In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system may include at least one Ultra High Frequency (UHF) antenna component, a conductive loop having a largest dimension that is smaller than the wavelength of radiation transmitted at a Microwave Frequency (MW). The conductive loop may define a gap and an RFID chip may be electrically coupled to the conductive loop. The conductive loop may be configured to be resonant at an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and less resonant at Microwave Frequency (MW). The antenna component may be selected from the group consisting of a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, or a slot antenna.

A storage box state determination system according to the present invention has: a storage unit that stores an identification information management table in which tag IDs of multiple wireless tags are associated with a storage box ID of a storage box, and a state management table in which an empty state and a storing state are associated with the number of tag IDs; an information acquisition unit that acquires the tag IDs using an antenna that receives radio waves of the wireless tags of the storage box 31; a number identification unit that identifies the number of acquired tag IDs which correspond to the storage box ID; and a state identification unit that identifies, on the basis of the number of acquisition, whether the state of the storage box as indicated by the storage box ID corresponding to the tag IDs is an empty state or a storing state.

A cargo restraint system includes a body, a first connecting end and a second connecting end on opposing sides of the body, wherein the first and second connecting ends are coupled to a securing member which is used to restrain the cargo. One or more load sensors are coupled to the first connecting end and/or the second connecting end. A controller is coupled to the one or more load sensors. The controller is configured to receive tension information from the one or more load sensors. The controller includes a transmitter capable of transmitting the tension information to a remote device. The controller may include a database to store the information.

A method for providing a packaging material is provided. The method comprises feeding a web of packaging material through a packaging material processing unit; determining a target position of the packaging material; and controlling a printing unit to print an RFID antenna at the target position, wherein the material used for printing the RFID antenna is conductive substance. A packaging material is also provided.

A system for automatic reordering of replenishment stock is described herein. The system generally comprises a storage bin defining a first compartment and a second compartment in proximity to the first compartment where the storage bin is configured to store a predetermined product. A cover assembly may normally restrict access to the second compartment. When the product is exhausted from the first compartment, opening the cover assembly to access the product in the second compartment may trigger a sensor in proximity to the second compartment. This triggering causes the sensor to wirelessly transmit a signal to a processor to reorder a quantity of the product.

A method of mounting a bottle involves attaching, to a support body, an interface body attached to a portion of the bottle, such that at least a portion of the interface body and the portion of the bottle are positioned within an aperture defined by the support body. Bottle mounting systems are also disclosed.

In one embodiment, a maintainable pallet is provided with interchangeable support structures and sensors for identifying any damage that the interchangeable support structures may experience. The maintainable pallet may include two side supports, two end supports coupled to the two side supports end-to-end to form a rectangle, a central support position between the two side supports, a plurality of top transverse support fastened onto the two side supports to form a top loading surface and the central support with two-part releasable fasteners, and two bottom transverse supports fastened to the ends of the two side supports to form a bottom surface with two-part releasable fasteners. Sensors, in some embodiments, may be embedded in the two side supports to measure, for example, acceleration, location, or other logistic information. When a damaged piece is identified, the maintainable pallet can be disassembled by unfastening the two-part releasable fasteners to remove the damaged piece; and a new interchangeable piece will replace the damaged piece.

The shopping assistance system includes a basket body, a management system and a packing machine. The shopping basket includes a basket body, a goods information receiver and a transmitter. The basket body allows goods to be put in. The goods information receiver is configured to read respective goods information from each of the goods to acquire pieces of goods information on the goods. The transmitter is configured to transmit the pieces of goods information acquired through the goods information receiver. The management system includes a receiver configured to receive the pieces of goods information from the transmitter. The packing machine is configured to transfer the goods put in the basket body together from the basket body to a container.

A plug for detecting tampering of a container is configured to close an opening of the container. The plug includes an attachment device for attaching the plug to the opening of the container, a motion sensor for sensing rotation of the plug with respect to the container, a communication device for communicating with a server, a microcontroller unit and a memory unit. The microcontroller unit is configured to compare a sensed rotation of the plug to a service schedule stored in the memory and detect the tampering of the container based on the comparison.

A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.