Abstract: The invention describes a method for identifying subjects with an increased likelihood of responding to treatments that modulate chemokine or chemokine receptor activity by measuring the change in expression of immune mediated genes.

Abstract: Updating a multi-band reconfigurable electronic shelf label includes waking-up a transceiver and processor of the electronic shelf label, such that the transceiver can be reconfigured to operate on a selected frequency band in order to receive updated information on a data link associated with that selected frequency band. The selected frequency band is chosen based on a power efficiency of the associated data link. The updated information can be received on the associated data link of the selected frequency band, and can be displayed on a display of the electronic shelf label. A supplemental data link using a Radio Frequency Identification circuit can be provided among the other data link selections in the label.

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

Abstract: A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.

Abstract: A method of implementing a product and/or service promotion membership program, comprising the steps of: enrolling at least one business to participate in the membership program; obtaining personal information from a consumer; contacting the consumer to: obtain confirmation that the consumer desires to participate in the membership program; and obtain information about the consumer's interest in products or services provided by the participating business; and periodically providing information to the consumer concerning a promotion available to the consumer at the participating business.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A device may include a battery and a plurality of components receiving power from the battery. A voltage of the battery is maintained above a threshold voltage by decreasing a current drawn by one of the components when the battery voltage approaches the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive operation of a power amplifier of an RFID reader device enables more efficient power management of the reader device. The method includes transmitting an RF interrogation signal from an antenna of the RFID reader device (step 505). A reflected signal is then received as a partial reflection of the interrogation signal (step 510). A return loss value is then estimated by comparing at least one parameter of the interrogation signal and at least one parameter of the reflected signal (step 515). Finally, an operating point of the power amplifier is adjusted in response to the return loss value (step 520).

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.

Abstract: A device may include a battery and a plurality of components receiving power from the battery. A voltage of the battery is maintained above a threshold voltage by decreasing a current drawn by one of the components when the battery voltage approaches the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A graphical user interface based method of configuring automatic failover from a primary database system to a standby database system that is coupled to the primary database system by a network. Also coupled to the network is an observer process that is independent of the database systems and that initiates the failover process. The observer periodically pings the database systems to determine whether a failover is necessary. The graphical user interface permits a user to specify the primary and secondary database systems, configure the observer, and specify conditions under which a failover may occur and to enable automatic failover. A failover context is created from the inputs to the GUI and stored in persistent storage belonging to the database systems. If the Observer's context is stale, the Observer fetches the database system's context.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an audio signal as an improved waveform includes a processor for determining samples of the audio signal which represent a waveform based on positions of pixels in the waveform and a time scale of the waveform, calculating minimum and maximum amplitudes of the samples for each pixel on a time axis and calculating intensities of frequency components of the samples which cannot be represented at the time scale of the waveform. The apparatus includes a display coupled to be in communication with the processor for displaying the samples as an improved waveform of amplitude versus time wherein the intensities of the frequency components are represented in the new waveform by shades of a single colour.

Abstract: A graphical user interface based method of configuring automatic failover from a primary database system to a standby database system that is coupled to the primary database system by a network. Also coupled to the network is an observer process that is independent of the database systems and that initiates the failover process. The observer periodically pings the database systems to determine whether a failover is necessary. The graphical user interface permits a user to specify the primary and secondary database systems, configure the observer, and specify conditions under which a failover may occur and to enable automatic failover. A failover context is created from the inputs to the GUI and stored in persistent storage belonging to the database systems. If the Observer's context is stale, the Observer fetches the database system's context.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for frequency coordination among two different wireless network protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth protocols, operating in proximity with one another. Coordination is accomplished by the use of a first radio transceiver operating in accordance with a first communication protocol (which may be the 802.11 protocol) and using a frequency band (which may be the 2.4 GHz band), a base station connected to a wired network and operating in accordance with the first communication protocol, a second radio transceiver operating in accordance with a second communication protocol (which may be the Bluetooth protocol) and using the frequency band, and a coordinator associated with the base station for, in turn, activating the first radio transceiver, deactivating the first radio transceiver, activating the second radio transceiver, and deactivating the second radio transceiver.