Importance

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Abstract

The present invention can provide a monitoring method and system for signaling a predetermined status in an article (20) having a monitored portion (22). The monitoring system includes an interrogator (30) which is located in an operative proximity to the article, and is configured to provide input energy with a predetermined input frequency. A status signaling device (24) is located at the monitored portion (22) of the article. The status signaling device includes a sensor (26) which can indicate a change of state that occurs when the monitored portion (22) of the article (20) changes from a first condition to a different, second condition. A passive transponder (28) is in an operative communication with the sensor (26). In a particular aspect of the invention, the transponder can be an electronic transponder. The transponder (28) can be configured to receive the input energy from the interrogator (30), and can be configured to generate indicator data when the monitored portion (22) is in the second condition. The transponder (28) can be configured to communicate an output energy away from the article (20). The output energy can include at least a portion of the input energy, and the output energy can be configured to carry the indicator data. An output receiver (34) can be configured to electronically acquire the output energy and indicator data from the transponder (28). A detector (36) can be connected to the output receiver (34), and can react to a threshold value of the indicator data. An annunciator (38) can be in communication with the detector (36) and can be configured to announce a presence of the threshold value of the indicator data.

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First Claim