Abstract: An arrangement for providing protection to wireless portable transponders (including resonant tags such as RFID tags) from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanical arrangement 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 arrangements that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control arrangement. 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 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 system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting or otherwise facilitating a transaction or request involving a product. A transaction or request involving a product is decomposed or broken down into two or more secondary transactions or requests involving the product. Thus, for an initial transaction, a set of two or more secondary transactions is established that take place instead of the initial transaction. A transaction may involve the purchase or sale of a product at one or more marketplaces. If an initial transaction or request can or is to be conducted within a given period, then some or all of the secondary transactions also may occur within the given time period. Some or all of the secondary transactions or requests may be conducted at the same marketplace or at different marketplaces.

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: Systems and methods are provided wherein a consumable item parameter is exchanged between a consumable item and a consuming device. According to one embodiment, a consumable item parameter request is transmitted to a device associated with a consumable item, and the consumable item parameter is then received. The device may comprise, for example, the consumable item or a device associated with dispensing the consumable item. The device may also comprise, for example, a device associated with a consumption of the consumable item, a device adapted to control a consumption of the consumable item, or a device that consumes the consumable item.

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.

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 the mechanical member with means that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is desirable by employing the provided mechanical enable/disable control means.

Abstract: A combination of a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID Tag) and to a magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is disclosed. The present invention relates generally to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, and more specifically to RFID transponders for use in RFID systems and the method for their assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for handling the return of items supplied by a store. The method entails building a list of items to be returned on a local computing device. The list is sent to a remote server that handles returns for the store. The remote server returns a confirmation of the items that are returnable and/or of items that are not returnable. As the list is built, each item is compared to a return policy of the store and added to the list only if the item qualifies as returnable. The method also allows for requesting the store to honor the return of items that do not qualify for return. Provision is also made for scheduling pickup of items to be returned.

Abstract: A subscriber to a service that monitors user behavior first registers with that service and selects a model of user behavior. The service then transmits that model to an agent, situated capable of monitoring user behavior and relating it to the model. After the monitoring interval the agent transmits data from the model to a server, where that data is summarized and reports created. These reports can then be sent to the subscriber in satisfaction of their needs for behavioral information.

Abstract: A method and system are described for creating and maintaining a firewall subscription service. A firewall is established within the firewall service. Customers are permitted to subscribe to the firewall subscription service. Each subscriber is an independent, paying party. A subscriber may subscribe to protect one or more computer systems. The firewall offers a particular level of security to a subscriber's computer systems when the subscriber's computer systems are communicating with an external network. All communications transmitted to any of the subscriber's computer systems utilizing the external network are received first by the firewall. The firewall is utilized to protect the subscriber's computer systems when the subscriber's computer systems receive communications transmitted utilizing the external network.

Abstract: A system to transfer electronic information includes reception of a command to transmit a file of electronic information. In response to the received command, the file of electronic information is automatically copied to create a copied file of electronic information, the copied file is transmitted, and the file of electronic information is rendered unusable. By rendering the file of electronic information unusable after copying the file, no additional usable copies of the file will remain. As a result, a degree of protection is provided to any copyright interest in the electronic information embodied therein.

Abstract: A combination of a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID Tag) and to a magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is disclosed. The present invention relates generally to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, and more specifically to RFID transponders for use in RFID systems and the method for their assembly.

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: 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.