Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to system and method for powering ON electronic devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a movement pattern provided by a user using the electronic device during a switched OFF state of the electronic device, recording a mechanical movement of a spring-loaded pendulum in response to the movement pattern, validating the mechanical movement against one or more pre-stored patterns, and powering ON the electronic device from the switched OFF state based on a validation. The spring-loaded pendulum is housed within the electronic device.

Abstract: A multi-mode, preferably dual mode, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is adapted for automatic detection of whether a RFID reader located within communication range of the RFID tag is transmitting a continuous wave (CW) or modulated wave types of RF signal, and accordingly, mandating a response from the tag in read-only (RO) mode or read/write (R/W) mode, respectively. The tag includes means for designating one of the RO and R/W operating modes as a default mode of the tag, and for switching the tag from its default mode to its other operating mode, and vice versa, according to a rule for determining the frequency of occurrence of a selected event related to signal type of the reader. A device-implemented method of this automatic detection, and a method of fabricating the tag, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-test device and method for assessing the functional performance of a reader device that is configured to interface with a wireless sensor. The self-test device may be configured to analyze the accuracy of a signal transmitted from the reader device or the accuracy of a signal received by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage the self-test device to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the self-test device to output a resonant signal. The self-test device may receive the transmit signal from the reader and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the accuracy of the transmit signal of the reader device to identify potential calibration issues and initiate remedial action by an automated system or human intervention if needed.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver base station for controlling a remote device includes a first transceiver circuit, a power connection, and a control circuit. The first transceiver circuit is configured to transmit activation signals to the remote device, the activation signals formatted based on training information and formatted to control the remote device. The power connection is configured to receive electrical power from a vehicle. The control circuit is configured to cause the first transceiver circuit to transmit the activation signal when a command signal is received at the trainable transceiver base station. The trainable transceiver base station is located at a first location within the vehicle, and the trainable transceiver base station is configured to receive the command signal from a remote button module located at a second location within the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking an item having an electromagnetic frequency signature is provided. The method includes obtaining, using a processor system of a device, an electromagnetic frequency signature of an item. The item associated with the obtained electromagnetic frequency signature is identified and the location of the device at the time the item is identified. The identity of the item associated with the electromagnetic frequency signature and the location of the device at the time the electromagnetic frequency signature is obtained are recorded for associating the item with the location of the device.

Abstract: Techniques for tracking a location of an item retainer are described. In an example, a computer system may receive one or more signals from one or more devices. At least one device may be located at a distance from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. The RFID reader may be located at a space opening and may cover a read zone around the space opening. The signal(s) may indicate that a condition to activate the RFID reader is met. This condition may be associated with a state of the space opening or a proximity of an item retainer to the read zone. The computer system may activate the RFID reader based on the condition being met and may determine a progress of the item retainer through the space opening based on whether an RFID tag was read by the RFID reader while the RFID reader was activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimal haptic implementation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: an actuator; and a control-circuit in communication with the actuator, the control circuit configured to: receive a haptic signal including a first bit indicating a power state; and transmit a power signal based on the haptic signal, the power signal configured to cause the actuator to operate at an actuation state at a fixed power.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: receiver(s), a timer counting time, memory, and processor(s) configured to: receive a timestamped signal from a fob; compare the timestamp to a time window; reject the timestamp if the timestamp is outside the time window; expand the time window with the counted time; compute the time window as a trigonometric function of the counted time and a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A medical imaging system comprises at least an image plate, X-ray device for producing an image of an object on said image plate, and a reading device for reading image information held by the image plate. In connection with the image plate there is a tag containing information for controlling the arrangement in such a manner that when the arrangement has read the information in the tag the arrangement is adapted to perform at least one operation controlled by the information read.

Abstract: A sound amplification apparatus includes one or more microphones that convert collected sound into an audio signal and transmit the audio signal by radio and a sound receiving apparatus that receives the audio signal transmitted from the microphone and amplifies and outputs the sound based on the audio signal. The sound receiving apparatus is configured to perform sound output control in an emergency mode upon receiving an emergency signal transmitted in response to operation of an emergency switch of the microphone. With this configuration, it is possible to perform appropriate sound control in a dangerous situation such as intrusion of a suspicious person.

Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for access control, performed by an access control apparatus, including obtaining access authorization information that is communicated to the access control apparatus having at least one access authorization parameter and first check information; using at least the communicated access authorization parameters, the communicated first check information and a second key from a key pair, which second key is stored in the access control apparatus, to perform a first check on whether the communicated first check information has been produced by performing cryptographic operations by means of access authorization parameters corresponding to the communicated access authorization parameters using at least one first key from the key pair, and deciding whether access can be granted, based on the first check delivers a positive result and it is established that at least one predefined set of the communicated access authorization parameters respectively provides access authorization.

Abstract: A personal carrying case for holding an e-vaping device includes communication interfaces configured to establish communication links with the e-vaping device and a remotely-located computer device. Control circuitry included in the case may control an element of the e-vaping device according to a control command received from the computer device. The control circuitry may control the e-vaping device element via an e-vaping device communication link, and the control circuitry may receive the control command via a computer device communication link. The computer device communication link may be an ad hoc wireless network communication link. The control circuitry may process information received from the e-vaping device to communicate status information and signals to the computer device.

Abstract: A controller controls an ultrasonic source to cause the ultrasonic source to emit one or more sound pulses in a direction of a surface in order to obtain reflected sound pulses that are used to determine one or more properties of the surface, receive control signals from the controller, based on the one or more properties of the surface that are determined, and emit ultrasonic sound waves in the direction of the surface based upon the control signals. The ultrasonic sound waves exert a force which causes visible particles within a region proximate the surface to move to achieve a desired appearance with respect to the surface.

Abstract: A customer vehicle management system includes fob devices that each include a customer portion and a key portion, that are separable and may be magnetically interlocked with a charging and communication link between them. The system provides dynamic association of fob customer portions, fob key portions and docking units housed within a cabinet. Customer portions are deployed to a customer (driver) who may later request retrieval of a vehicle the keys of which were left with an operator (valet). Vehicle requests are made through a wireless link. A communications and management module within a fob and key storage cabinet receives the request signal and activates an indicator on a docking unit associated with the customer portion and where an associated key portion is docked. The operator may then retrieve vehicle keys associated with the customer portion from which the request was made.

Abstract: Instrumentation and methods of use are provided for a medical device identification system. The application describes embodiments of a system including a medical device, and an identification tag having an RFID chip and an electrical circuit. The system defines a first configuration in which a first attachment region of the electrical circuit is in electrical communication with a second attachment region of the electrical circuit, and a second configuration in which the first attachment region is electrically isolated from the second attachment region. When the system is in the first configuration the RFID chip is in a first state, and when the system is in the second configuration the RFID chip is in a second state different than the first state.

Abstract: A method for managing the operation of an object capable of contactless communication with a reader, magnetically coupled to the object, includes at least one phase for transmission of information from the object to the reader, including a modulation of the impedance of a load connected across the terminals of the antenna of the object. The method furthermore comprises a control phase that includes an estimation of the distance between the object and the reader and an adjustment of the impedance of the load as a function of the estimated distance.

Abstract: An improved system for tracking the application of crops and field amendments being applied to fields is disclosed. A series of passive communication devices are included in products being applied to the field. As seed and other products are supplied to the field, the passive communication devices are delivered to the field as well. A reader is mounted to the agricultural vehicle and is in communication with the passive devices to read data stored on each device. The data may include the type and variety of product in which the passive devices were supplied. A controller on the vehicle receives data from the reader to identify what product has been applied to the field. The controller may store data on any additional product subsequently applied to the field and/or may verify that subsequent product is acceptable for application to a crop in the field prior to application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a system to manage a home environment. In one instance, an apparatus for managing a home environment may be configured to detect variations in parameters of signals provided by RFID tags disposed in the home environment to monitor the home environment. The apparatus may identify one or more conditions of an area of the home environment in which the RFID tags are disposed, based at least in part on the variations in the one or more parameters and respective locations of the RFID tags in the area of the home environment. The apparatus may select one or more actions, from a plurality of actions associated with the home environment, based at least in part on the identified conditions. The selected actions may be performed to respond to the identified conditions. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: In a device, one or more low energy sensors are used to determine a mobility state of the device. Based on both the mobility state of the device and one or more places of interest for the device, a determination is made as to when to use a high energy sensor to determine a location of the device. One of the one or more places of interest for the device within which the device is located at any particular time can be determined based on the mobility state of the device and/or the location of the device as determined by the high energy sensor.