Abstract: An example method includes determining a size at which to display one or more keys of a virtual keypad and determining a symbol to display on the one or more keys of the virtual keypad. The method also includes displaying the one or more keys of the virtual keypad on a computing device in accordance with a key's determined size and symbol, where a first displayed key is displayed at a different size than a second displayed key. The method further includes receiving a user input corresponding to the one or more keys and comparing the user input with a sequence of symbols. The method also includes authenticating the user in accordance with the comparison of the user input and sequence of symbols.

Abstract: An electronic baggage tag is self-reliant and self-regulating and provides the underlying foundation for a baggage tracking and management system, the center of which operates one or more tag service provider servers. The tag is attached to a baggage and is loaded with various data, including passenger itinerary, GPS data, and journey profile data. The tag has sensors, such for detecting different vibrations, electro-magnetic sensor, GPS, and others. As the baggage to which the tag is attached goes on its journey, the sensors detect stimuli and ascertain where in the journey the baggage is and use itinerary and other data to determine where the baggage should be. The tag service provider server communicates with the tag at various stages in the journey, providing up-to-date itinerary data to the tag. The tag automatically shuts off to be compliant with government regulations for devices in flight.

Abstract: There is provided a terminal for use in determining which of one or more candidate RFID tags having unique data stored thereon is a target RFID tag within an area of the terminal. The terminal can comprise program instructions to direct an RFID reading device of the terminal to perform a number of reads of the one or more candidate RFID tags in response to determining that an object is present in the area, to calculate an accumulated RSSI of each of the one or more candidate RFID tags, and to determine the target RFID tag from a highest accumulated RSSI. In one embodiment, the unique data can be an EPC. There is also provided a terminal for use in converting an EPC into a decoded bar code. The terminal can comprise program instructions to transmit the decoded bar code to a computer such as an electronic cash register.

Abstract: A method and a system for transferring a person and the person's carry-on items from a site upstream of a security check point to a site downstream of the security check point comprises loading the person's carry-on items onto a trolley at the upstream site, separating the person from the trolley at the upstream site, and subsequently x-raying the trolley at the security check point while the carry-on items remain loaded onto the trolley, and while a security check of the person is performed. Subsequently, the person and the trolley are united, while the carry-on items remain loaded onto the trolley. The trolley may be made from non-metallic material, such as plastics composite materials, and may optionally comprise a display monitor for displaying user-specific information. The invention is particularly useful for promoting security checks at airports.

Abstract: Provided is a smart key system using movement pattern recognition of a mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal configured to continuously transmit position information generated when a position is moved according to manipulation of a user, and a control module configured to acquire a movement pattern of the mobile terminal using the position information received from the mobile terminal and unlock a door of a vehicle when the acquired movement pattern is matched with a previously stored preset pattern.

Abstract: Method for capturing, organizing and retrieving data for utility assets using RFID tags, including: storing data related to a plurality of utility assets in a database, wherein the stored data include data about type of the utility asset; repair, documentation, testing validation, and inspection of the utility asset; programming a plurality of RFID tags for placement on a utility asset, by one or more processors; placing the programmed RFID tags on the utility asset; linking stored data related to the utility asset with the programmed data for the placed RFID tags, including location data of the placed RFID tags; and querying one or more of the placed RFID tags to retrieve data about the utility asset including data about the location of the utility asset, the specific segment and the specific joint, the type of the utility asset; repair, documentation, testing validation, and inspection of the utility asset, by one or more processors.

Abstract: A function indicator system and methods for indicating the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace are described. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a connected power source. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the power setting of a heater of the electric fireplace.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving messages from a transmitter includes a controller and a driver stage for providing a supply voltage to the transmitter based on a control signal. The controller is configured to provide the control signal to compensate for changes of the supply voltage caused by a modulation of the current consumption of the transmitter, such that the supply voltage remains in a predefined range. Furthermore, the controller is configured to evaluate a series of succeeding values of the control signal to derive a message generated by the transmitter by modulating its current consumption.

Abstract: A system employing a plurality of brain/body-generated inputs to control multi-action operation includes a controllable device, that performs at least two actions via remote control, and a head-mounted user interface device. The UI device includes a user cranium-mounted frame, first and second sensors supported by the frame, a processor, and a transmitter. The first sensor includes an electrode for contacting the cranium when the frame is worn and adapted to receive a bioelectric signal from the cranium. The second sensor receives hands-free brain/body input from the user. The processor uses application software process input provided by the first and second sensors and generates different outputs, corresponding to different commands. The transmitter transmits signals, based on the different commands, to the controllable device to initiate the different actions performed by the device.

Abstract: An adherent patient device is configured to adhere to the skin of the patient and measure electrocardiogram data, impedance data, accelerometer data, blood oxygen data and temperature data. The adherent device can communicate wirelessly with gateways and a local processor system, such that the patient can wander about the hospital and update the monitoring station with the patient data when the patient is ambulatory. The local processor system can be configured to customize alerts for the patient, for example to notify automatically a specialist in response to a special condition of the patient. The adherent device may comprise a unique adherent device identifier such that the customized alert can be sent based on the unique device identifier. Each of the gateways can be carried and may comprise a unique gateway identifier, such that the unique device identifier and the unique gateway identifier can be used to locate the ambulatory patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, location aware operation is provided using Bluetooth positioning. A Bluetooth-enabled handheld device is operated within a structure. Received Bluetooth signal strengths are measured for a plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units dispersed within the structure, where respective ones of the plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units are located on separate floors, in separate rooms, or in different portions of a same room. Based on the received Bluetooth signal strengths, a single Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is selected. A location of the selected Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is assigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A first electronic device is controlled based on the assigned location. In response to movement by a user of the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device within the structure, a location of a different Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is reassigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device.

Abstract: A system and method for improving supply chain visibility is provided. According to a preferred embodiment, an electronic manifest may be downloaded and linked or attached to an existing purchase order. This electronic manifest is preferably designed to accepted data from RFID devices and other sensors. Further, the electronic manifest is preferably configured to be easily accessed the carriers or others in the chain of custody. According to a further aspect of the present invention, sensor-enabled RFID tags may be employed to track a product through the supply chain, capture temperature data, and to calculate shelf life.

Abstract: A method for controlling access in a location tracking system is provided. In response to detection of the presence of a mobile tag of the location tracking system in an area having at least one access control device, a location tracking device of the location tracking system activates the access control device to initiate establishment of a communication connection with the mobile tag so as to negotiate access rights of the mobile tag.

Abstract: A locating device for determining a distance of an RFID tag with respect to an interface between two media comprising an inductive coupling antenna and a sensor for determining a distance between the antenna and the interface. There is an energizing circuit configured to energize the antenna to generate an electromagnetic field with various successive amplitude values and a detection device for detecting an electromagnetic field response from the RFID tag. There is a processing circuit configured to determine several pairs of information, each pair including: a distance between the antenna and the interface and a minimum electromagnetic field value detected by the detection device from the RFID tag at the determined distance between the antenna and the interface. The processing circuit also evaluates the distance between the RFID tag and the interface as a function of the several pairs.

Abstract: A device for controlling at least one electrical apparatus comprising a microprocessor wired to an RF transceiver, the microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with software code residing in the microprocessor to receive and extract real-time data as sourced from a network time source of the wireless network and embedded in the network signal, and a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, whereby the device controls power to the electrical apparatus according to the operating protocol commands at real-time as obtained from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent and as kept by the clock circuit, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes a power supply circuit comprising a load. Further, the electrical control system includes a master node that is electrically coupled to the load via the power supply circuit. The master node includes a first power line communication interface and a first wireless communication interface. Furthermore, the electrical control system includes at least one slave node that is electrically coupled to the master node via the power supply circuit. The at least one slave node includes a second power line communication interface that is communicable with the first power line communication interface to send a first control signal to the master node through power line communication for controlling the load. The electrical control system further includes a controller that is wirelessly coupled to the master node to send a second control signal wirelessly to the master node for controlling the load.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided including a housing that removably supports a container. A material is contained within the container. The material is dispensed from the container. The housing includes a wireless communication system that transmits a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system. An example method of operating the dispensing system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a housing that has a substantially equiaxed shape. The apparatus may include a motion sensor that detects a rotational state of the apparatus and a processor that produces control signals based upon the rotational state. The control signals may control operation of an external device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of automatically activating a user code for an electronic lock having a keypad entry system is provided. The method includes providing an electronic lock having a keypad, the lock including a factory-set service code and a factory-activated default user code. During installation, the factory-set service code is entered into the keypad and the lock confirms that the entered factory-set service code is valid. The default service code is changed by entering a new service code. When the lock confirms that the new service code is a valid service code, the factory activated user code is automatically activated.

Abstract: A method for assisting with positioning of an electromagnetic transponder by a user with respect to a terminal, wherein: a current value of a ratio of the current coupling factor between the transponder and the terminal to an optimum coupling factor with a first resistive load value is calculated and stored; the current value is compared with a previous value of this ratio, stored in a previous iteration; and data elements intended for the user are controlled according to the comparison.