Abstract: A method for operating a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”). The methods comprise: capturing RF energy by the WAS, where the RF energy is emitted within a surrounding environment from equipment disposed at an access point of a restricted area; passing the RF energy through a switch that is normally in a position which provides an electrical connection between an antenna of the WAS and a full wave rectifier of the WAS; performing operations by the WAS to convert the RF energy into direct current for generating electric power; supplying the electric power to an energy storage device of the WAS for charging the energy storage device to a pre-determined voltage level; and supplying power from the energy storage device to a controller of the WAS when a voltage level of the energy storage device is equal to or greater than the pre-determined voltage level.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for powering an electrical load (322) in an environment. The methods involve using a battery (310) to simultaneously supply electrical energy to control electronics (308, 316) and a Super Capacitor (“SC”) storage element (314) immediately after a system has been disposed in the environment and turned on. In effect, the control electronics are caused to perform intended functions thereof nearly instantaneously after turning on the system. The SC storage element is charged from a first charge state in which approximately zero volts exist across terminals thereof to a second charge state in which greater than zero volts exists across the terminals. The SC storage element is then used to supply electrical energy to the electrical load of the system so as to cause the electrical load to perform intended functions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an opening and closing of an object, such as a door or window. The methods comprise: causing a piezoelectric transducer to oscillate in response to an opening of the object; harvesting energy generated as a result of the piezoelectric transducer's oscillation to power a transceiver; and transmitting, from the transceiver to a remote device, information indicating that the opening of the object has been detected by a wireless sensor coupled to the object. The information may specify a logical address linked to a physical location of the object (e.g., a MAC address).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an opening and closing of an object, such as a door or window. The methods comprise: causing a piezoelectric transducer to oscillate in response to an opening of the object; harvesting energy generated as a result of the piezoelectric transducer's oscillation to power a transceiver; and transmitting, from the transceiver to a remote device, information indicating that the opening of the object has been detected by a wireless sensor coupled to the object. The information may specify a logical address linked to a physical location of the object (e.g., a MAC address).

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to a Restricted Area (“RA”). The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter RA; checking whether the person is authorized to enter RA using a first unique identifier associated with a wearable access sensor being worn thereby; causing the person's Portable Communication Device (“PCD”) to transmit a second unique identifier and location information useful in determining the PCD's location within a surrounding environment, when a determination is made that the person is authorized to enter RA; using the second unique identifier and location information to confirm that the person is currently located at an access point of RA; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into RA when it is determined that the person desires to enter RA, the person is authorized to enter RA, and the person is currently located at the access point of RA.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300, 400) for controlling access to a restricted area. The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter or exit the restricted area based on (1) Received Signal Strength Indicator (“RSSI”) measurement data specifying a power present in a signal received from a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”) worn by the person or (2) rate of change data specifying a rate of change of a charging voltage of an energy storage device disposed within the WAS; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into or exit from the restricted area when a determination is made that the person desires to enter or exit the restricted area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for powering an electrical load (322) in an environment. The methods involve using a battery (310) to simultaneously supply electrical energy to control electronics (308, 316) and a Super Capacitor (“SC”) storage element (314) immediately after a system has been disposed in the environment and turned on. In effect, the control electronics are caused to perform intended functions thereof nearly instantaneously after turning on the system. The SC storage element is charged from a first charge state in which approximately zero volts exist across terminals thereof to a second charge state in which greater than zero volts exists across the terminals. The SC storage element is then used to supply electrical energy to the electrical load of the system so as to cause the electrical load to perform intended functions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to a Restricted Area (“RA”). The methods involve: determining whether a person desires to enter RA; checking whether the person is authorized to enter RA using a first unique identifier associated with a wearable access sensor being worn thereby; causing the person's Portable Communication Device (“PCD”) to transmit a second unique identifier and location information useful in determining the PCD's location within a surrounding environment, when a determination is made that the person is authorized to enter RA; using the second unique identifier and location information to confirm that the person is currently located at an access point of RA; and causing actuation of a mechanical actuator to enable the person's entrance into RA when it is determined that the person desires to enter RA, the person is authorized to enter RA, and the person is currently located at the access point of RA.

Abstract: A method for operating a Wearable Access Sensor (“WAS”). The methods comprise: capturing RF energy by the WAS, where the RF energy is emitted within a surrounding environment from equipment disposed at an access point of a restricted area; passing the RF energy through a switch that is normally in a position which provides an electrical connection between an antenna of the WAS and a full wave rectifier of the WAS; performing operations by the WAS to convert the RF energy into direct current for generating electric power; supplying the electric power to an energy storage device of the WAS for charging the energy storage device to a pre-determined voltage level; and supplying power from the energy storage device to a controller of the WAS when a voltage level of the energy storage device is equal to or greater than the pre-determined voltage level.

Abstract: A mixing inlay (102) is provided which includes a first radiating element (110a), a second radiating element (110b), and a non-linear mixing component (112) connected between adjacent end portions (114a, 114b) of the first and second radiating elements. The mixing inlay is configured to receive a first exciter signal having a first frequency and a second exciter signal having a second frequency, and in response, to radiate a mixing product signal produced by the mixing inlay from the first and second exciter signals. A conductive parasitic element (116) is disposed within a near field of the re-radiating transponder. A distance provided between the conductive parasitic element and the radiating elements is varied over the length of the conductive parasitic element to enhance a sideband signal generated by the mixing inlay.

Abstract: A mixing inlay (102) is provided which includes a first radiating element (110a), a second radiating element (110b), and a non-linear mixing component (112) connected between adjacent end portions (114a, 114b) of the first and second radiating elements. The mixing inlay is configured to receive a first exciter signal having a first frequency and a second exciter signal having a second frequency, and in response, to radiate a mixing product signal produced by the mixing inlay from the first and second exciter signals. A conductive parasitic element (116) is disposed within a near field of the re-radiating transponder. A distance provided between the conductive parasitic element and the radiating elements is varied over the length of the conductive parasitic element to enhance a sideband signal generated by the mixing inlay.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna exhibiting a multiple resonance is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a dipole antenna and a loop antenna are disposed upon a substrate and have dimensions and orientation to exhibit the multiple resonance. The dipole antenna may exhibit a first dipole section having a first length and second dipole section having a second length. The loop antenna may be disposed in a region of the dipole antenna. The ratio of the perimeter of the loop antenna to the sum of the lengths of the dipole sections may be selected to exhibit the multiple resonance.

Abstract: An EAS security tag for providing both EAS and battery recharging features within one tag. The tag includes a rechargeable battery and an antenna having a magnetic core and at least one coil winding disposed around at least a portion of the core. The antenna supplies a voltage corresponding to a first frequency or a second frequency when placed within a magnetic field. The tag also includes an EAS circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first frequency, and an energy harvesting circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second frequency, where the battery recharging circuit recharges the rechargeable battery. Depending upon the magnetic field that the tag is exposed to, either the EAS circuit is enabled thus allowing for EAS detection or the energy harvesting circuit is enabled allowing for the battery to be recharged.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method to detect RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing. The system includes an RFID module that includes an energy coupler to receive transmitted energy that includes a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, and a mixing element to mix the first and second signals, to generate a third signal at a third frequency, and the energy coupler to transmit the third signal to an EAS detection system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A security tag including independent EAS and RFID components disposed in a housing configured for geometric placement of the RFID and EAS components for optimum RFID performance. The EAS component is situated in a first compartment and the RFID component is situated in a second compartment. The RFID component includes a hybrid antenna RFID inlay and an IC chip. The tag housing includes a key structure that minimizes the de-tuning of both the EAS and RFID components by positioning the IC chip such that the IC chip is closer to a first side of the second compartment than the second side of the second compartment when the antenna inlay is inserted within the housing. The housing further includes one or more pins that raise the RFID inlay above the magnetic resonator of the EAS component to further insure optimal RFID read performance.

Abstract: An EAS security tag for providing both EAS and battery recharging features within one tag. The tag includes a rechargeable battery and an antenna having a magnetic core and at least one coil winding disposed around at least a portion of the core. The antenna supplies a voltage corresponding to a first frequency or a second frequency when placed within a magnetic field. The tag also includes an EAS circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first frequency, and an energy harvesting circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second frequency, where the battery recharging circuit recharges the rechargeable battery. Depending upon the magnetic field that the tag is exposed to, either the EAS circuit is enabled thus allowing for EAS detection or the energy harvesting circuit is enabled allowing for the battery to be recharged.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna exhibiting a multiple resonance is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a dipole antenna and a loop antenna are disposed upon a substrate and have dimensions and orientation to exhibit the multiple resonance. The dipole antenna may exhibit a first dipole section having a first length and second dipole section having a second length. The loop antenna may be disposed in a region of the dipole antenna. The ratio of the perimeter of the loop antenna to the sum of the lengths of the dipole sections may be selected to exhibit the multiple resonance.

Abstract: A security tag and system for securing objects, the system and security tag includes an acousto magnetic (“AM”) electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) component that has a housing with a defined surface area. The housing of the EAS component includes a perimeter boundary that defines an EAS component plane. The system and security tag further include a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) component that includes an integrated circuit and a dipole antenna defining an RFID component plane that is substantially coplanar with the EAS component plane. The integrated circuit and the dipole antenna are positioned externally along the perimeter boundary of the EAS component.