Abstract: An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: An object tracking system, method and computer product, that include a remote communication device associated with the object to be tracked that includes a transmitter for broadcasting a tracking signal, and a search unit, that includes a receiver receiving the tracking signal from the remote communication device, and a processor analyzing the received tracking signal from the remote communication device to derive a relative direction and a relative distance to the remote communication device from the search unit.

Abstract: A near field antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.

Abstract: An integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radiofrequency identification (RFID) marker is provided which a semiconductor device which may he coupled to an antenna for receiving and retransmitting energy and signals to the antenna. A current receiving front end section of the semiconductor device communicates with at least one other section of the device so more than one function can be implemented upon receiving and retransmitting energy and signals. A first switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that the functions are entirely but reversibly disabled upon closure of the first switch thereby effecting a reversible EAS function. A second switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that at least one of the functions is at least partially disabled upon closure of the second switch. RFID functions of the marker am retained upon EAS deactivation.

Abstract: A reader device for electronic article surveillance (EAS) is disclosed which includes an exciter; a transmitter, the transmitter operatively coupled to the exciter via a first signal gate; a transmitter antenna operatively coupled to the transmitter; a receiver antenna operatively coupled to a receiver front end; and a signal detector, the receiver front end operatively coupled to the signal detector via a second signal gate, wherein the exciter generates a burst of electromagnetic energy in a pulse or a continuous wave at an operating frequency of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag within a read range of the EAS reader such that the energy level of the burst generates a residual or ring-down signal from the RFID tag indicating the presence of the RFID tag without activating the RED functions of the tag. The ring-down signal is read by the EAS reader as an EAS function.

Abstract: A conduction structure for infrared microbolometer sensors and a method for sensing electromagnetic radiation may be provided. The microbolometer may include a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer. The microbolometer further may include a bolometer layer between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a frequency-division marker are described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a frequency divider using variable capacitance are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method to detect RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing. The system includes an RFID module that includes an energy coupler to receive transmitted energy that includes a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, and a mixing element to mix the first and second signals, to generate a third signal at a third frequency, and the energy coupler to transmit the third signal to an EAS detection system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect an external source are described.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A solid state gas sensor may include gas sensing element coupled to a substrate. The gas sensing element may have a desired operating temperature, which may be between 100 and 400 degrees Celsius. The sensor may further include a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to sense an operating temperature of the sensing element and provide a feedback signal representative of the operating temperature. The sensor may further include a heater having a heat output. The heater may be responsive to the feedback signal to adjust the heat output to drive the operating temperature to the desired operating temperature. A detector such as a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector having such a solid state gas sensor is also provided. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enhance magnetoimpedance effect using magnetomechanical resonance are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enhance magnetoimpedance effect using magnetomechanical resonance are described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a frequency divider using variable capacitance are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect an external source are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a frequency-division marker are described.

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance marker is provided that, in one embodiment, includes deposition or placing of at least one elongated bias magnet onto a substrate, depositing a cavity layer onto the substrate where the cavity layer defines an elongated cavity adjacent the bias magnet. Placing a magnetomechanical resonator into the cavity and sealing a cover onto the cavity layer wherein the resonator is captured in the cavity and free to mechanically vibrate substantially unencumbered. The substrate itself may be magnetic thereby eliminating a separate bias magnet. In an alternate embodiment, a cavity is molded in a plastic substrate sized to fit a resonator, and a cover is sealed to the substrate to capture a resonator in the cavity. At least one bias magnet is placed onto the cover adjacent the cavity and a second cover is sealed to the substrate, to the first cover, and to the bias fixing the bias in place adjacent the cavity.

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.