Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a composite RFID tag, where the composite RFID tag may include a plurality of individual tags that are arranged to respond to a reader as one tag.

Abstract: Various RFID based blister pack embodiments are provided for improving the ability to detect and prevent tampering and counterfeiting of blister packs and/or facilitating the chain of custody tracking of blister packs during manufacture. Some embodiments employ an RFID chip network on the blister pack and some embodiments employ an RFID strap network on the blister pack, wherein the integrity of the network (or lack thereof) is used to indicate the possibility of tampering. Other embodiments determine the possibility of tampering based on the frequency of an RF signal that is received from a chip provided on the blister pack, which will vary depending on whether the associated antenna has been detuned as a result of some type of tampering.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: Transponder networks and transponder systems are provided which help to overcome the issues presented to transponders systems by FCC power limitations. One embodiment provides a transponder network that includes a plurality of RFID straps in order to increase the amount of memory that is practically available in the network. Other embodiments provide transponder systems employing a touch probe RFID reader device that enable information to be communicated to and from a transponder or a transponder network by establishing physical contact with the reader device rather than through an air interface.

Abstract: Energy harvesting circuits and associated methods are provided that employ multiple antennas to optimize the amount of energy that is harvested while at the same time making efficient use of tag space. In some embodiments, matching networks are chosen in a manner that optimizes the DC energy that is created from the harvesting process. In other embodiments, phase shifts are introduced into the received signals to allow the signals to be more efficiently combined after they are rectified.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, where the passive RFID tag contains an RF network node and communication facility. The RF network node includes an RF and analog block for receiving and transmitting an RFID reader signal, a data processing and controller block for digital information processing, a memory store, and a power management block for managing power requirements of the RF network node. The communication facility communicates at least in part with an external display facility. The distribution of power to the RF network node functional blocks is controlled using the power management block to select between an extended operational time and an increase in available functionality.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a composite RFID tag, where the composite RFID tag may include a plurality of individual tags that are arranged to respond to a reader as one tag.

Abstract: Energy harvesting circuits and associated methods are provided that employ multiple antennas to optimize the amount of energy that is harvested while at the same time making efficient use of tag space. In some embodiments, matching networks are chosen in a manner that optimizes the DC energy that is created from the harvesting process. In other embodiments, phase shifts are introduced into the received signals to allow the signals to be more efficiently combined after they are rectified.

Abstract: Energy harvesting circuits and associated methods are provided that employ multiple antennas to optimize the amount of energy that is harvested while at the same time making efficient use of tag space. In some embodiments, matching networks are chosen in a manner that optimizes the DC energy that is created from the harvesting process. In other embodiments, phase shifts are introduced into the received signals to allow the signals to be more efficiently combined after they are rectified.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: A means and method to connect multiple IC chips to a single apparatus where the IC chips may function as a passive system or network in space. The collection of antennae and coupled near field devices form a pool of energy in which multiple devices may be introduced so as to provide a pool of energy and/or to function as a network or networks of devices including IC chips.

Abstract: A transponder system that includes at least one transponder apparatus that does not have an antenna and a reader device having a touch probe having one or more probe contacts for enabling the reader device to communicate with the transponder apparatus through a temporary physical interface. Also, a method of communicating with a printed circuit board or an item including a printed circuit board using a reader device wherein a transponder apparatus or a transponder chip is provided on the printed circuit board and wherein conductors from independent circuits of the printed circuit board are used to form an antenna for the transponder apparatus or transponder chip.

Abstract: A method of powering a wireless autonomous device having energy harvesting circuitry, on-board electronic circuitry, and RF transmitter circuitry using an RF transmitting profile that includes a plurality of RF pulses. That same profile may also be used to simultaneously communicate information to the wireless autonomous device in a number of ways, including different encoding schemes. A system including a plurality of wireless autonomous devices that employs the methods is also provided. Further, a method of designing a wireless autonomous device system and/or a wireless autonomous device to be used therein is provided that employs an equivalent circuit for the wireless autonomous device that is in the form of a lumped parameter RLC circuit with an energy source.

Abstract: Energy harvesting circuits and associated methods are provided that employ multiple antennas to optimize the amount of energy that is harvested while at the same time making efficient use of tag space. In some embodiments, matching networks are chosen in a manner that optimizes the DC energy that is created from the harvesting process. In other embodiments, phase shifts are introduced into the received signals to allow the signals to be more efficiently combined after they are rectified.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote interaction with an object of interest includes a remote station for obtaining information from the object of interest, a base station for transmitting energy in space to and communicating with the remote station and the remote station having conversion means for energizing the remote station responsive to receipt of the transmitted energy. The energy may be of any suitable type including RF power, light, acoustic, magnetic energy or other form of space transmitted or “radiant” energy. The remote station does not have to contain a source of stored energy or a wired connection to a source of energy. The remote station receives the energy transmission and data transmission from the base station and transmits data to the base station.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote interaction with an object of interest includes a remote station for obtaining information from the object of interest, a base station for transmitting energy in space to and communicating with the remote station and the remote station having conversion means for energizing the remote station responsive to receipt of the transmitted energy. The energy may be of any suitable type including RF power, light, acoustic, magnetic energy or other form of space transmitted or “radiant” energy. The remote station does not have to contain a source of stored energy or a wired connection to a source of energy. The remote station receives the energy transmission and data transmission from the base station and transmits data to the base station. Microprocessor controllers may be provided for the base station and the remote station. The remote station may receive information from sensors and through one or more transponders sequentially communicate information to the base station.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote interaction with an object of interest includes a remote station for obtaining information from the object of interest, a base station for transmitting energy in space to and communicating with the remote station and the remote station having conversion means for energizing the remote station responsive to receipt of the transmitted energy. The energy may be of any suitable type including RF power, light, acoustic, magnetic energy or other form of space transmitted or “radiant” energy. The remote station does not have to contain a source of stored energy or a wired connection to a source of energy. The remote station receives the energy transmission and data transmission from the base station and transmits data to the base station. Microprocessor controllers may be provided for the base station and the remote station. The remote station may receive information from sensors and through one or more transponders sequentially communicate information to the base station.