Abstract: Flip flops with a barrier circumscribing the flip flop sole. The barrier protects the feet from water splashes, puddles, wet grass and wind. The flip flops are open in a vertical direction, and therefore highly breathable. The barrier is waterproof and therefore provides excellent water protection. The barrier can be about 0.5-4 inches or about 0.7-3 inches tall. Alternatively, the barrier height can be at least 1/3, 40%, 1/2, 2/3, or 3/4 the length of a toe strap. The barrier can be made of closed cell foam or plastic film. The barrier can have attachment tabs for attachment to the sole. The attachment between the sole and barrier is water tight.

Abstract: Provided are radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag readers having visible light beams to visually indicate the location of an RFID tag. In one embodiment, the RFID reader can electronically determine the location of an RFID tag. The RFID reader has a visible laser scanner that is controlled to target the RFID tag, based on the electronic location data. Hence, the user will see a laser beam point toward the RFID tag location. In another embodiment, the RFID tag reader has a directional RF interrogating beam, and a visible light beam that overlaps with the RF interrogating beam. The visible light beam indicates the volume of space where the RFID tag reader can detect RFID tags. The size of the visible light beam can be adjusted to be bigger for more sensitive tags (e.g. active tags) or smaller for less sensitive tags. (e.g. passive tags), or adjusted for RF output power.