Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable antenna are provided. One system includes a device having a plurality of antenna elements configured to read a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and a switch having an input configured to receive a control signal from an RFID reader via a communication line to select one antenna of the plurality of antenna elements. The device further include a controller configured to control a state of the switch, wherein the switch is configured to be switched between states when the controller receives the RFID control signal comprising an address unique to the switch, thereby allowing the RFID reader to send an interrogation signal to and receive a response from the RFID tag in response to receiving the RFID control signal.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with improved sensitivity includes an antenna that receives a radio-frequency (RF) signal and wireless power from an RFID reader. The RFID tag further includes a circuit that varies a reflection coefficient of the antenna to transmit a reflected signal to the reader, the reflected signal having periods of high reflectance when a relatively high amount of the RF signal is reflected, and low reflectance periods when a relatively low amount of the RF signal is reflected. The reflectance of the antenna is sufficiently low during the high reflectance periods to enable wireless power reception during the high reflectance periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag communication are provided. One radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a communication device configured to communicate with an RFID reader and an impedance element configured to change an variable impedance of the RFID tag. The RFID tag further includes at least one switch connected to the impedance element and a controller connected to the at least one switch and configured to control operation of the switch between open and closed states based on a control signal received from the RFID reader, wherein the variable impedance of the RFID tag is changed between a first modulating impedance value and a second modulating impedance value when the switch is changed between the open and closed states.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag communication are provided. One radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a communication device configured to communicate with an RFID reader and an impedance element configured to change an variable impedance of the RFID tag. The RFID tag further includes at least one switch connected to the impedance element and a controller connected to the at least one switch and configured to control operation of the switch between open and closed states based on a control signal received from the RFID reader, wherein the variable impedance of the RFID tag is changed between a first modulating impedance value and a second modulating impedance value when the switch is changed between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag communication are provided. One radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a communication device configured to communicate with an RFID reader and an impedance element configured to change an variable impedance of the RFID tag. The RFID tag further includes at least one switch connected to the impedance element and a controller connected to the at least one switch and configured to control operation of the switch between open and closed states based on a control signal received from the RFID reader, wherein the variable impedance of the RFID tag is changed between a first modulating impedance value and a second modulating impedance value when the switch is changed between the open and closed states.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag communication are provided. One radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a communication device configured to communicate with an RFID reader and an impedance element configured to change an variable impedance of the RFID tag. The RFID tag further includes at least one switch connected to the impedance element and a controller connected to the at least one switch and configured to control operation of the switch between open and closed states based on a control signal received from the RFID reader, wherein the variable impedance of the RFID tag is changed between a first modulating impedance value and a second modulating impedance value when the switch is changed between the open and closed states.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a distributed antenna network are provided. One system includes a plurality of antenna modules coupled via a communication line, with each antenna module configured to be switched between a through state and a connected state using radio-frequency identification (RFID) control signals. The system further includes a plurality of antennas, with each antenna connected to a corresponding antenna module. A controller is coupled to the communication line and configured to transmit RFID control signals to the plurality of antenna modules to selectively activate one of the antenna modules by switching the antenna module to the connected state to thereby activate an antenna connected to the antenna module in the connected state.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate a generation of a content rating based upon user input and an insertion of the content rating into a video stream. A user interface may be utilized at a multimedia device to gather user input including a rating assigned to a piece of content by the user. The user input including the content rating may be output from the multimedia device to an upstream system over a return path. The upstream system may consolidate the received content rating with other ratings associated with the piece of content and may generate an aggregate rating for the piece of content. The aggregate rating may be inserted, as metadata, into a transport stream carrying the piece of content, and the piece of content, along with the metadata representing the aggregate rating, may be output to one or more multimedia devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: A method and system of determining spatial identification of an object, such as orientation, size, location, range, and/or movement, using an RFID system is disclosed. An RFID system can comprise one or more RFID reader receiving antennas that query one or more RFID tags coupled to the object. The measurement of the phase of the tag responses at the reader antennas and phase differentials as a function of distance, frequency, and time are the basis of spatial identification. The system can work with conventional Gen 2 tags and readers without modification of the tags or protocol.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system comprises a radio-frequency identification substrate and an interrogator. In one embodiment, the radio-frequency identification substrate comprises a plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, a controller on the substrate controls a first one of the plurality of radio-frequency identification devices based on a state of a second one of the plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, an antenna system includes an S-shaped portion electrically coupled to an integrated circuit along a central portion of the S-shaped portion. Adjusting the parameters of the segments making up the S-shaped portion controls performance characteristics of a radio-frequency identification device.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses methods and apparatus for detecting and characterizing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for wirelessly communicating between a tractor and a set of trailers in a tractor-trailer environment are described. In embodiments, a tractor wireless communication device associated with a tractor is initialized and associated with a tractor initialization time. Additionally, a trailer wireless communication device associated with at least one trailer is initialized and associated with a trailer initialization time. In various embodiments, it is determined whether the tractor wireless communication device and the trailer wireless communication device are in physical proximity by comparing initialization times. Further, in various embodiments, tractor-trailer information events are communicated wirelessly between a tractor and a trailer.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system comprises a radio-frequency identification substrate and an interrogator. In one embodiment, the radio-frequency identification substrate comprises a plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, a controller on the substrate controls a first one of the plurality of radio-frequency identification devices based on a state of a second one of the plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, an antenna system includes an S-shaped portion electrically coupled to an integrated circuit along a central portion of the S-shaped portion. Adjusting the parameters of the segments making up the S-shaped portion controls performance characteristics of a radio-frequency identification device.

Abstract: A method and system of determining spatial identification of an object, such as orientation, size, location, range, and/or movement, using an RFID system is disclosed. An RFID system can comprise one or more RFID reader receiving antennas that query one or more RFID tags coupled to the object. The measurement of the phase of the tag responses at the reader antennas and phase differentials as a function of distance, frequency, and time are the basis of spatial identification. The system can work with conventional Gen 2 tags and readers without modification of the tags or protocol.