Abstract: Briefly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a networked security tag affixed to a portable computing device is operable to provide monitoring, tracking, and security for the portable computing device within a protected region. The security tag includes the following: an onboard security program, an omni-directional device antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding one megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to the device antenna, the transceiver operable to receive radio signals at the low radio frequency and generate data signals at the said low radio frequency, in response thereto. The security tag also includes a programmable microcontroller operatively coupled with the transceiver, the microcontroller configured for controlling operation of the security program and to cause the transceiver to emit a signal.

Abstract: A system uses an antenna at a portal, the antenna coupled to equipment which can send and receive information to and from radio tags, each having a unique identity. The equipment detects, for example, a tag attached to an asset. The equipment looks to see if an associated badge is in the detection area of the portal. If the badge and asset match, the user bearing the badge is permitted to exit the portal. Otherwise the user is not permitted to exit the portal. An asset such as a ski can be equipped with such a tag, the tag in this case being a low-frequency tag. The low-frequency tag permits locating the ski even if it is not visible because it is under snow.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the operating state of a lock characterized by a locked state and an unlocked state. The method comprises: entering secret information on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on a radio frequency identity card, then electronically comparing the secret information against an authorized code to determine whether the secret information is authorized, then transmitting by radio frequency an unlocking signal to a radio frequency reader located at the lock for opening the lock in the event that the secret information is authorized. In a related use of such RF identity cards, the invention also provides a system and method of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: An RFID tag in a receptacle is active and includes a microprocessor, a data storage device operable to store a selected code (e.g. an ID code to identify said object or said product), the object including a display for displaying the aforesaid selected code upon a signal from the microprocessor and an energy storage device (e.g. a lithium ion battery), operable to energize the microprocessor, the display, and the transmitter. The tag has an antenna having a dimension thereof that is substantially as large as to a maximum dimension of receptacle.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: Active high frequency radio tags have two major disadvantages: First, since the power consumption of any solid state circuit is proportional to the operating speed, active LF,HF and UHF tags require large batteries with limited life (two to maximum five years) and as a result are bulky heavy devices; Second, they must use high speed semiconductor devices that have a major impact on the active tag costs as compared to other semiconductor processes that operate at lower frequencies. The present invention provides a method, system, and ultra low frequency (below 1 megahertz) tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects attached thereto, the aforesaid ULF tag comprising: a) a tag antenna (e.g.

Abstract: A circular data-bearing medium having a hub hole has a chip and two distinct loop antennas, each offset from the other, each antenna disposed around the hub hole, the chip electrically connected with each of the two distinct antennas. The circular data-bearing medium does not have a battery. When bathed in RF energy the chip receives power from one of the loop antennas. During the power-up time the chip may receive messages on the other of the loop antennas, and may respond, on that antenna, to some of the received messages and not others, based upon internal states within the chip. At least one of the internal states is reset upon loss and restoration of the bathing RF energy. When passed nearby to an EAS sensor, for example at an exit of a store, the chip can selectively either trigger the sensor or not trigger the sensor, as a function of whether an EAS link has or has not been blown, and the triggering response is non-identical from one data-bearing medium to the next.

Abstract: An active two way radio tag (e.g. used for tracking assets, people or livestock) operates below 1 MHz and includes an integrated circuit operable to generate and transmit data signals at a frequency below 1 megahertz, a timing circuit (e.g. a crystal), for controlling the frequency, and a battery or other energy source operable to energize said integrated circuit and said timing circuit. The active tag may further include a data storage device (e.g. a static or dynamic memory) operable to store data identifying the tag.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: An RFID tag in a receptacle is active and includes a microprocessor, a data storage device operable to store a selected code (e.g. an ID code to identify said object or said product), the object including a display for displaying the aforesaid selected code upon a signal from the microprocessor and an energy storage device (e.g. a lithium ion battery), operable to energize the microprocessor, the display, and the transmitter. The tag has an antenna having a dimension thereof that is substantially as large as to a maximum dimension of receptacle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for auditably authenticating the histories of events (e.g. temperature levels) experienced by objects (e.g. pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs, etc.) during storage in repositories such as warehouses and movable shipping vehicles. The method involves a) sensing an event experienced by an object; b) recording an event signal that defines the sensed event; c) transmitting a temporally ordered series of said event signals to a data storage apparatus, said data storage apparatus being operable to store said temporally ordered series of said event signals; and d) safeguarding the aforesaid data storage apparatus against alteration of said stored series of event signals. The safeguarding may be done by selecting a data storage apparatus which is unalterable, such as a write-once-only CD-R disc. Such use of an unalterable medium (e.g.

Abstract: A method, system and RF tag for tracking and locating travel bags during their shipment (e.g. by airlines) by providing owner's identification, destination, historical, and other pedigree information about such shipped travel bags. The RF travel tags are active (e.g. battery or solar cell powered), operate at low radio frequencies, below 15 MHz (e.g. 128 kHz), and comprise a large storage device which stores information. The stored information comprises both identification information that identifies said travel bag and an owner (e.g. name, address) thereof and database information concerning characteristics of the travel bag, the database information including the destination, origin, travel history of the bag, and historical characteristics of said travel bag. The RF travel bag tag has a first loop antenna, a transceiver operatively connected with the first antenna and operable to receive a first RF interrogation signal at a low frequency not exceeding 15 MHz (e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for authenticating and for preventing alteration of histories of events occurring within at least one repository (e.g. a cargo container, fixed warehouse or a movable vehicle) for objects (e.g. auto parts, pharmaceutical materials, computer parts, laptops, etc.) held for a period of time, where the repository is exposed to an unauthorized intrusion therewithin (and potential theft of said objects therefrom and potential insertion of dangerous items therewithin). The events include changes in environmental conditions (e.g. light levels, infrared levels, temperature, air pressure, etc) which indicate an unauthorized intrusion.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention provides a real-time package tracking system for use by a package delivery service. The system includes a vehicle operable to deliver a package to a destination of a customer within a region, a positional location system (e.g. GPS) carried by the vehicle, the positional location system being operable to determine geographic positional coordinates for sequential locations of the vehicle along the route thereof toward said destination. The system also includes a wireless transmitter means (such as a cell phone link) carried by said vehicle, for transferring the aforesaid geographic positional coordinates to a central computer. The computer is operable to providing periodic updated calculations to periodically estimate corresponding estimated arrival time (ETA) data for the specific package to said destination and to supply the aforesaid estimated arrival time data to said customer.