Abstract: Apparatus for identifying fluid to be supplied through an RFID-tagged fluid-supply hose. The hose connects to one of several movable, RFID-tagged fluid containers. A fluid station includes a plurality of antenna mounts at fixed locations so that a respective plurality of fluid-container locations is defined. An RFID reading unit connects to antennas on the mounts. A controller reads the respective RFID tags of the hose and of the containers in the fluid-container locations using the RFID reading unit. It then determines which of the plurality of movable fluid containers is positioned in the fluid-container location corresponding to the antenna range in which the fluid-supply hose is positioned, so that the fluid in the determined fluid container is identified as the fluid to be supplied through the fluid-supply hose.

Abstract: A classification of a container is identified using a mobile station including an image capture device and an RFID reader having a reader antenna. The container has two RFID tags affixed thereto at respective, different locations. Each tag has a directional antenna steered in a different direction, so that a reader location is defined in the intersection of the antenna propagation patterns. Using the image capture device, one or more images of the container are captured. A controller determines, using the captured image data, whether the mobile station is in a candidate reader location. When the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the RFID reader attempts to read both tags. If both tags are read while the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the controller determines the classification of the container is a classification corresponding to the candidate reader location.

Abstract: RFID tags are read using an RFID reader. A non-RFID-active object has two RFID tags affixed thereto at respective, different tag locations. Each tag has a respective directional antenna steered in a respective, different direction. Respective directional propagation patterns are thus defined and a reader location is defined in the intersection of the propagation patterns. An RFID reader with a reader antenna located at the reader location is provided. The RFID reader is activated to read both tags.

Abstract: A method of verifying the identification of fluid to be supplied through an RFID-tagged fluid-supply hose adapted to connect to a movable, RFID-tagged fluid container includes providing an RFID reading unit including an antenna, so that the respective RFID tags of the container and the hose are within a range of the antenna. The RFID tag of the container is read using the RFID reading unit to determine an identification code of the container. The RFID tag of the fluid-supply hose is read using the RFID reading unit to determine an identification code of the hose. A controller automatically verifies the determined identification code of the container against the determined identification code of the hose.

Abstract: Non-RFID-active units in a space are marked by affixing RFID tags. Two tags are affixed to each unit, each tag having a directional antenna. The antennas are oriented to define a per-unit reader location. Units are arranged in the space so the per-unit reader locations at least partially overlap to define a reader location. The units in the space can also be detected by an RFID reader located in the overlapping per-unit reader locations. A controller can compare a received list of tag identities corresponding to units expected to be in the container to the identities of the tags read to determine whether the expected units are in the container and disposed at positions and with orientations that cause the respective per-unit reader locations to at least partially overlap with the reader location.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying fluid to be supplied through one of a plurality of RFID-tagged fluid-supply hoses that selectively connect to a movable, RFID-tagged fluid container includes a fluid station including an antenna mount at a fixed location so that a fluid-container location is defined. An RFID reading unit is connected to an antenna on the mount. A controller reads the RFID tag of the movable fluid container positioned in the fluid-container location using the RFID reading unit and reads the RFID tag(s) attached to one or more of the fluid-supply hoses whose respective tag(s) are positioned in the antenna range. The controller then determines which of the plurality of fluid-supply hoses is positioned in the antenna range, so that the fluid in the fluid container is identified as the fluid to be supplied through the determined fluid-supply hose.

Abstract: A method of verifying the identification of fluids to be supplied successively through a fluid-supply hose that selectively connects to successive movable, RFID-tagged fluid containers includes providing an RFID reading unit including an antenna. A sequence of reference container identification codes is received. A container-present indication indicating one of the containers is positioned so that its RFID tag is in the antenna range is received. In response, the RFID tag of that container is read using the RFID reading unit to determine an identification code of the container. A controller automatically verifies the determined container identification code against the first reference identification code in the sequence using a controller. The starting through verifying steps are repeated, using successive values from the sequence in the verifying step, until all values in the sequence have been verified against container identification codes read using the RFID reading unit.

Abstract: An RFID reader system has an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The tag authorizes the RFID reader by receiving a plurality of successively-transmitted initial RFID read signals and determining respective initial-read signal power levels of the received initial RFID read signals. Using the determined initial-read signal power levels, a controller automatically selects an authorization sequence. A plurality of successively-transmitted authorization RFID signals are received sequentially, and respective authorization-signal power levels of the received authorization RFID read signals are determined. The determined authorization-signal power levels are automatically compared to the authorization sequence using the controller, so that the RFID reader is authorized if the determined authorization-signal power levels correspond to the authorization sequence.

Abstract: A method of detecting an RFID tag includes transmitting a bait RFID read signal at a bait power level and a simulated response signal at a simulated-response power level. A selected reader frequency is monitored for a selected detection time. A skimmer is determined to be present if a skimmer RFID read signal is detected during that time. If a skimmer is not determined to be present, multiple read signals are transmitted sequentially, each signal at a respective read power level. At least one of the read power levels is lower than the bait power level, at least one of the read power levels is lower than the simulated-response power level, and at least two of the read power levels are different from each other. A selected response frequency for a tag is monitored for a response from an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of selecting digital images includes using a processor to store the digital images in an electronic storage and retrieval system, forming a corresponding machine-readable code for each stored digital image, the machine-readable code encoding a reference to the storage location of the corresponding digital image in the electronic storage and retrieval system, providing a viewable image that includes a representative image of each digital image in the first collection of digital images in association with its associated machine-readable code, selecting one or more but not all of the digital images by receiving references or photographs of the machine-readable codes and extracting the references from the received photographs, and compiling the digital images corresponding to the received or extracted references into a second image collection.

Abstract: A viewable image for selecting one or more digital images from a collection of digital images includes a plurality of representative images representing corresponding digital images in the collection, each corresponding digital image stored in an electronic storage and retrieval system and a plurality of machine-readable codes, each machine-readable code associated with one of the representative images so that a viewer can readily identify a desired digital image and a corresponding machine-readable code in the viewable image, wherein each machine-readable code can be photographed to select its corresponding digital image, and wherein the machine-readable code encodes a reference to the corresponding digital image stored in the electronic storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A method of selecting images includes using a processor to transmit and store each digital image in a remote electronic storage and retrieval system, receiving a viewable image that includes a representative image of each digital image in association with a machine-readable code, each machine-readable code encoding a reference to the location of its corresponding digital image in the electronic storage and retrieval system, selecting one or more but not all of the digital images from the viewable image by photographing each of the machine-readable codes corresponding to desired digital images, and transmitting the photographs to an image-product production service or extracting the references from the photographs and transmitting the references to the image-product production service, the referenced digital images specifying a second image collection.

Abstract: A wireless control system for use in system having a plurality of periodic noise sources includes an antenna; an RF receiver connected to the antenna for receiving RF noise from an external periodic noise source; a phase synchronization circuit connected to the RF receiver for generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and a noise source control circuit connected to the phase synchronization circuit for receiving the clock signal and controlling a periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.