Abstract: There is disclosed a method for facilitating transactions carried out by a mobile device, wherein: the mobile device executes a smart card application; the smart card application receives a cryptographic algorithm from a transaction server external to the mobile device; the smart card application further receives transaction data from said transaction server; the cryptographic algorithm encrypts said transaction data and stores the encrypted transaction data in a storage unit of the mobile device. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding mobile device for carrying out transactions are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to phase-change materials. In accordance with an example embodiment, a phase-change material has a crystalline structure that manifests changes that increase as a function of time. For example, such changes may be implemented for monitoring the time that a perishable item has been exposed to an environment having a temperature that is greater than a threshold temperature. Based on the changes, a characterization is provided, indicative of the exposure of the phase-change material to the environment having the temperature that is greater than the threshold temperature.

Abstract: A time manager controls one or more timing functions on a circuit. The time manager includes a data storage and a time calculator. The data storage device stores a first indication of a performance characteristic of a memory cell at a first time. The data storage device also stores a second indication of the performance characteristic of the memory cell at a second time. The time calculator is coupled to the data storage device. The time calculator calculates a time duration between the first time and the second time based on a change in the performance characteristic of the memory cell from the first indication to the second indication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the rate of flow of an ion-containing fluid in a channel are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a captive sensor operable to detect changes in capacitance value due to the deflection of the ions in the fluid by a magnetic field, and a processor operable to determine a flow speed of fluid from the detected change in capacitance value and a predetermined value of magnetic field strength. Such apparatus may be implemented using CMOS technology. The apparatus may operate in a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet and measure the flow reliably.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to phase-change materials. In accordance with an example embodiment, a phase-change material has a crystalline structure that manifests changes that increase as a function of time. For example, such changes may be implemented for monitoring the time that a perishable item has been exposed to an environment having a temperature that is greater than a threshold temperature. Based on the changes, a characterization is provided, indicative of the exposure of the phase-change material to the environment having the temperature that is greater than the threshold temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for facilitating transactions carried out by a mobile device, wherein: the mobile device executes a smart card application; the smart card application receives a cryptographic algorithm from a transaction server external to the mobile device; the smart card application further receives transaction data from said transaction server; the cryptographic algorithm encrypts said transaction data and stores the encrypted transaction data in a storage unit of the mobile device. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding mobile device for carrying out transactions are disclosed.

Abstract: A time manager controls one or more timing functions on a circuit. The time manager includes a data storage and a time calculator. The data storage device stores a first indication of a performance characteristic of a memory cell at a first time. The data storage device also stores a second indication of the performance characteristic of the memory cell at a second time. The time calculator is coupled to the data storage device. The time calculator calculates a time duration between the first time and the second time based on a change in the performance characteristic of the memory cell from the first indication to the second indication.

Abstract: It is described an electronic circuit chip for an RFID tag. The electronic circuit chip comprises (a) an access circuit configured for coupling the electronic circuit chip to an antenna element of the RFID tag, and (b) a memory device being connected to the access circuit. The memory device is configured for storing a secret value, for making retrievable the secret value, and for deleting the secret value. Deleting the secret value is accomplished if the secret value has been retrieved by means of a first attempt procedure for retrieving the stored secret value. It is further described an RFID tag comprising such an electronic circuit chip and a method for managing the use of a read-only-once secret value by an RFID tag with such an electronic circuit chip.

Abstract: Flow sensors for measuring the flow of an ion-containing fluid may be implemented using mechanical or electrical techniques. Mechanical flow sensors are have moving parts and therefore may be unreliable after some time and are expensive to manufacture. Hall-effect type flow sensors typically require a reversible magnetic field to compensate for electrochemical effects. A flow meter including such a sensor uses an electromagnet. A flow sensor (100) is described using a capacitive sensor (10) and processor (12) to determine the flow rate from a change in capacitance and a magnetic field. Such a flow sensor may be implemented using CMOS technology. The flow sensor may operate in a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet and measure the flow reliably.