Systems, methods and apparatus for obtaining data relating to condition and performance of concrete mixtures

A method comprising:

• inserting a plurality of sensing devices into a concrete mixture at a production facility;
• receiving first data from the plurality of sensing devices while the plurality of sensing devices are in the concrete mixture at the production facility;
• placing the concrete mixture and the plurality of sensing devices into a drum of a concrete mixing truck adapted to transport the concrete mixture to a construction site;
• receiving, via an antenna disposed on the drum of the concrete mixing truck, second data from the plurality of sensing devices located in the concrete mixture while the concrete mixture spins in the drum, while the concrete mixing truck transports the concrete mixture to the construction site;
• receiving third data from the plurality of sensing devices while the plurality of sensing devices are in the concrete mixture after the concrete mixture has been laid at the construction site;
• storing the first, second and third data in a memory;
• and
• generating a prediction of a characteristic of the concrete mixture based on the first, second and third data.

A method of managing a closed-loop production and delivery system, the method comprising:

• receiving an order for a concrete mixture, the order defining a formulation that specifies a plurality of components of the product and a quantity of sensing devices;
• in response to the order, producing the concrete mixture at a production facility based on the formulation;
• inserting the specified quantity of sensing devices into the concrete mixture at the production facility;
• receiving first data from the sensing devices while the sensing devices are in the concrete mixture at the production facility, second data from the sensing devices while the sensing devices are in the concrete mixture during transportation of the concrete mixture in a concrete mixing truck, and third data from the sensing devices while the sensing devices are in the concrete mixture after the concrete mixture has been laid at a construction site;
• and
• determining a characteristic of the concrete mixture based on the first, second, and third data.

A communication system comprising:

• a concrete mixing truck comprising a drum adapted to hold a concrete mixture;
• at least one sensing device disposed inside the drum of the concrete mixing truck, the at least one sensing device being adapted to float within a concrete mixture inside the drum, to generate data relating to the concrete mixture, and to transmit a signal comprising the data;
• an antenna device disposed on the drum, the antenna device comprising:
• a receiver component adapted to receive the signal from the at least one device located in the concrete mixture inside the drum;
• and
• a transmitter component adapted to retransmit the signal outside the drum;
• and
• a communication device adapted to receive the signal retransmitted by the transmitter component of the antenna device and transmit the signal via a network to a second device.