Abstract: Miniature RFID tags are used in a system for identifying, locating, tracking and inventorying patient specimens pursuant to medical testing. The RFID tags are attached to specimen vessels, and at a point of collection for patient specimens each RFID tag of a vessel is associated with patient and test data, in a collection site database. When a series of vessels are to go to a laboratory, a hand-held device receives all data on the specimens via download from the collection site PC/database. A courier picks up a container with the specimen vessels and delivers it to the laboratory, along with the hand-held device. At the lab a reader reads all specimen tags, and the data stored in the hand-held device is downloaded to a lab processor/database to verify all specimens are present. Location of specimens can be done by reading or powering up different zones, and the hand-held device can have a power node for selectively powering one or several specimen tags for identification or location of specific specimens.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first microprocessor acting as a controller, and a second microprocessor, e.g., DSP, in communication with the first microprocessor, the second microprocessor generating a digitally synthesized waveform. A converter converts the digitally synthesized waveform to an analog waveform. A modulator combines the analog waveform with a carrier signal for generating an outgoing signal. The waveform may have rising and falling edges of varying shape. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating one or more devices are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the device listens for an activate code, the activate code having a length field and a mask field, the mask field including a mask value, the length field specifying a length of the mask field to a final bit of the mask value. Upon receiving the activate code, the length field is compared to a stored length value for determining whether the length field meets a predefined criterion. If the length field meets the predefined criterion, an address of the activate value is loaded (if an address field is present) and the appropriate bits (mask value) of the mask field are compared to a stored activate value. An activate signal is generated if the mask value matches the stored activate value. The activate signal can be used to activate additional circuitry including the entire device.

Abstract: A method for creating a hierarchy of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and the resultant system include associating each of a plurality of first RFID tags with an individual object of a plurality of objects, each first RFID tag storing identification information about the object with which it is associated. Identification information about each of the first RFID tags is stored in a second RFID tag that can physically accompany the first RFID tags during transportation.

Abstract: A first embodiment provides a process and system for simple, secure exchange of random numbers between two devices by combining a random number and a secret code (e.g., password) to generate a first challenge code, extracting the random number using the password at the second device, combining the first random number with a second random number, and returning the combination to the first device, which extracts the second random number from the second challenge code using its first random number. A CRC can be added to authenticate the sender. Another embodiment provides a system and method for generating a seedless pseudo-random number. The Yet another embodiment provides a system and method for generating data encryption coding with variable clocking.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively activating a device based on an activate command. A circuit, in low power mode, listens for an activate command. The activate command includes a preamplifer centering sequence, an interrupt signal, and an activate code. The circuit receives a signal that may or may not be an activate command, self-biases the signal based on the preamplifer centering in the preamp/gain control, then determines whether the interrupt signal is of the proper length in the interrupt circuit. If the interrupt is not the proper length, the process stops. If it is the proper length, the command is recognized as an activate command, and a data slicer compares the activate code to a prestored value. If the activate code matches the prestored value, the device is powered up. If they do not match, the device is not initiated.