Abstract: A service repository is used to store at least one service in association with service metadata describing service requirements of the service. The service repository also may store one or more platform-specific service executables. A service mapper is used to determine device metadata associated with each of a plurality of devices, where the device metadata provides device characteristics of the devices. The service mapper may thus map the service to a selected device of the plurality of devices for deployment thereon, based on a matching of corresponding elements of the service requirements and the device characteristics. The service mapper also may re-map the service between devices to maintain a quality and reliability of the service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proximity sensing is described and illustrated. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor. The apparatus also includes a memory coupled to the processor. The apparatus further includes a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor. The apparatus also includes an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface. The memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item. The memory also embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to exchange the identifier with similar apparatuses through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the specific information with information received from the similar apparatuses.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for document management, which may occur at a physical document, at a remote location, or at a combination thereof. Document management at a physical document may include sensing a state of a document, generating a signal representing the document state, determining the document state based on the signal, and generating a wireless message representing the document state. Document management at a remote location may include storing non-physical versions of documents, receiving state data for physical versions of the documents, associating the state data with the appropriate non-physical versions, and managing access to the non-physical versions and the state data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sensing force information at a plurality of points on a continuous surface, and detecting contextual information about an object on the surface based on the distribution of force on the surface. For example, a plurality of sensors may be included below different points on such a substantially continuous surface, where the sensors are operable to sense force information. Then, a processor connected to the sensors may determine a location of the object relative to the surface, based on the force information from the sensors.

Abstract: A system to monitor item placement and item movement on surfaces includes an identification system embedded in one or more surfaces and a computer. The identification system periodically scans the surfaces to generate data related to items placed on the surfaces. The data includes item type, item location on each surface, and number of items placed on each surface. The computer receives and processes the data to monitor item placement and item movement on the surfaces.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) controller within an RFID system includes an RFID interrogator interface configured to receive signals from RFID interrogators and configured to manage the RFID interrogators based on instructions received from an application program. The RFID interrogators are configured to receive data from an RFID tag. The controller also includes a controller core configured to process the signals received from the RFID interrogator interface and to provide the data to the application.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) controller within an RFID system includes an RFID interrogator interface configured to receive signals from an RFID interrogator. The RFID interrogator receives data from RFID tags. The RFID controller also includes a user interface configured to receive a selection of data processing units and an arrangement of data processing units. The RFID controller further includes a controller core configured to process the signals received from the RFID interrogator interface and configured to modify processing of the signals from RFID interrogator based on the selection and the arrangement of the data processing units.

Abstract: An information kiosk including a display, such as, for example, a touch screen, and having access to situational information is integrated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor. The RFID sensor reads the RFID tag of a user, accesses user information corresponding to the RFID tag, and customizes an interface to the user based on the user information and the situational information. The interface is then output to the user using the display of the information kiosk. The information kiosk may communicate with a private branch exchange (PBX) switch to permit use of a contact information center (CIC) or a voice portal. The user information may be stored as a user profile in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, accessed by the information kiosk. By combining the user information with event or location information stored in the information kiosk, the information kiosk presents customized information to each user, including maps, directions, and recommended sites or events.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) controller within an RFID system includes an RFID interrogator interface configured to receive signals from RFID interrogators and configured to manage the RFID interrogators based on instructions received from an application program. The RFID interrogators are configured to receive data from an RFID tag. The controller also includes a controller core configured to process the signals received from the RFID interrogator interface and to provide the data to the application.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for object management. In certain implementations, object management includes determining whether a signal representing the presence of at least one object to be monitored has been received and determining whether a signal representing the state of at least one object to be monitored has been received. If a signal representing the presence of at least one object to be monitored has been received, a determination is made as to whether a predetermined quantity of objects is present. If a signal representing the state of at least one object to be monitored has been received, a determination is made as to whether at least one object has a predetermined state.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products implementing techniques for real-time monitoring using sensor networks. A system implementing the techniques comprises a business application, a sensor network, and a communication link between the sensor network and the business application. The sensor network includes a plurality of sensor nodes, each sensor node being an electronic device that includes a sensor, a processor, memory, and inter-node communication logic that allows the sensor node to communicate bi-directionally with other sensor nodes in the plurality of sensor nodes, and the sensor network is configured to receive business logic from the business application through the communication link, and to execute the business logic on the sensor nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proximity sensing is described and illustrated. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor. The apparatus also includes a memory coupled to the processor. The apparatus further includes a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor. The apparatus also includes an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface. The memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item. The memory also embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to exchange the identifier with similar apparatuses through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the specific information with information received from the similar apparatuses.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) controller within an RFID system includes an RFID interrogator interface configured to receive signals from an RFID interrogator. The RFID interrogator receives data from RFID tags. The RFID controller also includes a user interface configured to receive a selection of data processing units and an arrangement of data processing units. The RFID controller further includes a controller core configured to process the signals received from the RFID interrogator interface and configured to modify processing of the signals from RFID interrogator based on the selection and the arrangement of the data processing units.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for document management, which may occur at a physical document, at a remote location, or at a combination thereof. Document management at a physical document may include sensing a state of a document, generating a signal representing the document state, determining the document state based on the signal, and generating a wireless message representing the document state. Document management at a remote location may include storing non-physical versions of documents, receiving state data for physical versions of the documents, associating the state data with the appropriate non-physical versions, and managing access to the non-physical versions and the state data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for object management. In certain implementations, object management includes determining whether a signal representing the presence of at least one object to be monitored has been received and determining whether a signal representing the state of at least one object to be monitored has been received. If a signal representing the presence of at least one object to be monitored has been received, a determination is made as to whether a predetermined quantity of objects is present. If a signal representing the state of at least one object to be monitored has been received, a determination is made as to whether at least one object has a predetermined state.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a load includes monitoring an initial state output signal and a current state output signal generated by one or more load sensors positioned about a load storage device. The initial and current state output signals are compared to determine changes in the load positioned upon the load storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sensing force information at a plurality of points on a continuous surface, and detecting contextual information about an object on the surface based on the distribution of force on the surface. For example, a plurality of sensors may be included below different points on such a substantially continuous surface, where the sensors are operable to sense force information. Then, a processor connected to the sensors may determine a location of the object relative to the surface, based on the force information from the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a load sensing surface as a pointing device for a computer are described. For example, a plurality of sensors may be used to sense force distribution information at points on a substantially continuous surface, and a pointer manager may be used to map the force distribution information to pointing information for display on a computer screen. In this way, a pointing device for a computer may be integrated with common elements, such as a table.

Abstract: An information kiosk including a display, such as, for example, a touch screen, and having access to situational information is integrated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor. The RFID sensor reads the RFID tag of a user, accesses user information corresponding to the RFID tag, and customizes an interface to the user based on the user information and the situational information. The interface is then output to the user using the display of the information kiosk. The information kiosk may communicate with a private branch exchange (PBX) switch to permit use of a contact information center (CIC) or a voice portal. The user information may be stored as a user profile in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, accessed by the information kiosk. By combining the user information with event or location information stored in the information kiosk, the information kiosk presents customized information to each user, including maps, directions, and recommended sites or events.

Abstract: A system to monitor item placement and item movement on surfaces includes an identification system embedded in one or more surfaces and a computer. The identification system periodically scans the surfaces to generate data related to items placed on the surfaces. The data includes item type, item location on each surface, and number of items placed on each surface. The computer receives and processes the data to monitor item placement and item movement on the surfaces.