Abstract: A source device (110) receives a carrier signal and continuously monitors the carrier signal for a first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition. The source device (110) transmits data if the first predetermined condition is satisfied. The source device (110) ceases transmission of data if the first predetermined condition subsequently is not satisfied or if a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: At a personally portable wireless two-way communicator (800), one can provide (101) an avatar as corresponds to a given object and then capture (102) an image as corresponds to an accessory for that given object. That image can be used (103) to determine corresponding metadata for the accessory which metadata is then used (104) to determine a virtual visual rendering of the accessory. One can then visually display (105) the avatar in combination with the virtual visual rendering of the accessory to thereby provide an image that depicts how the given object and the accessory will appear in combination with one another.

Abstract: A scrambling method (510) divides a set of data (200) into a first portion and a second portion. A first scrambling method is performed on the first portion of the set of data to create a scrambled first portion of the data. The second portion of the set of data is modified with the scrambled first portion of the set of data to create a modified second portion of the set of data. A second scrambling method is performed on the modified second portion of the set of data to create a scrambled second portion of the set of data. The scrambled first portion of the set of data is modified with the scrambled second portion of the set of data to create a scrambled set of data (220). A descrambling method (520) reverses the scrambling method (510) to create a descrambed set of data (200).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device (102) having stored thereon an expiration and a set of data bits which, when presented to a processing device (602) via a RFID reader (206), causes the processing device (602) to enable a feature that would otherwise be disabled in an electronic device (600), and disable the feature when the expiration reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device comprises a plurality of data fields. The RFID device transmits a data symbol from a data field, receives an acknowledgement symbol, and compares the transmitted data symbol to the received acknowledgement symbol. The RFID device repeats these steps until data transmission is complete as long as each transmitted data symbol is equivalent to a corresponding received acknowledgement symbol; otherwise, the RFID device maintains the data field from which the last data symbol was transmitted, and temporarily suspends data transmission. When the RFID receives a request for RFID devices temporarily suspended in a given data field to resume data transmission, if the given data field in the request is equivalent to the data field that was maintained, the RFID device repeats the steps above starting with the first symbol in the data field that was maintained.

Abstract: A source device (110) stores predetermined data and establishes a channel selection profile comprising a plurality of channel selections. Each channel selection is derived from a subset of the predetermined data. The source device (110) transmits at least a portion of the predetermined data over at least a first channel selected from the channel selection profile.

Abstract: A device communicates with a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device (102) that is associated with an item (500). The device selects a promotional incentive for the item (500) and programs the promotional incentive into the RFID device (102) at one of the following events: point-of-decision to purchase the item, point-of-purchase of the item, or point-of-distribution of the item.

Abstract: A scrambling method (510) divides a set of data (200) into a first portion and a second portion. A first scrambling method is performed on the first portion of the set of data to create a scrambled first portion of the data. The second portion of the set of data is modified with the scrambled first portion of the set of data to create a modified second portion of the set of data. A second scrambling method is performed on the modified second portion of the set of data to create a scrambled second portion of the set of data. The scrambled first portion of the set of data is modified with the scrambled second portion of the set of data to create a scrambled set of data (220). A descrambling method (520) reverses the scrambling method (510) to create a descrambed set of data (200).

Abstract: A source device (110) receives a carrier signal and continuously monitors the carrier signal for a first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition. The source device (110) transmits data if the first predetermined condition is satisfied. The source device (110) ceases transmission of data if the first predetermined condition subsequently is not satisfied or if a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A source device (110) stores predetermined data and establishes a channel selection profile comprising a plurality of channel selections. Each channel selection is derived from a subset of the predetermined data. The source device (110) transmits at least a portion of the predetermined data over at least a first channel selected from the channel selection profile.

Abstract: A first request is transmitted to activate a set of tags in a first state. A first set of data symbols is received. In response to receiving the first set of data symbols, a first acknowledgement symbol transmitted. An acknowledgement symbol is transmitted in response to each subsequent set of data symbols received. A second request is transmitted to activate a second set of tags in a second state when a set of data symbols is not received within a predetermined time, wherein the first state is different from the second state.

Abstract: A portable data device (400) having a power controller (430), a clock generator (428) and a digital circuit (432). The power controller (430) has an output signal. The output signal is representative of available power. The clock generator (428) is coupled to the output signal of the power controller (430) for generating a variable clock rate corresponding to the output signal. The digital circuit (432) is coupled to the clock generator (428), and the digital circuit (432) is controlled by the variable clock rate.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device (102) having stored thereon an expiration and a set of data bits which, when presented to a processing device (602) via a RFID reader (206), causes the processing device (602) to enable a feature that would otherwise be disabled in an electronic device (600), and disable the feature when the expiration reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification exciter (200) includes a plurality of antenna elements (122a-i) that are spaced to define active areas (130a-e). A matrix switch (202) flexibly connects the plurality of antenna elements to an exciter circuit (203). Independent switches (204a-i) are selectively switched such that an electric field is generated between at least two antenna elements whereby radio frequency identification tags (132) in the vicinity of the two antenna elements are capacitively powered to exchange data with the exciter. Antenna elements other than the at least two antenna elements may be selectively coupled to a signal from the exciter circuit that inhibits activation of radio frequency identification tags in the vicinity of those antenna elements. The matrix switch preferably comprises polymer-based circuits.

Abstract: A capacitively powered radio frequency identification device (10) comprises a substrate (12), a conductive pattern (14, 16) and a circuit (18). The substrate (12) has a first surface and a second surface. The conductive pattern is formed on the first surface of the substrate (12). The conductive pattern has a first electrode (14) and a second electrode (16). The first and second electrodes (14, 16) are isolated from each other by a non-conductive region disposed therebetween. The circuit (18) comprises polymers. The circuit (18) is electrically coupled to the first electrode (14) and the second electrode (16).

Abstract: A portable data device (300) having a memory (302) is provided. The memory (302) is segmented into a plurality of sectors (304-312). A backup memory buffer (312) and a plurality of applications (304-310) are programmed into the plurality of sectors, wherein the backup memory buffer (312) is jointly used by the plurality of applications (304-310). A valid state of data is stored in the backup memory buffer (312) prior to performing a transaction for a first application (304). The valid state of data is restored in the first application (304) upon power up of the portable data device (300) in an event the transaction is terminated prior to completion, wherein the step of restoring is independent of a next application in which a next transaction is performed.

Abstract: Power reception circuits employable in portable data devices (e.g., smart cards) to derive power and/or data from an input AC power signal (e.g., an ASK modulated carrier signal). In one embodiment, the power reception circuit comprises a power rectifier (120), a shunt rectifier (142) and a shunting element (132). The power rectifier (120) is adapted to rectify the input power signal, yielding a rectified output waveform. The shunt rectifier (142) is connected in parallel with the power rectifier (120). The shunting element (132) is connected to the shunt rectifier (142) and is operable to regulate an output voltage or current waveform produced at the output of the power rectifier (120). In another embodiment, the power reception circuit includes an analog circuit (610) for recovering data from a modulated carrier signal. A decoupling device (630) isolates the analog circuit (610) from impedance variations of a load. A shunt device (640) diverts undesired current from the load.

Abstract: A portable data device employs an integrated circuit having a signal processor that receives a power signal from an external source via a power node. A decoupling device is placed between the power node and the signal processor. An energy reservoir is placed in parallel with the signal processor, which acts in concert with the decoupling device to isolate the effects of the signal processor from the rest of the integrated circuit.