Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for coupling to an object; control circuitry coupled to the housing; a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry; a first sensor to monitor temperature; a second sensor to monitor shock; and a third sensor to monitor tampering.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, and a memory for storing information, the information including a service history of the object.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag information associated with a vehicle, the RFID tag information including registration information for the vehicle, monetary information associated with the vehicle, and a service history of the vehicle, performing an identification, utilizing the RFID tag information, and determining one or more obligations associated with the vehicle, based on the identification.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, a first power source for providing power to the control circuitry, a secondary power source physically coupled to the first power source that generates energy from light for recharging the first power source, and a memory for storing information.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a housing configured for coupling to an object, control circuitry coupled to the housing, and a memory for storing information, the information including a service history of the object.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag information associated with a vehicle, the RFID tag information including registration information for the vehicle, monetary information associated with the vehicle, and a service history of the vehicle, performing an identification, utilizing the RFID tag information, and determining one or more obligations associated with the vehicle, based on the identification.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product according to one embodiment are provided for calibrating an RFID interrogator. A signal is sent from an interrogator to a calibration device. A backscatter signal is received from the calibration device. The backscatter from the calibration device is analyzed. An outgoing signal strength of the interrogator is adjusted based on the analysis. In a system, method and computer program product according to another embodiment, the interrogator is set to selectively respond to tags returning a backscatter signal strength selected based on the analysis. In a system, method and computer program product according to another embodiment, comparison criteria is selected based on the analysis of the backscatter signal. An RF device is instructed to store the comparison criteria, which is then used by the RF device to selectively respond to an interrogator signal having at least a desired strength.

Abstract: An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for use with a vehicle according to one embodiment includes a housing adapted for permanent or detachable coupling to the vehicle, control circuitry coupled to the housing, and a battery for providing power to the control circuitry. A secondary power source is also present for recharging the battery. A memory stores information relating to at least one of the vehicle and an owner of the vehicle. The capability of recharging the battery greatly extends the active (self-powered) life of the tag. Systems for tracking ownership of objects, servicing of vehicles, and other applications, as well as methods are also presented.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a controller for setting one or more alarm states upon occurrence of one or more alarm conditions, and a visual display device under control of the controller, the visual display device providing a visual, audible, and/or tactile indicator of an alarm condition when an alarm state is set. The visual, audible, and/or tactile indicator of the alarm condition optionally can only be reset by an authorized entity, or cannot be reset.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an RFID device having a memory; and an electronic device in electrical communication with the RFID device via a direct physical connection; wherein data received by the RFID device from a remote device is stored in the memory of the RFID device, the data being communicated to the electronic device via the direct physical connection. An RFID system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an RFID device having a memory; and an electronic device in electrical communication with the RFID device via a direct physical connection; wherein data initiating with the electronic device is stored in the memory of the RFID device for subsequent transmission to a remote device. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an RFID device having a memory; and an electronic device in electrical communication with the RFID device via a direct physical connection; wherein data received by the RFID device from a remote device is stored in the memory of the RFID device, the data being communicated to the electronic device via the direct physical connection. An RFID system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an RFID device having a memory; and an electronic device in electrical communication with the RFID device via a direct physical connection; wherein data initiating with the electronic device is stored in the memory of the RFID device for subsequent transmission to a remote device. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) device such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) for generating a reference signal based on a stored digital comparison criteria value, and a mechanism for comparing an incoming signal to the reference signal. The device performs an action such as backscattering based on the comparison. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, and a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. An RFID device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a crystal controlled first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an activate circuit. The second clock signal generator is inactive until activated by the activate circuit. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment comprises scanning a zone in an active mode at a first power level for identifying presence of a tag; and scanning portions of the zone in a passive mode at a second power level for again identifying presence of the tag. A system in another embodiment comprises an interrogator for scanning a zone in an active mode at a first power level for identifying presence of a tag; wherein the interrogator also scans portions of the zone for again identifying presence of the tag. A method in another embodiment comprises scanning zones of an area in an active mode for identifying the zone in which the tag is located; and scanning portions of the zone in which the tag is located in a passive mode for identifying the portion of the zone in which the tag is located.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a controller, a sensor in communication with the controller, a local power source for providing power to the controller, and a user input device for receiving manual input from a user. A function is selectable by manipulation of the user input device. An RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a controller having activate circuitry, the activate circuitry being for detecting a valid activate command in an incoming signal and causing the tag to wake from a hibernate state. An electronic display device is in communication with the controller. A local power source provides power to the controller. A user input device receives manual input from a user. The tag is normally in a hibernate state. Manipulation of the user input device wakes the tag from the hibernate state and/or allows function selection.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rechargeable solid state battery, control circuitry coupled to the rechargeable solid state battery, and a power source for recharging the rechargeable solid state battery.

Abstract: A method for identifying an approximate location of a radio frequency tag includes scanning zones of an area in an active mode at a first power level for identifying the zone in which the tag is located, and scanning portions of the zone in which the tag is located in a passive mode at a second power level for identifying the portion of the zone in which the tag is located. An RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags and an RFID interrogator in communication with the RFID tags.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based display system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic display device having a visual display device; and an RFID device having a memory, the RFID device being in electrical communication with the electronic display device via a direct physical connection, wherein data received by the RFID device from a remote device is stored in the memory of the RFID device, the data being communicated to the electronic, display device via the direct physical connection. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.