Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods comprise: monitoring a level of Radio Frequency (“RF”) energy being received by the RFID tag; performing operations by a circuit of the RFID tag to compare the level of RF energy in a given frequency band to a first threshold value; and transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from a first operational mode in which a receiver is disabled to a second operational mode in which the receiver is enabled, when the level of RF energy exceeds the first threshold value. The RFID tag is able to communicate with a remote tag reader when the RFID tag is in the second operational mode and not when the RFID tag is in the first operational mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: placing an RFID tag in a first operational mode in which at least one communication operation or device of the RFID tag is disabled or bypassed; performing first operations by the RFID tag to determine when it is time to begin communications in accordance with the time slotted communications scheme; transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from the first operational mode to a second operational mode in which the communication operation(s) or device of the RFID tag is enabled or no longer bypassed, in response to a determination that it is time for the RFID tag to begin communications; and transitioning the operational mode of the RFID tag back into the first operational mode when the RFID tag's communications with a remote tag reader for inventory determination purposes are complete or a time slot has expired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for machine learning inventory management. The methods comprise: capturing images by a plurality of image capture devices of different types (e.g., visual camera, 3D camera and/or thermal camera); reading item identification codes for items represented in the images; and using at least a first portion of the images and known physical appearances of a plurality of items by a machine learning algorithm to learn relationships between the items represented in the images and the item identification codes. At least a second portion of the images are used to learn various types of information that is useful for inventory management (e.g., changes in inventory amounts for display equipment, changes in equipment cleanliness, changes in inventory packaging, item misplacements, etc.).

Abstract: A gateway system is used to establish secure connections between building management system control panels and connected services system servers. This enables status monitoring of the panels and maintenance of the panels and the building management systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Unmanned Mobile Machine (“UMM”). The methods comprise: detecting, by a Loss Prevention System (“LPS”), an unusual activity by at least one individual in a facility; communicating a signal from the loss prevention system to the UMM, in response to the detection of the unusual activity; transitioning an operational state of the UMM from a first state in which at least mitigation operations are disabled to a second state in which the mitigation operations are enabled, in response to the signal's reception at the UMM; and performing the mitigation operations by the UMM to visibly follow an individual associated with the unusual activity.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for determining a Handheld Reader's (“HR”) location within a facility. The methods involve: performing first operations by HR to read RFID tags having locations within the facility that are unknown to the handheld reader; performing second operations by HR to receive signals from RF Enabled Devices (“RFED”) located at known locations within the facility; and determining HR's location/orientation using RSSI levels or TOF values of signals received from RFEDs, known locations of RFEDs, sensor data, known antenna patterns of RFEDs, a known antenna pattern of HR, and/or (9) information indicating which RFID tags were read by HR and at least one RFED. The first and second operations are performed while HR is being carried by a person throughout the facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag reader. The methods comprise: performing tag read operations by the tag reader to read tags; processing first information received from the read tags to identify which tags are newly detected tags; adding entries for the newly detected tags in a local list stored in a local memory of the tag reader; communicating second information at least identifying the newly detected tags from the tag reader to a remote computing device; receiving, by the tag reader, feedback information generated by the remote computing device which specifies at least a count of entries added to a remote list stored in a remote datastore based on the second information; and selectively outputting a notification from the tag reader based on the value of the count.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a data mapping to be used in a subsequent inventorying process to locate objects within an area. The methods comprise: identifying, by a robot, at least one first marker disposed within the area which should be re-programed; autonomously transforming, by the robot, a first programmed state of the at least one first marker to a second programmed state; and autonomously creating, by the robot, the data mapping specifying a current physical location of the at least one first marker which was re-programed and current physical locations of second markers also disposed within the area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for determining a Handheld Reader's (“HR”) location within a facility. The methods involve: performing first operations by HR to read RFID tags having locations within the facility that are unknown to the handheld reader; performing second operations by HR to receive signals from RF Enabled Devices (“RFED”) located at known locations within the facility; and determining HR's location/orientation using RSSI levels or TOF values of signals received from RFEDs, known locations of RFEDs, sensor data, known antenna patterns of RFEDs, a known antenna pattern of HR, and/or (9) information indicating which RFID tags were read by HR and at least one RFED. The first and second operations are performed while HR is being carried by a person throughout the facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

Abstract: Method for synchronizing a node in a frequency hopping network includes monitoring a hop frequency channel to detect a hop announcement transmitted on a group of control channels in use by a network coordinator node. The hop announcement specifies a second hop frequency channel which will be utilized subsequent to a first hop frequency in a hopping sequence. Responsive to receiving the hop announcement a node monitors the second hop frequency to receive a dwell start message. The dwell start message is transmitted from the coordinator node to signal the beginning of a dwell period during which the second hop frequency will be used by the network for communicating data.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: An interactive video system transmits a composite digital information signal consisting of a winnowed generic information signal and a local information signal manipulated to produce an output signal including both data code and object code. This output signal is formatted and transmitted via modulator cards at the system head end to decoders located at the individual users' television sets. Each card uses a dynamic gate array having a configuration sequence determined by a resident configuration EPROM which can be changed in the field. Data is fed to the configured array under the control of a control data EPROM also resident in the modulator card. A transmission modulator in the modulator card receives the data from the dynamic gate array for transmission via any selected medium to the user's location.

Abstract: An interactive video guide system is provided in which nationally generic guide data, local guide data, and interactive video guide object code are transmitted to set-top decoder units located in customers' homes. Initially, nationally generic data or program information from a variety of sources is gathered together via modem at a central processing unit, and then manipulated, parsed and formatted into a national database compatible for use by a head end computer. This information is typically collected and updated on a daily basis. The manipulated nationally generic data is then transferred via modem to a transmitter for uplink to a selected telecommunications satellite. The satellite signal is then received by one or more local satellite CATV head end receivers which then forward a video base band signal carrying the nationally generic data to associated local head end computers.