Abstract: A system for using thin and energy-autonomous backscatter tags and corresponding sensing nodes may operate with 24 GHz backscatter reflectarray tags having low power consumption. A digital beam steering, frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar may be used for detection, localization, identification and communications. The tags may include environmental sensors that are used to modulate backscatter waves for data communications directed to a reader or may digitally modulate the backscatter transmissions without sensor data for independent localization of each tag in a network.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absorbent article for personal hygiene. More particularly, in one embodiment, the absorbent article absorbent article includes at least one property changing indicator. A detector device is also provided that includes at least one sensor. The sensor is adapted to detect the property change of the property change indicator in the absorbent article. In one particular embodiment, for example, the property changing indicator may include an optical property indicator such as a color change indicator and the sensor may include an optical sensor such as a color sensor.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An equipment management system is provided with an RFID provided for each equipment, an equipment position information storage unit, an equipment management data storage unit, an image information storage unit, a reader/writer, and a portable information terminal transmitting and receiving information with each storage unit. The image information storage unit has point group information and other image information of the inside of a facility. The equipment position information storage unit has installation position information of the equipment associated with the RFID and a virtual tag allowing reference to equipment management data on the equipment management data storage unit corresponding to the equipment and the image information associated with the equipment associated with the RFID in the image information storage unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.

Abstract: A method and system for remote sensing using optical orbital angular momentum (OAM)-based spectroscopy for object recognition. The method includes applying an OAM state on a light beam to generate an optical OAM spectrum, transmitting the light beam on a remote object, receiving a reflected optical OAM spectrum associated with the remote object, and providing a high resolution image of the remote object based on the reflected optical OAM spectrum.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves obtaining at least one system or environmental parameter related to the communications device and adjusting a communications configuration of the communications device in response to the at least one system or environmental parameter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An example device includes a magnetic film, two or more spin wave generators, and one or more detectors. The magnetic film is capable of supporting spin waves. The two or more spin wave generators are operable to create a diffraction pattern of the spin waves in the magnetic film. The two or more spin wave generators generate the spin waves based on a source signal. The one or more detectors are operable to measure an amplitude of the spin waves in the diffraction pattern. The amplitude measured by a particular detector is indicative of a property of the source signal.

Abstract: The system performs communication between two systems, a master system, that creates an alternating magnetic field by means of which it dialogues with one or more slave systems, which respond at frequencies other than those generated by the master by a non-linear magnetic core generating harmonics of higher order than those of the magnetic field created by the master. The generation of harmonics is controlled by the slave by a short-circuit coil which enables the data transmission from the slave to the master. The slave system can have its own power supply or it can be powered by the short-circuit coil. This allows microcontrollers in the slaves to be powered and give them intelligence and a large storage capacity, making them ideal for control security and monitoring processes. The excitation frequency can be varied because the functionality of the slaves does not depend on the frequency of the exciter field.

Abstract: A component carrier includes a layer stack formed of an electrically insulating structure and an electrically conductive structure with a bore extending into the layer stack. The bore includes a first bore section with a first diameter and a connected second bore section with a second diameter differing from the first diameter. The component carrier further comprises a thermally conductive material filling substantially the entire bore. The bore is in particular formed by mechanical drilling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A payment device for a point-of-sale system that is configured to operate in a reader mode and in a transmitter mode. When in a first (reader) mode of operation as a seller device, the payment device is configured to receive first payment object information from a first payment object, such as a near field communication (NFC) enabled payment object. When in the second (transmitter) mode of operation as a buyer device, the payment device is configured to receive second payment information from a second payment object, such as an integrated circuit (IC) enabled payment object, and to transmit the second payment object information using a NFC protocol. The payment device includes a NFC antenna and a driving circuit configured to drive the NFC antenna to create a magnetic field when in the first mode of operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absorbent article for personal hygiene. More particularly, in one embodiment, the absorbent article absorbent article includes at least one property changing indicator. A detector device is also provided that includes at least one sensor. The sensor is adapted to detect the property change of the property change indicator in the absorbent article. In one particular embodiment, for example, the property changing indicator may include an optical property indicator such as a color change indicator and the sensor may include an optical sensor such as a color sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absorbent article for personal hygiene. More particularly, in one embodiment, the absorbent article absorbent article includes at least one property changing indicator. A detector device is also provided that includes at least one sensor. The sensor is adapted to detect the property change of the property change indicator in the absorbent article. In one particular embodiment, for example, the property changing indicator may include an optical property indicator such as a color change indicator and the sensor may include an optical sensor such as a color sensor.

Abstract: A mobile device according to one of a plurality of aspects comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor configured to measure a value of atmospheric pressure, a touch screen, and at least one controller configured to conjecture that the mobile device is immersed in water when the value of the atmospheric pressure satisfies a condition. The at least one controller is configured to conjecture whether the mobile device that has been immersed in water is out of the water on the basis of a detection result obtained by the touch screen. The mobile device is able to determine whether the mobile device is immersed in water and whether the mobile device is out of the water, while keeping the electric power consumption low, due to using the touch screen only when determining whether the mobile device is out of the water.

Abstract: An electromagnetic-coupling module including a radio IC chip and a feeder circuit board on which the radio IC chip is mounted and a feeder circuit including a resonant circuit having a predetermined resonant frequency is attached to an article. The article has a radiation element that radiates a transmission signal supplied from the feeder circuit of the electromagnetic-coupling module via electromagnetic coupling and that supplies a received reception signal to the feeder circuit via the electromagnetic coupling.

Abstract: A device (200) for locating mobile elements provided with at least one standard NFC tag. The location device (200) includes transmission elements (215) for transmitting a signal to query8 the at least one tag, monitoring elements (205, 245) and a plurality of receiving elements (225) selectively connected to the monitoring elements, the receiving elements being receptive to the querying signal and to a response signal from the at least one tag. The monitoring elements are configured so as to measure in sequence signals from receiving elements connected to the monitoring elements and to estimate the position of the at least one tag by interpolating measurements.

Abstract: A method for producing an output bit stream for a first signal of a first carrier frequency by a security module involves the security module receiving an input signal comprising the first signal and a second signal of a second carrier frequency. A mixed signal is formed which has the first signal at the first carrier frequency, the second signal at the second carrier frequency, and a mixed product at an intermediate frequency. The mixed product is demodulated by a second nonlinear component to output a second baseband signal for generating a second bit stream relating to the first signal in the mixed product. The output logic produces the output bit stream for the first signal, and selects either the first bit stream or the second bit stream as the output bit stream for the first signal.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly into a tag body; performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.

Abstract: A wireless tag reading system including a frame, two or more antennas installed to the frame, and a turntable rotatable with respect to the frame. The turntable is adapted to support thereon an object containing one or more electronic tags. The turntable is adapted to rotate the object with respect to the two or more antennas, so that at least one of the two or more antennas is configured to read the one or more electronic tags at more than one distance, orientation, or phase. By rotating the object to vary the distance and/or orientation from the tags to the antennas, all the tags on the object can be scanned and correctly read by the wireless tag reader.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining, by a first device, that a second device is within range for direct communications and that the second device is capable of performing transpositional modulation (TM) communications. Determining to use transpositional modulation to send data to the second device. Sending the data to the second device using a TM signal.

Abstract: A wireless card including a wireless power receiving module configured to receive wireless power supply from a first wireless user equipment in a first time period, to obtain first power; a wireless communications module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period and use ultra-wideband impulse radio to perform wireless communication with the first wireless user equipment; a contact-type power supply module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period to supply power to an inserted memory card; a first contact-type communications module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, in communication connection with the wireless communications module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period to perform contact-type communication with the memory card.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating at least two antennas for a motor vehicle. The apparatus has a switching device to be coupled to the at least two antennas and to perform at least one switching process for changing a respective input capacitance of one antenna of the at least two antennas. A multiplexing device is configured to select one of the at least two antennas for near field communication and to connect it to an output. The multiplexing device and the switching device are configured, when changing over from a first antenna having a first input capacitance to a second antenna having a second input capacitance, to match the second input capacitance to the first input capacitance by performing the switching process.

Abstract: A passive tag embedded in a package includes multiple conductive coils. A first coil receives radio frequency (RF) energy used to power the tag. Additional coils receive and/or transmit data signals, clock signals, and carrier signals. The RF energy and other signals may be at different frequencies. An RF probe includes a first coil to emit the RF energy to power the tag. The RF probe includes additional coils corresponding to the additional coils in the tag. The RF probe may turn off the RF signal used for power during communication. The RF energy may be rectified to provide DC power to circuits in the tag, or may be used directly for adiabatic circuits. The RF probe and the package may have complementary shapes to facilitate alignment of the coils.

Abstract: An extended Pulse-Interval Encoding (PIE) modulating method in a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system, wherein the method modulates 2-bit transmitted data and comprises: adjusting a length of a symbol according to a value of the first bit of the transmitted data; and adjusting a length of an energy transfer waiting section according to a value of the second bit of the transmitted data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.

Abstract: A system and method may dynamically (a) adjust signal characteristics of individual portions of a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) transmission, and/or (b) change NFC wireless communication channels. A transmitting device may transmit to a receiving device via multiple NFC channels. For instance, a transmitting device may have multiple spatially-separated antennas and/or transmitters, and a transmission required to complete a financial transaction (or other wireless communication) with a receiving device may have several portions. Each transmission portion may be sequentially and/or individually transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device using a different antenna and/or transmitter, i.e., a different communication channel.

Abstract: Provided is a transmission device including a transmission unit that includes an antenna coil and performs communication with an external device by electromagnetic coupling, a signal output unit that generates a signal of a predetermined frequency and outputs the generated signal to the transmission unit, a communication monitor unit that monitors information about a current flowing through the antenna coil and determines a communication state based on the monitored information, and a communication correction unit that corrects a communication characteristic based on a determination result of the communication state in the communication monitor unit.

Abstract: Determining movement of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag first establishes a phase difference/frequency model comprising a set of phase-wrapped local rates-of-change and an intercept point. RFID tag readings are then made to measure phase differences between the interrogation signal and the tag response at different frequencies. A correlation is determined between the measured phase differences versus frequency and the phase-wrapped local phase rates-of-change of the phase difference/frequency model. If the correlation is better than or equal to a predetermined limit, the tag is stationary, or if the correlation is worse than the predetermined limit, the tag is moving.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for updating secure access credentials are provided. More specifically, data from one or more RFID credentials can be read and subsequently written to one of the original RFID credentials reducing multiple RFID credentials to a single credential. The RFID transponder on the credential that has new data written thereon does not necessarily need to have the same functionality as the RFID transponder on the other RFID credentials that was read.

Abstract: A system for determining whether an object is within a region of interest includes a radiofrequency signal receiver outside of the region of interest configured to receive radiofrequency signals from the direction of the region of interest; and a radiofrequency transponder having a directional antenna outside of the region of interest and configured to transmit radiofrequency signals away from the radiofrequency signal receiver and towards the region of interest. Presence of an object within the region of interest causes radiofrequency signals transmitted by the radiofrequency transponder to reflect off of the object towards the radiofrequency signal receiver.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a system and method for remote monitoring of a subject wearing a sports helmet. In one aspect, the system includes a safety helmet and a sensor integrated with the helmet for continuously gathering head acceleration force data, the head acceleration force data associated with the head movements of a subject. The system also includes a wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor for transmitting the head acceleration force data and a mobile device for receiving the head acceleration force data from the wireless transceiver. The system further includes a database engine for displaying the head acceleration force data to a user.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a first wireless communication section, a wireless power receiving section and a wireless control section. The first wireless communication section is configured to transmit and receive a first wireless signal. The wireless power receiving section is configured to receive power by a second wireless signal. The wireless control section is configured to control the first wireless communication section according to a wireless power reception state of the wireless power receiving section. The wireless control section activates the first wireless communication section after wireless power reception by the wireless power receiving section is started.

Abstract: Provided are a terminal having a radio frequency identification (RFID) function and a method of processing information of the terminal for allowing intuitive interaction between a screen manipulation and an RFID manipulation with respect to using an RFID related service. The method of processing the information of the terminal including a screen and an RFID recognition unit, includes detecting a screen area corresponding to a position of the RFID recognition unit disposed at a predetermined position of the screen; displaying an RFID icon at a position of the detected screen area; recording information in an RFID tag based on the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon, and recognizing the information from the RFID tag the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon.

Abstract: A documents management system with remote location and retrieval of documents contained in file folders positioned in file drawers in a collection of file cabinets. Each document has an RFID tag containing a document identifier and the contents of the document stored in a read-only memory. Each file folder has a circuit containing a unique identifier for that folder. Each file cabinet has a control unit which searches for a specific file folder in response to receipt of a file folder request from a source. If the folder is found, each cabinet has an R.F. reader which searches for a specific document in response to receipt of a document request from the source. If the document is found, the R.F. reader extracts the document contents and transmits them to the source.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power transmission and reception system includes a power transmitter and a power receiver. The power transmitter includes: a power transmission module configured to wireless-transmit power to the power receiver; and a first wireless communication module configured to perform wireless communication with the power receiver. The power receiver includes: a power reception module configured to receive the power transmitted from the power transmission module; and a second wireless communication module configured to perform wireless communication with the first wireless communication module using the received power. The second wireless communication module is configured to perform wireless communication while the power reception module is receiving the power.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for assigning priority to antennae are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennae identify the location of an object by detecting a tag or other identifier associated with each object. Sensors can be provided to provide additional information regarding the environment of the objects or their surroundings. A priority order is assigned to the reader antennae based on the location and other characteristics of the objects and/or their environment. A polling sequence for reading the reader antennae is determined according to the priority order.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first assembly, a second assembly, and a coupling element coupled to the first assembly and the second assembly. The first assembly includes a processor, a memory, and a radiator module, the processor operatively coupled to the memory and the radiator module. The second assembly includes a radiator operatively coupled to the radiator module. The second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly about the coupling element between a first configuration and a second configuration. The processor is configured to interrogate a radio-frequency identification module via the radiator module and the radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes a sensor for determining a transient state or condition of a product to which the tag is associated, and a display. The tag may be passive, semi-passive, or active. In response to receipt at the tag of a read signal that includes a first value associated with the transient state or condition, a comparison is performed. The comparison compares the first value, with a second value generated by the sensor in response to receipt of the read signal. As a result of the comparison, an indication is provided on the display. The information displayed is a function of the comparison. In one embodiment, the display provides different color indications depending on the transient state or condition sensed.

Abstract: A multi-mode RFID tag includes a power generating and signal detection module, a baseband processing module, a transmit section, a configurable coupling circuit, and an antenna section. In near field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to a coil or inductor in the configurable coupling circuit to transmit an outbound transmit signal using electromagnetic or inductive coupling to an RFID reader. In far field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to the antenna section, and the multi-mode RFID tag then utilizes a back-scattering RF technology to transmit the outbound transmit signal to RFID readers.

Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for arming and disarming the security system. A door sensing unit comprises a first transceiver interconnected with the system control panel over a network. The first transceiver is mounted proximate to a door that defines at least a portion of a perimeter around an area to be monitored by the security system. The first transceiver has an detection field proximate to the door. A disarm device comprises a second transceiver that automatically transmits a disarm device packet. The first transceiver receives the disarm device packet when the second transceiver is within the detection field. The first transceiver sends a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on at least the disarm device packet.

Abstract: The invention relates to the locating and identifying of objects with radiofrequency communication by inductive coupling, without electrical contact, between a reader and a tag. The device includes an array of N fixed RFID markers of RFID tag type, with inductive antennas placed at known positions, N being an integer greater than 1 and an RFID tag reader provided with a fixed reading inductive antenna passing in proximity to the N markers. The position of the N markers with respect to the inductive reading antenna is such that the mutual inductance between the inductive antenna of any marker and the inductive reading antenna is zero when no object to be located is present in the vicinity of the array of markers, and nonzero when an RFID tag is present in the vicinity of the marker considered. A coupling is established in the presence of a mobile tag in proximity to a marker.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for detecting and re-personalizing are provided herein. In an embodiment, the invention operates by obtaining an ID (i.e., an identification, such as a Dynamic Unique Identifier) from a RFID tag, generating a new ID, and writing the new ID to the RFID tag. The ID read from the tag is used to lookup a subject's record in a database. If the write of the new ID to the tag is verified, then database changes are committed to link the new ID to the subject. In an alternative embodiment, the invention operates by obtaining data from a memory of a RFID tag, wherein the memory has a first partition and a second partition, generating a new ID, and writing the new ID to either of the first partition or the second partition of the RFID tag. If such write is verified, then the new ID is written to the other partition of the RFID tag. The data from the tag is used to lookup a subject's record in a database.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for scanning the division mark of a mechanical roller-type counter (1), for any type of counter, comprising a number of rotatably driven ciphering rollers (2), each ciphering roller carrying a number of digits (3) or symbols that are distributed homogeneously over the circumference and can be detected and evaluated with a fixed reading device arranged opposite. Said device is characterized in that at least one transponder (6) is associated with each digit (3) or each symbol in the respective ciphering roller (2) of the roller-type counter (1). An RFID antenna field (15) is located opposite the transponder, at a small distance therefrom, said field being controlled by a circuit in such a way that a ciphering roller of the roller-type counter (1) can be read respectively by an antenna (16, 17, 18) of the RFID antenna field (15).

Abstract: A wide area radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes: a first RFID cell and a second RFID cell. The first RFID cell and the second RFID cell each include a reader and tags. The readers access the tags using ultra-wide band signaling. The RFID cells each include: a communications interface operable to communicate with a network operations center, and a communications gateway which supports direct communications between RFID cells. The method includes accessing the second RFID cell from the first RFID cell, and the accessing is performed using the communications gateway that can cover a range of at least five hundred meters.

Abstract: An RFID memory device includes two arrays of resonant members. A first array extends in a first member direction and a second array extends in a second member direction. The device includes one or more elements for transforming energy associated with vibration of the resonant members into a change in impedance of an electrical equivalent circuit of the memory device. The magnitude of impedance change caused by resonance of the first resonant members is maximized at a different magnetic field direction to that at which the magnitude of the impedance change caused by resonance of the second resonant members is maximized. Thus, different data may be encoded on each array and separately read. The resonant members may form part of a common electrical conductor that forms a coupling element for coupling with an applied excitation signal and causing vibration of the resonant members.

Abstract: A system for recognizing animals in a detection zone (4) wherein the animals are provided with a label (6.i) that responds by transmitting a return signal with information when the label is (6.i) introduced into an electromagnetic interrogation field, provided with at least a transmitting and receiving system (2) for transmitting the electromagnetic interrogation field in the detection zone (4) and for receiving a return signal from a label (6.i) located in the detection zone (4), whereby the transmitting and receiving system (2) is provided with a plurality of antennas (8.i) for receiving a return signal from at least one label (6.i) present in the detection zone (4) wherein the antennas (8.i) are designed and arranged to discretely receive electromagnetic signals which come from mutually different subzones (4.i) wherein the subzones (4.i) in combination from the detection (4) zone.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a body's bio-readings and environmental information in which such bio-readings are generated is disclosed. Conventional bio-reading sensor technology may be used in combination with technology for receiving information from electronic tags associated with items in a body's environment. Such technology may include RFID smart tags associated with items in an environment. Such smart tags store information describing the item associated with the smart tag. An RFID smart tag reader may be provided for retrieving item description information stored in such smart tags. The combination of bio-reading data and environmental data provide a power tool in evaluating behavioral and environmental variables that affect a body's bio-readings.