Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for providing security to RFID and NFC systems. In some exemplary embodiments, a smart poster may be utilized to provide appropriate or desired communications with an RFID or NFC-enabled device. Such exemplary embodiments may utilize an authorized NFC tag to communicate with an NFC-enabled device, and upon activation of the authorized NFC tag, may trigger activation or appearance of one or more related items, such as visual cues. Additionally, aspects of NFC security systems which can include regions of security, states of activity and actions performed when security violations are detected.

Abstract: A high-field emission tolerant RFID tag device that may be secured to a product to be cooked, heated, reheated and/or thawed in a heating apparatus such as, but not limited to, a microwave oven and that does not need to be removed from the product before initiating the heating process. The RFID device is microwave safe and does not damage the product or food item to which it is attached during the microwave process, and may contain data to control the microwave process. The microwave safe RFID tag comprises a split ring (or shield) conductor formed on one side of a substrate (or dielectric), a coil antenna conductor formed on an opposite side of the substrate, and a RFID chip. The split ring conductor capacitively couples to the coil antenna conductor via the dielectric and a gap in the split ring conductor prevents arcing.

Abstract: A microwave tolerant RFID tag is disclosed that does not need to be removed from a product, such as a food item, before thawing, heating, reheating or cooking the product in a microwave oven, but that can provide data to control the microwave process. The microwave tolerant RFID tag comprises at least one antenna designed to operate at one or more frequencies and an RFID chip carrying data related to the process the microwave oven is required to perform. The data on the RFID chip is read by an RFID reader system to authorize the cooking process of the product.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provide for detecting the proximate placement of an external NFC reader to a specific location on a display surface. The display surface can be intended for viewing indicia and enabling interaction with an NFC communication device embedded within the display. A circuit can control an NFC security system that can scan for unauthorized tags affixed to the surface of a display. The NFC security system may be activated by an NFC enabled mobile phone placed proximate to the indicated region for receiving an NFC coded message from the display. An NFC security scan can be performed prior to the mobile phone reading the message from the intended NFC tag in the display. Enabling interactive display modes can allow for making selections indicated on the display or detecting motion gestures across the face of the display.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment a system, method and apparatus for an indicator driven by a RFID tag for localization purposes may be disclosed. An RFID tag may be disposed on an item. The RFID tag may have an indicator element. A RFID reader may be in communication with the RFID tag such that the indicator element can be activated in order to localize the item.

Abstract: A system and method for harvesting radio frequency energy for powering devices includes one or more antennas tuned to receive radio frequency signals from different sources and an energy harvester configured to derive energy from the radio frequency signals and provide power to a power consuming device. A power integrator can store the energy until it is needed by the power consuming device. The energy harvester can extract data from one or more of the radio frequency signals and transmit the data to the power consuming device. The power consuming device can change an operational mode based on the amount of power received or the data received from the energy harvester. The power consuming device can transmit data to one of the sources to increase radio frequency signal transmissions to increase the amount of energy harvested by the energy harvester and delivered to the power consuming device.

Abstract: A transponder includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE) beacon communicatively connected using an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) link. The Bluetooth LE beacon sends data such as battery status, temperature, or sensor data to the RFID tag which is retrieved by an RFID reader system. The RFID reader system sends updated messages, message repetition rate, and power data to the RFID tag to change the operating mode of the Bluetooth LE beacon. The RFID reader system selects the RFID tag which asserts a wakeup signal, or provides power to the Bluetooth LE beacon to start sending beacon messages. The RFID tag operates in a power-assist mode when receiving power from the Bluetooth LE beacon. The Bluetooth LE beacon increases the transmission power level when the RFID tag provides power to the Bluetooth LE beacon. The transponder can include a dual band UHF and ISM antenna.

Abstract: A method of using shielded straps with RFID tag designs is disclosed. Specifically, the RFID device, in one embodiment, comprises a bridge conductor which couples the antenna and pair of strap pads together. Thus, the coupling between the bridge conductor and the strap conductor, the coupling between the bridge conductor and the antenna conductor, and the coupling between the antenna conductor and the strap conductor increases the total capacitance of the RFID strap device. Further, the presence of the bridge conductor also reduces the area occupied for a given inductance, and provides a higher effective capacitance when the bridge strap is connected to the antenna.

Abstract: RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces. An antenna is secured to the first surface, with the antenna defining a gap and being configured to operate at a first frequency. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap. A shielding structure is secured to the second surface of the substrate, with at least a portion of the shielding structure being in substantial alignment with the gap. The shielding structure is configured to limit the voltage across the gap when the antenna is exposed to a second frequency that is greater than first frequency. Also provided are methods for manufacturing RFID tags from a web in which conductive layers are secured to opposing surfaces of a substrate.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a second conductor into a RFID strap device and the resulting device in multiple embodiments is disclosed. The second conductor adds functionality via coupling between the strap conductor and the second conductor. The functionality added can be a secondary antenna operating at a different frequency than the first antenna that is driven by the strap pads, a sensing capability, a drive for an emissive device such as an LED, or an interface to one or more semiconductor devices mounted onto the second conductor.

Abstract: A system and method for linking a medical device with a smart device is provided. The system includes a medical device, a smart device, a package encasing the medical device and an RFID device integrated into the packaging and associated with the medical device. The method for linking the medical device to a smart device includes removing the medical device from the packaging and applying it to a person, presenting the RFID device to the smart device, reading the RFID device with the smart device and using information obtained from the RFID device to establish communications between the smart device and the medical device.

Abstract: An RFID tag device is disclosed that is designed to operate on difficult substrates, such as dielectric surfaces with high loss, organic material surfaces, or metallic surfaces. The RFID tag device comprises an RFID antenna structure formed on one side of a thermoplastic substrate component with an RFID chip coupled to it in a roll to roll process. The substrate component is then deformed into a series of cavities with the RFID antenna structure within the cavities. Specifically, the RFID antenna structure is positioned fully on a top surface of the cavity, or positioned partially in a top and partially on an edge/bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: An RFID sensor comprises an RFID chip, an antenna, and sensing material. The RFID chip is in electrical communication with the antenna and comprises an optical sensor. The sensing material overlies an upper surface of the RFID chip and is configured as a variable light filter that filters light differently depending upon certain properties or conditions of the environment surrounding the RFID sensor. A light source is configured to selectively illuminate the sensing material to facilitate detection of certain properties or conditions of the environment surrounding the RFID sensor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for determining the temperature of an object. Such devices and methods incorporate first and second thermally conductive members, with a heating member associated with the first thermally conductive member. The second thermally conductive member is positionable adjacent to the object. The heating member is heated to a known temperature and a probe member is alternately brought into contact with the first and second thermally conductive members. When the probe member is in contact with one of the thermally conductive members, it will send an input to the controller. The controller compares the inputs to each other and, if they are not substantially equal, changes the temperature of the heating member, and the probe member is again alternately brought into contact with the thermally conductive members. When the inputs are substantially equal, the controller generates an output based on the temperature of the heating member.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provide for detecting the proximate placement of an external NFC reader to a specific location on a display surface. The display surface can be intended for viewing indicia and enabling interaction with an NFC communication device embedded within the display. A circuit can control an NFC security system that can scan for unauthorized tags affixed to the surface of a display. The NFC security system may be activated by an NFC enabled mobile phone placed proximate to the indicated region for receiving an NFC coded message from the display. An NFC security scan can be performed prior to the mobile phone reading the message from the intended NFC tag in the display. Enabling interactive display modes can allow for making selections indicated on the display or detecting motion gestures across the face of the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling an RFID device mounted to a fabric substrate via a “flip chip” approach. The system includes a pin thermode with a tip configured to penetrate the fabric substrate. The pin thermode may include or omit a heating element, with the tip being variously configured. The tip may have a variable cross-sectional area or include a plurality of projections that separately penetrate the fabric substrate, for example. If the pin thermode includes a heating element, a body of the pin thermode may be formed of a low thermal conductivity material to allow the temperature of the tip to increase without increasing the temperature of the body to the same degree. The body may define a lumen, with the tip and/or body defining an aperture for flowing a liquid out of the pin thermode and into the region surrounding the pin thermode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an RFID emission within an environment including a sensitive object whose operation may be affected by RFID emissions above a particular strength. An RFID reader of the system is configured to emit a reader signal, while a host is associated with the RFID reader and configured to define the strength of the reader signal. A guard tag is configured to receive the reader signal and, upon receiving the reader signal, emit a return signal to be received by the RFID reader. The host is further configured to, upon the RFID reader receiving the return signal, decrease the strength of the reader signal and/or change the direction in which the reader signal is emitted, preferably until no further reader signal is received by the RFID reader.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are RFID tags. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag includes an RFID chip; a first antenna segment secured to the RFID chip; a second antenna segment secured to the RFID chip; and a wire segment secured on a first end to the first antenna segment and secured on a second end to the second antenna segment. Generally, the wire segment spans a mounting position of the RFID chip. In one embodiment, the wire segment is secured to the first antenna segment and the second antenna segment with ohmic contacts. The ohmic contacts can be formed by a conductive adhesive, soldering, or welding. In another embodiment, the RFID tag further includes a first non-conductive material positioned between the first end of the wire segment and the first antenna segment, and a second non-conductive material positioned between the second end of the wire segment and the second antenna segment.