Abstract: Defining a radio frequency identification read area includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operable to read RFID tags within a specified read area. An RFID transmitter is coupled with the RFID reader and is operable to radiating a modulated carrier in an area adjacent to the specified read area. The RFID reader controls the RFID transmitter to transmit the modulated carrier during a preamble transmission of the RFID reader to prevent any RFID tags in the adjacent area from recognizing an interrogation signal from the RFID reader.

Abstract: Defining a radio frequency identification read area includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operable to read RFID tags within a specified read area. An RFID transmitter is coupled with the RFID reader and is operable to radiating a modulated carrier in an area adjacent to the specified read area. The RFID reader controls the RFID transmitter to transmit the modulated carrier during a preamble transmission of the RFID reader to prevent any RFID tags in the adjacent area from recognizing an interrogation signal from the RFID reader.

Abstract: Updating a multi-band reconfigurable electronic shelf label includes waking-up a transceiver and processor of the electronic shelf label, such that the transceiver can be reconfigured to operate on a selected frequency band in order to receive updated information on a data link associated with that selected frequency band. The selected frequency band is chosen based on a power efficiency of the associated data link. The updated information can be received on the associated data link of the selected frequency band, and can be displayed on a display of the electronic shelf label. A supplemental data link using a Radio Frequency Identification circuit can be provided among the other data link selections in the label.

Abstract: Defining a radio frequency identification read area includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operable to read RFID tags within a specified read area. An RFID transmitter is coupled with the RFID reader and is operable to radiating a modulated carrier in an area adjacent to the specified read area. The RFID reader controls the RFID transmitter to transmit the modulated carrier during a preamble transmission of the RFID reader to prevent any RFID tags in the adjacent area from recognizing an interrogation signal from the RFID reader.

Abstract: A system comprises an accessory, a mobile unit module, and a battery pack module. The accessory is worn one of on and near a portion of a body of a user. The mobile unit module removably couples to the accessory. The battery pack module removably couples to one of the mobile unit and the accessory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: An antenna includes a dipole radiator region forming a series resonant tank having a first quality factor value Q1, and a loop compensator/radiator region integral with the dipole region and forming a parallel resonant tank having a second quality factor value Q2 that is substantially equal to Q2. The antenna may be a conductive sheet antenna (e.g., comprising copper tape) having a generally “A” shaped structure with a discontinuity in a middle segment.

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: A method for improving RFID readers includes transmitting an outgoing RF signal to an antenna through a directional device, and generating a demodulated vector signal from an RF signal related to the RF signal received from the receiver. The method also includes setting the impedance of a controllable-variable-reflectance element with control-parameters from a memory circuit. The memory circuit includes a look up table having therein a corresponding relationship between the control-parameters and an error vector related to the demodulated vector signal.

Abstract: A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.

Abstract: A system having a mobile device and a wearable mount configured to couple to the mobile device, the coupling making the mobile device wearable at a worn location, wherein a set of functionalities of the mobile device corresponds to the worn location. The wearable mount having a coupler configured to couples to a mount coupling of a mobile device and a fastener that fastens the wearable mount to a location, the location, a set of functionalities of the mobile device being based on the location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: A wearable mobile computer communicates with a headset worn by an operator using a communication channel established between the computer and a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag located in the headset. The headset may be configured for receive only (voice travels only from the computer to the headset) or configured for two-way voice communication. For two-way communication backscatter from the RFID tag is used to carry voice signals.

Abstract: Described are a device and a method for canceling a magnetic field and/or an electric field emitted from a device. The device includes a housing including an inner wall and an outer wall, a sense coil located within the inner wall of the housing in proximity to a user's ear, the sense coil sensing a magnitude, polarization and a polarity of an inbound magnetic field within the housing, and an induction coil located between the outer wall and the inner wall of the housing, the induction coil generating an outbound magnetic field having the same polarization and an opposing polarity to the polarity of the inbound magnetic field. The method includes sensing, by a sensing coil, a magnitude and a polarity of an inbound magnetic field, the sensing coil located within a housing of a device, and applying a current to an induction coil to generate an outbound magnetic field having an opposing polarity to the polarity of the inbound magnetic field, the induction coil located within the housing of the device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A system comprising a transmitter element creating an interrogation signal and transmitting the interrogation signal and a receiver element receiving a reflection signal of the interrogation signal and combining the reflection signal and a feedback signal to cancel at least a portion of radio frequency echo signals in the reflection signal.

Abstract: A system comprising a transmitter element creating an interrogation signal and transmitting the interrogation signal and a receiver element receiving a reflection signal of the interrogation signal and combining the reflection signal and a feedback signal to cancel at least a portion of radio frequency echo signals in the reflection signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for providing power to devices that are part of RFID systems are described. Energy is harvested at portable/mobile devices, stored and conditioned to provide on-going power as needed for various circuits/components. The energy may be generated in a variety of ways, including using a vibratory energy harvesting device, a magnetic energy harvesting device, and an optical energy harvesting devices.

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for a reader transceiver circuit are described. The reader transceiver circuit incorporates a frequency generator, such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillator. A reader incorporating the reader transceiver circuit is configured to read a tag at very close range, including while being in contact with the tag. The transceiver can be coupled to various host devices in a variety of ways, including being located in a RFID reader (e.g., mobile or fixed position), a computing device, a barcode reader, etc. The transceiver can be located in an RFID module that is attachable to a host device, can be configured in the host device, or can be configured to communicate with the host device over a distance. The RFID module may include one or more antennas, such as a first antenna configured to receive a magnetic field component of an electromagnetic wave and a second antenna configured to receive an electric field component of an electromagnetic wave.