Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque to the lifter. The fastener driver also includes an input to provide torque to the transmission and a clutch positioned downstream of the input and operably coupled to the output shaft to limit an amount of torque transferred to the output shaft and the lifter. In response to an application of a reaction torque to the output shaft above a predetermined threshold, torque from the input is diverted from the output shaft via the clutch.

Abstract: A system comprising an RFID Reader and an array of RFID Tags, where the tags have the ability to measure physical signal properties such as FM deviation and Received Signal Strength as examples and use these measurements to create a means to refrain from responding to the Reader, unless the measured values fall inside a range determined by a built in algorithm or decision tree or by the Reader and transmitted to the array of Tags in an outbound message. The system may also use non-physical parameters, including tokens sent by the Interrogator/Reader to the Tag field. Moreover, physical parameters may be divided into maskable and unmaskable parameters. Signal frequency is not maskable by the environment, for example, but signal amplitude and phase are maskable by the environment during propagation. Additionally, the number, the nature and the range of each Multidimensional Variable are set by the Interrogator at the start of a session.

Abstract: An RFID reader with a software radio that is aesthetically pleasing and powered using existing electrical systems comprising a component housing, a microprocessor, a communications protocol IC, an RFID interrogator integrated circuit, a power source, a light source, a heat removal means and one or more than one antenna connected to the microprocessor for communicating RFID data and control data over a protocol.

Abstract: An RFID reader (500) with a software radio that is aesthetically pleasing and powered using existing electrical systems comprising a component housing (102), a microprocessor (106), a communications protocol IC (108), an RFID interrogator integrated circuit (112), a power source (104), a light source (908), a heat removal means (114) and one or more than one antenna (110) connected to the microprocessor for communicating RDIF data and control data over a non-standard protocol.

Abstract: A method is presented for taking an unknown field of transponders and converting them to a slotted Aloha architecture and increasing the throughput allowed by the slotted Aloha architecture by using several different techniques including shortening the time of empty and collided timeslots, implementing a unique random number generator that creates random numbers that are uniquely based on an individual tags location, and on an ability to estimate the total number of transponders and control the offered rate such that throughput is always maximum. While these techniques work well together and produce the most benefit when used together, they are independent techniques and any one may be used alone without the others. Thus a system might use the estimated total number of transponders technique and the timeslot shortening technique, but use a standard random number generator rather one based on transponder location with only a small decrease in overall performance.

Abstract: An RFID reader (500) with a software radio that is aesthetically pleasing and powered using existing electrical systems comprising a component housing (102), a microprocessor (106), a communications protocol IC (108), an RFID interrogator integrated circuit (112), a power source (104), a light source (908), a heat removal means (114) and one or more than one antenna (110) connected to the microprocessor for communicating RDIF data and control data over a non-standard protocol.

Abstract: A real time electronic article surveillance system that can identify individual items with an RFID tag affixed and track the items using one or more than one computer communicatively connected to RFID detectors, at least one display and audio visual device operably connected to each other using network and peripheral interfaces. The computers comprising instructions for performing real time inventory and analysis of at least 90% of all the RFID tags and storing the inventory and analysis in a database by a user using a user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for reading RFID tags in a high-density environment using a directional scanning antenna system is provided. The directional scanning antenna system consists of transmit and receive antennas having highly directional antenna patterns which work together to read and locate the tags. In operation both types of antennas are stepped in a circular fashion with respect to each other wherein the transmit antenna's antenna pattern pauses during rotation while the receive antenna pattern sweeps across the radiating antenna's path produced by the transmit antenna such that the antenna patterns produced from each isolate and determine the location of the tags.

Abstract: A rugged patch antenna is described that is low profile and capable of resisting environmental and physical impact. The electrical properties of the antenna do not depend on the nature of the underlying surface. The standing wave ratio, return loss and impedance of the antenna are of sufficient quality to support efficient one and two way communications. The antenna can be mounted on vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, manhole covers, utility covers, equipment cabinets, personnel and animals.

Abstract: An RFID system and method for communicating between a host computer, one or more interrogators connected to the host computer, and a large body of transponders distributed within an area covered by the interrogators. Each transponder originally has a common identification code, and upon initialization by the host computer internally generates a unique identification code based upon an internally generated random number. The host, through the interrogators, reads each of the identification codes associated with each transponder by iteratively transmitting a read identification code command along with a controlled variable. Each transponder compares the received controlled variable to an internally generated random number, and selectively transmits its identification code based upon the outcome of this comparison. After the completion of each read identification code iteration, the host adjusts the controlled variable based upon the responses received in the previous iteration.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a wireless communication system for medical sensor data. This communications system includes a portable unit that connects to a wireless sensor and a monitor unit that connects to a sensor monitor. Once activated, the units will self organize into a wireless communication structure controlled by the portable unit. As other pairs of units activate, they can self-organize their transmissions by joining an existing network or by creating new networks.

Abstract: A method is presented for taking an unknown field of transponders and converting them to a slotted Aloha architecture and increasing the throughput allowed by the slotted Aloha architecture by using several different techniques including shortening the time of empty and collided timeslots, implementing a unique random number generator that creates random numbers that are uniquely based on an individual tags location, and on an ability to estimate the total number of transponders and control the offered rate such that throughput is always maximum. While these techniques work well together and produce the most benefit when used together, they are independent techniques and any one may be used alone without the others. Thus a system might use the estimated total number of transponders technique and the timeslot shortening technique, but use a standard random number generator rather one based on transponder location with only a small decrease in overall performance.

Abstract: A system comprising an RFID Reader and an array of RFID Tags, where the tags have the ability to measure physical signal properties such as FM deviation and Received Signal Strength as examples and use these measurements to create a means to refrain from responding to the Reader, unless the measured values fall inside a range determined by a built in algorithm or decision tree or by the Reader and transmitted to the array of Tags in an outbound message. The system may also use non-physical parameters, including tokens sent by the Interrogator/Reader to the Tag field. Moreover, physical parameters may be divided into maskable and unmaskable parameters. Signal frequency is not maskable by the environment, for example, but signal amplitude and phase are maskable by the environment during propagation. Additionally, the number, the nature and the range of each Multidimensional Variable are set by the Interrogator at the start of a session.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.

Abstract: A method and system for reading RFID tags in a high-density environment using a directional scanning antenna system is provided. The directional scanning antenna system consists of transmit and receive antennas having highly directional antenna patterns which work together to read and locate the tags. In operation both types of antennas are stepped in a circular fashion with respect to each other wherein the transmit antenna's antenna pattern pauses during rotation while the receive antenna pattern sweeps across the radiating antenna's path produced by the transmit antenna such that the antenna patterns produced from each isolate and determine the location of the tags.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which allows for instant recognition of contents of a closed container by providing descriptive information in the form of a picture, and/or an audio description, and/or text of the contents of the closed container taken at the time of packing the container. The system keeps track of the contents of an individual container by storing information describing the contents of the container that is then related to a unique identification number stored in a radio frequency identification tag affixed to the container. This information is then stored in a digital database for later reference.

Abstract: An RFID system and method for communicating between a host computer, one or more interrogators connected to the host computer, and a large body of transponders distributed within an area covered by the interrogators. Each transponder originally has a common identification code, and upon initialization by the host computer internally generates a unique identification code based upon an internally generated random number. The host, through the interrogators, reads each of the identification codes associated with each transponder by iteratively transmitting a read identification code command along with a controlled variable. Each transponder compares the received controlled variable to an internally generated random number, and selectively transmits its identification code based upon the outcome of this comparison. After the completion of each read identification code iteration, the host adjusts the controlled variable based upon the responses received in the previous iteration.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein transmitted messages have enhanced numbers of and/or regularity of bit transitions to minimize the risk of synchronization loss between transmitted bits of data and received bits of data. Bit transitions for portions of messages may be enhanced by applying a pseudo-randomization scheme to those portions of messages that are transmitted in a way that allows the receiver to extract the original data from the received randomized data. Preferred randomization techniques modify (i.e. randomize) the data using a CRC value that is being accumulated while simultaneously causing the modified data to modify subsequent accumulation of the CRC itself. Upon reception, the reversal of data randomization occurs so that the intended message is appropriately received.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.