from the wireless identification tag by various devices, such as a further mining machine or a reader device of maintenance personnel.

Smart labels, methods of operating smart labels, and associated contexts in which such smart labels may be used are disclosed. The smart label, for use in conjunction with consumer product packaging, comprises an energy harvester to capture ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy and electronic circuitry powered by the electrical energy. A fuse provides an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry and destruction of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuitry. Unnecessary continued operation of the electronic circuitry powered by the energy harvester can therefore be prevented, for example when the consumer product packaging is disposed of or recycled, which may be an undesirable heat source. Smart labelling, and a connected network of smart bins which can read the smart labelling, may also be used to promote consumer recycling of consumer product packaging.

A battery-powered consumption meter (10) is provided, which comprises a measurement means for measuring a value relating to an accumulated volume of a fluid flowing (41) in a connected fluid pipe system (40) to make up a consumption meter representation of the accumulated volume, and a first communication means (11), which is a wireless two-way communication means arranged for transmitting (14d) the consumption meter representation from the consumption meter (10) to an external device (20) external to the consumption meter (10), and for receiving a communication (14a, 14b, 14c) therefrom, the consumption meter (10) having at least two modes of operation comprising: a normal operation mode, and a calibration mode different from the normal operation mode, wherein in calibration mode the consumption meter (10) is arranged to transmit the consumption meter representation (14d) to the external device (20) in response to a request (14c) therefor from the external device (20). A calibration system (100) and a method of calibration are provided as well, the consumption meter (10), the calibration system (100) and the method of calibration providing energy-saving over the prior art.

Footwear systems include an article of footwear and a data transmission system engaged with the article of footwear. The transmission system transmits data to a remote system, such as a display system, another data transmission system, a processing system, etc. Such footwear systems further may include activation systems for activating the transmission and/or display systems. The transmitted data may be used for various purposes, such as: (a) identifying a user of the article of footwear; (b) activating targeted advertising or product information; (c) confirming the user's presence at a specific location and/or at a specific time; (d) determining start, finish, and/or intermediate split times for specific user; (e) confirming athletic equipment usage; (f) providing data for a game or reward program; (g) registering the user for an event or competition; or the like.

This application relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag module. In one aspect, the RFID tag module may have a temperature/humidity logging function that can log temperature and humidity inside a box, based on an RFID tag, to stably manage the quality of a product contained in the box. The RFID tag module may be installed in the box in which the product is packed. The RFID tag module may include a temperature/humidity sensor detecting a temperature/humidity inside the box in which the product is packed. The RFID tag module may also include an RFID tag logging the temperature/humidity detected by the temperature/humidity sensor.