Abstract: Base stations in an outdoor warning siren system monitor the system communication radio frequency to detect the command signals used to activate remotely located warning units. A valid command signal includes a portion identifying the base station generating the signal. When a base station detects a signal bearing its identification, the base station compares the detected signal to its own station ID. If the detected signal matches the detecting station's ID then a system breach is declared. The outdoor warning siren system may respond to a breach by automatically de-activating any alarms activated by the unauthorized signal and/or producing a breach indication to emergency personnel who may respond according to the situation.

Abstract: A wristwatch comprises an ID Tag (data carrier) function applied to an RF-ID system. A watch main body comprises a reinforce resin-based case having band attachments to which wrist bands are engaged, and a resin-based bezel cover covering the upper section and outer periphery of the case. The case incorporates a display member composed of a fixing member, a resin-based display frame member, a hard glass member, and a waterproof packing, and a circuit member composed of a synthetic rubber-based module cover member, a module fixing member, a module and a module cover member. The case is sealed with a bottom cap member formed of a magnetic material via a waterproof packing, and is further covered with a resin-based case cover.

Abstract: A transponder includes a data memory and a mechanism for contactless interaction with a base station. The transponder is brought (1) into an active field of the base station. Before the transponder is deactivated (7) by the base station by the transfer of a command signal (5), the authorization of the base station for deactivation (7) is checked (4). Before the transfer of the command signal (5) an admission signal which contains first admission information is transmitted (3) from the base station to the transponder. The first admission information with second admission information stored in the data memory is processed by the transponder into authorization information. Based on the authorization information it is decided (4) whether the command signal is accepted (7) or rejected (8). Thus the transponder while keeping secret the data present in the transponder may be reliably deactivated (7) or reactivated.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reconfiguring an ID code associated with a receiver to enable a receiver to respond to data packets tagged with the ID code sent from a desired transmitter. A preferred embodiment includes a transmitter, selectively responsive to an enable command, for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when the enable command is asserted, the data packet including an ID code, the transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command having a configuration ID code at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted. The preferred embodiment of a method for operating a transmitter includes the steps of broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when an enable signal is asserted, the data packet including an ID code; and broadcasting an ID configuration command at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted, the ID configuration command including a new ID code.

Abstract: A sheet media system comprising an apparatus for utilizing sheet media; and a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with sheet media utilized by said apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying panels that embed active and passive components of an electronic device, or that hide certain key components of a building's infrastructure in the plenum of the ceiling. In one aspect, a panel is provided with a phosphorescent or other light-responsive indicia that is representative of an object hidden within the panel or that is part of the building infrastructure hidden by a plurality of panels. A panel having a device embedded within it is identified by first placing a light-responsive indicia on the panel that is representative of the devices stored therein or the building infrastructure lying above it. The panel is then irradiated and the light-responsive indicia observed. In another aspect, a panel having an embedded object is provided with an indicator device that is embedded in the same panel.

Abstract: A system which allows multiple senders to asynchronously transmit identification codes via a common communication channel (e.g., RF) to enable a central monitor to identify the presence (or absence) of each sender within the monitor's detection zone. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a uniquely encoded identification frame. A frame, in accordance with the invention, is comprised of pulses spaced to minimize pulse collisions and configured to tolerate occasional collisions without impairing the monitor's ability to separately identify each transmitting sender. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a unique identification frame characterized by a pulse pattern comprised of active intervals spaced by inactive (or “quiet”) intervals. The inactive intervals have variable length durations which are preferably pseudorandomly selected so that each sender defines a unique sequence of inactive interval durations.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transponder including: a parallel oscillating circuit adapted to extracting a supply signal from a radiated field; in parallel with the oscillating circuit, several branches each including a programmable resistor and a switch; and a cyclic control element for successively turning on the switches, each resistor forming an element for storing a portion of the code stored in the transponder.

Abstract: In a boiling water reactor controlling each control rod hydraulically by driving a solenoid valve, the control system comprises an operation control means 41 having a duplicated data processing unit for generating sequence patterns based on the timing of the driving sequence based on the control information provided manually, a transmission control means 42 for creating a command word corresponding to each control rod being controlled based on said sequence pattern, and mutually communicating each command word between duplicated data processing units and computing the AND logic of said data within a predetermined time difference, and when the computed result coincide, transmitting the selected command word serially; a transmission unit 32 for receiving said command word and performing protocol conversion thereto, and transmitting the same to a plurality of transmission branch units positioned downstream as the control command; and a solenoid valve drive circuit 31 for driving the control rod drive unit corres

Abstract: A radio frequency identification transponder including a power supply and a dynamic memory array which stores data. When power from the power supply ceases the data in the dynamic memory array is validly maintained for a predetermined period of time. The dynamic memory array is responsive to an interrogating signal for selectively updating the data. Further claimed is a radio frequency identification transponder wherein a signal processor extracts an identifier from the interrogation signal and is responsive to the identifier and the stored data to determine whether some or all of the identifier is stored in the dynamic memory array. Further claimed is a system wherein a transmitter provides a plurality of temporally spaced interrogating signals which are received by a receiver which incorporates a signal processor that is able to determine the order in which transponders were first in receipt of the interrogating signal.

Abstract: There is provided a printed circuit with an ID tag capable of maintaining secrecy of an ID code attached to the printed circuit and capable of recognizing a route of delivery from data of the ID code of the printed circuit and generally controlling history (including information of kind and fabrication source of semiconductor chip) of the printed circuit and a mounted electronic part including the route of the distribution after fabrication. The printed circuit is constructed by a constitution in which a noncontact ID tag having a fixed ID portion exclusive for reading storing the ID code specifying at least the printed circuit and a variable ID portion comprising a plurality of memory cells capable of changing the ID code by instruction from outside, is embedded in an inner layer portion of the printed circuit.

Abstract: An information apparatus switches a display at a predetermined area which includes at least a part of a portion where an electromagnetic-wave emitting unit used for data communications with a data storage device is disposed, according to data communication processing with the data storage device, and emits sound generated according to the processing at corresponding timing.

Abstract: A product tag system comprises: an RFID tag adapted for attachment to a product; a data store in the tag for bar code information relating to the product; a tag detacher for removing the tag from the product at a point of sale; an RFID tag reader for retrieving the bar code information from the tag when the tag is placed in the tag detacher; and, an display for presenting the bar code information in a form which can be scanned by a conventional bar code scanner, and/or in human readable form. A method for monitoring products comprise the steps of: attaching an RFID tag to a product; writing bar code information onto the tag; retrieving the bar code information from the tag at a point of sale; displaying the bar code information in a form which can be scanned by a conventional bar code scanner, and/or in human readable form; and, detaching the tag from the product.

Abstract: A wireless data input system has one or more switches on a keypad or the like and a number of individually addressable RFID tags. Each switch operates to enable a corresponding subset of the individually addressable RFID transponder tags, such that a unique permutation of tag codes recognized by a RFID reader identifies actuation of each particular switch or key.

Abstract: A reader/writer (RW) requires identification information pieces of respective plural IC cards (A, B, C). The plural IC cards return the respective identification information pieces in response to the requirement by the reader/writer. Logical addresses are assigned to some IC cards among the plural IC cards respectively to cause the reader/writer to select them in response to the return of the identification information pieces by the plural IC cards. The IC cards selected by the reader/writer are controlled. The reader/writer cancels the assignment of the logical address to one of the selected IC cards. The logical address, the assignment of which has been canceled by the reader/writer, is assigned to an IC card among the plural IC cards to which any logical address has not been assigned yet. The IC card to which the logical address has just been assigned is controlled.

Abstract: A system for identifying smart appliances in a given family of home automation. The system includes an inductive transceiver connected to an address register of an appliance and a portable inductive data holder also having an address register. The portable data holder is designed to be placed near one appliance having a transmitter so that the identification information of the first appliance may be inductively received into the address register of the portable device. When a new smart appliance is brought home and it is desired to incorporate the new appliance into the existing home automation system, the portable device is then held near the new device so that the address stored in the portable device's address registered is inductively transmitted to the address register in the new appliance. The portable device acts like a “syringe” which “injects” the identification code of the first appliance into the second appliance.

Abstract: A method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest. Passive transponders are inserted subcutaneously into the game to be harvested. Tagged animals are released back into their natural habitat. The hunting portion of the tournament is conducted. Animals harvested during the hunting tournament are brought in and scanned. The passive transponder, if present, responds to the scanning by transmitting an identification code. The code transmitted by the passive transponder is used to determine the prize the hunter is awarded. Hunter identification tags can be distributed to all participants in the hunting tournament and be used to tag the harvested animal. The passive transponder can be constructed to respond only to a particular scanning device.

Abstract: Locks for the transportation industry are programmable with a keypad and with handheld activators, the activators being programmable by a central system and activators via IR transmitters and receivers. Operator PIN numbers and access codes manifesting the supervisory level of authority are encoded in each lock which are programmed to open a given number of times in a given time period with or without entry of a code and include a lockout feature for disabling the lock in case of invalid code entry. Each lock has a log history containing the number of complete and incomplete opening transactions, when they occurred and the operator codes associated therewith. The locks are opened by IR transmission of the appropriate codes or by keypad entries. One or more individuals at different levels of authority may open one or more locks in a given time frame a given number of times. Each lock records its transaction history which is displayed and downloaded for system evaluation.

Abstract: The reproducing device is prevented from being taken out because the reproducing device becomes controllable by operation of the device only when a visitor who borrowed the reproducing device enters through a specified entrance and that the reproducing device becomes uncontrollable by operation of the device when the visitor has come out of the exit. When a receiving means of the reproducing device receives an ID code signal for enabling control by a command from an operation means of the device, the reproducing device becomes controllable by a command from the operation means. When the receiving means receives another ID code signal for disabling control by a command from the operation means, control by a command from the operation means is disabled and a reproducing means of the reproducing device outputs voice information requesting a return of the device.

Abstract: A radio frequency tag accepts a received signal received by an antenna and demodulates that signal into a digital output using a comparator. The received signal is forwarded to a first comparator input. A threshold voltage generator generates a threshold voltage signal and forwards that signal to a second comparator input. The comparator compares the two inputs and generates a digital output based on the comparison.

Abstract: An emergency locator system (10) for firefighters (100) including a first housing unit (11) carried by a firefighter and containing a global positioning receiver unit (12), a memory unit (13), and a data transmitting unit (13) which communicates continuous positional data relative to the location of the first housing unit (11) to a central processing unit (15) that can store, retrieve, and transfer the positional data from the first housing unit (11) to a second housing unit (11′) that includes at least a memory unit (60) that is associated with an LED array (40) having directional arrow icons (45) that are activated by the transferred positional data from the first housing unit (11) to permit rescuers to retrace the path of travel of the first housing unit (11) by using the second housing unit (11′) to locate a disabled firefighter.

Abstract: A transponder communication device interrogates an operational test transponder that is permanently within a receiving range of the transponder communication device. In response thereto, the operational test transponder sends operational test information to the transponder communication device. The transponder communication device checks whether received operational test information is valid, and generates an error signal if the received operational test information is invalid.

Abstract: A system for monitoring tagged objects within a predefined area provides a user-friendly interactive interface for monitoring tagged objects in a predetermined area. The method of providing the user interface includes the steps of entering security information permitting users access to the interface, generating a first menu tool bar on a screen for initiating a plurality of functions and initiating a function selected from the first menu toolbar. The plurality of functions able to be initiated from he toolbar include at least two of monitoring a status of alarms on tags, associating a uniquely identified tag with an individual object, updating tag information, updating object identification information, and disabling tag monitoring system for a selected tag. The toolbar includes a plurality of icons, each of said icons representing a respective one of the plurality of functions. Selection of any one of the icons generates an display screen specific to the function selected.

Abstract: A transponder has a memory, a data processor, a transmit memory and a transmission circuit. The memory stores data. In a transmit mode of the transponder, the data processor is operable in a normal-energy mode and an energy-saving mode. When the data processor is in the normal-energy mode, the data processor retrieves the data from the memory and processes the data, and the processed data is stored in the transmit memory. Thereafter, the data processor is controlled from the normal-energy mode to the energy-saving mode, and the transmission circuit reads out the stored processed data from said transmit memory and transmits the read out stored processed data to a base station. Transponder for transmitting processed data to a base station over large distances and at a high data transfer rate.

Abstract: A method is provided for remotely identifying electronic or radio frequency tags, typically those used to mark articles, from a station, each of the tags having its own code constituted by digits, in which identification of a tag comprises the steps of issuing interrogation signals from the station for different digit positions and employing procedures to accelerate tag identification once a first tag has been found. A suitable station and tag are also provided.