Abstract: In contexts such as in-store customer transactions, a first party operates a terminal comprising a Beacon, an NFC-Engine, and optionally an Optical Scan Engine. A Beacon payload comprising particular data activates a corresponding pre-installed software application on an in-range second party's mobile device. The activated application prepares a customized scan target for subsequent presentation at the terminal. The scan target is a dynamically generated NFC tag, QR Code, or other scan target. The scan target comprises data derived from one or more of location context provided by the Beacon payload, second party ID, and second party transaction guidance. The second party confirms the transaction by presenting their mobile device at the terminal. Optionally, the application prepares a customized payload, broadcast by the mobile device and observed by the terminal prior to the second party's arrival, to optimally configure terminal operation for an upcoming transaction.

Abstract: A peripheral device at startup selectively activates one of a plurality of connection profiles for low-energy communication with a central device. The profiles determine the behavior of the peripheral device as viewed by the central device, such as a selected one of a HID, a Reader/Scanner, and a PC/SC-like device. The activated profile is selected based on connection profile state maintained across power cycle events and in view of special button combination events at startup. According to embodiment, the profile can also be selected (in conjunction with a reboot) as commanded under select circumstances by an application running on the central device or based on the peripheral reading a configuration card. According to embodiment, the activated profile corresponds to selected sub-portions of a unified database file of the peripheral device. The unified database includes profile components enabling activation of a selected one a plurality of low-energy communication profiles.

Abstract: Application-assisted friendly pairing provides a classic-energy radio technology user interface experience to a user operating a peripheral device in conjunction with a central device. The classic-energy radio technology user interface experience is provided while using a low-energy radio technology for communication between the peripheral device and the central device. The user interface experience is enabled via installation and execution of an application on the central device.

Abstract: During hand-held operation, configuration of an NFC/RFID Reader/Writer peripheral device in a predefined mode named “Mobile Mode with Auto-Collection”, enables recognition of a long duration (e.g. 5 second) trigger press (AKA a “Long Press”) as an enabling event prompting a change of scan behavior between single-shot scan operation and continuous scan operation. In other defined Modes of the peripheral device, other predetermined enabling events, such as the presence or absence of a predetermined external power source, prompt the change between single-shot and continuous scan operations. The Long Press and the other intuitive features enable the general user to be able to switch between various modes and to do so without requiring acquisition or use of an additional dedicated scanner with its requisite expense or inconvenience, and without requiring advanced knowledge, special access, or special resources.

Abstract: Application-assisted friendly pairing provides a classic-energy radio technology user interface experience to a user operating a peripheral device in conjunction with a central device. The classic-energy radio technology user interface experience is provided while using a low-energy radio technology for communication between the peripheral device and the central device. The user interface experience is enabled via installation and execution of an application on the central device.

Abstract: A peripheral device at startup selectively activates one of a plurality of connection profiles for low-energy communication with a central device. The profiles determine the behavior of the peripheral device as viewed by the central device, such as a selected one of a HID, a Reader/Scanner, and a PC/SC-like device. The activated profile is selected based on connection profile state maintained across power cycle events and in view of special button combination events at startup. According to embodiment, the profile can also be selected (in conjunction with a reboot) as commanded under select circumstances by an application running on the central device or based on the peripheral reading a configuration card. According to embodiment, the activated profile corresponds to selected sub-portions of a unified database file of the peripheral device. The unified database includes profile components enabling activation of a selected one a plurality of low-energy communication profiles.

Abstract: During hand-held operation, configuration of an NFC/RFID Reader/Writer peripheral device in a predefined mode named “Mobile Mode with Auto-Collection”, enables recognition of a long duration (e.g. 5 second) trigger press (AKA a “Long Press”) as an enabling event prompting a change of scan behavior between single-shot scan operation and continuous scan operation. In other defined Modes of the peripheral device, other predetermined enabling events, such as the presence or absence of a predetermined external power source, prompt the change between single-shot and continuous scan operations. The Long Press and the other intuitive features enable the general user to be able to switch between various modes and to do so without requiring acquisition or use of an additional dedicated scanner with its requisite expense or inconvenience, and without requiring advanced knowledge, special access, or special resources.

Abstract: Application-assisted friendly pairing provides a classic-energy radio technology user interface experience to a user operating a peripheral device in conjunction with a central device. The classic-energy radio technology user interface experience is provided while using a low-energy radio technology for communication between the peripheral device and the central device. The user interface experience is enabled via installation and execution of an application on the central device.

Abstract: During hand-held operation, configuration of an NFC/RFID Reader/Writer peripheral device in a predefined mode named “Mobile Mode with Auto-Collection”, enables recognition of a long duration (e.g. 5 second) trigger press (AKA a “Long Press”) as an enabling event prompting a change of scan behavior between single-shot scan operation and continuous scan operation. In other defined Modes of the peripheral device, other predetermined enabling events, such as the presence or absence of a predetermined external power source, prompt the change between single-shot and continuous scan operations. The Long Press and the other intuitive features enable the general user to be able to switch between various modes and to do so without requiring acquisition or use of an additional dedicated scanner with its requisite expense or inconvenience, and without requiring advanced knowledge, special access, or special resources.

Abstract: During hand-held operation, configuration of an NFC/RFID Reader/Writer peripheral device in a predefined mode named “Mobile Mode with Auto-Collection”, enables recognition of a long duration (e.g. 5 second) trigger press (AKA a “Long Press”) as an enabling event prompting a change of scan behavior between single-shot scan operation and continuous scan operation. In other defined Modes of the peripheral device, other predetermined enabling events, such as the presence or absence of a predetermined external power source, prompt the change between single-shot and continuous scan operations. The Long Press and the other intuitive features enable the general user to be able to switch between various modes and to do so without requiring acquisition or use of an additional dedicated scanner with its requisite expense or inconvenience, and without requiring advanced knowledge, special access, or special resources.

Abstract: In contexts such as in-store customer transactions, a first party operates a terminal comprising a Beacon, an NFC-Engine, and optionally an Optical Scan Engine. A Beacon payload comprising particular data activates a corresponding pre-installed software application on an in-range second party's mobile device. The activated application prepares a customized scan target for subsequent presentation at the terminal. The scan target is a dynamically generated NFC tag, QR Code, or other scan target. The scan target comprises data derived from one or more of location context provided by the Beacon payload, second party ID, and second party transaction guidance. The second party confirms the transaction by presenting their mobile device at the terminal. Optionally, the application prepares a customized payload, broadcast by the mobile device and observed by the terminal prior to the second party's arrival, to optimally configure terminal operation for an upcoming transaction.

Abstract: A security system is used for programmable read-only memory locations within a very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit. In a first security bit memory location there is stored a first security data bit. The first security data bit has a first value when the first security bit memory location is unprogrammed and a second value when the first security bit memory location is programmed. In a second security bit memory location there is stored a second security data bit. The second security data bit has the first value when the second security bit memory location is unprogrammed and the second value when the second security bit memory location is programmed. A selection logic is electrically coupled to the first security bit memory location and the second security bit memory location. The selection logic selects no security data bit, the first security data bit or the second security data bit to be used to generate a security access signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a level of security on a chip which makes accessing stored data so burdensome that it is outweighed by the cost of merely purchasing the chip through conventional, legal avenues. In accordance with the present invention, secure data stored in a circuit cannot be accessed without destroying circuit operation, nor can the circuit be reverse engineered without significant time, cost and expense. For example, where the secure data stored on an ASIC includes a data encryption key, the key cannot be accessed or be modified to create a new key without destroying circuit operation.

Abstract: A programmable sequencer 10 uses an input mapping circuit 20 including a programmable logic array 30 to map decision variable input conditions onto branch address signals, which are used with primary address signals to form a next state address for state word memory 50. Input mapping circuit 20 preferably includes a branch control circuit 40, controlled by feedback signals from the output of state word memory 50, to selectively transform branch address signals to allow different states to use state word locations sharing the same primary address in state word memory 50. The preferred embodiment also includes a diagnostic circuit 80 useful for programming, and/or diagnosing operation of, sequencer 10.