Abstract: In aspects of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring wear of a wearable component use an RFID antenna embedded in the wearable component to indicate whether wear has reached a predetermined limit. A monitoring device includes an RF transceiver, an RF antenna linked to the RF transceiver, and a processor configured to emit an RF probe signal from the RF antenna via the RF transceiver, and to determine whether the wearable component has worn beyond the predetermined limit based on whether a responsive RFID signal is received from the embedded RFID antenna.

Abstract: A contact-activated switch is incorporated in an RFID tag that can be mounted on a wearable textile article. The contact-activated switch has a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is associated with a first RFID tag state in which a first set of data is transmitted by the RFID tag. The second mode is associated with a second RFID tag state in which a second different set of data is transmitted by the RFID tag.

Abstract: A stretch-activated switch is incorporated in an RFID tag that can be mounted on a stretchable, wearable textile article. The stretch-activated switch can receive a stretch input to place the RFID tag in either an activated or an un-activated state. The stretch input can correspond to a user donning or doffing the stretchable, wearable textile article.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cleaning machine automatically identifies cleaning instructions associated with a load of textile articles, e.g., wearable and/or non-wearable textile articles, using an RFID reader. At least some of the wearable textile articles in the load include a respective RFID tag that provides information to the cleaning machine. In turn, the cleaning machine can configure various cleaning settings based upon the information. Some embodiments identify incompatibilities between the various cleaning settings, and provide a notification of this incompatibility. When the various cleaning settings are compatible, some embodiments automatically start a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an incoming biometric identification request on a first device from a user. First location data for the first device is determined. Second location data associated with at least one previous biometric identification request associated with the user is retrieved. A second level identification request is selectively initiated on the first device based on at least the first and second location data. A device includes a location module to determine first location data for the device, a biometric sensor to generate an incoming biometric identification request from a user, and a processor to retrieve second location data associated with at least one previous biometric identification request associated with the user and selectively initiate a second level identification request on the device based on at least the first and second location data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a NAN communication device suppressing NAN scanning and scanning using an alternate scanning protocol while suppressing NAN scanning. The method additionally includes detecting a transmission from another communication device while scanning using the alternate scanning protocol and determining the detected transmission is a NAN transmission. The method further includes discontinuing suppressing NAN scanning in response to detecting the NAN transmission.

Abstract: A first communication device performs a method that includes detecting a common network connection with a second communication device. The method further includes determining to perform neighborhood awareness networking scanning on behalf of the second communication device. When the first communication device detects a neighborhood awareness networking transmission while performing the neighborhood awareness networking scanning, it notifies the second communication device and discontinues the scanning on behalf of the second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a communication device monitoring for an indication of presence with respect to the communication device. The method involves transmitting, when detecting the indication of presence, a first series of neighborhood awareness networking discovery beacon frames having a first interframe time interval. The method further involves transmitting, when not detecting the indication of presence, a second series of neighborhood awareness networking discovery beacon frames having a second interframe time interval that is longer than the first interframe time interval.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of surface material enhancement with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, one or more RFID pressure assemblies are incorporated into a surface material. An RFID pressure assembly includes a pressure switch and an RFID tag. The RFID tag can be in an inactive state or in an active state. The RFID tag is generally in the inactive state, but the RFID tag is placed in the active state if a person applies pressure to the pressure switch. If the RFID tag is in the inactive state, the RFID tag fails to respond to an interrogation signal transmitted from an RFID reader. If the RFID tag is in the active state, the RFID tag responds to an interrogation signal by reflecting back a responsive signal. The responsive signal sent from the RFID tag may include a positional indicator of the RFID pressure assembly or an appliance control command.

Abstract: In aspects of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

Abstract: A device and method for determining a master device in a neighborhood aware network (NAN). The method includes identifying a number of peer devices located within communication range of a first device and that are capable of communicating via the NAN. A master rank value associated with a corresponding peer device is retrieved from each received response. A first master rank value is calculated for the first device, at least partially based on the number of responding peer devices. The first master rank value is compared with the received master rank values of the responding peer devices. In response to the first master rank value being greater than each of the received master rank values, the first device assumes a role of a master device within a NAN cluster that includes the first device and the responding peer devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first media access control (MAC) device comprising a first radio transceiver and having a first MAC address and a second MAC device comprising a second radio transceiver and having a second MAC address. The second MAC device is operatively coupled to the first MAC device. The first MAC device is operative to receive first MAC layer data for the first MAC device and receive second MAC layer data for the second MAC device, and transmit the first MAC layer data and the second MAC layer data to an access point (AP) using the first radio transceiver of the first MAC device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first media access control (MAC) device with a first radio transceiver and having a first MAC address, and a second MAC device with a second radio transceiver and having a second MAC address. The first MAC device is operative to communicate with a first wireless access point using an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The second MAC device is operatively coupled to the first MAC device, and is operative to communicate with a second wireless access point using the same IP address.

Abstract: A method includes reading transaction initiation data from an identification tag associated with a selected physical location on a device. Transaction data associated with the selected physical location is communicated using a communication link operated by the device. Transaction completion data is received using the communication link. The transaction completion data is stored on the identification tag.

Abstract: A method includes providing a plurality of identification tags each associated with one of a plurality of physical locations. First identification data is read from a selected one of the plurality of identification tags designated as a home location on a device. Second identification data is read from at least a subset of the plurality of identification tags other than the selected one on the device. Directions to the home location are provided on a display of the device based on the first identification data and the second identification data.

Abstract: In embodiments of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

Abstract: A method for controlling multiple-input and multiple-output operation in a communication device when the communication device is attached to a battery charger includes determining that a battery level of a communication device is below a first battery level threshold. The method further includes determining that the communication device is attached to a battery char and determining whether to disable multiple-input and multiple-output operation of the communication device while it is attached to the battery charger.

Abstract: A method is performed by a first communication device for directing an antenna beam based on motion. The method includes directing an antenna beam in a first direction. The method further includes receiving motion data that indicates movement of the first communication device or a second communication device. Moreover, the method includes determining, based on the motion data, a change in direction of the antenna beam from the first direction to a second direction toward the second communication device.

Abstract: A method is performed by a first communication device for directing an antenna beam based on a location of a second communication device. The method includes receiving first location data that indicates the location of the second communication device. The first location data is received over a first communication channel. The method further includes determining, based on the first location data, first antenna beam parameters for directing an antenna beam in order to communicate with the second communication device over a second communication channel.