Abstract: A position sensor is disclosed with detector elements 11 coupled to a set of output lines 20 according to a connection pattern 30. An object 2 triggers a window subset of the detector elements 11, causing a logic output on the set of output lines 20. Some output lines 20a are coupled to more that one detector element 11. However, the connection pattern 30 is arranged such that for any window subset of the detector elements falling in a variable length range, a unique logic output is provided on the set of output lines 20 to identify the position of the object. A sensing method and search process for determining the connection pattern are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a processor 200, especially for use as the central processing unit of a memory tag 1200. The processor 200 has a minimal footprint in Silicon or other suitable material. It also is driven by the data that it receives. The processor includes a plurality 206, 212, 214, 224 of registers configured to receive in parallel data that are input to the processor, and to process in parallel the received data, and a micro sequencer and instruction decoder module 202 adapted to select two or more of the plurality of registers to receive the data that are input to the processor, and to control the processing of the received data by the end or more selected registers. A memory 1200 device utilizing such a processor, and a method of processing instructions are also provided.

Abstract: A memory tag comprises an array of non-volatile memory, means for inductively obtaining power to enable receipt of data from and transmission of data to a reader device, a processor operable to process received data and to generate data to be transmitted; and a hash co-processor configured to apply a hash function to data applied to it. The array of non-volatile memory includes an area of write only memory. Reader devices for use with such memory tags and methods of using such memory tags are also described.

Abstract: A method for generating a data transaction ID for an interaction between first and second units, the method comprising: the first data unit generating a first data item as a function of a first time data element, the first time data element being representative of a first time value, and transmitting the first data item to the second data unit; the second data unit generating a second data item as a function of the received first data item and transmitting the second data item to the first data unit; and the first data unit generating a third data item as a function of the second data item and a second time data element, the second time data element being representative of a second time value, wherein the third data item comprises a transaction ID unique to the interaction between the first and second data units.

Abstract: A method for securing a data transmission between a memory tag and a reader/writer device, the device operable to inductively power the tag in the near-field for data transmission using a near-field antenna of the device, comprising, generating an obfuscation signal in the device, and transmitting the obfuscation signal using a high gain far-field antenna of the device contemporaneously with a transmission of data to the powered tag using the near-field antenna, an interrogation device and a reader/writer device.

Abstract: This invention provides a processor for writing data contained in payload data of a data packet to memory. The processor may, in some embodiments, be a central processing unit of a memory tag. The processor does not include a write buffer. The processor may comprise a first register adapted to latch first data corresponding to a segment of the payload data; and a second register adapted to receive second data from the payload data to enable the validity of the data latched into the first register to be established before data is written to memory. A memory device, a method for writing data contained in payload data, a data packet, a method of writing data into a non-volatile memory and a memory tag may also be provided.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor outputs a temperature signal corresponding to a detected temperature. An identification unit connected to the temperature sensor generates and outputs an identification signal based on the temperature signal. A plurality of such data storage devices can therefore be identified by their relative position to an interrogator which outputs heat.

Abstract: A physical object comprises one or more memory circuits adapted to be read wirelessly by a reader device attached to or incorporated within the physical object. Data in the memory circuit is protected from access by an unauthorised reader. Data in the memory circuit is also adapted to identify an authorised bearer of the physical object. Moreover, data in the memory circuit is adapted to allow access to a specified asset or assets by the authorised bearer.

Abstract: A media product comprising an electronic tag, the tag comprising a memory, wherein the memory has data stored thereon representing preview material associated with the content of the product. A suitable tag and device for querying a memory of the tag are also described.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence of a memory tag, the detector comprising a radio frequency source operable to generate a radio frequency signal and a detector resonant circuit part connected to the radio frequency source, the detector resonant circuit part comprising an antenna, the detector further comprising a power monitor responsive to the power of a reflected signal returned from the detector resonant circuit part, the power monitor being operable to generate an output in response to the power of the reflected signal, wherein a decrease in the power of the reflected signal indicates the presence of a tag in the vicinity of the antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments relating to a memory tag having a resonant circuit part and a non-volatile memory is presented. The resonant circuit part can be made operable, in response to a reader signal received from a reader, to provide power to the memory, the tag being operable to read the memory and transmit data stored in the memory in response to the signal from the reader. The data is stored in the memory in a plurality of data units, with each data unit having an associated sequence number. The tag is operable to store the sequence number of the data unit to be transmitted in a register in the non-volatile memory. When power is supplied to the memory, the data units are transmitted in sequence, where the first data unit to be transmitted depends on the stored sequence number.

Abstract: A method of enabling communication is described. The method comprises transmitting a channel identifier and an a socket identifier to an initiator responsive to performing a reset of the channel identifier and the socket identifier on one or more target devices. The method also comprises communicating with an identified target device of the one or more target devices based on the transmitted channel identifier and the transmitted socket identifier of the identified target device responsive to receipt of the channel identifier and the socket identifier. The method also comprises enumerating two or more identified target devices of the one or more target devices based on a collision detection of transmitted channel identifiers and socket identifiers of the two or more identified target devices.

Abstract: A method for generating a data transaction ID for an interaction between first and second units, the method comprising: the first data unit generating a first data item as a function of a first time data element, the first time data element being representative of a first time value, and transmitting the first data item to the second data unit; the second data unit generating a second data item as a function of the received first data item and transmitting the second data item to the first data unit; and the first data unit generating a third data item as a function of the second data item and a second time data element, the second time data element being representative of a second time value, wherein the third data item comprises a transaction ID unique to the interaction between the first and second data units.

Abstract: The invention provides a receiver 120 having a sensor 114 configured to output a signal representative of temperature variation detected at the sensor 114. A decoder 118 connected to the sensor 114 decodes the signal detected by the sensor 114 and outputs a stream of data which has been encoded in the temperature variation. The receiver 120 may be for use with a microprocessor 202, for example the microprocessor 202 of a memory tag 200 which includes a voltage regulator 210 in power circuitry 206. A system 100 and method 300 for transferring data are also provided.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence of a memory tag, the detector comprising a radio frequency source operable to generate a radio frequency signal and a detector resonant circuit part connected to the radio frequency source, the detector resonant circuit part comprising an antenna, the detector further comprising a power monitor responsive to the power of a reflected signal returned from the detector resonant circuit part, the power monitor being operable to generate an output in response to the power of the reflected signal, wherein a decrease in the power of the reflected signal indicates the presence of a tag in the vicinity of the antenna.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence of a memory tag, the detector comprising a radio frequency source operable to generate a radio frequency signal and a detector resonant circuit part connected to the radio frequency source, the detector resonant circuit comprising an antenna, the detector further comprising a power monitor responsive to the power of a reflected signal returned from the detector resonant circuit part, the power monitor being operable to generate an output in response to the power of the reflected signal, wherein a decrease in the power of the reflected signal indicates the presence of a tag in the vicinity of the antenna.

Abstract: An electronic interface device includes (1) a first input receiving signals from a graphics controller of a first electronic device having a display screen, (2) a second input receiving signals form a second electronic device, (3) a multiplexer, (4) an output connected to the display screen of the first electronic device, and (5) a switch to select which input signal of the interface device is fed to the display screen.

Abstract: A memory tag comprises an array of non-volatile memory, means for inductively obtaining power to enable receipt of data from and transmission of data to a reader device, a processor operable to process received data and to generate data to be transmitted; and a hash co-processor configured to apply a hash function to data applied to it. The array of non-volatile memory includes an area of write only memory. Reader devices for use with such memory tags and methods of using such memory tags are also described.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus has a combined electronic camera and swipe scanner. The electronic camera has an optical system and detector array for remote capturing of a first image. The swipe scanner has an optical system and detector array for swipe capturing of a second image. The image capture apparatus further has a data storage arranged to store the first image and the second image in association with each other. The electronic camera may be a moderate resolution color camera, and the swipe scanner may have a grey-scale detector array capable of scanning an object at a higher resolution than the camera. A display is provided so that both images can be viewed separately in association with each other, or combined into a combination image, which has color information from the camera to colorize higher resolution pixels from the scanner.

Abstract: An electronic interface device interfaces between a first and second electronic device. The first device has a mechanical module connector. The electronic interface device includes a receiver/transmitter for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the second electronic device, a circuit for decoding/coding and mapping its input/output signals, and a connector connected to the mechanical module connector of the first electronic device.