Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for ways of locating tags are described. A power level of a RFID communication signal transmitted by a RFID device, such as a reader, is adjusted to hone in on a specific tag. For example, the power level may be decreased or increased, depending on the situation, to hone in on the tag. The RFID device may be repositioned to aid in further honing in on the tag. Transmitting RFID communication signals, adjusting transmit power levels, and repositioning the RFID device may be iterated as needed to hone in on the tag.

Abstract: A method of associating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags with a region, location, or container is provided. The method can comprise, among other steps, transmitting an interrogation signal with an RFID reader corresponding to a read zone of a first size, receiving a response from at least one of the plurality of RFID tags in the region as a new tag, recording an indicator of the response of the at least one of the plurality of RFID tags, thereby designating it as a recorded tag, increasing the read zone of the RFID reader until no new tags are detected, and associating of each of the recorded tags with the region.

Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for detecting the loading and unloading of materials on a mobile structure are disclosed. The techniques can be used to detect when material is on a support structure of the mobile structure and to detect when the material is off the support structure of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for tracking and monitoring tagged objects in an RFID environment is described. By varying RFID reader antenna output power levels and detecting RFID devices in the vicinity, data about position and orientation of the RFID devices can be gathered. This gathered data is used to correlate with pre-stored data about RFID devices' position and orientation. Such a correlation then can be used to infer data about neighboring RFID devices based upon data stored in the database. Such an inferential technique also results in a faster analysis of position and orientation data of RFID devices, and also leads to faster tracking of RFID enabled devices. Unnecessary reads and high power operations of the RFID reader are also avoided.

Abstract: An inventory compliance system includes an RFID reader having an agent configured to periodically read all RF tags within its range and then send the resulting tag information to an inventory application that processes the received information (e.g., tag ID, etc.) to determine the state of inventory at that time—i.e., the number, type, and location of each of the tags. In this way, through automatic updating via mobile and stationary RFID readers, an organization is able to monitor inventory without manual intervention, thereby reducing cost and time associated with conventional inventory compliance methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for detecting the loading and unloading of materials on a mobile structure are disclosed. The techniques can be used to detect when material is on a support structure of the mobile structure and to detect when the material is off the support structure of the mobile structure.

Abstract: A method of associating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags with a region, location, or container is provided. The method can comprise, among other steps, transmitting an interrogation signal with an RFID reader corresponding to a read zone of a first size, receiving a response from at least one of the plurality of RFID tags in the region as a new tag, recording an indicator of the response of the at least one of the plurality of RFID tags, thereby designating it as a recorded tag, increasing the read zone of the RFID reader until no new tags are detected, and associating of each of the recorded tags with the region.

Abstract: An inventory compliance system includes an RFID reader having an agent configured to periodically read all RF tags within its range and then send the resulting tag information to an inventory application that processes the received information (e.g., tag ID, etc.) to determine the state of inventory at that time—i.e., the number, type, and location of each of the tags. In this way, through automatic updating via mobile and stationary RFID readers, an organization is able to monitor inventory without manual intervention, thereby reducing cost and time associated with conventional inventory compliance methods.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for managing power consumed by an RFID reader are described. Such methods, systems and apparatuses can include, for example, controlling RFID reader power levels by detecting proximity to an RFID tagged object, by motion detection of RFID readers and tags. Using internal and/or external sensor modules, power management capabilities of the RFID reader are enhanced leading to less frequent recharging of the RFID reader.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for tracking and monitoring tagged objects in an RFID environment is described. By varying RFID reader antenna output power levels and detecting RFID devices in the vicinity, data about position and orientation of the RFID devices can be gathered. This gathered data is used to correlate with pre-stored data about RFID devices' position and orientation. Such a correlation then can be used to infer data about neighboring RFID devices based upon data stored in the database. Such an inferential technique also results in a faster analysis of position and orientation data of RFID devices, and also leads to faster tracking of RFID enabled devices. Unnecessary reads and high power operations of the RFID reader are also avoided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for ways of locating tags are described. A power level of a RFID communication signal transmitted by a RFID device, such as a reader, is adjusted to hone in on a specific tag. For example, the power level may be decreased or increased, depending on the situation, to hone in on the tag. The RFID device may be repositioned to aid in further honing in on the tag. Transmitting RFID communication signals, adjusting transmit power levels, and repositioning the RFID device may be iterated as needed to hone in on the tag.

Abstract: A charging system monitors the rate of change in battery voltage, adjusts the rate of charging, and checks the changes in battery voltage following adjustments in the rate of charging to observe a predetermined sequence of voltage changes that signifies when a battery is fully charged. The charging system determines the slope between consecutive battery voltage measurements. The charging system charges a battery at the full battery capacity in response to positive or zero voltage slope measurements and reduces the charging rate in response to negative voltage slope measurements. A nickel-cadmium battery is fully charged when at least one sequence of a negative slope, followed by a decrease in charging rate, then a positive or flat slope, followed by an increase in charge rate, and finally another negative slope is observed.