Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for recharging with energy a piece of storage equipment loaded on-board a vehicle comprising at least one power supply device external to the vehicle, at least one power collector fixed on the vehicle, the power collector comprising a central portion provided with at least one friction strip, intended for powering the vehicle when the vehicle is moving, the central portion being laterally extended with at least one horn formed in one piece in a metal material and forming an upper surface. At least one portion of the upper surface of the horn forms a contact area capable of directly coming into contact with a corresponding contact surface of the power supply device when the vehicle is at a standstill in a stop station in order to ensure energy transfer between the power collector and the power supply device via the contact area.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for recharging with energy a piece of storage equipment loaded on-board a vehicle comprising at least one power supply device external to the vehicle, at least one power collector fixed on the vehicle, the power collector comprising a central portion provided with at least one friction strip, intended for powering the vehicle when the vehicle is moving, the central portion being laterally extended with at least one horn formed in one piece in a metal material and forming an upper surface. At least one portion of the upper surface of the horn forms a contact area capable of directly coming into contact with a corresponding contact surface of the power supply device when the vehicle is at a standstill in a stop station in order to ensure energy transfer between the power collector and the power supply device via the contact area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of a light bulb or group of light bulbs. The light emission of a light bulb is compared with known emission failure values for similar types of light bulbs, and a determination of a near failure status for the bulb is made.

Abstract: A method of sharing telematics data for a vehicle with service providers can include receiving the telematics data for the vehicle, where the telematics data dynamically changes over time, and comparing the telematics data with a privacy policy associated with the vehicle. The privacy policy can specify rules for selectively releasing items of the telematics data to one or more service providers. Data items of the telematics data can be selectively provided to the service providers according to the comparing step.

Abstract: A circuit (200) for powering a high intensity discharge lamp (10) comprises first and second input terminals (202,204), first and second output terminal (206,208), first and second inverter switches (SW1,SW2), a transformer (240), first and second buck capacitors (CBUCK1,CBUCK2), first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2), an ignitor (216), and a diode subcircuit (250,260). Transformer (240) includes a primary winding (242) and a secondary winding (244). During operation of circuit 200, primary winding (242) functions as a buck inductor, while secondary winding (244) operates in conjunction with diode subcircuit (250,260) to provide enhanced low frequency open circuit voltage (OCV) during the lamp starting phase and during steady-state powering of the lamp (10). Circuit (200) also allows for a lamp current having a non-zero average value. Circuit (200) is realizable with first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2) having a relatively low capacitance value.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes a seating platform, at least one sensor for detecting a state of the seating platform connected to a first wireless communications device, the first wireless communications device for conveying information on the state of the seating platform, and a second wireless communications device for receiving information from the first wireless communications device, and a computing system. The second wireless communications device is for receiving the information carrying signal and is connected to the computing system. The computing system is for initiating an action based upon the information.

Abstract: The invention provides protection to wireless portable transponders from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanical means for disabling reception by or from the antenna of the transponder. Transponders include RFID tags that are attached to items that a persons may purchase or carry. Such transponders generally have means for receiving and storing electronic and other information, commonly in binary form using memories as in electronic circuits, etc. The invention is designed to provide privacy of electronic information. The tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. The invention provides the mechanical means that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control means.

Abstract: A system including a consumer electronics product; a wireless activation device coupled to an activation circuit embedded within the product; and the wireless activation device being configured to receive a password-protected instruction sent by wireless communication to the wireless activation device for activating the activation circuit by permanently changing the state of the activation circuit from an off state to an on state.

Abstract: A method (and apparatus), includes communicating, by a reader in a vehicle, with a wireless device in a tire, the wireless device having a unique identification, receiving, by the reader, sensed usage information of the tire from the wireless device, and writing, by the reader, usage parameters to a memory of the wireless device.

Abstract: A system for automatic and guided transport of people, the system including: at least one running track having guide members for guiding transport modules; an electric power supply system comprising a sequence of power supply blocks; electric self-propelled transport modules travelling individually along the running track and fitted with a collector for picking up electric power supplied by the power supply blocks; and an electric power supply distributor controlled by a central control unit managing the progress of the transport modules by powering or unpowering various power supply blocks.

Abstract: The invention provides an approach for automatic and dynamic mapping of zone boundaries for position-determination systems. The system of the present invention utilizes beacons (“position determining devices”) to identify the boundaries and limits of device area coverage (“zone”) for tracking objects with a position-determination system. Beacons, used both to identify zone boundaries and to tag assets to be tracked, are distributed within the zone. The beacon locations are then detected and displayed in the visualization application. Three or more beacons may be linked together, either manually or automatically, to establish a detection zone. Using beacons to establish detection zone boundaries eliminates guesswork and its associated errors, and produces a zone boundary that is actually valid.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects, including identifying and locating an object using a first method, identifying and locating a person using a second method, and associating the object and the person.

Abstract: A mapping system and method. The mapping system comprises an electromagnetic field generator, a layer of electromagnetic field absorbing material over an object, and an infrared camera. The electromagnetic field generator is adapted to generate an electromagnetic field and expose the electromagnetic field absorbing material and object to the electromagnetic field. The layer of electromagnetic field absorbing material is adapted to absorb the electromagnetic field and generate areas of thermal differences within the electromagnetic field absorbing material. The infrared camera is adapted to detect the areas of thermal differences.

Abstract: A programmed method for supplying content includes receiving via a network a request for a first content for use on a device, from a requester; automatically selecting a second content to fulfill the request; and providing the second content to a source of the request. From the point of view of a requester, the programmed method includes requesting via a network a first content for use on a device; and receiving an automatically selected second content to fulfill the request. The device may be a computer, and the content may be software for use on the computer. Selection may be performed in accordance with predetermined criteria, including predetermined rules. Information defining at least one criterion may be received from at least one requester. The criteria may be based on relatedness of the first content and the second content. Generally, the request is fulfilled via a network.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system (and method), includes at least one RFID reader to read at least one RFID tag, a sensor for determining a proximity parameter for the at least one tag with respect to the at least one reader, and a controller that controls the RF power of the at least one reader.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing protection to wireless portable transponders (including resonant tags such as RFID tags) from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanical means for disabling reception by or from the antenna of the transponder. The tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. Contemplated are mechanical means that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control means. Also broadly contemplated herein is the altering interrogation characteristics of RFID tags to such an extent that they may still be read at a close range instead of the original range, and this result of this altering is visible to the user.

Abstract: A method for determining attributes of entities within a physical space. More specifically, the location of the entities in the physical space are determined using this invention. A reader automatically moves throughout the space and takes measurements of the attributes of corresponding entities when it detects the presence of these entities in the physical space. The attributes of the entities could be the location, temperature and so forth. The reader could be an RF detection device for reading signals from the tags attached to the entities.

Abstract: The invention provides protection to wireless portable transponders from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanical means for disabling reception by or from the antenna of the transponder. Transponders include RFID tags that are attached to items that a persons may purchase or carry. Such transponders generally have means for receiving and storing electronic and other information, commonly in binary form using memories as in electronic circuits, etc.. The invention is designed to provide privacy of electronic information. The tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. The invention provides the mechanical means that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control means.

Abstract: Provides protection to wireless portable transponders from an unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanical member. Transponders include: cards, fobs and RFID tags that a persons may carry. Such transponders generally have means for receiving and storing electronic and other information, commonly in binary form using memories as in electronic circuits, etc. The invention is designed to provide privacy of electronic information and yet permit the information to be queried at the users discretion. The cards and tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. The invention provides a standard carrying case with radio wave shielding means that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is desirable by placing the cards, fobs and RFID tags within the shielded region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for presenting personalized information to consumers in a retail environment. A personalized price is determined for at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The physical proximity may be determined, for example, by evaluating identifiers, such as RFID tags, associated with each customer and product. A personalized message can be also presented to a customer regarding at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The personalized message can provide, for example, dietary or safety information relevant to the customer and at least one product in the proximity of the customer. The personalized information may be determined based on one or more personalized message rules.