Abstract: A system and method provide automated identification mechanisms that facilitate efficiencies in inventory monitoring, management and control, including reducing labor costs associated with product placement, product inventorying, and shelf stocking/re-stocking in retail marketing scenarios, and advising consumers/customers regarding product pricing, promotional, nutritional and other information. Near field communication or other similar identification devices are embedded in retail-ready composite packaging. The embedded communication and identification devices provide identification information regarding the product with which the packaging is associated to a wireless reader device as a retailer's employee walks by a set of shelves stocked with an assortment of such packaged products. Mechanisms are included for tracking the addition or removal of items from the retail-ready container.

Abstract: A system for dispensing customized articles may include a vending machine that includes an article holding area having one or more articles that each include a film on at least a portion of the article, an energy generating print device, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive an indication of a selected article, receive a selection of one or more content items to be printed on the selected article, and cause the energy generating print device to apply energy to the portion of the selected article having the film. Applying such energy may cause a visual representation of the selected content items to be displayed on the portion of the selected article.

Abstract: A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor that may be used to monitor various environmental conditions. The environmental condition measured depends on a sensor material used in the RFID sensor. The sensor material is selected based on a flux in electrical conductivity relative to its saturation of the environmental condition being monitored. The sensor material is placed between adjacent electrically conductive structures of the RFID sensor. Upon a change in the environmental condition being measure, the electrical conductivity of the sensor material changes, thereby increasing or decreasing an amplitude of a response by the RFID sensor to an interrogation by an RFID reader.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure for a radio frequency identification device includes dispensing a photosensitive compound onto a substrate. Subsequently, first portions of the photosensitive compound are exposed to a light pattern from a light source, while second portions of the photosensitive compound remain unexposed to the light source. Exposing the photosensitive compound to light reduces the photosensitive compound to a metal layer. The unexposed second portions of the photosensitive compound may be rinsed away to leave the metal layer. Processing may continue to form an RFID circuit from the metal layer, and a completed RFID transponder comprising the RFID circuit.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or transponder that outputs a first signal when a product or product package is sealed. During one particular use, unsealing the product or product package disables the RFID tag, such that no active second signal is output (i.e., the second signal is a passive second signal). In another particular use, unsealing the product or product package removes one or more resonators of a multiresonator such that the second signal is an active second signal that is different from the first signal. The RFID tag need not be visible to identify whether the product or product package is in a sealed state or an unsealed state.

Abstract: A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor that may be used to monitor various environmental conditions. The environmental condition measured depends on a sensor material used in the RFID sensor. The sensor material is selected based on a flux in electrical conductivity relative to its saturation of the environmental condition being monitored. The sensor material is placed between adjacent electrically conductive structures of the RFID sensor. Upon a change in the environmental condition being measure, the electrical conductivity of the sensor material changes, thereby increasing or decreasing an amplitude of a response by the RFID sensor to an interrogation by an RFID reader.

Abstract: Provided is a method for encoding chipless RFID tags in real-time. The method includes exposing a chipless RFID transponder to a conductive material, the RFID transponder comprising an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures, the plurality of resonant structures together defining a first spectral signature. Each of the plurality of resonant structures includes a respective one of a frequency domain. The method also includes depositing a conductive material on at least one of the resonant structures to short the at least one of the resonant structures. The remainder of the plurality of resonant structures that are not shorted by the conductive material define a second spectral signature for the RFID transponder.

Abstract: Provided is a method for encoding chipless RFID tags in real-time. The method includes exposing a chipless RFID transponder to a conductive material, the RFID transponder comprising an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures, the plurality of resonant structures together defining a first spectral signature. Each of the plurality of resonant structures includes a respective one of a frequency domain. The method also includes depositing a conductive material on at least one of the resonant structures to short the at least one of the resonant structures. The remainder of the plurality of resonant structures that are not shorted by the conductive material define a second spectral signature for the RFID transponder.

Abstract: A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including an RFID tag. The RFID tag can include a dampener configured to dampen a resonation of a resonator. Prior to dampening the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a first response signal from a transmit antenna. Subsequent to dampening of the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a second response signal that is different from the first response signal. The dampener may include a chemical agent or a fusible link.

Abstract: A chipless RFID transponder is disclosed. The transponder comprises an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures that together define a spectral signature of the RFID transponder. Each of the resonant structures comprises conductive portions separated by interstitial regions. A reversible photoconductive material is disposed in the interstitial regions of the resonant structures between the conductive portions. The photoconductive material is positioned so as to shift the spectral signature of the RFID when exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A chipless RFID transponder is disclosed. The transponder comprises an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures that together define a spectral signature of the RFID transponder. Each of the resonant structures comprises conductive portions separated by interstitial regions. A reversible photoconductive material is disposed in the interstitial regions of the resonant structures between the conductive portions. The photoconductive material is positioned so as to shift the spectral signature of the RFID when exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including an RFID tag. The RFID tag can include a dampener configured to dampen a resonation of a resonator. Prior to dampening the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a first response signal from a transmit antenna. Subsequent to dampening of the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a second response signal that is different from the first response signal. The dampener may include a chemical agent or a fusible link.

Abstract: A chipless RFID transponder is disclosed. The transponder comprises an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures that together define a spectral signature of the RFID transponder. Each of the resonant structures comprises conductive portions separated by interstitial regions. A photo-polymerizable filler is disposed in the interstitial regions of the resonant structures between the conductive portions. The photo-polymerizable filler is positioned so as to shift the spectral signature of the RFID when exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A system for promoting user-product engagement including a plurality of token readers and a messaging system server is disclosed. Each of the plurality of token readers comprises one or more sensors configured to detect a code from a token associated with a packaged product when the token is in a range of the sensor, and also detect a user identifier from a proximate mobile electronic device, and a transmitter. The messaging system server is configured to receive a signal emitted by any of the plurality of transmitters associated with each of the plurality of token readers, retrieve, from a data store, profile information for a user who is associated with the user identifier, update the profile information with product information corresponding to the detected code and location information corresponding to the token reader ID, and save the updated profile information to the data store.

Abstract: A radiography imaging system for generating images of a pipe assembly includes a radiation source for emitting rays. The pipe assembly includes at least one of a pipe, tubing, and a weld. The radiation source includes a radioactive isotope having an activity level within a range between about 1 Curie and about 40 Curies. The radiation source is positioned adjacent a portion of the pipe assembly. A detector is positioned opposite the radiation source. The portion of the pipe assembly is positioned between the radiation source and the detector such that the rays interact with the portion of the pipe assembly and strike the detector. The detector includes an imaging plate that is activated by illumination with the rays with an exposure within a range between about 0.5 Curie-minute and about 5 Curie-minutes of radiation. The imaging plate has a thickness within a range between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.

Abstract: A system for communicating a message in response to placement of a product within a receptacle configured to receive a packaged product, the receptacle comprising a sensor configured to extract information from a token printed on the packaged product when the token is in a range of the sensor, and a wireless transmitter. The system may also include a mobile electronic device comprising a processor, a computer-readable memory, a wireless receiver operable to detect a signal emitted by the wireless transmitter of the receptacle, a transmitter. The mobile device may also include programming instructions comprising an installed application configured to cause the processor to detect the signal, analyze the signal and extract the information from the signal, retrieve user information for a user associated with the installed application, generate a message corresponding to the extracted information, and cause the transmitter of the mobile electronic device to send the message.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent product packaging label comprising an outer layer, an adhesive layer disposed proximately to the outer layer wherein the adhesive layer comprises an adhesion material on a side not proximate to the outer layer, and at least one cavity between the outer layer and the adhesive layer. The outer layer further comprises an image with a first plurality of regions. The adhesion layer comprises a second plurality of regions corresponding to the first plurality of regions and configured to break at a plurality of different pressure values. Application of pressure on the on at least one of the second plurality of regions causes the formation of an illumination comprising at least one color in at least one of the first plurality of regions.

Abstract: A system for dispensing customized articles may include a vending machine that includes an article holding area having one or more articles that each include a film on at least a portion of the article, an energy generating print device, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive an indication of a selected article, receive a selection of one or more content items to be printed on the selected article, and cause the energy generating print device to apply energy to the portion of the selected article having the film. Applying such energy may cause a visual representation of the selected content items to be displayed on the portion of the selected article.

Abstract: Provided is a method for encoding chipless RFID tags in real-time. The method includes exposing a chipless RFID transponder to a conductive material, the RFID transponder comprising an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures, the plurality of resonant structures together defining a first spectral signature. Each of the plurality of resonant structures includes a respective one of a frequency domain. The method also includes depositing a conductive material on at least one of the resonant structures to short the at least one of the resonant structures. The remainder of the plurality of resonant structures that are not shorted by the conductive material define a second spectral signature for the RFID transponder.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for determining one or more patient preferences are disclosed. For example, the method presents a first plurality of images to a patient to correlate a literacy level to the patient, receives a first image selected by the patient, presents a second plurality of images to the patient to correlate a communication modality to the patient, receives a second image selected by the patient, determines the literacy level and the communication modality for the patient based on the first image and the second image, and presents medical information to the patient in accordance with the literacy level and the communication modality.