Abstract: A system and method to distinguish an RFID tag which is moving synchronously with an RFID reader from other RFID tags which are not moving synchronously with the reader. In one embodiment, the reader emits read signals at a fixed frequency with a corresponding period. A determination is made by the RFID reader as to the signal strengths received from an RFID tag at time intervals which are integer multiples of the half-period of the signal. Signal strengths from the tag which are the same or substantially the same at these prescribed measurement intervals are taken as an indication that the tag is moving synchronously with the RFID reader. In an alternative embodiment, the frequency of the read signals may vary over time. Correlations between received tag signal strengths with particular frequencies are an indication that the RFID tag is moving synchronously with the RFID reader.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for providing power to devices that are part of RFID systems are described. Energy is harvested at portable/mobile devices, stored and conditioned to provide on-going power as needed for various circuits/components. The energy may be generated in a variety of ways, including using a vibratory energy harvesting device, a magnetic energy harvesting device, and an optical energy harvesting devices.

Abstract: A wearable mobile computer communicates with a headset worn by an operator using a communication channel established between the computer and a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag located in the headset. The headset may be configured for receive only (voice travels only from the computer to the headset) or configured for two-way voice communication. For two-way communication backscatter from the RFID tag is used to carry voice signals.

Abstract: An RFID portal is enhanced to provide communication capability to RFID communication enabled devices. Such devices include cameras, PDAs, voice communicator, keyboards, displays, indicators, storage devices, etc. Devices are made RFID communication enabled by providing them with an RFID interface and an RFID tag “front end”. Such an enhanced device communicates with an enhanced portal via an RFID reader/interrogator associated with the portal. The portal may have connection to other communication channels, such as an Ethernet tie to a network, a landline phone connection, a cellular interface, an 802.11 connection, a Bluetooth channel, etc. Such connections allow an RFID communication enabled device to communicate beyond the enhanced portal to the outside world.

Abstract: Due to design constraints and installation variability, RFID interrogator antennas do not always function optimally across the entire channel on which they are intended to operate due to diminished antenna bandwidth. Techniques are described for selecting a sub-band of frequencies within the channel on which a particular RFID interrogator can be operated to enhance operating efficiency. These techniques include a VSWR measurement technique and a read/no read technique are disclosed for identifying a useful sub-band of frequencies. The operation of a reader/interrogator is then limited to an identified sub-band so that an RFID interrogator/tag system can be operated efficiently.

Abstract: A mobile device with a multi-functional external antenna comprises a housing and an external antenna. The external antenna is disposed at least partially on the housing and conforms to the housing. The external antenna is configured to one of receive wireless data signals and transmit wireless data signals. The external antenna is further configured to conduct power signals.

Abstract: The duty cycle of a portable battery-powered RFID tag reader is reduced during time periods when it is less likely to produce a “read” in order to preserve battery life. The reader operates with an aggressive duty cycle during periods of a high probability of a tag read and reduces duty cycle during periods of a low probability of a tag read. In this manner a user does not perceive the reader to be sluggish. An alternative embodiment reduces peak operating power during time periods when a tag is less likely to produce a “read” in order to preserve battery life.

Abstract: A system and method to track a status an item, or steps in a process, via one or more mechanical modifications to an RFID tag. In one embodiment, a plurality of tearable strips are attached to the tag, each strip having an electrical conductor. Each tearable strip may receive a visual or tactile indicia, such as text, a color code, a graphic symbol, or a tactile indicator (such as Braille) to assign a meaning to the strip, where the meaning is associated with the status or condition of the item, or the stage, step, or status or the process. By tearing some strips or all strips, a desired bit pattern may be programmed into a register of the RFID tag. The bit pattern may reflect the status or condition of the item, or the stage, step, or status of a process.

Abstract: A system and method to distinguish an RFID tag which is moving synchronously with an RFID reader from other RFID tags which are not moving synchronously with the reader. In one embodiment, the reader emits read signals at a fixed frequency with a corresponding period. A determination is made by the RFID reader as to the signal strengths received from an RFID tag at time intervals which are integer multiples of the half-period of the signal. Signal strengths from the tag which are the same or substantially the same at these prescribed measurement intervals are taken as an indication that the tag is moving synchronously with the RFID reader. In an alternative embodiment, the frequency of the read signals may vary over time. Correlations between received tag signal strengths with particular frequencies are an indication that the RFID tag is moving synchronously with the RFID reader.

Abstract: A system may include (a) a holder including a wearable component, (b) a dock coupled to the wearable component; (c) a memory coupled to the dock; and (d) a computing device removeably coupled to the dock. The computing device receives from and stores data to the memory. The data is capable of causing the coupled computing device to automatically adopt a mode of another computing device coupled to the dock at a different time.

Abstract: A memory for storing constraint data describing a constrained area, a location sensor, and a processor operationally coupled to the memory and location sensor for location tracking. In operation, the device acquires real-time location information from the location sensor and calculates a location within the constrained area utilizing the constraint data and the acquired real-time location information. The location sensor may include an accelerometer that produces signals corresponding to a change in speed and a gyroscope that produces signals corresponding to a direction traveled. The processor may calculate a distance traveled over time utilizing the signals from the accelerometer and calculate the location utilizing the calculated distance traveled over time and the direction traveled.

Abstract: A device having a first reader element acquiring data from an item using a first data acquisition method, a second reader element acquiring data from the item using a second data acquisition method, a user operated trigger generating a triggering signal for at least one of the first and second reader elements and an automatic context switch element initially activating the first reader element in response to the triggering signal, and switching the activation to the second reader element when the first reader element fails to acquire the data from the item.

Abstract: A charging system includes a first thermoelectric module (TEM) connectable to a power source, and a second TEM connectable to a rechargeable battery. The first TEM is configured as a Peltier device to receive power from the power source and provide a temperature gradient between two surfaces of the second TEM. The second TEM is configured as a Seebeck device to charge the rechargeable battery in response to the temperature gradient. A controller is configured to reverse polarity of the power source in response to passage of a predetermined period of time or in response to detection that the temperature gradient is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A mobile computing device having a reader element collecting information from target items, an audio system triggering a read event when a trigger sound is discerned and a processor activating the reader element when the read event is triggered by the audio system. The mobile computing device may be used to monitor with an audio system to detect a trigger sound, trigger a read event upon detection of the trigger sound and activate a reader element to acquire data pertaining to a tracked item.

Abstract: A system having a mobile device and a wearable mount configured to couple to the mobile device, the coupling making the mobile device wearable at a worn location, wherein a set of functionalities of the mobile device corresponds to the worn location. The wearable mount having a coupler configured to couples to a mount coupling of a mobile device and a fastener that fastens the wearable mount to a location, the location, a set of functionalities of the mobile device being based on the location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying the sampling frequency of a Doppler effect device, based on environmental conditions, is described comprising: (i) a transmitter for transmitting energy into a protected area; (ii) a receiver for receiving energy reflected from the protected area and for transforming the received energy into a motion detection signal which is proportional to any Doppler energy received by the receiver; (iii) a processor responsive to the motion detection and operative to automatically modify the sampling frequency when the motion detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has not been operated at each of a plurality of sampling frequencies; and (iv) an alarm coupled to the processor activated when the motion detection signal exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has been operated at each of the plurality of sampling frequencies.