Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving data from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; receiving waypoint information relating to the RFID tag; setting ownerships of discrete portions of the data based at least in part on the waypoint information; allowing an owner of one of the discrete portions of the data to view the discrete portion of the data owned by the owner, or derivative thereof; and not allowing the owner to view discrete portions of the data that are not owned by the owner.

Abstract: A method for associating an image of a document with information relating to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, according to one embodiment, includes receiving information relating to an RFID tag, the information including at least one of a trip identifier, an identifier of the RFID tag, an identifier of a transport item, and a document identifier; receiving an image of a document; storing the image of the document; associating the image of the document with the information relating to the RFID tag; and storing the association of the image with the information relating to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A calibrated gate biasing circuit according to one embodiment includes a switched capacitor precision resistor; and a voltage reference. An electronic circuit for initiating a change in state of a host device, according to another embodiment, includes a counter coupled to a host device, the counter counting at a fixed interval, wherein the counter is reset to zero upon receiving a command from a remote device, wherein the count is compared to a reference value, wherein the host device changes states if the count matches the reference value, wherein operation of the counter continues in spite of an interruption in power supply from a power source. Asymmetrical differential amplifiers are also disclosed, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Embodiments of the present invention are also enhanced with receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity and need for dynamic range state switching. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing. Further enhancement is achieved via design of system command sets and tag state machine behavior that control system interference and allow maximum usage of high sensitivity. Command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system.

Abstract: A method for subcarrier downconversion and data detection according to one embodiment includes determining whether to use an upper sideband frequency section of a complex downconverter output, a lower sideband frequency section of the complex downconverter output, or both sideband frequency sections of the complex downconverter output; and processing the output corresponding to the selected sideband frequency section or sections based on the determination, wherein the processing includes correlation and data detection. Such methodology may also be implemented as a system using logic for performing the various operations. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An RFID device according to one embodiment includes an active portion of a first inverted F antenna; a feed electrically coupled to the active portion; an active portion of a second inverted F antenna, a feed electrically coupled to the second active portion; a ground plane spaced from the active portions; and an RFID controller coupled to the feeds. An RFID device according to another embodiment includes an inverted F antenna having an active portion, a ground plane spaced from the active portion, and a feed coupled to the active portion, wherein the active portion includes multiple aims, a first of the arms having a first length and a second of the arms having a second length; and an RFID controller coupled to the feed.

Abstract: A method for estimating a strength of a radio frequency signal according to one embodiment includes receiving a correlator magnitude signal from a correlator module; performing a gain scaling on the correlator magnitude signal; and averaging the scaled correlator magnitude signal or value associated therewith to generate an output indicative of a strength of the signal. Such methodology may also be implemented as a system using logic for performing the various operations. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method for processing baseband signals according to one embodiment includes receiving I and Q baseband signals; and selectively reducing an amount of samples of the baseband signals to be processed in a correlator, wherein the reduction rate is based on a data rate of the baseband signals. A preintegrator module according to one embodiment includes an automatic gain control section for performing automatic gain control on I and Q baseband signals; a first preintegrator coupled to an output of the automatic gain control section, the first preintegrator being for selectively reducing an amount of samples in the I baseband signal based on a data rate of the I baseband signal; and a second preintegrator coupled to an output of the automatic gain control section, the second preintegrator being for selectively reducing an amount of samples in the Q baseband signal based on a data rate of the Q baseband signal. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A media capture device coupled to an RFID reader and/or antenna. A system in one embodiment includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader; an antenna coupled to the RFID reader; and a media capture device coupled to at least one of the reader and the antenna. A method in another embodiment includes capturing media using a media capture device coupled to at least one of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader and an antenna coupled to the RFID reader upon occurrence of a trigger event.

Abstract: A method for demodulating a data signal according to one embodiment includes processing baseband signals using multiple complex correlators each having a half-Tbit length; summing outputs of the complex correlators for a first data state; and differencing outputs of the complex correlators for a second data state. A system for demodulating a data signal according to one embodiment includes a correlator module having logic for: processing baseband signals using multiple complex correlators each having a half-Tbit length; summing outputs of the complex correlators for a first data state; and differencing outputs of the complex correlators for a second data state. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, the RFID tag having a housing; an interface configured for detachable coupling to a connector that is coupleable or coupled to an external module having at least one of a battery and a remote sensor; a controller for processing data derived from an output of the remote sensor; a memory for storing the data derived from an output of the remote sensor and/or the processed data; and an antenna coupled to the controller for enabling backscatter communication.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product according to one embodiment are provided for calibrating an RFID interrogator. A signal is sent from an interrogator to a calibration device. A backscatter signal is received from the calibration device. The backscatter from the calibration device is analyzed. An outgoing signal strength of the interrogator is adjusted based on the analysis. In a system, method and computer program product according to another embodiment, the interrogator is set to selectively respond to tags returning a backscatter signal strength selected based on the analysis. In a system, method and computer program product according to another embodiment, comparison criteria is selected based on the analysis of the backscatter signal. An RF device is instructed to store the comparison criteria, which is then used by the RF device to selectively respond to an interrogator signal having at least a desired strength.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment includes communication circuitry for enabling wireless communication with an RF reader; energy harvesting circuitry for generating an electric current from RF energy; a sensor loop coupled to the energy harvesting circuitry; and a status register coupled to the sensor loop for indicating a broken or unbroken status of the sensor loop. A method according to one embodiment includes generating an electric current in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device, the current energizing a sensor loop; detecting a status of whether the sensor loop is broken or unbroken; storing the status in at least one of a status register and a nonvolatile memory; receiving a query from an RFID reader for the status; and sending the status to the RFID reader.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow for dynamic selection and query of different types of RFID tags into a session. Embodiments of the present invention also allow for dynamic activation of different types of RFID tags. In certain embodiments of the invention, an inclusive operation is performed on the RFID tags and in other embodiments an exclusive operation is performed.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes conummicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to a reusable transport item (RTI); and determining whether the RTI has passed a predetermined useful lifetime thereof based on information received from the RFID tag. A method according to one embodiment includes conummicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to a reusable transport item (RTI); and determining both a horizontal and vertical position of the RTI. A method according to yet another embodiment includes communicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to a reusable transport item (RTI); and performing an action based at least in part on at least one of a location and a determined inactivity of the RTI.

Abstract: A method for controlling RF power within an RFID system according to one embodiment includes returning a first set of RFID tags that were successfully accessed at a first reader forward mode power level to a hibernate state; initiating a timer operation in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags, the timer operation defining a period of time; and preventing the first set of RFID tags from responding to an activation command at a second reader forward power level during the period of time, the second reader forward power level being higher than the first reader forward power level; and wherein a flag state stored in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags indicates whether the timer operation is active to prevent undesired activation at the second reader forward power level.

Abstract: An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) devices includes transmitting a first signal at a first power level, interrogating RF devices responding to the first signal, instructing the responding RF devices to change state, and transmitting a second signal at a second power level higher than the first power level. The RF devices responding to the first signal do not respond to the second signal upon changing state.

Abstract: A method for associating an image of a document with information relating to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, according to one embodiment, includes receiving information relating to an RFID tag, the information including at least one of a trip identifier, an identifier of the RFID tag, an identifier of a transport item, and a document identifier; receiving an image of a document; storing the image of the document; associating the image of the document with the information relating to the RFID tag; and storing the association of the image with the information relating to the RFID tag.