Abstract: The present invention teaches a communications system comprising a first communications device for receiving data and a wake up signal. The first communications device comprises an active mode of operation and a sleep mode of operation for reducing power consumption. Further, the system comprises means for switching the first communications device to and from sleep mode in response to receiving the wake up signal. Further, the system comprises a second communications device for transmitting data to the first device during its active mode, while transmitting the wake up signal to the first device during its sleep mode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a base station or interrogator station to monitor the itinerary of one or more vehicles or other movable assets. Each vehicle or other movable object includes a satellite navigation receiver with circuitry for computing the geographic position of the object, and a memory for storing a history of positions computed at a number of different times during the itinerary of the object. Each movable object further includes a radio transceiver which transmits the stored position history to the base station.

Abstract: An inexpensive low contact resistance electrical bonding interconnect having a metal bond pad portion and conductive epoxy portion. The conductive epoxy portion comprises a metal oxide reducing agent for reducing oxides formed before and/or during the fabrication of the bonding interconnect. The bonding interconnect is used to bond a die pad to a supporting substrate thereby forming a surface mount device.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the 2-way communication range of an RFID system to assist a human operator to individually handle and interrogate a plurality of tagged objects, such as suitcases, that each include an RFID tag transceiver. An RFID interrogator transceiver is mounted on the human operator. The 2-way communication range between the interrogator transceiver and the tag transceivers is adjusted to only slightly exceed the closest distance between the interrogator and the tag while the operator is handling the tagged object. Preferably, the 2-way communication range is short enough that other tagged objects will remain outside the communication range and will not respond to messages from the interrogator. Another aspect of the invention is a method of verifying whether an object to be transported has reached its intended destination.

Abstract: An enclosed transceiver includes an integrated circuit and a battery together laminated between two films. Printed conductors on each film couple operative power to the integrated circuit. Other printed conductors form an antenna coupled to the transceiver for sending and receiving signals. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit has three terminals. The first terminal is connected to a first side of a thin film battery. The second terminal is connected to a first side of a printed loop antenna. The third terminal serves two purposes being connected to the second side of the battery and to the second side of the loop antenna. The enclosing films are treated with silicon nitride for hermeticity. Enclosed transceivers of the present invention are suitable for mass production in web, sheet, and tape formats. Such transceivers are useful as stamps, labels, and tags in object tracking systems including systems for mail delivery, airline baggage tracking, and inventory control.

Abstract: A battery mounting contact consists of a substrate having a battery cavity for housing a battery therein. A first contact is attached to a first surface of the substrate and extends over the battery cavity substantially planarly adjacent to the substrate first surface. A second contact extends over the battery cavity substantially planarly adjacent to a second surface of the substrate. The battery, disposed within the battery cavity, makes electrical contact by its anode with the first contact and by its cathode with the second contact, or vis versa. The battery mounting contact significantly reduces the thickness of a battery powered device.

Abstract: Fluid mixing methods and systems are disclosed. In but one implementation, a fluid mixing method includes providing a mixing passageway having a mixing element therein. A fluid to be mixed is passed in both of opposing directions through at least a portion of the mixing passageway to mix said fluid. In one aspect, at least one fluid reservoir is provided having a mixing passageway connected in fluid communication therewith. Preferably, two fluid reservoirs are provided, with the mixing passageway extending therebetween. A fluid to be mixed is provided in at least one reservoir. At least some of the fluid from the fluid reservoir is flowed into the mixing passageway in a flow direction. After flowing fluid into the mixing passageway, at least some of the fluid within the mixing passageway is flowed in a reversed flow direction and from the mixing passageway back into the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a battery includes fusing an alkali metal onto a patterned conductive layer.

Abstract: A communications system for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the communications system comprising a proximity detector supported by the vessel and configured to detect presence of a fuel nozzle in a fluid entry port of the vessel; and an RFID supported by the vessel, coupled to the proximity detector, and configured to communicate with a RFID interrogator to identify the vessel to the RFID interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a battery includes fusing an alkali metal onto a patterned conductive layer.

Abstract: A bit synchronization device for an interrogator in a remote intelligent communication system wherein a programmable divider extracts a bit clock from the bits in a bitstream using a clock rate 64 times the data rate and wherein the divider is responsive to an early/late detector for adding or subtracting a count from the divider counter.

Abstract: Printing systems and processes are described. In a preferred implementation, a print system includes a platen, a print device and a print substance vibrator. A substrate upon which printing is desired is placed on the platen and the print device is placed operably adjacent thereto. A print substance is applied over the print device and through at least one perforation in the print device and onto the substrate. In one aspect, the print device comprises a screen and the print system is configured for screen printing. In another more preferred aspect, the print device comprises a stencil and the print system is configured for stencil printing. The print device and substrate are then separated from one another while a vibrative force is imparted to the print substance by the print substance vibrator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a battery includes fusing an alkali metal onto a patterned conductive layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming battery electrodes are described. In one embodiment, a discrete amount of electrode material having a volume and a first shape is provided. The electrode material is deformably molded into a second shape which is different from the first shape and which defines a desired battery electrode shape. The battery electrode shape has a volume which is substantially the same as the volume of the provided amount of electrode material. In a preferred implementation, a molding cavity is provided and defines at least in part the desired battery electrode shape. The electrode material is placed into the molding cavity and pressed into the electrode shape.

Abstract: Thin-profile battery electrode connection members, button-type battery electrode connection members, thin-profile battery constructions, button-type battery constructions, and methods of establishing electrical connections with and between both thin-profile batteries and button-type batteries are described. In one implementation, an electrode connection member comprises an inner conductive surface, and outer peripheral conductive surface, and an intermediate conductive surface joined with and extending between the inner and outer surfaces. The connection member defines an internal volume which is sized to receive at least one thin-profile battery. In one aspect, the intermediate conductive surface tapers between the inner and outer surfaces. The taper enables more than one thin-profile battery to be mounted within the internal volume without the need for edge insulation material over one of the batteries to prevent grounding.

Abstract: A system comprising a vehicle on-board computer; and a wireless transponder device coupled to the vehicle on-board computer. The system performs a variety of functions because of its ability to transmit and receive data from other transponders which may be remote from the vehicle or located in the vehicle at a location spaced apart from the system. Remote transponders are spaced apart from the vehicle. The remote transponders can be positioned, for example, at a gas station, toll booth, service center, dealership, parking lot, or along a roadside.

Abstract: A method of protecting data in a smart card from unauthorized access, the method comprising providing a housing defined by first and second housing portions; employing a volatile memory in the smart card for storing the data, and supporting the volatile memory from the first housing portion; providing a power supply in the housing, the power supply maintaining the data in the volatile memory while the power supply is connected to the volatile memory; and connecting the power supply to the volatile memory using a conductor supported by and movable with the second housing portion.

Abstract: A polymer based circuit production method provides a polymer based circuit by exposing a surface of a polymer substrate to ultraviolet radiation resulting in an adhesion promoted polymer substrate surface. A circuit is fabricated on the polymer substrate surface and a coating material is applied to at least a portion of the adhesion promoted polymer substrate surface. A portion of the circuit fabricated on the polymer substrate surface may be encapsulated. The polymer based circuit resulting from the method includes a polymer substrate having an ultraviolet radiation treated surface, a circuit formed on the polymer substrate surface, and a coating material encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one circuit between the polymer substrate and the coating material.

Abstract: In one aspect, a radio frequency identification system includes a) a radio frequency identification device having a receiver, a transmitter and a microprocessor; b) a pocket containing the radio frequency identification device, the pocket having a front panel and a rear panel joined with the front panel; c) an adhesive layer adhered to the rear panel of the pocket; and d) a release backing material removably adhered to the adhesive layer. In another aspect, a radio frequency identification device package includes a pocket configured for receipt of a radio frequency identification device. The pocket has a front panel and a rear panel joined with the front panel. The front panel has a break-away portion. The device package also includes a pull tab joined with the break-away portion and configured to be grasped by a human hand.