Abstract: A system has tags communicating by means of low frequency (below 1 megahertz) with routers which in turn communicate with nameservers. The tags have IP addresses, either explicitly programmed into the tags or associated in a virtual way with the tags. Lookups analogous to domain lookups permit human-friendly inquiries of tag status and location. Static (battery-backed) RAM in a tag permits great versatility in the localized function of the tag.

Abstract: A cart has at least three wheels. It has one or more loop antennas, and a radio transceiver connected with the antennas. The antennas and transceiver operate at a frequency lower than 1 megahertz. The loop antennas are each at least 0.2 square meters in area. The cart is moved to an area such as a room, and the transceiver communicates with various RF tags in the room. Because of the antenna configuration, the portion of spectrum employed, and the power levels used, the cart is able to communicate with most if not all of the RF tags in the room. The cart can then be moved to another area such as another room, and the process repeated. In this way an inventory of tags can be made without expensive permanently installed infrastructure. The system is robust against interferers such as large metal objects and intervening objects.

Abstract: A system uses an antenna at a portal, the antenna coupled to equipment which can send and receive information to and from radio tags, each having a unique identity. The equipment detects, for example, a tag attached to an asset. The equipment looks to see if an associated badge is in the detection area of the portal. If the badge and asset match, the user bearing the badge is permitted to exit the portal. Otherwise the user is not permitted to exit the portal. An asset such as a ski can be equipped with such a tag, the tag in this case being a low-frequency tag. The low-frequency tag permits locating the ski even if it is not visible because it is under snow.

Abstract: Radio-tagged components are used a welding operation to form a welded product. Pedigree/quality control is monitored by tagging welding wire with a first radio transceiver storing information about the wire; providing a second radio transceiver at the welding apparatus, providing a third radio transceiver associated with the at the human operator, logging information about the wire, the operator, and the characteristics of the weld, and maintaining the logged information at a location remote from the welder along with a time stamp and a means of authenticating the maintained log. The first, second and third transceivers operate at a frequency below 1 megahertz, preferably below 300 KHz. A similar radio tag with product pedigree information may also be affixed to the welded product.

Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc. The system also employs a sidewinder that communicates to said tag regularly, said sidewinder keeps the IP address of said tag. The system also employs an embedded VPN. The VPN includes a suite of diagnostic tools that run on a laptop. The diagnostic tools talk direct to the sidewinder, the tools read and program said tag providing the tools have correct IP address of the tag. The system also includes a visibility data server that communicates to the sidewinder by the VPN.

Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc.

Abstract: Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling, one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the operating state of a lock characterized by a locked state and an unlocked state. The method comprises: entering secret information on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on a radio frequency identity card, then electronically comparing the secret information against an authorized code to determine whether the secret information is authorized, then transmitting by radio frequency an unlocking signal to a radio frequency reader located at the lock for opening the lock in the event that the secret information is authorized. In a related use of such RF identity cards, the invention also provides a system and method of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area.

Abstract: A system for use by a bricks-and-mortar retailer has RF tags on items of merchandise (“item tags”) and has large antennas in large areas of a retail space. Intermediate tags are communicatively coupled to the large antennas and also to the item tags. The locations of the intermediate tags are known, and thus the location of an item is known because it is communicatively coupled with one of the intermediate tags. A customer visits a web site and orders an item for later pickup at the store. Store personnel then go to the location of the item, pick the item, and put it at a store location for later pickup. The customer can travel to the store and present an identifying card and pick up the item.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: A wireless key (6), capable of transmitting an ultra-low frequency radio wave signal (5), is used to gain access to a secure receptacle (1), the wireless key (6) and receptacle (1) comprising a system to ensure the secure transfer or delivery of items between parties typically engaging in e-commerce. The wireless key (6) possesses a means to discriminate against the unauthorized entry of the receptacle, such as through the use of buttons to enter a secure access code. The wireless key (6) accepts an access code entry from the user desiring entry to the receptacle (1) and subsequently transmits an ultra-low frequency signal (5) to a receiving and processing means (4). If the analysis of the signal indicates the user of the wireless key (6) is authorized to gain entry to the receptacle (1), the receptacle's locking mechanism (3) is disengaged to allow entry.

Abstract: A combination of a patch and a low-frequency (inductive, LF) radiating radio transceiver tag, and antenna system, may be used to track and control electrophoretic/electro-osmotic transdermal drug delivery systems and provide fill data logs of use without complex belts that are worn by the patient or other patient-based attachments.

Abstract: A sturdy radio tag has an antenna and semiconductor chip tuned to low frequency, encapsulated using a low-temperature, low-pressure, low-viscosity injection molding process.

Abstract: An RFID tag in a receptacle is active and includes a microprocessor, a data storage device operable to store a selected code (e.g. an ID code to identify said object or said product), the object including a display for displaying the aforesaid selected code upon a signal from the microprocessor and an energy storage device (e.g. a lithium ion battery), operable to energize the microprocessor, the display, and the transmitter. The tag has an antenna having a dimension thereof that is substantially as large as to a maximum dimension of receptacle.

Abstract: A method for testing the installation of a box includes the steps of closing the lid of the box, transmitting a signal from the box; noting the absence of an annunciation; and variously repositioning the box relative to a receiver, replacing a battery, or replacing the box.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: An area-reading antenna (in RF linkage with myriad RF tags) is dynamically tuned. It may be dynamically tuned as to its transmission of a power/clock field, or dynamically tuned as to its transmission of a data signal, or dynamically tuned as to its reception of a data signal, or some combination of all three. In this way, a base station has an improved ability to communicate with a greater fraction of the RF tags within its reading area, despite detuning of individual tags due to proximity of detuning influences such as metal or liquids.

Abstract: A circular data-bearing medium having a hub hole has a chip and two distinct loop antennas, each offset from the other, each antenna disposed around the hub hole, the chip electrically connected with each of the two distinct antennas. The circular data-bearing medium does not have a battery. When bathed in RF energy the chip receives power from one of the loop antennas. During the power-up time the chip may receive messages on the other of the loop antennas, and may respond, on that antenna, to some of the received messages and not others, based upon internal states within the chip. At least one of the internal states is reset upon loss and restoration of the bathing RF energy. When passed nearby to an EAS sensor, for example at an exit of a store, the chip can selectively either trigger the sensor or not trigger the sensor, as a function of whether an EAS link has or has not been blown, and the triggering response is non-identical from one data-bearing medium to the next.

Abstract: An active two way radio tag (e.g. used for tracking assets, people or livestock) operates below 1 MHz and includes an integrated circuit operable to generate and transmit data signals at a frequency below 1 megahertz, a timing circuit (e.g. a crystal), for controlling the frequency, and a battery or other energy source operable to energize said integrated circuit and said timing circuit. The active tag may further include a data storage device (e.g. a static or dynamic memory) operable to store data identifying the tag.