Abstract: Described are integrated active tags in a mobile device. The mobile device may include (a) a transceiver broadcasting a first location beacon when a capacity of a battery of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold; and (b) a tag broadcasting a second location beacon when the capacity of the battery of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for facilitation of radio frequency (RF) communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and RFID tags for a conveyer system. The RFID device is positioned in proximity of the conveyor system. At least one conductive surface is coupled to the RFID device. The conveyer system transports articles, at least one which has one or more associated RFID tags. The conveyer system is operated such that the articles are brought in contact with the at least one conductive surface. The RFID device, the at least one conductive surface and one or more of the associated RFID tags are capacitively coupled allowing RF signals to be communicated between RFID device and the one or more associated RFID tags. This enables data to be electronically read from the one or more associated RFID tags.

Abstract: Described are integrated active tags in a mobile device. The mobile device may include (a) a transceiver broadcasting a first location beacon when a capacity of a battery of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold; and (b) a tag broadcasting a second location beacon when the capacity of the battery of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Described are device and method for sensing and locating cellular phones. The device may include (a) a sensor receiving broadcasts from activated cellular phones disposed in a predetermined area, the cellular phones being unassociated with the device; and (b) a processor coupled to the sensor to receive the broadcasts. The processor processes the broadcasts to determine a presence of each of the cellular phones.

Abstract: A system to recognize images comprises a mobile device and a server. The mobile device is configured to capture an image. The mobile device is further configured to transmit the image to a network. The server of the network receives the image. The server executes a recognition application to determine at least one match by identifying at least one content of the image by comparing the at least one content with recognition application data.

Abstract: Described are a device and a method for adding location data to images. The method may include the following steps: capturing image data with a mobile device; creating an image file based on the image data; determining location data of the mobile device based on a location of the mobile device; and adding the location data to the image file.

Abstract: A tray (201) comprises electrically conductive material and has at least one hand-graspable fixture (203). This hand-graspable fixture comprises an electrical conductor (301) disposed in a location that is likely to be operably interacted with by a human who grasps the hand-graspable fixture. A capacitively-coupled RFID tag is then disposed on the hand-graspable fixture with a first antenna plate (303) being electrically coupled to the tray and a second antenna plate (304) that electrically couples to the electrical conductor. A corresponding tray receiving compartment (400) has a front lip (401) over which the tray must pass and upon which the tray will rest when properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment. One or more capacitively-coupled RFID tag reader antennas (402) are disposed proximal to the front lip. These antennas may be positioned to facilitate reading the capacitively-coupled RFID tag when the tray is properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment.

Abstract: Merchandising and marketing data collection systems (100, 400, 500, 700, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) collect data on shopper's (816) interaction with merchandise samples (106, 414, 1212, 1400, 1502), page store personnel, output promotional vouchers and use the merchandise samples to access information about the capabilities of the merchandise being sold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that facilitates radio frequency (RF) communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and RFID tags for a conveyer system are disclosed. The method may include positioning an RFID device in proximity of the conveyor system, wherein at least one conductive surface is coupled to the RFID device, the conveyer system being configured to transport a plurality of articles with at least one or more of the plurality of articles having one or more associated RFID tags, and operating the conveyer system such that the plurality of articles are brought in contact with the at least one conductive surface, wherein the RFID device, the at least one conductive surface and the associated RFID tags are capacitively coupled allowing RF signals to be communicated between RFID device and the associated RFID tags and enabling data to be electronically read from the associated RFID tags.

Abstract: A tray (201) comprises electrically conductive material and has at least one hand-graspable fixture (203). This hand-graspable fixture comprises an electrical conductor (301) disposed in a location that is likely to be operably interacted with by a human who grasps the hand-graspable fixture. A capacitively-coupled RFID tag is then disposed on the hand-graspable fixture with a first antenna plate (303) being electrically coupled to the tray and a second antenna plate (304) that electrically couples to the electrical conductor. A corresponding tray receiving compartment (400) has a front lip (401) over which the tray must pass and upon which the tray will rest when properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment. One or more capacitively-coupled RFID tag reader antennas (402) are disposed proximal to the front lip. These antennas may be positioned to facilitate reading the capacitively-coupled RFID tag when the tray is properly disposed within the tray receiving compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing and reading the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a storage medium (610) comprising a first material; and a printed electronic circuit (104) comprising a first portion (206) coupled to the storage medium, wherein the first portion is randomly altered to generate a secret code.

Abstract: Merchandising and marketing data collection systems (100, 400, 500, 700, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) collect data on shopper's (816) interaction with merchandise samples (106, 414, 1212, 1400, 1502), page store personnel, output promotional vouchers and use the merchandise samples to access information about the capabilities of the merchandise being sold.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing and reading the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a storage medium (610) comprising a first material and an impression generated in the first material; and a printed electronic circuit (104) coupled to the storage medium, the printed electronic circuit comprising a first portion (206) that is positioned adjacent to the impression, wherein the impression alters the first portion to generate a secret code.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing and reading the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a storage medium (610) comprising a first material; and a printed electronic circuit (104) coupled to the storage medium, the printed electronic circuit comprising a first portion (206) that includes a plurality of printed electronic circuit elements that generate a secret code, wherein the secret code is based on an electronic characteristic of each circuit element as randomly set by a parameter of at least one semiconductor ink used to generate the printed electronic circuit.