Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT) layer, the method including depositing a film of a primary element, the film having a film thickness and a film expanse; and implanting at least one secondary element into the primary element, wherein the NFT layer includes the film of the primary element doped with the at least one secondary element.

Abstract: A reader device for short-range wireless tags comprises a sensing module coupled to one or more RF antennas. The sensing module is arranged to selectively activate and deactivate individual RF antennas and to read data from a plurality of objects comprising short-range wireless tags which are proximate to an active RF antenna. A scheduler module within the reader device is arranged to obtain device characteristics for the plurality of objects based at least in part on data read by the sensing module and then to generate a powering schedule for the plurality of objects based on the device characteristics. The generated powering schedule is then implemented by the sensing module.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a spindle to rotate a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic field generator to expose a track of the medium to a DC magnetic field. The magnetic field generator is configured to saturate the track during an erase mode and reverse the DC magnetic field impinging the track during a writing mode. A laser arrangement heats the track during the erase mode and, during the writing mode, heats the track while the track is exposed to the reversed DC magnetic field so as to write a magnetic pattern thereon. A reader reads the magnetic pattern and generates a read signal. A processor is coupled to the reader and configured to determine an anisotropy parameter using the read signal. The apparatus can further comprise a Kerr sensor that generates a Kerr signal using the magnetic pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronic ticketing, monitoring, and indicating permissive use of facilities for family entertainment centers that implement connected terminal devices or kiosks, wireless communication networks, and a plurality of electronic wearable devices. Customers perform transactions with or without a facility employee, using the wearable device as a means of identifying the patron within the facility in addition to verifying the validity of said transactions. Systems and methods provide real-time status information regarding patrons via visual indicators embedded within wearable devices, gamification of facility attractions through an embedded motion-tracking component embedded in the wearable device, and establishment of a ‘leaderboard’ that encourages further participation by calculating and prominently displaying the top-performing customers in a facility.

Abstract: A power line communication system and method permit auto-commissioning of multiple device control modules on a DC power line during the power up of the system. Device control modules associated with the peripheral devices are powered up sequentially and a unique address is assigned to each device controller when it is powered up. The device control modules have a unique circuit configuration that allows the use of inexpensive and mostly passive components. The cost effectiveness of the device controller design becomes particularly significant in applications, such as multi-panel OLED lighting fixtures, with high node counts.

Abstract: Data can be encoded in physical medium and represented by shapes having many various physical attributes. In various examples, data points are encoded and represented by the physical shape, color, size, and/or structure of objects. In one embodiment, holes in memory surface substrates represent data. Various attributes of such holes, including depth, profile size, profile shape, and/or angle can represent data.

Abstract: A door security system and method may increase the home security for elderly people without limiting the privacy of or convenience for residents. The method comprises detecting closing of a door; keeping a first locking mechanism of said door in an open position for a first predetermined period of time after said closing; after said predetermined period of time, changing said first locking mechanism into a locked position. The re-entry time frame permits a user to re-enter without a key, immediately after realizing they forgot it. The method may further comprise recognizing motion of a person on a door of a house through a camera provided in or near the door; producing streaming footage; sending the streaming footage to a central processing server; processing the streaming footage for face recognition purpose and checking against several; and storing all data on the server.

Abstract: Features are disclosed for accurately and efficiently identifying whether a location is secured after unattended delivery of an item. The features include receiving, from an access control device, information identifying a secured state for the access control device. The features include capturing, via a monitoring device at the physical location, monitoring data of the physical location such as one or more images. The features include determining that the monitoring data includes a representation of at least a portion of a surface indicium such as a one-dimensional barcode. Features are described for transmitting, to at least one communication device, a message identifying an error state for the physical location such as an alert that the physical location may be unsecured.

Abstract: A remote control (RC) has two ultra-wideband tags arranged along the axis of the RC at a known distance “d” from each other. An appliance to be controlled can use a UWB anchor to ping the tags and determine the distance to each tag. The distances are then subtracted and if the difference substantially equals the known distance “d”, this represents an indication that the RC is pointed directly at the appliance, and the appliance accordingly will execute commands from the RC. Otherwise, the appliance ignores the RC commands.

Abstract: A method for determining a piece of equipment to be controlled by a transportable control object disposed in a space having at least one positioning unit capable of determining the relative position of the control object relative to the positioning unit, the method including: a step of determining the position and the orientation of the control object in the space from the position of the at least one positioning unit, a step of determining a direction and a sense pointed at by the control object from the position and orientation of the control object determined in this way, and a step of determining a piece of equipment to be controlled in the space from the direction and sense determined in this way.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for WiGig computing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system may include a wearable computing device having a computer processor, a first WiGig interface, and a sensor that senses whether the wearable computing device is being worn by a user. The sensor either enables the WiGig interface when it senses that the wearable computing device is being worn, or disables the WiGig interface when it senses that the wearable computing device is not being worn. The system may also include a display device having a display, a second WiGig interface, and a human interface device that receives a human input. The wearable computing device transmits display data to the display device using a WiGig communication network, and receives human input data from the display device using the WiGig communication network so that the wearable computing device functions as a central processing unit for the display device.

Abstract: A system for tracking attributes of an object includes a device having a substrate configured to couple to the object. The substrate supports a processor, memory, a first communication interface, and a power source. A node includes a sensor, and a second communication interface operable to communicate data from the sensor to the first communication interface of the device.

Abstract: A monitoring device with a pedometer function preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to generate a pedometer function.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to estimate the location of an RFID tag using tag read information, such as a tag read count or a tag read rate, and an opportunity metric, such as an inventory cycle duration, inventory cycle rate, or inventory cycle count. A tag tracking system determines read information for a tag in a zone and an opportunity metric associated with the tag and the zone. The tag tracking system then computes a success rate based on the tag read information and opportunity metric, and uses the success rate to estimate the location of the tag.

Abstract: RF tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network are secured. An RF location server receives a pseudo source address of an RF (radio frequency) tag from a station. The station obtains the pseudo source address while being within radio range of the RF tag and the station receiving a beacon frame from the RF tag. A source address for the RF tag is looked-up utilizing the pseudo source address, and a specific location for the RF tag is looked-up utilizing the source address. Some embodiments store the locations in association with the pseudo address. Either way, the specific location of the station is identified based on the source address of the RF tag. An action is determined in response to at least the specific location of the station. Information related to the action is sent to the station for output to a user of the station. For example, a location-based offer or service can be provided in real-time with a consumer's presence to relevant products or services.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a secure vault may include providing a vault enclosure that has one or more nests, with each nest including one or more personal vaults. The personal vaults can also be used as a secure and anonymous gun locker. Security information must be established before access is granted to the vault enclosure, a nest, and a personal vault. Separate access measures are required for access to the vault area, the nest, and the personal vaults. User anonymity can be maintained by only linking security information to a particular nest and personal vault, without requiring any personal identifying information from the user.

Abstract: Method to facilitate communication, between a lock and a key, with at least one of the lock and the key being equipped with an emitter for emitting radio frequency signals and at least the other one of the lock and the key being equipped with a receiver for receiving this radio frequency signal, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the radio frequency signal from the emitter; b) recovering a bit stream encoded in the radio frequency signal; and d) transmitting the bit stream to a server for the bit stream to be transmitted from the server to an electronic device for transmitting a second radio frequency signal to the receiver, wherein the second radio frequency signal encodes the bit stream.

Abstract: A computer terminal located in an environment may include an actuator, retractable privacy barrier attached to the computer terminal by the actuator, a display, a memory, a processor, and a terminal application stored in the memory. The actuator is typically configured to extend the retractable privacy barrier to thereby reduce viewability of the computer terminal. The terminal application is typically configured for initiating an interactive session with a user, determining that a trigger event has occurred, and in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, transmitting a control signal to the actuator, the control signal causing the actuator to extend the retractable privacy barrier. The present invention is further configured for monitoring one or more parameters of the environment, and displaying, via the display, data associated with the one or more parameters of the environment.

Abstract: Provided is a tactile information supply module. The tactile information supply module includes a receiver for receiving message information from the outside, a controller for converting the message information into a tactile signal, and an operator for providing tactile information to a user based on the tactile signal, wherein the operator includes at least one tactile sensation provider comprising magnetic particles and a matrix material, and wherein the tactile sensation provider is transformed in response to an external magnetic field to provide the tactile information.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method and an electronic device. The apparatus includes: a communicating unit configured to establish communication connection with a controlled object; an image acquiring unit configured to obtain a preview image containing the controlled object; and a controlling unit configured to receive a control instruction inputted according to the preview image, and control the controlled object according to the control instruction. Controlling the controlled object according to the preview image containing the controlled object may realize control of the controlled object in a simple and convenient manner, thereby improving user experiences.