Abstract: A data transfer system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver and a laser. The data transfer system also includes a RFID tag on a container which has a first photosensitive device coupled to an electronic circuit in the tag which is in a first state when light from the laser is not striking the photosensitive device and in a second state when light from the laser is striking the photosensitive device such that the RFID tag transmits a signal only when a light beam from the laser is striking the photosensitive device. The tag may be passive, semi-passive (battery assisted passive-BAP), or active. If the tag is BAP then the laser light causes the tag to wake up so that it can respond to the RF signal from a RFID reader. The radio frequency transmitter provides power to the RFID tag sufficient to transmit a signal to the receiver which can be decoded by the RFID reader when the RFID reader is 40 feet or more away from the RFID tag.

Abstract: A data transfer system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver and a laser. The data transfer system also includes a RFID tag on a container which has a first photosensitive device coupled to an electronic circuit in the tag which is in a first state when light from the laser is not striking the photosensitive device and in a second state when light from the laser is striking the photosensitive device such that the RFID tag transmits a signal only when a light beam from the laser is striking the photosensitive device. The tag may be passive, semi-passive (battery assisted passive-BAP), or active. If the tag is BAP then the laser light causes the tag to wake up so that it can respond to the RF signal from a RFID reader. The radio frequency transmitter provides power to the RFID tag sufficient to transmit a signal to the receiver which can be decoded by the RFID reader when the RFID reader is 40 feet or more away from the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of accurately administering medication to a patient includes enrolling the patient including capturing an enrollment iris image, converting the enrollment iris image into an enrollment iris code, and associating the enrollment iris code with the patient, associating a medication with a patient including associating a medication bar code value associated with the medication bar code with the patient, administering a medication to the patient including capturing a current iris image, converting the current iris image into a current iris code, capturing a current medication bar code image of the bar code associated with the medication, converting the current medication bar code image into a current medication bar code value, querying the database for any patient having a previously stored enrollment iris code matching the current iris code and comparing each previously stored medication bar code value associated with the patient with the current medication bar code value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for obtaining the status of a security system. The method includes the steps of providing a security system for a protected premises, coupling the security system to a central monitoring station through a short-range radio and a broadband connection that receives polling messages from the protected premises where the broadband connection forwards the polling message to the central station, the central station receiving a status request from an authorized user of the protected premises, in response to the polling message, the central station transmitting the status request to the security system through the broadband connection and short range radio system and the security system transmitting a status report through the short range radio and the broadband connection to the central monitoring station in response to the request.