Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting an intruder. The method includes the steps of receiving an echo from opposing sides of a curtain line extending through the secure area, determining a difference between the received echoes, determining a phase difference of the signal and generating an alarm when the determined phase changes sign between successively received echoes.

Abstract: An alphanumeric data input system for entering text into portable electronic devices by making linear traces or taps with a thumb or finger on a touch sensitive lineographic keypad. This keypad is conveniently located on the upper and left part of the electronic device in order to facilitate the natural motion of the thumb thus avoiding fatigue and strain of the same. The system allows the user to enter operational commands on the keypad, as well as entering of letters of different alphabets such as the Latin Alphabet, Mathematical Greek and Russian Alphabets and possibly of alphabets of other foreign languages including Japanese, Chinese and Korean. This system can be used for entering a combination of letters to speed up the writing process, and enables the entering of punctuation marks, typographical symbols and a wide range of mathematical symbols.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for taking digital photographs of subjects and for distributing digital images from the photographs according to subject identifiers transmitted from RFID tags held with the subjects. With a first embodiment, data from photographs taken of a number of groups of individuals, such as passengers on a cruise ship, are distributed only to individuals within the groups. With a second embodiment, the RFID tags are placed within or on objects likely to be stolen, so that the objects can be tracked by digital photographs automatically taken as the objects are moved past a camera unit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing keypad information to a user for a keypad coupled to an exterior portion of the vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal from a first transmitter and increasing a first count in response to detecting the first RF signal. The method includes receiving a second RF signal from a second transmitter and increasing a second count in response to detecting the second RF signal. The method includes comparing the first count to a first predetermined count and comparing the second count to a second predetermined count. The method includes transmitting the keypad information to the display device based on at least one of the comparison of the first count to the first predetermined amount and the comparison of the second count to the second predetermined amount.

Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system and method includes a tag reader and radio frequency identification tag. The tag reader includes an ultrasonic transducer capable of transmitting tones at selected ultrasonic frequencies and a radio transmitter capable of transmitting signals at selected radio frequencies. The tag reader includes a radio receiver capable of receiving signals at selected radio frequencies. The tag reader determines if a received radio frequency signal is modulated at a selected ultrasonic frequency. The radio frequency identification tag includes an array of combination resonator/reflectors. Each combination resonator/reflector of the array includes an ultrasonic resonator coupled to a radio reflector. Each resonator/reflector of the array is tuned to a unique pair of selected ultrasonic frequencies and selected radio frequencies.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a seat that includes one or more adjustable physical features includes for each person within a plurality of persons, calibrating the seat by determining a preferred setting for each of the one or more adjustable physical features of the seat; utilizing the determined preferred settings to determine a cluster from among a plurality of clusters within which each of the plurality of persons is placed; identifying one of the persons; and for the identified person, adjusting each of the one or more physical features of the seat to the preferred setting depending on the one of the plurality of clusters that the identified person is placed in.

Abstract: An RF communications system including a controlled apparatus configured to receive a RF signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter on a channel that the controlled apparatus can receive, without providing a response signal to the remote control transmitter. The RF transmitting circuit unit of the remote control transmitter transmits RF signals on all of a number of selected transmission channels in a wireless frequency band, while the RF receiving circuit unit of the controlled apparatus stands by to receive an RF signal on a channel of the selected channels that has a relatively low electric field intensity.

Abstract: A system including wireless tags that transmit information from fixed locations to nearby wireless tag readers possessed by moving persons also includes a wireless tag status inference apparatus to which the wireless tag readers send identifying information received from the wireless tags. The wireless tag status inference apparatus logs the information received from the wireless tag readers, and compares the logged information with a stored list of installed wireless tags to identify suspected inoperable wireless tags. Wireless tags requiring replacement or repair can thereby be identified promptly and inexpensively, without the need to dispatch personnel on periodic inspection tours of all areas in which the wireless tags are installed.