Abstract: Briefly, an intelligent label is associated with a good, and includes one or more permanent and irreversible electrochromic indicators that are used to report the condition of that good at selected points in the movement or usage of that good. These electrochromic indicators provide immediate visual information regarding the status of the good without need to interrogate or communicate with the electronics or processor on the intelligent label. In this way, anyone in the shipping or use chain for the good, including the end user consumer, can quickly understand whether the product is meeting shipping and quality standards. If a product fails to meet shipping or quality standards, the particular point where the product failed can be quickly and easily identified, and information can be used to assure the consumer remains safe, while providing essential information for improving the shipping process.

Abstract: Briefly, a new network processing system is provided that collects and coordinates key indicators regarding a product's quality as that product moves from supplier to end user. By doing so, the processing system provides robust, authentic, and trustworthy data that (1) reports the time period when any custodian had the product, (2) identifies what timing or environmental condition caused the product to go bad, and (3) verifies which custodian acted to make the product defective. In use, an intelligent label is attached to a product, and the intelligent label has a timer as well as one or more sensors for monitoring environmental conditions. Upon exceeding timing or environmental rules, a visual alarm indicator is activated on the label. Since the label has electronically retrievable data, electronically scanable data, and human readable date, the network process can collected key data regarding the product along the entire distribution chain.

Abstract: Briefly, a new network processing system is provided that collects and coordinates key indicators regarding a product's quality as that product moves from supplier to end user. By doing so, the processing system provides robust, authentic, and trustworthy data that (1) reports the time period when any custodian had the product, (2) identifies what timing or environmental condition caused the product to go bad, and (3) verifies which custodian acted to make the product defective. In use, an intelligent label is attached to a product, and the intelligent label has a timer as well as one or more sensors for monitoring environmental conditions. Upon exceeding timing or environmental rules, a visual alarm indicator is activated on the label. Since the label has electronically retrievable data, electronically scanable data, and human readable date, the network process can collected key data regarding the product along the entire distribution chain.

Abstract: Briefly, an intelligent label is associated with a good, and includes one or more permanent and irreversible electrochromic indicators that are used to report the condition of that good at selected points in the movement or usage of that good. These electrochromic indicators provide immediate visual information regarding the status of the good without need to interrogate or communicate with the electronics or processor on the intelligent label. In this way, anyone in the shipping or use chain for the good, including the end user consumer, can quickly understand whether the product is meeting shipping and quality standards. If a product fails to meet shipping or quality standards, the particular point where the product failed can be quickly and easily identified, and information can be used to assure the consumer remains safe, while providing essential information for improving the shipping process.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internet based service, involves using a cellular telephony device to obtain a token from the provider of the internet based service, and within the cellular telephony device, using the token to calculate a time-limited password. The time-limited password is used in combination with at least one further user identification parameter to obtain access to the internet based service.

Abstract: Single pellets of a thermoplastic resin containing long glass fibers and a conductive filler are set forth that enable molded articles made from these pellets to exhibit conductivity and, at the same time, high mechanical properties. These pellets have mechanical properties that are substantially equivalent to non-conductive pellets of a thermoplastic resin containing same loading of long glass and provide conductivity that is substantially equivalent to articles obtained by blending two kinds of pellets, one pellet having a conductive filler and the other pellet one containing long glass fibers. The pellets include a thermoplastic resin, a long fiber reinforcing filler and a conductive additive dispersed in the pellet.

Abstract: An electronic system providing banking services, comprises a server having a first interface for communication with user mobile telephony devices over a mobile telephone network; and a second interface for communication with an intermediary acting as a gateway to banking records of multiple banking organizations. The first interface is adapted to allow at least balance enquiry requests to be submitted to one of the multiple banking organizations by means of the intermediary and to provide at least balance enquiry replies for display on the user mobile telephony device. The invention provides the functions of the high street ATM using the mobile phone environment.

Abstract: A wireless control device is described that single chip passive wireless control integrated circuit device. The device is coupled to an antenna configured to receive a radio signal and comprises a radio frequency transceiver circuit fabricated on a semiconductor substrate of an integrated circuit device and configured to extract information from the radio signal and a processor fabricated on the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive the information extracted from the radio signal and to respond to a command encoded in the information. A FET fabricated on the substrate operates as a switch and has a gate controlled by the processor. The FET can be configured to transmit an activation current provided to the integrated circuit device to an output of the integrated circuit device. The output may drive an actuator.

Abstract: A merchandise control device is described that can be attached to a light emitting diode (“LED”) light bulb. A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) circuit located within the LED light bulb is configured to respond to an interrogating radio frequency (RF) signal at a point of sale. An antenna provided on an external surface of the LED light bulb, or on a sheet attached to the LED light bulb, has an electrical connection that communicates the RF signal to the RFID device. The RFID device is configured to enable function of the LED light bulb upon receiving a security code from the RF signal that matches a security code stored in the RFID device.

Abstract: Single pellets of a thermoplastic resin containing long glass fibers and a conductive filler are set forth that enable molded articles made from these pellets to exhibit conductivity and, at the same time, high mechanical properties. These pellets have mechanical properties that are substantially equivalent to non-conductive pellets of a thermoplastic resin containing same loading of long glass and provide conductivity that is substantially equivalent to articles obtained by blending two kinds of pellets, one pellet having a conductive filler and the other pellet one containing long glass fibers. The pellets include a thermoplastic resin, a long fiber reinforcing filler and a conductive additive dispersed in the pellet.

Abstract: A method of accessing an internet based service, involves using a cellular telephony device to obtain a token from the provider of the internet based service, and within the cellular telephony device, using the token to calculate a time-limited password. The time-limited password is used in combination with at least one further user identification parameter to obtain access to the internet based service.

Abstract: Methods and a system for providing a service enabling users to securely request and receive data representing details of a payment card using a mobile telephony device. The data representing details of a payment card can then be used to partake in a commercial transaction in which the user is not present at, or remotely located from, the point of transaction.

Abstract: The present system provides a tag having one or more components comprising a physically rugged structure which can be attached to a product in a manner that renders the product inoperable, defaced, or that otherwise denies access to the intended use or value of the product until it is “unlocked” by means of a wireless communication, such as by a radio frequency transmission. The tag comprises a latching mechanism comprising in part an “actuator” and a “gripper”.

Abstract: Systems, including compositions, kits, and methods, particularly for photoluminescence applications. The systems may include, among others, (1) organic chelators, (2) complexes between the chelators and lanthanide ions, and (3) precursors, derivatives, and uses thereof. The chelators may include a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ring system, for example, having the formula: Here, R1, R2, and R3 are substituents of the tetraazacyclododecane ring system, that is further substituted at the 10-position by a sensitizer Z that is typically a polyheterocyclic ring system. The organic chelator may be capable of forming a luminescent complex with a lanthanide ion, and is optionally further substituted by a reactive functional group or a conjugated substance. The resulting lanthanide complex may be useful in luminescence-based assays, such as energy transfer assays, among others.

Abstract: An optical media is provided with an associated persistent electrochromic material. The electrochromic material has at least two states. In a first state, the electrochromic material interferes with the ability of an interrogating laser beam to read data from the optical media, and in a second state, the electrochromic material is substantially transparent, enabling the laser beam to read the disc. Advantageously, the persistent electrochromic material holds a desired optical state without the application of external power. The persistent time period may extend for days, weeks, or years depending on particular constructions, and on application requirements. The optical media has an integrated circuit, which is used to cause the electrochromic material to transition from a first state to the second state. In one example, an integrated circuit acts as the powering circuit for the electrochromic material, as well as providing logic and processing functions.

Abstract: A radio frequency controller device is provided that enables the utility of an integrated circuit (IC) device using an RF communication. The radio frequency controller device has a switch that is set to a defined state responsive to the RF communication. More particularly, conditional logic circuitry uses the RF communication to determine if the IC's utility should be changed, and sets the state of the switch accordingly. The radio frequency controller device also has an IC interface that allows the IC to determine the state of the switch, and based on the state of the switch, a different utility will be available for the integrated circuit device. The radio frequency controller device also has an antenna for the RF communication, as well as a demodulator/modulator circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a product status is provided. The product has a product indicator device that has a changeable indicator, an embedded processor, and radio. A point of sale device wirelessly reads validation data from the embedded processor, with the validation data being used to confirm that the product may validly change states. If the product is allowed to have its state changed, the point of sale device sends a key code to the embedded processor, where the key code is processed with locally stored data. The embedded processor determines if the changeable indicator may be changed to show that the product has changed states.

Abstract: An optical medium incorporates an optical shutter of limited area for controlling access to information contained in the medium. Also disclosed are a system and method for using the optical medium. In one variation, the optical medium incorporates plural optical shutters for selectively permitting access to partitioned portions of the information.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless activation of a target. A communication device transmits and ID associated with the target to a network operations center. The network operations center provides an activation signal to the communication device. The communication device wirelessly transmits an acoustic activation signal to a nearby activation device. The activation device is positioned proximate the target and causes a change in at least one physical property of the target. The target may be an optical media containing an electrochromic material with optical properties that change on application of an electric signal.

Abstract: An acoustic transmission is retransmitted by telephone to a network operations center over one path. The network operations center receives acoustic transmissions containing inaudible marks from other sources over secondary paths. The retransmitted acoustic transmission and secondary transmissions are processed and compared to determine a best match between the retransmitted acoustic transmission and one of the secondary transmissions. An acoustic mark in the best match secondary transmission is decoded and associated with the retransmitted acoustic transmission. This association in combination with decision rules stored at the operations center may be used to trigger a variety of transactions with the user.