Other

Pfizer Corporation

Stmicroelectronics Gmbh

Mdf Holdings, Inc.

Guardian Technologies

Danbeck Holdings, Inc.

Joseph Colby McAlexander, Iii

Eugene F Fowler

Jennifer Durst

Richard A Blanchard

Jennifer Martucci

Hollis M Tapp

William C Slemmer

James Olivier

Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking an item using a RFID surveillance system. In some embodiments, a security controller is connected to a point of sale system with at least one RFID tag reader. In these embodiments, the RFID tag reader is associated with an area that is observable through a video camera. If the tag reader does not recognize information obtained from a RFID tag, the tag reader may activate the video camera. When the video camera is activated, the video camera may capture images and send them to a recording device.

RFID-based asset security and tracking system, apparatus and method

An acceleration sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a first layer formed on the substrate, a first aperture within the first layer, and a beam coupled at a first end to the substrate and suspended above the first layer for a portion of the length thereof. The beam includes a first boss coupled to a lower surface thereof and suspended within the first aperture, and a second boss coupled to an upper surface of the second end of the beam. A second layer is positioned on the first layer over the beam and includes a second aperture within which the second boss is suspended by the beam. Contact surfaces are positioned within the apertures such that acceleration of the substrate exceeding a selected threshold in either direction along a selected axis will cause the beam to flex counter to the direction of acceleration and make contact through one of the bosses with one of the contact surfaces.

Bi-directional released-beam sensor

A system for locating an animate object beyond a designated area is disclosed comprising a wireless bidirectional communication system, a first transceiver, a locating device, a controller, a satellite navigator system receiver, a second transceiver, and a data entry device associated with a base station, wherein the controller is automatically activated, in response to a received control signal to locate an animate object and transmit location information to a first transceiver when the animate object exceeds a designated area.

Portable position determining device

A position determining device is disclosed comprising a satellite navigation receiver for automatically providing computed position information, when the device has changed its position relative to a predetermined location, to a paging transmitter for transmission to a paging receiver for readout of the computed position information. The readout may be in the form of coordinates and may be accompanied by a message or alarm. The device may be configured as a portable unit of small size and economical manufacture.

An object locating system (), the system () comprising at least first and second mobile devices () associated by a relationship defined at least in part by a threshold. The at least first and second mobile devices are operable to be monitored by a communication network as one mobile device () or as separate mobile devices () as a function of the relationship relative to the threshold.

System and method for tracking the location of multiple mobile radio transceiver units

There is disclosed an object locator system for obtaining information about the location of an individual, animal or moveable object, having a lightweight, attached object locator, that is present in a region served by a two-way paging system and a global positioning satellite system. The object locator may be selectively activated to conserve power or enabled to respond only when beyond a boundary.

Object locator

A released beam structure fabricated in trench and manufacturing method thereof are provided herein. One embodiment of a released beam structure according to the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, a trench, a first conducting layer, and a beam. The trench extends into the semiconductor substrate and has walls. The first conducting layer is positioned over the walls of the trench at selected locations. The beam is positioned with the trench and is connected at a first portion thereof to the semiconductor substrate and movable at a second portion thereof. The second portion of the beam is spaced from the walls of the trench by a selected distance. Therefore, the second portion of the beam is free to move in a plane that is perpendicular or parallel to the surface of the substrate, and could be deflected to electrically contact with the walls of the trench in response to a predetermined acceleration force or a predetermined temperature variation applied on the beam structure. Other beam structures such as a beam held at both ends, or a beam held in the middle are also possible. Several beam structures at different angles can be fabricated simultaneously and mechanical etching stops are automatically formed to prevent unwanted overstress conditions when manufacturing several beam structures at the same time. Beam structures can also be manufactured in three orthogonal directions, providing information on acceleration in any direction.

Integrated released beam layer structure fabricated in trenches and manufacturing method thereof

A released-beam sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a layer formed thereon, and an aperture formed in the layer. A beam is mechanically coupled at a first end to the layer and suspended above the layer such that a second end forms a cantilever above the aperture. A boss is coupled to a second end of the beam and suspended at least partially within the aperture. The beam is configured to flex in response to acceleration of the substrate along a vector substantially perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. Parameters of the sensor, such as the dimensions of the beam, the mass of the boss, and the distance between the boss and a contact surface within the aperture, are selected to establish an acceleration threshold at which the boss will make contact with the contact surface. The sensor may be employed to deploy an airbag in a vehicle.

Weighted released-beam sensor

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for an object locator system () for requesting and obtaining information about the location of a mobile object, having attached thereon a lightweight object locator (), operable in a region served by a two-way paging system () and a global positioning satellite system (). The object locator () may be selectively activated to conserve power or enabled to respond only when beyond or within a boundary. Further, the object locator system () may provide the location information in several forms including rectangular or polar coordinates referred to a base station () or origin, position on a map display, etc. In alternate embodiments the two-way paging system () may be substituted by a direct wireless link or a satellite relay communications link; the location information may be translated into human readable form either before or after transmission from the object locator; the location information may be presented at an output as selectable text; spoken message or graphic display including a map; the location information may have associated therewith other information such as time the location was determined, the status of the object locator, the condition of the battery, position of the object locator relative to a boundary or electronic fence or to indicate an alarm condition; or the location information may be accessed or delivered by dial-up or automatic means.

Growing community of inventors

Murphy, TX, United States of America

Joseph Colby McAlexander, Iii