Abstract: A system for tracking RFID tags with a reader device having a plurality of antennas. The antennas are positioned such that portions of at least two of the plurality of antennas physically overlap each other and are in approximately the same plane. A pair of overlapping antennas are also positioned so that an RFID tag is positioned within both signal fields of the pair of overlapping antennas. In addition, the reader device is configured to selectively activate the plurality of overlapping antennas to thereby selectively interrogate one or more of the RFID tags, and the reader device is configured to use the selective interrogation of the one or more RFID tags to track the locations of the RFID tags.

Abstract: A reader device for locating and tracking multiple tags includes a plurality of closely packed antenna circuits and at least one controller configured to control the plurality of closely packed antenna circuits. The at least one controller is configured to activate one or more of the antenna circuits to generate at least one resonance signal field configured to interrogate at least one tag associated with the one or more active antenna circuits while substantially preventing or reducing cross-coupling of signals between the one or more active antenna circuits and at least one antenna circuit within the at least one resonance signal field to a sufficiently low level, wherein the sufficiently low level substantially prevents misreads from unwanted tags, to thereby track the multiple tags in a substantially controlled manner.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a method of monitoring a package. The method includes mounting a transponder on the package, the transponder having at least two signal transmission devices and emitting a first output signal configuration on the signal transmission devices when the integrity of the package is intact and emitting a second output signal configuration on the signal transmission devices if the integrity of the package has been compromised.

Abstract: A multi-function selecting mechanism is provided. The multi-function selecting mechanism comprises a toggling feature and a selection mechanism coupled with said toggling feature. The selection mechanism is configured to move about the toggling feature to a first position or move toward the toggling feature to a second position, wherein a first function is initiated when the selection mechanism is in the first position and a second function is initiated when the selection mechanism is in the second position.

Abstract: A mobile electronic apparatus includes a storage device for storing electrical energy and a rotating mechanism configured to energize the apparatus. The rotating mechanism includes a motor, a shaft connected to the motor, and a mass eccentrically attached to the shaft, where the motor is configured to rotate the shaft and the mass to cause the mobile electronic apparatus to vibrate when activated, where motion of the mobile electronic apparatus is configured to cause the mass and the shaft to rotate with respect to the motor, and where rotation of the shaft with respect to the motor is converted into electrical energy. The apparatus also includes circuitry for harvesting the electrical energy and for recharging the storage device with the harvested electrical energy.

Abstract: Assets are managed using policies. Locations of the assets are also determined. A policy may apply to an asset as determined based on the location of the asset. If a policy applies to the asset, a control function is performed.

Abstract: A system for tracking cables is disclosed includes a cable socket and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag placed near an end of at least one of the cables, where the end of the at least one cable is configured to be inserted into the cable socket. The system also includes a reader device having at least one antenna positioned near the cable socket and being configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal to interrogate the RFID tag and thereby track the cables.

Abstract: A method and system of tracking devices uses imaging and optionally tags. Tracking is performed when the identification information associated with the devices are initially received and exposed towards a scanning bar in an enclosure. This scanning bar scans at one or more predetermined intervals the one or more devices in the enclosure of hardware. The system for tracking devices includes an enclosure capable of receiving one or more devices positioned to expose identification information related to each device and a scanning bar movably coupled to the enclosure that passes over each of the one or more devices and captures images of the identification information exposed by each of the one or more devices.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a method of monitoring a package. The method includes mounting a transponder on the package, the transponder having at least two signal transmission devices and emitting a first output signal configuration on the signal transmission devices when the integrity of the package is intact and emitting a second output signal configuration on the signal transmission devices if the integrity of the package has been compromised.

Abstract: An embodiment of a synchronizer for a mobile device comprises memory for containing identification data and message data. The synchronizer is operative at least part of the time when the mobile device is inactive to establish communication with a base station, to provide from memory identification data enabling the base station to establish communication between the synchronizer and a server and, where message data is waiting to be transferred between the server and the mobile device, to enable transfer of message data waiting to be transferred. The synchronizer is operative when the mobile device is active to transfer message data between the mobile device and the memory of the synchronizer.

Abstract: A reader device for locating and tracking multiple tags includes a plurality of closely packed antenna circuits and at least one controller configured to control the plurality of closely packed antenna circuits. The at least one controller is configured to activate one or more of the antenna circuits to generate at least one resonance signal field configured to interrogate at least one tag associated with the one or more active antenna circuits while substantially preventing or reducing cross-coupling of signals between the one or more active antenna circuits and at least one antenna circuit within the at least one resonance signal field to a sufficiently low level, wherein the sufficiently low level substantially prevents misreads from unwanted tags, to thereby track the multiple tags in a substantially controlled manner.

Abstract: To control multiple electronic devices in homes and other buildings through telephone lines, a user may establish communication by utilizing Caller ID supplied by a local telephone service supplier and, where such Caller ID service is unavailable, user generated Caller ID tones and simultaneous FAX pilot tones and data transmission, to signal to a device to be controlled or to a receiving station that instructions are received and communication is required.