Abstract: A method and apparatus for a sensor network having a plurality of reference nodes and a sensor node that enables the sensor node to compute a relative position through transmission range control and position mapping. In transmission range control, each reference node sends location information signals to the sensor node while varying transmission power. In position mapping, the sensor node forms a grid of vertical and horizontal lines corresponding to a square area defined by the neighboring reference nodes, extracts coordinates of intersections in the grid belonging to a shared region between areas covered by location information signals of various transmit power levels from the neighboring reference nodes, and sets the position of the sensor node to the middle points of the extracted coordinates. Each reference node sends a location information signal when a random backoff time expires after reception of a location information request signal.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes a first antenna on which an IC chip is mounted and a second antenna extending from an end of the first antenna in a direction at right angles to the first antenna. The first antenna has an arbitrarily electrical length and the second antenna has an electrical length of ?/2 or an integral multiple of ?/2. A resin base film having a thickness of approximately 50 ?m is disposed on the back side of the first antenna and the second antenna. With this configuration of a tag antenna, the second antenna resonates with the first antenna to exhibit a radio wave amplifying effect. Therefore, a long communication distance can be achieved even if the electrical length of the first antenna is chosen to be short or the thickness of the base film is chosen to be thin.

Abstract: Methods and systems using polarization modulated electromagnetic waves. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and a RFID tag (the RFID tag communicatively coupled to the RFID reader),. The RFID tag is configured to transmit data to the RFID reader with data encoded in polarization of electromagnetic waves transmitted from the RFID tag.

Abstract: A collision detection sensor includes an absorber, a chamber member, a pressure sensor, and a collision detection circuit. The absorber is deformed with a collision to absorb collision impact force. The absorber is located in a vehicle bumper and located in front of a bumper reinforcement in a vehicle front-rear direction. The chamber member defines a chamber room therein. The chamber member is located in the bumper and located in front of the bumper reinforcement in the vehicle front-rear direction. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the chamber room. The collision detection circuit detects the collision based on the detected pressure. A front end of the absorber is located further away from the bumper reinforcement than a front end of the chamber member in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting against electrocution hazards that arise when an appliance is electrically connected to a miswired single-phase AC electrical source which includes an energized ground lead are described. The apparatus includes one or more sensors that detect electrical energy in the ground lead combined with a miswiring condition in the hot and common leads. A tester embodiment is also illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting if the putative ground of the electrical source is energized and whether the hot and common leads are reversed.

Abstract: A wireless tag includes at least one of a signal radiation unit that radiates a first linking signal based on an instruction from a wireless tag access device, and a signal detection unit that detects a second linking signal that has been radiated and provides the second linking signal to the wireless tag access device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: A vehicle control device simplifies input work of a password that puts a vehicle in a usable state, on an emergency occasion, in which a portable equipment (smart key) cannot be used. A system display unit flashes on an emergency occasion when a password is input without the use of the smart key. A hazard switch is operated to enter a character of the password corresponding to a number of times that the system display unit flashes.

Abstract: A system and method of managing product at a location in which an echolocation RFID tag or a weight-sensing RFID tag is utilized to determine the quantity of material in a container and then this information is read by an RFID reader and then transmitted to a data storage repository and processing program for further handling of the data. The data storage repository and processing program may be near the RFID reader or may be remotely located with respect to the RFID reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that controls access to a secured area using an automated gate controlled secured environment is disclosed. The method may include receiving an indication that an individual attempting to pass through a clearance area has not been authorized to pass through the clearance area, automatically moving one or more gates to create a channel for the non-authorized individual to be directed to a manual screening area, determining if the non-authorized individual has passed one or more sensor; wherein if the non-authorized individual has been determined to have passed the one or more sensor, then moving a gate located behind the non-authorized individual to enable other authorized individuals to pass through the clearance area while maintaining the channel created to the manual screening area, and preventing the non-authorized individual from gaining access to the automated gate controlled secured environment once the non-authorized individual reaches the manual screening area.

Abstract: A device and method of coupling a processor to an RFID tag which creates new applications for the RFID tag. The device includes an RFID tag which includes a memory, an antenna coupled to the RFID tag, and a processor coupled to the RFID tag in parallel with the antenna.

Abstract: Implementation of mobile device communications (MCD) management is provided. A method includes intercepting an input command received on an MCD, the command intercepted in response to detecting a presence of a fixed communications device (FCD), which is embedded in a vehicle within range of the MCD. The method also includes acquiring biometric data from a user of the MCD. The method includes determining an activity status of the vehicle. If the activity status reflects the vehicle is active, the method includes acquiring biometric data for an operator of the vehicle via a biometric scanner of the vehicle and comparing the biometric data from the vehicle with the biometric data for the user of the MCD. If the biometric data from the vehicle matches the biometric data from the MCD, the method includes retrieving an account record for the user and implementing an action specified in the account record. If the activity status reflects the vehicle is inactive, the method includes executing the command.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus that informs that a smart key has been dropped at a location as proximate to a location of the dropping the smart key as possible while minimizing consumption of a battery of the smart key. A transmitting/receiving circuit transmits to the smart key a code request signal for confirming whether the smart key is disposed within a predetermined range of a motorcycle by a predetermined transmission period, and receive a code signal transmitted from the smart key receiving the code request signal. A code checking portion checks a code of a code signal received by the transmitting/receiving circuit. A control portion changes a period of transmitting the code request signal in accordance with a situation of running the motorcycle to detect dropping of the smart key.

Abstract: A field device for use in monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes two wire process control loop electrical connections. Digital communications monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrical connections and is configured to control power to the field device electrical circuitry in response to a digital signal on the two wire process control loop.

Abstract: Provided are an active radio frequency identification (RFID) system for port logistics and a communication method in the RFID system in which the forms of commands and response messages in the current standard are not changed in order to maintain compatibility with the current standard and to support multi-hop communication and some fields that are not generally used are used so as to enable communication between a tag in a shadow area and a reader by multi-hop communication using other surrounding tags.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for commissioning a wireless communication link between a remote controller device (24) that transmits a signal and a remote controlled device (11) that receives the signal include a first button (40) that is recessed within the housing of the remote controller (24) that can be pressed to cause the remote controller (24) to transmit a commissioning signal. A second button (50) that is recessed within the housing of the remote controlled device (11) can be pressed to cause the remote controlled device (11) to receive and learn the commissioning. The remote controller (24) and the remote controlled device (11) have complementary mating structures carried thereon that will simultaneously operate the first and second buttons when the remote controller (24) and the remote controlled device (11) are physically mated with another.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag includes a processor, a memory configured to store an identification number that distinguishes the tag from other tags, and a transponder coupled to the memory and the processor. The tag arbitrates by selecting a random number in response to an inventory query from a reader. The tag responds to the reader depending on the random number selected. The tag is configured for multiple concurrent inventory session arbitrations with multiple readers by separately storing random numbers for respective inventory session arbitrations.

Abstract: Provided is a RFID tag with enhanced security. The tag includes a tag memory to store thereto pre-determined password information and tag data, an antenna to receive a tag data transmission request signal from an outer reader, and a tag controller to request the reader to transmit the password if the tag data transmission request signal is received, and then to transmit the tag data if the password received from the reader is identical with the pre-determined password. Accordingly, it can be prevented for a third-party, who does not know the password, to check the tag data.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes: an infrared sensor which detects an object around a vehicle using infrared light; a visible light source which illuminates visible light to the object when the infrared sensor detects the object; a reflection mirror which reflects the infrared light and the visible light to an area around the vehicle; and a light path adjusting mechanism which adjusts light paths of the infrared light and the visible light in a synchronizing manner by rotating the reflection mirror.