Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power rectifier for a Radio Frequency Identification tag circuit. The rectifier is constructed from a pair of complementary MOS transistors. Gates of the transistors have predetermined voltages applied to them. The applied voltages bias the transistors to near their active operating region. During the same time additional control signals are applied to the gates of the transistors, the control signals are synchronous, but out of phase, with each other.

Abstract: An optical code recognition station comprises a fixed optical code scanning station and an optical code imager, the optical code imager being operable in both a hand held and a fixed configuration. In the fixed configuration the optical code imager is mounted on the fixed optical code scanning station. Communication between the fixed optical code scanning station and the optical code image is wireless and the optical code imager operates without a wired connection to the fixed optical code scanning station when in the hand held configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing security for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining responsibility for a first item when the first item is in a first range of a first container. Maintaining responsibility for the first item includes monitoring a locator tag associated with the first item when the locator tag is within the first range. The method also includes determining when the first item is in the first range, determining if the first item is in a second range associated with a second container when the first item is not in the first range, and determining if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container if the first item is in the second range. Additionally, the method includes transferring responsibility for the first item to the second container if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container.

Abstract: Systems and method for communication of transaction data within a self-checkout environment are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes controlling a display device to display a machine-readable representation of transaction data. The method may include receiving a signal that indicates acknowledgement of reading of the machine-readable representation of the transaction data. Further, the method may include controlling the display device to display a machine-readable representation of other transaction data in response to receipt of the signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting a signal in radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (FIG. 1) is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal (FIG. 7) having a first time in a first logic state (high) and having a second time in a second logic state (low). A weight (700, 702) is determined in response to the first time and the second time. An output signal (from A2D) is produced in response to the weight and one of the first and second logic states.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for radio frequency identification provides an on-off keyed amplitude-modulated illumination signal containing a sequence of bits configured to illuminate a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, The illumination signal is received at the RFID tag, rectified to generate a wake signal for waking a processor which is subsequently powered by a battery. The received illumination signal is sampled and subjected to a thresholding process. Mobile telephone band interference is countered by correlating the sampled illumination signal to determine its bit sequence and then correlating the bit sequence against a predetermined key. An identification signal from the RFID tag is sent in response to a match.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing vehicle parking information using a navigation satellite. The system includes: a monitoring unit for photographing an image of a vehicle parking space and transmitting the image to a parking space checking unit; the parking space checking unit for checking a vacant parking space based on the transmitted vehicle parking space image and transmitting vacant parking space acquisition information to a location information computing unit; and the location information computing unit for creating and transmitting location information of the vacant parking space, which is vehicle parking information, to a navigation satellite based on own location information acquired based on navigation information transmitted from an external navigation satellite and the transmitted vacant parking space acquisition information.

Abstract: A wireless network communications unit is operable to transmit and receive data for a host device. The wireless network communications unit includes a wireless network communications interface configured to transmit and receive data using a wireless network protocol when a host device having the wireless network communications unit is turned on. The wireless communications unit also includes a tag component detecting when the host device is turned off. In response to detecting the host device being turned off, the unit enters a tag operational mode wherein the tag component is configured to transmit data identifying the host device via the wireless network interface.

Abstract: In an RFID system comprising a detection unit for detecting an RFID tag and a control unit for exercising the control concerning the RFID tag, a determination unit determines whether to access a second area of an RFID tag comprising storage area, comprising of a first area for storing ID information and the second area for storing command information. An extraction unit extracts command information from the second area when it is determined to access the second area. An execution unit performs a process corresponding to the command information extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: A method for securely handling processing of information includes, in a chip, selecting one of a plurality of data processes based on a random index. After a randomly allocated time interval has elapsed, the selected one of the plurality of data processes may be initiated. The selected one of the plurality of data processes may include accessing data and/or acquiring the data. Burstiness of the data may be approximately equal to burstiness of data acquired by at least one of a plurality of clients on the chip. Data may be verified by the selected one of the plurality of data processes prior to the processing of the data.

Abstract: RFID tags, ICs for RFID tags, and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an RFID tag includes a memory with multiple sections, and a processing block. The processing block may map one of these sections, or another of these sections, for purposes of responding to a first command from an RFID reader. As such, an RFID tag can operate according to the data stored in the section mapped at the time. In some embodiments, a tag can even transition from mapping one of the sections to mapping another of the sections. This can amount to the tag exhibiting alternative behaviors, and permits hiding data on the tag.

Abstract: A system is provided for displaying advertisements based on electronic tags. The system includes a mobile device, a server, and a display. The mobile device reads information from a plurality of radio frequency identification tags associated with a plurality of items and transmits the information. The server receives the information, selects an advertisement based on the information, and transmits the selected advertisement. The display receives the selected advertisement and displays the selected advertisement.

Abstract: A commodity display position alert system includes commodity display shelves set in a selling floor space of a store, an RFID reader provided in each of the commodity display shelves, and a server as a system control unit. The RFID reader reads a commodity code from an RFID tag attached to a commodity. A server compares the commodity code of the commodity and display permission information stored in a database functioning as a shelf-rule storing unit and determines whether the read commodity code is a commodity code of a commodity that should be displayed on the commodity display shelf. When the server determines that a commodity other than the commodity that should be displayed on the commodity display shelf is displayed on the commodity display shelf, the server performs control for outputting a reporting signal for causing the PDA terminal to perform reporting operation.

Abstract: RFID tags are configured to adjust their clock frequency in order to meet predefined limits for reply frequencies to conserve tag power. A deviation of computed tag reply frequency from a reader commanded reply frequency is used to determine an adjustment to the tag clock frequency. The tag clock frequency may be adjusted during backscatter and restored once backscattering is completed.

Abstract: An immovable price checker (1) with an angle-adjustable scanner is installed on a wall for scanning barcodes of an article and includes a base (10), a scanner (20), a processor (30), a displayer (40) and a pivoting means (50). The base (10) is fixed to the wall. The scanner (20) is connected to the base (10) for scanning the barcodes of the article. The processor (30) is electrically connected to the scanner (20). The displayer (40) is fixed to the base (10) and electrically connected to the processor (30). The displayer (40) is configured to display data processed by the processor (30). The pivoting means (50) is connected between the base (10) and the scanner (20). The scanner (20) is rotatable with respect to the base (10) by using the pivoting means (50) as a center of rotation to thereby adjust the angle of the scanner (20). Thus, the convenience and practicability of the present invention are improved greatly.

Abstract: A method of managing inventory may include using a handheld scanning device to locate one or more inventory items on a retail display. The method may further include scanning the identification symbols of inventory items on a retail display to determine the type of the scanned item. An associated apparatus may include a communication interface to receive information from a remote database and to send information to a remote server. The received information may include predetermined information about proper locations for individual inventory items on the retail display, thereby reducing the need to manually determine the proper locations of multiple inventory items, which may be, for example, greeting cards on a retail store display.

Abstract: RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods for causing RFID tags to backscatter a combination made from at least portions of a first code and a second code stored in tag memory, without transmitting any commands in the interim. In a number of embodiments, therefore, a separate command does not have to be sent for also reading the second code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for estimating electrical power usage of commercially available devices utilizing a portable computing device equipped with a digital camera. In some embodiments, initial input to the system is accomplished by taking a digital photograph of an electrical device surface in order to capture text or other marks such as barcodes from which power usage of the device can be determined. In some embodiments OCR (optical character recognition) is used to retrieve text from the digital photograph. If successfully extracted from the captured text, power parameters such as voltage, amperes and watts are provided to the system user on the display of the mobile device. At this point an estimate of electrical device usage during a particular time period, such as a week, can be input into the system. The system will then calculate power usage over the specified time period for the electrical device and show the result on the system display.

Abstract: A liquid and drink mix vending machine can vend both potable water and as an additional purchase option drink mixes (e.g., flavored drink mixes). The vending machine can include a liquid vending system and a drink mix vending system. The liquid vending system can vend different amounts of water, which can be delivered to a container provided by a user. The drink mix vending system can vend a variety of drink mixes, including drink mixes of different concentrations for a given quantity of water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent markings in systems including a mail delivery system for utilizing time-limited business reply mail are described. A business reply mail authorization permit is applied to a business reply mail piece using a time-dependent marking such as time-dependent ink. After the time-dependent ink changes state, the mail piece is no longer marked as an authorized business reply mail piece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent dynamic barcodes in systems including a mail delivery system for manipulating delivery charges and/or sorting and delivery processing preferences are described.

Abstract: RFID tags and chips for RFID tags store a first code and a second code in memory. They are capable of backscattering a combination made from at least portions of the first code and the second code, without receiving any commands in the interim. In a number of embodiments, therefore, a separate command does not have to be sent for also reading the second code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in a boundary detection localization system is disclosed, in which the radio badge is carried by a tracked target and performs location sampling communication with an infrastructure component of the localization system at the start and end of sampling time intervals such that positions of the radio badge can be estimated. The method includes: determining a velocity of the radio badge; estimating a critical time for the radio badge to reach a critical region through division in which a critical distance from an estimated position obtained at the end of a most recent sampling time interval to the critical region is the dividend, and the velocity of the radio badge is the divisor; and controlling the radio badge to perform location sampling communication with the infrastructure component of the localization system at the end of the critical time.

Abstract: A power-saving wireless input device and an associated system are included. The wireless input device comprises an antenna, an RFID transponder, an energy-storing unit, and a sensing unit. The RFID transponder receives an AC signal via the antenna, and converts the AC signal into a DC signal. The energy-storing unit receives the DC signal for charging. The sensing unit, which is powered by the energy-storing unit, generates an input signal to the RFID transponder. The RFID transponder demodulates the AC signal to generate a request signal, and performs load modulation according to the input signal to generate a reply signal in response to the request signal. The reply signal is then transmitted via the antenna.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for product identification using terahertz radiation detection. An area of interest is illuminated with radiation in the terahertz frequency range and terahertz radiation reflected from objects within the area of interest is detected and a detector signal based on the detected radiation is processed to generate identifying information for the objects. The generated identifying information may be compared against stored identifying information for products and the result of the comparison is used to select a product or group of products for which the comparison produces a match. Processing of the detector signal may generate a spectral signature characteristic of reflective and absorptive properties of an object under illumination, and the spectral signature may be compared with stored spectral signature information for products.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power rectifier for a Radio Frequency Identification tag circuit. The rectifier is constructed from a pair of complementary MOS transistors. Gates of the transistors have predetermined voltages applied to them. The applied voltages bias the transistors to near their active operating region. During the same time additional control signals are applied to the gates of the transistors, the control signals are synchronous, but out of phase, with each other.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automated process control operation wherein a physical object is directed into a read zone, information stored on an ID Container attached to the physical object is retrieved, physimetric property of the physical object is captured, the retrieved information is processed to provide recorded physimetric property specific to the physical object, the recorded physimetric property and captured physimetric property are passed to an analysis algorithm for comparison, and the results of the comparison are delivered to a controlling device. The results of the comparison will determine whether the physical property will continue to pass through the read zone or require to be rotated by the operator.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a vending machine comprises a plurality of receptacles for holding units of products, each receptacle operable to hold a respective plurality of units in a series. The vending machine further comprises a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense, from each receptacle, a first unit in the respective plurality of units, the dispensing mechanism thereby being operable to dispense only a first unit from the respective series at a time. The vending machine further comprises a means for determining, for a unit, information allowing a relationship among the unit and a location of the unit in the receptacle to be determined.

Abstract: A RFID cabinet comprises a cabinet structure and one or more drawers or shelves. Chambers are formed within the cabinet to house the one or more drawers or shelves. An RFID scanner is configured to scan items tagged with RFID tags in the chambers via one or more antennas. The antennas can include transmit and receive antennas or antennas configured to perform both transmit and receive functions. The drawers can have a access cover, or lid that can be controlled so as to control access to the drawer. The scanner can be configured to perform inventory control for the tagged items.

Abstract: Remote communication devices, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, radio frequency identification device communication methods, and methods of forming a remote intelligent communication device are provided. According to one aspect, a remote intelligent communication device includes communication circuitry configured to at least one of receive communication signals and generate communication signals; and an antenna coupled with the communication circuitry and substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies, the antenna being configured to communicate wireless signals corresponding to the communication signals including at least one of receiving wireless signals and outputting wireless signals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for metering vehicular traffic. Specifically, the system uses a computer to prevent delays as vehicles transition from a greater number of toll lanes to a lesser number of travel lanes. Toll collection devices are used to send a ready signal to a computer to indicate a vehicle is ready to leave a start point. The computer receives ready signals from the toll collection devices and uses a pre-programmed departure schedule to queue the vehicles. After the vehicles are queued, the computer uses time delay variables to ensure efficient traffic flow between the toll lanes of the plaza and the travel lanes of the bridge or tunnel. An indicator signal responsive to a departure signal sent by the computer is employed to direct vehicles from a start point towards a travel lane.

Abstract: Systems, and methods for reimbursing prescription fulfillment that includes identifying a drug associated with a claim submitted by a pharmacy for reimbursement by a payer (e.g., insurance carrier) and identifying a change in a manufacturer set price associated with the drug. The invention includes monitoring reimbursed claims received from at least one payer, where one of the reimbursed claims received from the payer is associated with the drug and determining if the payer has updated its internal pricing value associated with the drug. The invention further includes generating a report that includes the payer's updated internal pricing value associated with the drug, and/or creating and submitting a reversal transaction to the at least one payer followed by a resubmission of the original claim, where the resubmitted claim value is based on the payer's updated internal pricing value associated with the drug.

Abstract: The invention provides a tag identification system, a tag reading apparatus, and a method for determining sequence of tags. According to an aspect of the invention, a tag identification system comprises a tag reading apparatus and a plurality of tags, wherein: the tag reading apparatus has at least two antennas, wherein the apparatus transmits an interrogation signal within the coverage of each of the antennas; the plurality of tags sequentially pass by the coverage of each of the at least two antennas, each of the plurality of tags returning a reply to the at least two antennas in response to a received interrogation signal; and the tag reading apparatus includes a sequence determination unit which determines the sequence in which the plurality of tags pass by based on replies returned from the plurality of tags and received by the at least two antennas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, for example, childcare benefits include: issuing a benefit card to a childcare customer; receiving a start time for childcare service at a childcare provider, the start time recorded by using the benefit card at a terminal located at the childcare provider at the start of childcare service; receiving an end time for childcare service at the childcare provider, the end time recorded by using the benefit card at a terminal located at the childcare provider at the end of childcare service; computing the childcare benefit eligibility based on the start time, the end time and benefits available for the childcare customer; and paying the childcare provider a payment based on the computed benefit eligibility.

Abstract: A method of generating a model for performing account-level fraud detection is disclosed, and includes obtaining a plurality of candidate rules for referrals of financial transactions, calculating a savings density for each of the plurality of rules, selecting a rule from the plurality of rules having the maximum savings density, iteratively rebalancing savings densities for the remaining rules of the plurality of rules and selecting a next rule until a volume constraint is satisfied, and applying the selected rules to one or more financial transactions.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing malfunctions of apparatus delivering goods or services against payment of an automatic terminal type, is provided. The method includes calculating the value of at least one data item representative of the operation of the apparatus, comparing the calculated value to a predetermined reference value and deducing the occurrence of a malfunction in the event of a predetermined difference between the values.

Abstract: A price associated with a menu item is determined automatically based at least in part on revenue management information. A menu display is updated on an electronic display device such as a digital menu board to include the automatically-determined price.

Abstract: A system for accounting an item sold by weight according to the present invention detects the weight of the item sold by weight taken in a package, calculates the sales price for the item sold by weight taken in the package based on the detected weight, and writes information on the detected weight and information on the calculated sales price in a recording unit provided on a tray for holding the package and from which data can be read and in which data can be written. Then, the system checks whether an unjust purchase is done for the item sold by weight before the system makes accounts square for the item sold by weight or before the system starts selling the item sold by weight by measuring the weight of the tray and checking whether the weight of the tray identified by the recorded information of the recording unit and the measured weight match or not.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for establishing online a shared key that is required to perform a security communication between an automatic teller machine (ATM) and a host. Through this, it is possible to reduce costs and procedures that may be required to use or operate a certificate authority. Also, it is possible to reduce overheads that may occur in generating and verifying a certificate. Accordingly, it is possible to more securely prevent a leakage of the shared key.

Abstract: A point of sale advertising device that includes a display mechanism with a first screen and a second screen and the screens are facing in substantially different directions. The device also includes a display controller in communication with the screens, the display controller adapted to receive a price message and a timing instruction, to store the price message and timing instruction, and to transfer the price message to the first screen and second screen for display on the first screen and the second screen for a time period indicated by the stored timing instruction. The device also includes a price control switch in communication with the display controller, the price control switch being adapted to be actuated manually, and when actuated, prevents the price message from being displayed on the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: A system supporting commercial transactions synchronizes e-Catalog data from any e-catalog into a users ERP system. A system for processing product information for supporting commercial transactions involves a first database for maintaining product information including product description, product vendor and associated product pricing information. A data processor in the system receives product information and updates the first database information to incorporate received product information in response to detection of matching records between the received product information and the first database information. A display processor initiates display of updated product information in response to user command. Further, a catalog system maintains and processes a catalog of product information supporting commercial transactions and includes a bidirectional communication processor supporting communication with a remote application.

Abstract: A reward system and method for cash replacement cards wherein a card is issue by a bank or other financial institution to a cardholder. Such a card may be a credit or debit card and provides for a reward, not available to the general public, to the cardholder, based on his or her usage, in the form of a commodity that has a known history of increasing in value over time, such as diamonds.

Abstract: A method (300) and system for pre-loading preferred access contact information can include a transceiver (28), memory (24) for pre-storing preferred access contact information for a predetermined merchant in an electronic phonebook or a speed dial number slot, a presentation device (26) and a processor (22) coupled to the transceiver and memory of a portable communication device (20). The processor can be programmed to track accesses to the preferred access contact information from the memory and report the number of accesses to a server accessible by the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to automatically present an advertisement stored in memory to a user when the user accesses the preferred access contact information. Note, the manufacturer of the portable communication device 20 can charge a fee to the predetermined merchant for pre-storing the preferred access contact information in the electronic address book or in a speed dial storage slot.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is provided for establishing wireless communication between a wireless communication apparatus and a battery-driven communication terminal apparatus in which system the power consumption rate of the communication terminal apparatus can be reduced. The wireless communication system includes a trigger signal transmission line for transmitting a trigger signal from the wireless communication apparatus to the communication terminal apparatus, and a data communication line for establishing data communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the communication terminal apparatus. The data communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the communication terminal apparatus is established in response to the trigger signal that is transmitted by the trigger signal transmission line.

Abstract: A fingerprint detecting portion which detects a fingerprint, which is a physical characteristic inherent to an individual, is provided on an electronic shelf label. A display control device has a customer database in which fingerprint data items of respective customers are formed in a database form. A customer is specified by referring to the customer database by use of fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint detecting portion of the electronic shelf label. Then, the electronic shelf label which has detected the fingerprint data acquires a user price of the customer for a corresponding article. The user price is displayed on a selling price display portion of the electronic shelf label.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing discreet messaging are provided. Based on an identification of a customer and/or a product to be purchased, a message is selectively produced and provided in a discreet manner to the customer. The message can be visible and/or audible. The customer can be identified using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. The product to be purchased can be identified using scanned bar code information and/or RFID tags.

Abstract: To provide a billing system capable of simplifying user's operation and quickly performing a billing process even in the case where there exist a plurality of terminals for billing. A billing system 1 according to the present invention is a billing system for implementing billing by transmitting billing information transmitted from a billing information transmitting terminal 30 to a cellular phone 10, to a billing server 60 on a mobile communication network, in which a service code of a service for which a billing process is allowed is preliminarily stored in the cellular phone 10 and in which, when the billing information is transmitted from the billing information transmitting terminal 30, whether a service code included in the billing information is a service code for which the cellular phone 10 is allowed to perform the process is determined on the basis of whether it agrees with any service code preliminarily stored.

Abstract: An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.