Abstract: A controller for making initiating actions in a building management system (BMS) is shown. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a first location outside of a building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining the first location is within a first distance range of the building, provide control signals to a first subsystem of the BMS. The processing circuit is configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a second location outside of the building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining that the second location is within a second distance range of the building, provide control signals to a second subsystem of the BMS.

Abstract: A controller for making initiating actions in a building management system (BMS) is shown. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a first location outside of a building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining the first location is within a first distance range of the building, provide control signals to a first subsystem of the BMS. The processing circuit is configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a second location outside of the building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining that the second location is within a second distance range of the building, provide control signals to a second subsystem of the BMS.

Abstract: A security system having a magnetic displacement sensor system and an analytics system. The magnetic displacement sensor system includes a displacement sensor for detecting a magnetic field strength from a magnet. The analytics system determines a status of the magnetic displacement sensor system based on a comparison of the detected magnetic field strength and a profile for the magnetic displacement sensor system.

Abstract: A security system having a magnetic displacement sensor system and an analytics system. The magnetic displacement sensor system includes a displacement sensor for detecting a magnetic field strength from a magnet. The analytics system determines a status of the magnetic displacement sensor system based on a comparison of the detected magnetic field strength and a profile for the magnetic displacement sensor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a broadband near field of an antenna are disclosed. A small broadband loop antenna may include a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate with multiple layers. Printed on the PCB substrate are dual loops sharing a same driver circuit, an impedance matching network, a primary ground layer and a conductive layer. A shorting via connects the dual loops to a ground plane. The antenna may be tuned to a desired operating frequency by adjusting parameters of the loop, such as the position of the shorting via.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures or supporting fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network control module permits any or all of power signals, traffic signals and controller command signals to be carried on as few as one wire or cable to a first port of the network control module. In another aspect, a “peripheral array” includes a network control module (in any one of a number of different possible embodiments), with one or more peripheral devices, such as antennas, attached to or coupled with the network control module outputs. In one embodiment, RFID “smart shelving” may be fabricated in sections, with several (for example, 4, 8 or 16) antennas in each section, and as few as one cable coupling adjacent sections. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled storage fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a broadband near field of an antenna are disclosed. A small broadband loop antenna may include a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate with multiple layers. Printed on the PCB substrate are dual loops sharing a same driver circuit, an impedance matching network, a primary ground layer and a conductive layer. A shorting via connects the dual loops to a ground plane. The antenna may be tuned to a desired operating frequency by adjusting parameters of the loop, such as the position of the shorting via.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.

Abstract: In accordance with the preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.

Abstract: A tag has a dipole and loop antenna.

Abstract: A tag has antenna system includes three antenna portions. Each of the three antenna portions has a ½ dipole structure. A fourth antenna portion is shorted to the non-linear device. The antenna is tuned to an operating frequency by modifying the electrical lengths of one, two, or all three antenna portions. Preferably, the invention includes an inductive portion, such as a slot inductive portion. The antenna portions are configured in any desired form, such as being spiral or otherwise compacted, for particular operational parameters in a limited space.

Abstract: An RFID antenna for use in an RFID-EAS antenna system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the RFID antenna has a first patch antenna element and a second patch antenna element that are electrically connected and coplanar. The RFID antenna also has a reference ground plane coplanar with the patch antenna elements.

Abstract: It may be desirable to reduce the energy consumption of a home or commercial building to control energy costs or to ensure that the energy consumption does not exceed what is available in non-conventional energy systems such as solar power systems. The present invention relates to a system of network control nodes that can be used to monitor and control devices such as appliances and lights to ensure that the power consumption of the entire network is within the established target levels.

Abstract: Described herein is an antenna for use with a radio frequency identification system, the antenna including a reference ground; an antenna feed; a primary patch antenna element for mid-field transmission and reception of one of HP and UHF signals, wherein the primary patch antenna element is electrically coupled to the antenna feed; and one or more additional patch antenna elements for mid-field transmission and reception of the one of HF and UHF broadband signals, wherein each of the one or more additional patch antenna elements is electrically connected to an edge of the primary patch antenna element for transmission and reception of the one of HF and UHF signals. The one or more additional patch antenna elements provide for gain enhancement of the one of HF and UHF signals.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled storage fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.

Abstract: In accordance with the preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments of the invention, RFID network control devices (RNCDs) are provided wherein RFID traffic signals from any one of multiple RFID readers may be routed to any of the RFID antennas coupled to the RNCD. Each reader coupled directly or indirectly to the RNCD, either through its own action or the action of the external host controller managing the reader, may issue commands to the RNCD, over the same cable used to carry RFID traffic signals, and cause the RNCD to set its internal switch configuration such that a channel is established for RFID traffic signals between that reader and a particular RFID antenna coupled to the RNCD. This may include commands from the reader or external host controller which place other intervening RNCD units in a bypass state so as to establish the required communications channel with a minimum of signal strength loss.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reader antennas are provided within storage fixtures or supporting fixtures for transporting RF signals between, for example, an RFID reader and an RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID-enabled fixtures are implemented using an intelligent network, which may allow enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennas.