Abstract: An apparatus, which allows a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to recover quickly from transient input to its receiving subsystem when transitioning from writing to an RFID transponder to reading its response. In particular, this apparatus is comprised of muting circuits, which both attenuate transients in its receiving subsystem while writing to a transponder, and help the receiving subsystem settle quickly after experiencing such transients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glove/logging system capable of accurately determining periods for glove airtightness inspection and replacement and improving the safety of a work glove in use and the work efficiency by recording and storing the status of use such as the operator name, the frequency of use, the period of use, and the details of work for an individual pair of work gloves attached to an equipment such as an isolator, and retroactively checking improper work and equipment abnormalities by tracing glove operations upon occurrence of operational abnormalities. The glove/logging system is configured to record and store information on the status of use for a work glove, and include an operator tag, a glove tag, a reader for reading information from the tags, and an information device for recording and storing information.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller configured to initiate attachment of a first locking bar of a transport container to a first anchor point of a structure by adjusting the first locking bar from a first unlocked state to a first locked state. The controller is also configured to confirm a locking of the first locking bar to the first anchor point. The controller is further configured to, in response to confirming the locking, initiate a release of a second locking bar of the transport container from a second anchor point by adjusting the second locking bar from a second locked state to a second unlocked state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for detecting a change in an orientation of a portion of a structure. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a processor, an energy storage unit, a location reporting unit, a wireless communication module and one or more inclination sensors. In some embodiments, each of the one or more inclination sensors is configured to measure inclination by measuring an orientation of the each of the one or more inclination sensors relative to a gravitational acceleration vector.

Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked wheelchair system includes a wheelchair framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels adapted to rotate. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the wheelchair system. A brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A wireless control module is operably connected to a wireless communication network. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan the device-level machine-readable code displayed on the wheelchair system, (ii) complete a wheelchair rental transaction over the wireless communication network, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented wheelchair system, then the wireless wheel locking control module unlocks the brake assembly, and the wheelchair framework is allowed to move relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking luggage. Luggage is tracked by associating the luggage with a user account during a loading action and during an unloading action. The system further includes systems and methods for retrieving lost luggage.

Abstract: The present application describes a wireless power reception device comprising: a power pickup circuit configured to receive, from a wireless power transmission device, a wireless power generated on the basis of magnetic coupling in a power transmission phase; and a communication and control circuit configured to transmit, to the wireless power transmission device, a configuration packet including first dual data stream information, or to receive, from the wireless power transmission device, a capability packet including second dual data stream information. Upper layer data can be effectively exchanged by clearly recognizing whether the upper layer data is bidirectionally transmitted between the wireless power transmission device and the wireless power reception device, and accuracy of power loss and saving of processing resources can be achieved by synchronizing the timing of calculating the power loss between the wireless power transmission device and the wireless power reception device.

Abstract: A wireless-networked stroller access control system includes a plurality of wireless-networked strollers, each having stroller framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels mounted on an axle. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the stroller system. A wheel brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A manually-actuated control bar assembly is mounted on the stroller framework, arranged with respect to the wheel brake assembly, and has a locked state of operation and an unlocked state of operation. A wireless wheel-axle locking control module is arranged in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, and configured with the manually-actuated control bar assembly to control the state of operation of the manually-actuated control bar assembly and also the wheel brake assembly.

Abstract: The secure baggage claim system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or the like to associate a particular item of baggage with the owner of that item of baggage. The secure baggage claim system includes a housing having a baggage entry opening, a baggage retrieval opening, and a vertically arranged carousel disposed within the housing for carrying and rotating a plurality of baggage carrying trays. A primary RFID tag reader reads a primary RFID tag secured to the item of baggage to associate the item of baggage with identification information corresponding to an individual. The item of baggage is further associated with one of the baggage carrying trays selected to carry the item of baggage. A door releasably covers and seals the baggage retrieval opening and is releasably locked by a locking mechanism. Authenticating input associated with the individual unlocks the door for retrieval of the item of baggage.

Abstract: An RFID IC may operate at a relatively low clock frequency while impedance matching to an antenna is being tuned to increase the amount of power that the IC can extract from an incident RF wave. A tuning circuit tunes the impedance matching by adjusting a variable impedance coupling the IC and the antenna. The IC may power-up with a low clock frequency or reduce its current clock frequency to a lower clock frequency prior to tuning or during the tuning process, and may increase its clock frequency upon completion of tuning or during the tuning process.

Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked electric convenience vehicle (ECV) includes a body portion adapted for supporting the body of passenger; a GPS system for providing GPS-location services to the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV; a transport system with wheels and a drive mechanism, for supporting and transporting the body portion; and a wireless electronic control module being integrated with the transport system, and in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, for controlling said wheels and/or the drive mechanism. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan a device-level machine-readable code displayed on the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, (ii) complete an ECV rental transaction over the wireless communication infrastructure, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, then the wireless electronic control module enables the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV to be operated on a ground surface.

Abstract: A method of contact-less access control to a device available for rental, access and use in an environment, by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes displayed in the environment using web-enabled mobile phones wirelessly connected to a wireless access control network. To practice a facility-level, site-level access and/or device-level access control method, a web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan facility-level, site-level and/or device-level machine-readable codes in the environment, and in response, rental transaction identifiers are stored within the cache on the web-enabled mobile phone scanning the machine-readable code. Each rental transaction identifier identifies the web-enabled mobile phone that is linked to a specific device rental transaction. After renting the selected device at either a facility-level, site-level or device-level location in the environment, the web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan the device-level machine-readable code on the rented device.

Abstract: A restocking hub with interchangeable buttons mapped to item identifiers is described herein. In some instances, a local hub may receive an actuation signal from a particular interchangeable button communicatively coupled with the local hub. The actuation signal may include a button ID that identifies the particular interchangeable button and may indicating an actuation of the particular interchangeable button. The local hub may generate an order signal identifying the button ID based on the actuation signal, and may transmit the order signal instructing a remote server to perform a defined operation using the button ID. In some instances, the local hub may output a confirmation notification based on data received from the remote server based on the defined operation.

Abstract: A handset for controlling a surgical operating table, the handset having a three-dimensional physical representation of a tabletop of a surgical operating table, the physical representation of the tabletop comprising a back section, a seat section and one or more leg sections, wherein at least one of the sections includes a respective sensor arranged to sense a force or movement applied to a surface of the respective section by a touch applied to the surface, and a control system within the handset which is connected to the sensor, the control system being arranged to generate an output control signal for transmission to the surgical operating table to be controlled in response to an input command of an applied force or applied movement sensed by the respective sensor. Methods of controlling a tabletop of a surgical operating table using the handset are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure can be implemented in, among other things a computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for causing a programmable processor to receive, by a server, a first message from a remote control that is distinct from and external to the server, wherein the first message includes a remote control identifier and control information for controlling one or more functions of at least one device other than the remote control. The instructions also cause the programmable processor to retrieve, by the server, a controlled device identifier that uniquely identifies a controlled device that is distinct from and external to the server. The instructions also cause the programmable processor to send a second message from the server to the controlled device identified by the controlled device identifier to control an operation of the controlled device.

Abstract: A single-sided ride storage locker system deployed at any site within a facility, and providing guest visitors with access control enabled by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes using mobile scanning computing systems, such as web-enabled smartphones with digital cameras and mobile application support. The storage locker system supports automated modes of discovering and finding where a guest's rented locker is located within the facility and its sites at any moment in time, simply by using the guest' smart phone to scan a device-level code, a site-level code, a facility-level code or a discovery-level code, posted anywhere within the facility or any site, without need for using a physical locker lookup kiosk or other conventional systems and methods.

Abstract: A transportable container is enabled with radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technologies to maintain automated inventory levels of those items that are inside the container. The inventory data is communicated via wireless methods, such as cellular or Wi-Fi, to a remote device such as enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. The ERP system may use the inventory data received from the remote device to automatically update appropriately and generate appropriate records (e.g., container inventory, restocking, invoicing, etc.). In some embodiments, automated RFID scans are triggered when the container is opened and subsequently closed. The container may include RF containment/screening to prevent inadvertent scanning of RFID tags outside of the container. The container may also include a location device to allow the location of the container to be readily determined.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide for authentication of a reader device over a wireless protocol (e.g., NFC or Bluetooth, BLE). The mobile device can receive and store the static public key of the reader device and one or more credentials, each credential specifying access to an electronic lock. The mobile device can receive an ephemeral reader public key, a reader identifier, and a transaction identifier. The mobile device can generate session key using the ephemeral mobile private key and the ephemeral reader public key and send the ephemeral mobile public key to the reader device. The reader device can receive the ephemeral mobile public key and sign and transmit a signature message to the mobile device. The mobile device can validate a reader signature and generate an encrypted credential that the reader can use to access an electronic lock. The reader device can authenticate the mobile device for mutual authentication.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a controller having at least one of a vehicle security module and a playback module. The vehicle security module may operate in a secure once mode of operation or in a secure all mode of operation. The playback module records ride information associated with the vehicle. The ride information may be provided to an external device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for coordinating actuation of a plurality of wearable devices of one or more wearers. The wearable devices can comprise many forms including clothing and jewelry and allow a wearer to further interact with an environment.