Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to locating and imaging with a swallowable sensor device disposed in a patient. The swallowable sensor device transmits an acoustic signal from inside a patient's body. A plurality of sensing elements receive the acoustic signal. A computation module determines a location of the swallowable sensor device with respect to the plurality of sensing elements based on the acoustic signal received by at least a subset of the plurality of sensing elements. A three-dimensional image of an interior portion of the patient can also be formed based on the received acoustic signal. The three-dimensional image may be formed by stereoscopically displaying two two-dimensional images of the interior portion, wherein the two two-dimensional images correspond to the swallowable sensor device being located at two different locations. Alternatively, the three-dimensional image may be formed by computing three-dimensional pixels of the interior portion.

Abstract: Devices and systems to interrogate radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. Compact and inexpensive interrogation devices are realized by implementing integrated circuit chip-based RFID reader and antenna on a common substrate. The small form-factor devices may be used for quick and easy installation of RFID reader network. In an aspect, the device may be incorporated into hand-held mobile devices in order to serve as a mobile reader. In another aspect, the device may be installed as a shelf-reader or a rack-reader, displaying product-specific information on a display screen. In a further aspect, the device may comprise an appliance, whose operation can be tailored according to instructions received specific to a RFID-tagged item.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) architecture is described. RFID tags are interrogated by a reader, which may be located in a network of readers. The reader transmits symbols to the tags. Tags respond to the interrogations with symbols that each represent one or more bits of data. An RFID tag includes an antenna pad, a receiver, a state machine, and a modulator. The receiver is coupled to the antenna pad. The receiver receives a symbol from the antenna pad and outputs a received signal. The state machine is configured to determine a response symbol from the received signal and an operating state of the tag. The modulator is coupled to the antenna pad. The modulator is configured to backscatter modulate the received symbol with the response symbol. The modulator is configured to output the backscatter modulated symbol to the antenna pad.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, readers communicate according to a “Listen Before Talk” (LBT) protocol to avoid undesirable interference.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another. Each of the readers include a ID number which identifies that particular reader within a reader network during communications. Each reader includes a network interface module and an optimization module to receive and process statistical data obtained from other readers in the network. Aspects of the present invention include a ‘primary/secondary’ reader network configuration, as well as a ‘distributed elements’ reader network configuration. A set of operational rules for the environment is indicated, and tag interrogations are optimized according to the rules. Readers may communicate according to a “Listen Before Talk” (LBT) protocol to avoid undesirable interference.

Abstract: A cable having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) dissipative coating according to one embodiment includes an elongate lead; and an ESD dissipative coating functioning as an electrical insulator for the lead, wherein no other insulator excluding an optional adhesive is present on the cable. A cable having an ESD dissipative coating according to another embodiment includes at least 16 leads, and an ESD dissipative coating operatively coupled to the leads. A cable having an ESD dissipative coating according to yet another embodiment includes an elongate lead having a length defined therealong between distal ends thereof; and an ESD dissipative coating operatively coupled to the lead and extending along a majority of the length of the lead, wherein the ESD dissipative coating has an ESD dissipative surface resistance of from about 1×106 to about 1×108 ohm/sq.

Abstract: Dies that are attached to a die plate can be transferred to a substrate. An actuator can be used to cause a die to be released from the die plate and to come into contact with the substrate. For example, the die may cover a corresponding hole in the die plate. The actuator can move a pin into the hole in the die plate, thereby pushing the die from the die plate. The actuator may be actuated by an electromagnetic stimulus. For instance, a solenoid having windings around a tubular core may provide the electromagnetic stimulus to the actuator. Current may be provided to the windings of the solenoid to generate the electromagnetic stimulus that actuates the actuator. The actuator may be provided in the tubular core of the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for optimizing an interrogation of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag population. An RFID reader sets an initial number of time slots used to interrogate a population of tags. The reader does not previously know the size of the tag population. The reader monitors responses of tags for one or more time slots of an interrogation round to collect statistical data, estimates a number of tags in the population based on the statistical data, and determines a new number of time slots based on the estimated number of tags. The reader adjusts the number of time slots accordingly for a subsequent interrogation round. The reader may repeat this process as needed to converge closer to the actual number of tags in the population, and an acceptable number of time slots, to enhance an efficiency of the process of interrogating the tag population.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system including a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and a reader. Each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags backscatter transmits a signal. In one embodiment, the reader includes a plurality of antennas and a signal processor. In another embodiment, the system includes a signal processor and a plurality of readers each including an antenna. In either embodiment, each antenna receives a plurality of signals corresponding to the backscatter transmitted signals. The signal processor combines the received plurality of signals to produce an output signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for interacting with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described. A tag selector stimulates a sensor of a tag to enable a tag. A tag processor interacts with the enabled tag. The tag processor can test, program, kill, and/or otherwise interact with the tag, while enabled. In this manner large numbers of tags can be interacted with in close proximity, such as during their manufacture in a web format, because the tag selector enables a selected tag (or tags) at any one time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses to improve an interface between customers and products in warehouse, shopping, and additional environments, including an improved interface with items associated with RFID tags, are described. In an aspect, a product database associated with a merchant is downloaded from a computer system into a mobile device. The downloaded product database is stored. A user interacts with data of the downloaded product database on the mobile device. In a further aspect, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is read by the mobile device to determine an identification number corresponding to the RFID tag. The identification number of the RFID tag is transmitted to the computer system. A response from the computer system is received that includes information regarding an item associated with the RFID tag.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for radio frequency identification (RFID) items/objects are described. In embodiments of the present invention, resonant frequency characteristics of materials of the items/objects are used to enable RFID functionality in the items/objects. In an aspect of the present invention, a RFID item comprises a resonant material. An integrated circuit (IC) die is electrically coupled to the resonant material. The resonant material functions as an antenna for the IC die. The IC die may be attached to a quadraposer substrate to be electrically coupled to the resonant material.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, an individual carries a mobile communications device, such as a cell phone, that listens for readers attempting to read tags associated with the individual. In a further aspect of the present invention, the mobile communications device operates to mask the transmissions of these readers, to prevent them from reading the tags.

Abstract: Dies that are attached to a die plate can be transferred to a substrate. For example, holes in the die plate can be filled with an expandable material. A stimulus source, such as a laser beam/laser light can be directed to the material in a hole, causing the material to expand. Expansion of the material can cause a die that is covering the hole to be released from the die plate to come into contact with a substrate. A mask can be used to prevent the material in a hole from being expanded by the stimulus source. In another example, a pin plate is used to release a die from the die plate. Pins of the pin plate are selectively actuated to cause selected die(s) to be released. An actuator plate having a plurality of actuators can be moved across the pin plate, with actuator(s) selectively actuating corresponding pin(s).

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for transferring integrated circuit dies is described. A die receptacle structure has a first surface. The first surface has a plurality of cells formed therein. Each cell is configured to contain an integrated circuit die. A bottom surface of each cell is configured to attract dies having a first material thereon. Example forces that can be used to attract dies into cells include a magnetic force, a chemical force, and an electrostatic force.