Abstract: A source device (110) receives a carrier signal and continuously monitors the carrier signal for a first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition. The source device (110) transmits data if the first predetermined condition is satisfied. The source device (110) ceases transmission of data if the first predetermined condition subsequently is not satisfied or if a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device comprises a plurality of data fields. The RFID device transmits a data symbol from a data field, receives an acknowledgement symbol, and compares the transmitted data symbol to the received acknowledgement symbol. The RFID device repeats these steps until data transmission is complete as long as each transmitted data symbol is equivalent to a corresponding received acknowledgement symbol; otherwise, the RFID device maintains the data field from which the last data symbol was transmitted, and temporarily suspends data transmission. When the RFID receives a request for RFID devices temporarily suspended in a given data field to resume data transmission, if the given data field in the request is equivalent to the data field that was maintained, the RFID device repeats the steps above starting with the first symbol in the data field that was maintained.

Abstract: A source device (110) stores predetermined data and establishes a channel selection profile comprising a plurality of channel selections. Each channel selection is derived from a subset of the predetermined data. The source device (110) transmits at least a portion of the predetermined data over at least a first channel selected from the channel selection profile.

Abstract: A device communicates with a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device (102) that is associated with an item (500). The device selects a promotional incentive for the item (500) and programs the promotional incentive into the RFID device (102) at one of the following events: point-of-decision to purchase the item, point-of-purchase of the item, or point-of-distribution of the item.

Abstract: A source device (110) receives a carrier signal and continuously monitors the carrier signal for a first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition. The source device (110) transmits data if the first predetermined condition is satisfied. The source device (110) ceases transmission of data if the first predetermined condition subsequently is not satisfied or if a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A source device (110) stores predetermined data and establishes a channel selection profile comprising a plurality of channel selections. Each channel selection is derived from a subset of the predetermined data. The source device (110) transmits at least a portion of the predetermined data over at least a first channel selected from the channel selection profile.

Abstract: A first request is transmitted to activate a set of tags in a first state. A first set of data symbols is received. In response to receiving the first set of data symbols, a first acknowledgement symbol transmitted. An acknowledgement symbol is transmitted in response to each subsequent set of data symbols received. A second request is transmitted to activate a second set of tags in a second state when a set of data symbols is not received within a predetermined time, wherein the first state is different from the second state.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification exciter (200) includes a plurality of antenna elements (122a-i) that are spaced to define active areas (130a-e). A matrix switch (202) flexibly connects the plurality of antenna elements to an exciter circuit (203). Independent switches (204a-i) are selectively switched such that an electric field is generated between at least two antenna elements whereby radio frequency identification tags (132) in the vicinity of the two antenna elements are capacitively powered to exchange data with the exciter. Antenna elements other than the at least two antenna elements may be selectively coupled to a signal from the exciter circuit that inhibits activation of radio frequency identification tags in the vicinity of those antenna elements. The matrix switch preferably comprises polymer-based circuits.

Abstract: A data transmission system (200) includes a data transmission terminal (201) and a portable data device (203) that is remotely powered by the terminal. A method is provided for supplying power and data from the terminal (201) to the portable data device (203) using a carrier signal (401), including the step of identifying a slot location into which a modulation discontinuity (403-409) is introduced. The slot location is chosen within a modulation frame, which is based on n bits of the information signal to be transmitted, the number of slots in the frame varying between 1 and 2n. The modulation discontinuity (403-409) is introduced into the chosen slot location to produce an encoded data stream, which is then transmitted to the portable data device.