Abstract: A system according to an embodiment includes electronic lock and key of which the electronic lock can be installed on a portal such as a door. The electronic lock is capable of contact-less authentication of the electronic key carried in person by a user, and also determines the open/close condition of the door panel with respect to the door frame. Being an add-on, there is no need to replace or modify the existing mechanical lock at the door. The electronic key does not require any batteries to operate, being powered by the electronic lock through wireless transfer of power through the door panel. After a successful authentication of the electronic key, the electronic lock clears the user to open the door. An attempted illegal entry by force or using duplicate key of the mechanical lock without electronic authentication is considered intrusion. Once an intrusion is detected, the system generates an alarm at the premises as well informs multiple mobile devices (e.g.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for identifying product configurations that are alternatives to a requested product configuration, ranking the alternative product configurations based on one or more pricing metrics, and presenting the alternative product configurations to a prospective customer, thereby providing the customer with the option of selecting an alternative product configuration in lieu of the initially requested product configuration.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having an integrated antenna, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The device generally includes (a) a substrate; (b) an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures on the substrate, (c) a dielectric or insulator layer in at least one area of the substrate other than the IC; and (d) an antenna on the dielectric or insulator layer, comprising one or more metal traces. The plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures include an uppermost layer of metal. The antenna has (i) an inner terminal continuous with the uppermost layer of metal or connected to the uppermost layer of metal through one or more contacts, and (ii) an outer terminal connected to the uppermost layer of metal through one or more contacts and optionally a metal bridge or strap.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for account for messages or data that are not read by a receiver unit in a device. A sender unit collects data from a data source, which is passed on stored in an inter-processor communication (IPC) module. The receiver unit receives the data from the IPC module, while the sender unit predicts an expected time that that receiver unit will read the data and whether the receiver unit will actually read the data.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for account for messages or data that are not read by a receiver unit in a device. A sender unit collects data from a data source, which is passed on stored in an inter-processor communication (IPC) module. The receiver unit receives the data from the IPC module, while the sender unit predicts an expected time that that receiver unit will read the data and whether the receiver unit will actually read the data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a wireless communication device and a method of reading a wireless communication device in which the magnitude of electromagnetically-induced currents in a metal-containing substrate is reduced. The metal-containing substrate has one or more openings therethrough. The device includes an antenna configured to (i) receive one or more first wireless signals from a reader and (ii) transmit or broadcast one or more second wireless signals and an integrated circuit coupled to the antenna. The antenna overlaps with at least one of the one or more openings.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having an integrated antenna, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The device generally includes (a) a substrate; (b) an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures on the substrate, (c) a dielectric or insulator layer in at least one area of the substrate other than the IC; and (d) an antenna on the dielectric or insulator layer, comprising one or more metal traces. The plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures include an uppermost layer of metal.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for identifying product configurations that are alternatives to a requested product configuration, ranking the alternative product configurations based on one or more pricing metrics, and presenting the alternative product configurations to a prospective customer, thereby providing the customer with the option of selecting an alternative product configuration in lieu of the initially requested product configuration.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more continuity sensors. The antenna receives and/or backscatters a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The continuity sensor(s) are configured to sense or determine the presence of a chemical or substance in the package or container, and thus a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered. The continuity sensor(s) are electrically connected to a set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the set of terminals to which the antenna is electrically connected.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more continuity sensors. The antenna receives and/or backscatters a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The continuity sensor(s) are configured to sense or determine the presence of a chemical or substance in the package or container, and thus a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered. The continuity sensor(s) are electrically connected to a set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the set of terminals to which the antenna is electrically connected.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communication of information between an information source positioned inside a refrigerated environment and a position outside the refrigerated environment comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal including the information, a planar antenna fixed to a gasket for resonating the transmitted signal, the gasket providing a seal between the refrigerated compartment and a door providing access to the refrigerated compartment, and a receiver for receiving the signal including the information. The information could include information concerning at least one container positioned in a refrigerated environment. The system may utilize a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth® device, RFID device, or other devices for transmitting the information.

Abstract: A near field communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The near field communication device includes a receiver configured to convert a received near field signal to an electric signal, a transmitter configured to generate a transmittable near field signal, a dielectric substrate within a housing, an antenna on the dielectric substrate, and a compensating loop within the housing and coupled to the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive the received near field signal and to transmit or broadcast the transmittable near field signal. The compensating loop is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna and advantageously mitigates or counteracts an electromagnetic effect of metal on or near a surface of the dielectric substrate opposite from the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more continuity sensors. The antenna receives and/or backscatters a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The continuity sensor(s) are configured to sense or determine the presence of a chemical or substance in the package or container, and thus a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered. The continuity sensor(s) are electrically connected to a set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the set of terminals to which the antenna is electrically connected.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.