Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assemblies and methods having an RFID semiconductor chip, a conductor and an antenna, the RFID semiconductor chip has an antenna interface mounted on a mounting surface of a mounting substrate and a predetermined operating frequency, the conductor is electrically coupled to the antenna interface of the RFID semiconductor chip, and the antenna is electrically coupled to the conductor and includes a first radiating element lying in a first plane and a second radiating element lying in a second plane that is at an angle relative to the first plane.

Abstract: A system and method that combines RFID tag reader circuitry and a touch sensor, wherein the system and method may reduce power consumption of a battery powered system by detecting the presence of an RFID tag by using a lower power consumption touch sensor instead of scanning for the RFID tag by using higher power RFID tag detection and reading circuitry, controlling activation and deactivation of the RFID tag detection and reading circuitry when the touch sensor has detected the presence of the RFID tag, and reconfiguring sensor electrodes so that the electrodes may form a touch sensor or an antenna as needed.

Abstract: A Pluggable small form-factor UHF Radio Frequency ID reader having in an enclosure: a host CPU; volatile memory; non-volatile memory; power inputs; digital circuitry comprising the CPU and supporting components; analog circuitry comprising power and Radio Frequency components; one or more antennas; networking components; user interface components; debug and test components; WiFi subsystem; Radio Frequency ID subsystem; wherein said enclosure comprises thermal dissipation capacity, radio frequency transparency with WiFi and Radio Frequency ID antennas, provides protection from physical and radiofrequency forces, is mountable to an AC outlet and can also be mounted flush to a solid wall or surface or at an angle to a solid wall or surface, connectable to PoE or DC inputs, having a capacity to convert AC/DC current; Radio Frequency ID setting configurable, employs intelligent filtering and smoothing algorithms and transmits only relevant summarized information back over a network, and permits firmware management

Abstract: An IC tag can be mounted without deteriorating appearance of a container, breakage or the like of the IC tag can be prevented and excellent wireless communication between a reader/writer becomes possible by eliminating influence of the metal container by ensuring a long communication distance to the reader/writer by allowing excellent communication properties to be exhibited even when an existing IC chip is used and mounting an insulated and sealed IC tag on a metallic cover having a low possibility of being brought into contact with other goods and equipment and being hidden by the adjacent metallic containers. The metallic cover is provided with an IC chip (41), which has a pull-tab (33), and an IC tag (40) for the IC chip (41) mounted on the tab (33), an antenna for the IC tab (40) and a matching circuit (50) for matching impedances between the antenna and the IC chip.

Abstract: A computer program stored in a memory unit of an electronic near field communication (NFC) module for near field communication devices in environments with different data formats according to different protocols is able to carry out a first initiation operation using a first data format according to a protocol of a first standard, a second initiation operation using a second data format according to a protocol of a second standard, a delay operation, and is able to repeat these operations in a repetitive process. Such devices can search their environment periodically for available RFID tags, RFID readers, NFC multifunctional devices, or the like. The delay can be fixed, variable in length, or both fixed and variable delays can be used. The invention enables for instance a mobile phone to act as an RFID reader of multiple tag formats, to emulate a tag, or to communicate with other NFC devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a server for an RFID reader by using both an SNMP command language and an RM/RP command language, and a method for operating an RFID reader are provided. The method for operating a server for an RFID reader includes: generating a mapping table including an object of an RFID reader, a management target, and an object identifier (OID) which are mapped to each other; checking and configuring the object of the RFID reader by using an simple network management protocol (SNMP) command language; and checking and configuring the object of the RFID reader by using a reader management/reader protocol (RM/RP) command language.

Abstract: A first electronic device (201) can gather information about itself or another electronic device (206, 208), which is preferably situated within a same room of a user premises. This information can come from an RF-ID tag (204, 207, 209) or other transmitter. The information can relate to a state or identity of the other device. The first electronic device can alter program behavior (309, 409, 509) in response to the state or identity. The program might be an entertainment type program or a software type program. The information can be used to select brand specific program code (604, 605, 606) for execution.

Abstract: A process for monitoring containers including use of a severable security lock with an radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna adapted sever upon dislocation of the lock. The process utilizes an electronic identification number to ensure security lock integrity. The process includes detecting the security lock in transit by the use of mobile and fixed transmission units at regional boundaries. Updates are provided to an event log associated with the security lock.

Abstract: A method monitors near field communication (NFC) modes performed by a user and automatically adjusts the periods of the NFC modes according to a frequency of use of each of the NFC modes, and an electronic operates using the method. The method includes determining whether NFC is performed within a set time, monitoring a frequency of use of the performed NFC mode when it is determined that the NFC is performed, and adjusting a period of a card emulation mode according to the frequency of use of the NFC mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for data transmission in RFID and remote sensor systems with at least one reader and a plurality of transponders or remote sensors being located in an electromagnetic field of the reader, in which a multipart return link header containing transmission parameters for the return link, such as timing or modulation references, is transmitted at the beginning of a return link transmission of useful data from a transponder or sensor to a reader. A relative time duration of individual subsymbols of the return link header is modified to select a data transfer mode from among a number of different data transfer modes. A combination of different return link transmission mechanisms is thereby possible, whereby these are mutually compatible and moreover are simple to realize in terms of circuitry and control engineering.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, locating a particular item from among a plurality of items identifiable by radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with the items, includes an interrogator for radio frequency (RF) signaling the tags to detect unique identifiers associated with the tags in a field of view of the interrogator; and an optical signaler for optically signaling one of the tags in the field of view to designate the particular item to be located.

Abstract: A communication method in a system having a reader and at least one transceiver, the method including the reader selecting a response signal strength level from a plurality of response signal strength levels; and establishing communication between the reader and the at least one transceiver at the selected response signal strength level.

Abstract: An active electronic tag and a signal modulation method are provided herein. The active electronic tag includes an antenna, a first amplifier, an automatic gain control circuit, a phase synchronization locking circuit, a control unit, a tag unit and a second amplifier. The antenna receives a detecting signal transmitted from a reader, in which the detecting signal is carried on a first carrier. The phase synchronization locking circuit generates a second carrier. The control unit generates a response signal, in which the response signal is carried on the second carrier. By utilizing a phase difference of the first carrier and the second carrier, the response signal cancels the first carrier on the reader so as to transmit the information stored in the active electronic tag.

Abstract: A near field communications (NFC) device is disclosed that intelligently routes NFC data from a NFC device between multiple user interfaces based upon a power level of its internal batteries. The communications device utilizes a communications device user interface to send and/or receive the NFC data from the NFC device when its internal batteries are sufficient to operate the communications device user interface. The communications device begins to route some of this NFC data from being sent and/or received by the communications device user interface to a NFC user interface as its internal batteries deplete. Eventually, all of the NFC data will be sent to and/or received by the NFC user interface as the internal batteries of the communications device become so depleted that they are unable to reliably operate the communications device user interface.

Abstract: The electronic device according to the present invention comprises a power supply; a processing section which has a nonvolatile register and performs predetermined processing by inputting and outputting data to and from the nonvolatile register on the basis of power fed from the power supply; an external signal inputting section for inputting an external signal to the processing section; and a power feed control section, which interrupts power feeding from the power supply to the processing section, while maintaining responsiveness to the external signal in a state in which the processing state of the processing section is stored in the nonvolatile register, and resumes power feeding from the power supply to the processing section in response to the external signal.

Abstract: An RFID edge server is adapted to receive RFID data from RFID readers. The RFID edge server can have a PLC API to allow the RFID edge server to control and receive data from devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an RFID device that includes a motion sensing mechanism. The motion sensing mechanism is adapted to sense motion of the RFID device and then selectively allow or restrict the RFID device's ability to transmit messages, which may include sensitive data, when the RFID device is placed in an RF field. Thus, the motion sensing mechanism is utilized to control access to data on the RFID device to only instances when the holder of the RFID device moves the RFID device in a predefined sequence of motion(s).

Abstract: Techniques that enable a device to advertise its mode of operation using an RFID tag attached to the device. Techniques are provided for programmatically controlling an RFID tag. An RFID tag attached to a device is programmatically enabled or disabled depending upon the mode(s) of operation of the device. The RFID tag is able to transmit a signal when enabled and not able to transmit a signal when disabled. Using such a controllable RFID tag, a device can efficiently indicate or advertise its mode of operation to an RFID reader or sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags. A system includes a plurality of serially connected transmitters along a transmit path, where each of the serially connected transmitters are configured to relay a received transmitter selection signal when the transmitter selection signal identifies a selected transmitter as being further along the transmit path than the serially connected transmitter and transmit an identification impulse using a transmit antenna when the transmitter selection signal identifies the serially connected transmitter as being the selected transmitter. A system further includes a control unit responsive to a plurality of transmit paths, the control unit being configured to send the transmitter selection signal along a selected transmit path, where the transmitter selection signal identifies one of the plurality of serially connected transmitters along the selected transmit path as the selected transmitter for transmitting the identification impulse.

Abstract: A method for establishing a wireless communication connection between an automation component and a mobile operating terminal is provided. The automation component reads out a first request from a tag, wherein the operating terminal has stored the first request on the tag using a read/write device, the operating terminal requesting information from the automation component by the first request via wireless communication connections provided by the automation component. The automation component stores the information via the wireless communication connection on the tag and then reads out a second request from the tag, wherein the operating terminal has stored the second request on the tag, the establishment of a first communication connection being requested in the second request. Further, a first communication module of the automation component intended for the first communication connection is activated, the operating terminal then establishing the first communication connection to the automation component.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a first processor module and a second processor module. The first processor module includes a first microprocessor and memory. The second processor module includes a second microprocessor and memory. The second processor module: selectively transmits a first challenge to the first processor module for a first challenge-response test; selectively transmits a second challenge to the first processor module for a second challenge-response test; selectively transmits a third challenge to the first processor module for a third challenge-response test; selectively transmits a fourth challenge to the first processor module for a fourth challenge-response test; and selectively diagnoses a fault based on responses of the first processor module to the first, second, third, and fourth challenges. The first, second, third, and fourth challenge-response tests are each different types of challenge-response tests.

Abstract: The invention relates to an RFID reading devices having: transmitting means for generating a field for inductively coupling to an RFID transponder; measuring means for measuring a field strength of the field; and control means for controlling the transmitting power on the basis of the measured field strength.

Abstract: A pneumatic fender management system that establishes a correspondence between a pneumatic fender in which an identification tag recording first identification information is embedded and a pressure sensor detecting a pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic fender and transmitting a detected value. The pressure sensor includes a sensor part detecting a pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic fender, a transmission part transmitting a signal from the sensor part; a reader part reading the information in the identification tag, and a control part having a memory part recording second identification information. The control part compares the first identification information read by the reader part with the second identification information in the memory part, and if the compared information is identical, causes the transmission part to transmit the pneumatic pressure information detected by the sensor part, and if the compared information is different, stops the sensor part and/or the transmission part.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for tracking and handling broadcast devices associated with luggage. A wireless identity transmitter within luggage may periodically transmit wireless broadcast messages that include obscured identifiers. When within proximity, a proximity broadcast receiver, such as a stationary device within an airport, may receive and relay the broadcast messages to a server which may process the included information. Based on decrypting the obscured identifiers, the central server may determine proximity information of devices related to the relayed messages. The proximity broadcast receiver may transmit messages based on whether the wireless identity transmitter should be handled via a luggage service. Additionally, the wireless identity transmitter may activate/deactivate an operational mode for use in an aircraft in response to receiving disable and enable wireless signals from proximate signaling transmitters.

Abstract: A command destined for a smart card is received. If the command is of a state-altering type that places the smart card in a known state, it is relayed to a smart card reader unless the smart card is currently in the known state. If the command is a POWER OFF command, it is relayed to the smart card reader unless (i) the smart card is currently in the known state and (ii) within a predetermined time from receiving the command, a subsequent command of the state-altering type that places the smart card in the known state is received. If the command is not a POWER OFF command and is not of the state-altering type that places the smart card in the known state, it is relayed to the smart card reader. The command is discarded if not relayed to the smart card reader.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is equipped with hardware and/or software components to enable the device to output a data in a form of a radio frequency signal, emulating outputting of the data by either an active or a passive RFID transponder. The data may be a security key or an identifier. Emulation of an active RFID transponder includes facilitating selection of the data and instruction to output by a user. Emulation of a passive RFID transponder includes detecting for proximal presence of a RFID reader. Either case, provision of the data to the mobile communication device may include provision of associated signal attribute(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method for cabinet asset management and a cabinet system. The apparatus for cabinet asset management includes a management unit and at least one antenna board unit. The management unit sends a read signal to the antenna board unit. After receiving the read signal, the antenna board unit sends the read signal in a form of an electromagnetic wave, so that after sensing a magnetic field signal, a label within a radiation range of the electromagnetic wave sends, using an induction current, configuration information of a physical component stored in the label to the antenna board unit. After receiving the configuration information, the antenna board unit reports the configuration information to the management unit. After receiving the configuration information reported by the antenna board unit, the management unit performs data analysis processing.

Abstract: There is provided a converter including a converting unit converting a communication mode of a connecting device having a connecting terminal.

Abstract: A package includes a chassis, a plurality of components arranged within the chassis, a plurality of RFID devices, and at least one processing device. The RFID devices are arranged at a plurality of locations to form an array configured to authenticate compliance of the actual configuration of the package with a model configuration. The processing device is configured to communicate with the RFID devices, determine if the actual configuration of the package is in compliance with the model configuration based on communications with the RFID devices, and set an operational mode of one or more of the components of the package in response to determining if the actual configuration of the package is in compliance with the model configuration.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RPM reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a transmitting/receiving antenna, which includes a dielectric board, a driven loop antenna provided to the dielectric board, transmit processing portion connection terminals connected to the driven loop antenna, a transmitting/receiving loop antenna arranged in close vicinity to the driven loop antenna in a non-contact state, a resonance capacitor connected to both ends of the transmitting/receiving loop antenna, and receive processing portion connection terminals connected to the transmitting/receiving loop antenna. The driven loop antenna is constructed to have a loop wound in a single turn, and the transmitting/receiving loop antenna is constructed to have a loop wound in plural turns. According to this configuration, a wider frequency band of the frequency characteristic and a reduction of the power consumption can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool 101 comprising a plurality of operation functions and a selection device 113a-113d for selecting one or more operation functions by a user. The machine tool 101 receives data from a mobile data carrier 311 via a reception device 112, on the basis of which it may be determined which operation functions may be performed by the user. In this process, an access control device 130 grants the user access to only those selected operation functions he or she is authorized to perform.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) monitoring system (12) for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags, and in particular for monitoring a plurality of vials incorporating such tags and stored at a low temperature, (eg.?80° C.) within a storage unit (10), for example a freezer. The RFID system (12) comprises an RFID reader (28) and at least one antenna (34a-34i) for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags. The system (12) further includes an electronic switch (38), preferably a FET switch, interposed between the RFID reader and the at least one antenna (34a-34i) to connect a particular antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) and transmit RF signals from the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID tags. The switch (38) is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the antenna (34a-34i). The system enables an RFID tag to operate at low temperatures.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may have a non-responsive mode, triggered by a command from an RFID reader, that temporarily prevents the RFID tag from responding to a query from any RFID reader for a period of time. In some embodiments this non-responsive mode may automatically end after a certain period of time without further action by the RFID reader. In other embodiments this non-responsive mode may end when directed to by another command addressed specifically to the RFID tag.

Abstract: The data carrier has a communication protocol storage unit storing a communication protocol for communicating with an external communication device, an RF analogue receiver receiving an interrogation signal from the external communication device as an RF signal, a contact communication end terminal unit performing contact communication with the external communication device, a communication command controller controlling a command used in an RF communication protocol performed via said RF analogue receiver or a contact-type serial communication protocol performed via said contact communication end terminal unit, and a connection selector selectively connecting one of said RF analogue receiver and said contact communication end terminal unit with said communication command controller.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor tag device capable of detecting event data by a sensor tag all the time even when no radio wave is received, saving power supply for a microprocessor, and enlarging the radio communication distance. The sensor tag device includes generation means 6 and 7 using one or more environmental changes, power supply voltage rise control means 8, and power supply synthesis means 9, and power is supplied to a microprocessor 12 and event data is stored in the microprocessor 12 when an event, i.e., an environmental change has occurred. A power receiving circuit having a transmission/reception antenna, a built-in power receiving circuit, and the microprocessor and capable of bi-directional communication by radio waves is combined with a stab resonance RF boost circuit and a ladder boost rectification circuit.

Abstract: A radio system for sensing the spatial configuration of a physical object comprising a transmitter (102) which sends a query message to a transponder (104) having at least one antenna (106). A radio frequency shield (108) is moveably interposable between the transmitter and one or more antennas and thereby attenuates the signal strength of the query message received at an antenna. In any state of spatial configuration of the physical object, the transponder is able to receive the query message and, in reply, send a response message containing data determined according to the signal strength of the query message received at the one or more antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus for instantaneously translating sign language in to voice and video is introduced. The present invention uses accelerometer sensors to compute the position and movement of each finger, thereby instantaneously determining the posture of the hand. The location of fingers with respect to body is accurately determined by placing RFID tags at different parts of the body while a single RFID reader is placed on the index finger. Data from accelerometer sensors and RFID reader are multiplexed and sent wirelessly via a controller to a laptop processor where ultimate conversion of sign language to text/voice is achieved. Further, various characteristics of sign language comprising hand position, hand posture, hand orientation and hand movement are detected based on the accelerometer data and RFID data.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: The active transponder includes an input amplifier (26) arranged between an envelope detector (8) and a demodulation circuit (28). It further includes an activation unit (30) for the input amplifier and also for the demodulation circuit, which is formed by a frequency changer or mixer circuit (32), which decreases a significant modulation frequency of the modulated signal received by the antenna to a low frequency, the resulting low frequency signal then being amplified and filtered by low frequency elements. The activation unit thus consumes little electric power and sends a wake up signal to the elements operating at a high frequency when it detects said significant modulation frequency, in a very selective manner.

Abstract: A rotation-activated electronic component, preferably a RFID tag mounted on or incorporated in a support that is rotated when read, e.g. a CD or DVD. The RFID tag comprises an antenna, a rotational switch, a component, advantageously a processor, and a time usage limiter. The antenna is adapted to transform received RFID signals to electric energy that powers the component and the rotational switch is adapted to cut the circuit unless the support does not rotate at or above a certain rotational speed. The time usage limiter counts down a timer when it is powered via the rotational switch and disables the RFID tag when the timer expires. Supports equipped with the RFID tag of the invention will thus respond until the timer expires, and preferably only if they rotate sufficiently.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for using an input data signal as a clock signal in a state machine of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. An output of a demodulator in the RFID tag is directly coupled to a clock input of the command state machine in the RFID state machine. The command state machine receives an edge detect signal directly from the input data signal and then immediately generates backscatter signals to begin a backscatter process. The edge detect signal may comprise a rising edge of a data symbol of the RFID protocol. The immediate initiation of the backscatter process reduces latency of the backscatter process in the RFID state machine.

Abstract: An electrical outlet for automatically sensing an electrical device, a system for managing electric energy using the electrical outlet, and a method thereof are disclosed. The electrical outlet may include a plug connecting unit to which a plug of an electrical device including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is connected, an RFID reader for receiving information about the electrical device from the RFID tag, an electric energy measuring unit for measuring an amount of electric energy consumed by the electrical device, a controller for managing the received information about the electrical device and information about the measured amount of electric energy, and a communication unit for transmitting the information about the electrical device and the information about the amount of electric energy used to an electric energy management system.

Abstract: A target object detection server is a detection server which communicates by wireless to a detector which detects whether or not a target object exists within a surrounding area of the detector by means of a detection tag mounted on the target object. Furthermore, the target object detection server connects through a network with one or more receivers which are arranged in a surrounding area of the target object, and receives a radio wave transmitted from the detection tag. According to the target object detection server mentioned above, it is possible to increase reliability for detecting the target object more accurately.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for adaptively increasing power delivered to an RF tag. In one embodiment, a tag reader uses multiple transmit antennas to increase the power delivered to an RF tag without increasing the transmission power. The tag reader may perform transmit diversity (or a related antenna diversity schema) to ensure that transmitted signals from the multiple transmit antennas constructively interfere at the location of the RF tag. The tag reader may transmit a pilot signal and measure a phase associated with a received signal from the RF tag. The tag reader may then use the phase to determine a phase shift for each of the plurality of antennas. The phase shift may then be applied to any subsequent signals transmitted by the antennas to ensure that the signals interfere at the RF tag's location.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver comprises a first signal coupler coupling and branching a radio frequency signal received from a tag or a reader, a voltage regulator receiving the coupled signal and outputting a voltage-regulated signal having a predetermined level, a signal converter mixing the radio frequency signal transmitted from the first signal coupler by using the voltage-regulated signal as an oscillation frequency signal and generating a baseband frequency signal, a signal processor processing the baseband frequency signal and extracting tag information, and a data transceiver transmitting the tag information through a wire and/or wireless network.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving a radio frequency signal; determining dependent the radio frequency signal at least one characteristic of an apparatus; and displaying the characteristic of the apparatus by generating at least two audio signals, each audio signal comprising a modulated tone configured to produce an image dependent on the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and techniques for determining a location of an RFID tag among a population of tags are disclosed. The system includes an RFID reader with at least one antenna port and a population of RFID tags. The population of tags can be homogenous or heterogeneous. The RFID reader varies its transmit power through one or more antenna ports resulting in a grouping of the RFID tags into clusters. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes multiple antennas to further define RFID tag clusters among the population. Each read tag is then uniquely associated with a defined cluster. Tag agents also can be provided among the population of tags facilitating definition of the clusters.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention combine a passive RFID tag with a manually switchable battery for additional transmit range when needed. In some embodiments, connecting the battery may also modify the contents of the data transmitted from the RFID tag. This feature may be particularly useful in applications in which a device generally only needs to identify itself as being in a small area, but may occasionally need to send out an alert with greater range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.