Abstract: A device, system and method for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an item is disposed includes a reusable environment monitoring tag operably connected to a return postcard that can be disposed adjacent an item to be monitored, the tag equipped to sense and store surrounding environmental conditions thereof and an electronic reader electronic reader which upon receipt of the a return postcard having the tag therein in a predetermined range receives environmental data sensed and stored by the tag and analyze the data. The method includes mailing the return postcard to a receiving site for reading.

Abstract: A method for providing an alert to a person to unplug an electrical power cord of an electrical device or equipment includes an alarm device that is activated upon separation of a first portion from a second portion. The first and second portions of the alarm device are secured proximate opposite sides of a loop provided in the power cord. The first and second portions, when engaged, maintain a switch of an electrical circuit in an open position. If the equipment is moved prior to unplugging the power cord, the loop will be straightened, causing the first and second portions to separate. The switch closes, completing the electrical circuit and activating the alarm device. The alarm alerts the person to unplug the power cord. A first alternate method includes the alarm device as a part of newly manufactured equipment. A second alternate method includes a motion detector or sensor in the alarm device of the newly manufactured equipment.

Abstract: A method of identifying articles, each of which has a data carrier that includes identifying data of the article, the data carriers having an operation frequency, provides a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored, even when the natural resonance frequency of the enclosure differs from the operation frequency of the data carriers. In one case data carriers comprise, RFID tags. The EM energy at the operation frequency that is injected into the enclosure to form the robust EM field is injected at a selected location in the enclosure so that the reflected phase of the EM energy from enclosure walls equals the location of injection thereby producing a robust EM field to activate and/or detect data carriers. Active impedance matching is also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a man-made object comprising a distinctive structure with a feature to identify the object, wherein the object has a size such that the object is observable under visible light, wherein the feature is embedded in or on the object and a size of the feature is such that the feature is not observable under visible light, wherein the feature comprises an attribute originating from the feature, and wherein the attribute defines the feature.

Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.

Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.

Abstract: A non-contact IC card system includes a non-contact IC card having a display element and an IC card reader/writer communicating with the non-contact IC card. The IC card reader/writer disables detection of a load modulated signal from the non-contact IC card when the non-contact IC card displays data on the display element.

Abstract: A communications-enabled packaged product allows a consumer to partake of communications within a product-centric network. The packaged product performs the functions of a communications node in the network. The packaged product may include two portions, one portion being a reactive label which may be affixed to the packaging and a second part being a “smart communications card” that is separate from the packaging and portable. Each part includes a communications element and an information storage and retrieval element and may include various means for downloading and uploading information into the storage and retrieval elements. In one aspect of its use, the invention allows the consumer to transmit and receive information about the product. In another aspect of its use, the invention allows the consumer to carry information about other similarly enabled products in their possession for use in shopping trips.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses an apparatus for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tag information configured to perform information transmission and reception with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements having an IC circuit part storing information and a tag antenna connected to the IC circuit part, comprising: a first movement detecting portion configured to detect a moving state of the apparatus for reading RFID tag information; a transmitting portion configured to generate a reading command to acquire the information stored in the IC circuit part and to transmit the command to the RFID tag circuit element; and a first reading control portion configured to control the number of reading trial times per unit time using the reading command by the transmitting portion according to a detection result of the first movement detecting portion.

Abstract: There is provided a passive RFID transponder assembly that includes a condition responsive device adapted to read a condition relating to the component that is associated with the RFID transponder assembly. The condition that is read by the condition responsive device relates to physical contact with a field technician or a mating component, relates to electrical connection between an integrated circuit chip and an antenna, relates to one or more environmental conditions, or the like. The components with which the RFID transponder assemblies are associated include components of telecommunications equipment, such as fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters, fiber optic patch panels, copper connectors, and copper adapters to list some non-limiting examples.

Abstract: An illumination device is provided at the handle-piece of a sniffing probe, in which the illumination device illuminates the region to be inspected. This incorporation considerably facilitates handling of the sniffing probe in difficult-to-access and poorly illuminated regions, for sniffing probes used for detecting gases, for example, for detecting a gas leakage in a cooling device of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for an asset. Proper truck/trailer matching is based on a proximity analysis between position reports for a truck and position reports for a trailer. In one embodiment, this proximity analysis is triggered by a detection of movement in a trailer. In the proximity analysis, unexpected deviations in proximity between a truck and a trailer would lead to a generation of an alert signal that is sent to the appropriate management system for investigation.

Abstract: A reader device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an antenna connected electrically to a processing unit through an antenna connection element. The processing unit controls are configured to read data from a transponder module via an electromagnetic field. The reader device includes a user interface unit which is connected to the processing unit through the connection element and includes a data output part and/or a data input part. The data output part receives via the connection element reader data from the processing unit and outputs this data. The data input part receives via a data entry element user data and transmits this data via the connection element to the processing unit. Thus, user authentication data can be entered by the user and transmitted to the processing unit without the need for additional wiring between the user interface and the processing unit.

Abstract: An automatic data collection system tracks articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each article respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting unique data identified with each article. Where the frequency of the EM field coupled to the enclosure differs from the natural resonance frequency of the enclosure, the placement of a probe to couple energy to the enclosure is selected to have the reflected phase of the EM energy from walls equal at the probe location thereby producing a robust EM field to activate and/or detect data carriers.

Abstract: A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip having a power supply circuit including a resonant circuit having a predetermined resonant frequency and a radiation plate that externally radiates a transmission signal supplied from the power supply circuit and that supplies a reception signal externally transmitted to the power supply circuit. The radiation plate is connected to the power supply circuit via an electric field or the radiation plate is coupled to the power supply circuit via a magnetic field. The radiation plate is a two-surface-open type radiation plate including at least one radiation portion arranged to externally exchange a transmission-reception signal and a power supply portion arranged to exchange a transmission-reception signal with the power supply circuit.

Abstract: Conventional techniques for logging and using a user's signature are insecure and inflexible. A system and method are provided which: i) translate a user's first signature, such as a user's voice signature, into a user's second signature, such as a radio frequency identifier signature; and ii) deploy the user's second signature. By translating the user's first signature into the user's second signature and deploying the user's second signature, the provided technique assures the authenticity of the user. Furthermore, the provided system and method enable additional authentication factors, such as a user's personal identification number, to be used with the user's first and second signatures in multiple combinations and sequences to assure the authenticity of the user. As such, the invention provides a security layer offering added security and added flexibility previously unavailable, and which may be applied in a variety of contexts, such as a user device or a retail transaction.

Abstract: A system for stockkeeping in an aircraft galley includes a plurality of receiving devices which are provided for reception in a base body of the aircraft galley and are each provided with a transponder which is configured to emit an identification signal characteristic of the content of the corresponding receiving devices. Furthermore, the stockkeeping system includes at least one transmitting/receiving unit which is provided on the aircraft galley and is configured to read in identification signals emitted by the transponders of the receiving devices and transmit these signals to a data processing unit, the data processing unit being configured to determine, on the basis of the identification signals transmitted by the transmitting/receiving unit, the inventory of the aircraft galley. An output unit of the system is configured to output the inventory of the aircraft galley determined by the data processing unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods of preventing data transfer between an RFID reader and an RFID device to be protected, are provided. An example of an embodiment of an RFID signal capture device includes a container, a signal capture circuit configured to substantially disrupt the signal provided by the RFID reader when the RFID signal capture device is positioned to protect the RFID device, and an interrogation indicator configured to indicate to a user of the RFID device that an unauthorized RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID device when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID device to provide protection thereto and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal.

Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.

Abstract: A secure insert comprises a shell including a lid and a container configured to receive and encase one or more circuit cards, wherein the shell is further configured to be inserted into and engage a card slot area of a chassis. A bridge connector is disposed inside the shell and configured to couple the one or more circuit cards to a chassis connector. A tamper sensor is disposed inside the shell and configured to detect unauthorized tamper events.