Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.

Abstract: A computing device identifies a plurality of containers that are collocated at a facility via a network. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises an electronic device integrated into the container without interfering with a content of the container, the electronic device comprising a receiver, a display and speakers. The computing device transmits messages comprising activation signals to electronic devices of the plurality of containers that are collocated at the facility. The messages cause the electronic devices of the plurality of containers to activate, display images using the display and output audio via the speakers together as a group.

Abstract: An example apparatus may include a processor and a memory device including computer program code. The memory device and the computer program code may, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive serialization codes for a first entity in a serialization flow; compare serialization codes for the first entity to serialization codes for a second entity, the second entity being either upstream or downstream of the first entity in the serialization flow; and validating the serialization codes from the first entity by determining if the serialization codes for the first entity are compatible with the serialization codes for the second entity in the serialization flow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a demodulating method for a demodulating circuit. The demodulating method comprises a step of utilizing a wave-shaping voltage step-down circuit to perform a wave-shaping process for a modulating input signal. A separate circuit of modulating input signal is filtering data zero of the modulating input signal and reserving data one of the modulating input signal. A triggering circuit of data recover is used to start the count of data span, until the data count is completed. A data recover circuit is used to recover the data.

Abstract: Before executing a job, a printer performs an estimation of a billing amount with use of a simplified billing table, and if the estimated billing amount exceeds a balance, execution of the job is cancelled, and if within the balance, the job is executed. After the job is finished, the printer judges whether the estimated billing amount is correct according to detailed job information and a detailed billing table. If an error exists, the printer corrects the error and performs the correct billing.

Abstract: An apparatus alerts on a distance between items. The apparatus includes a radio for communicating with an internet of things (IoT) tag on an item. A locator module determines a distance between two or more items, and an alertor module alerts a user to a violation of a proximity rule.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for spares management in a data center context. The described system may provide fully integrated dashboards and spares control mechanisms that visually displays the status of all spares activity including the ability to set alarms to monitor items to avoid potential supply disruptions. The system may also automatically monitor and balance the distribution of spares between multiple data centers.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags. In addition, the invention accesses and/or stores data associated with tags from or into repositories, constructs and maintains data structures from these repositories and responds to queries using the data structures.

Abstract: In a method or print job administrator to determine status of a print job, a print job is printed on a recording medium. An ID of a transport on which the recording medium is located is determined, the recording medium being printed to according to the print job. The transport has a positioner. A position of the transport is determined using the positioner, the positioner comprising an active RFID transponder arranged at the transport and supplied with power. The determining of the position of transport includes receipt of position data with regard to the position of the transport from a plurality of distributed RFID readers. The determining of the position of the transport occurs by using the position data of the plurality of distributed RFID readers.

Abstract: A method and a device for handling a closing element in a laboratory automation system are presented. The closing element is a sealing foil having at least two layers forming a first surface and an opposing second surface, respectively. The layers differ in at least one material property. The material property on at least one of the first surface and the second surface for identifying the orientation of the sealing foil is determined. A laboratory automation system for carrying out the method and/or with the device is also presented.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an industrial vehicle is provided comprising industrial vehicle hardware, a user interface, tag reader, reader module, and vehicle controller. The tag reader and the reader module cooperate to identify individual tags of a tag layout comprising a plurality of zone identification tags and a plurality of zone tags. Each zone identification tag occupies a position in the tag layout that corresponds to a unique set of zone tags. Each unique set of zone tags comprises a plurality of zone tags. The reader module discriminates between the plurality of zone identification tags and the plurality of zone tags identified in the tag layout, correlates an identified zone identification tag with a unique set of zone tags, and correlates vehicle functionality with an identified zone tag within the unique set of zone tags, tag-dependent positional data derived from the identified zone tag, or both.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to new and useful systems and methods for processing digital images of items to facilitate item transport and/or handling. In some embodiments, a method is provided for operating an image processing and item transport system having a computing system that includes a digital image processing component. In some embodiments, the method can involve the digital image processing component acquiring a digital image and processing the digital image to obtain a digital representation of an item represented in the digital image, to estimate a dimensional size and/or weight of the item represented in the digital image, and to convert the digital image to a format suitable for outputting.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking an asset in an indoor facility. The method includes receiving, from a first mobile device, an asset tracking tag collision report, the asset tracking tag collision report including a tag identifier of an asset tracking tag associated with an asset; determining a new location of the asset based on the received asset tracking tag collision report; updating an asset location database to indicate the new location of the asset; and, in response to determining the new location of the asset, transmitting an instruction message to a mobile device to cause the mobile device to direct the asset tracking tag to cease broadcasting the wireless signal. The method and system use crowd-sourcing to determine a new location of an asset that has moved in an indoor facility.

Abstract: The invention discloses a computerized method for planning and monitoring an efficient production floor. A production site is provided with communication access to a central server configured to: receive input data comprising details a planned job run of the production floor; receive status and location parameters pertaining to tagged central key assets of a production floor, from tracking readers located in the production site; compare the parameters to preconfigured rules using a context analyzing component; output decisions based on the comparison; the decisions resulting in generating alerts and/or recommendations pertaining to the parameters of the key assets, communicate the alerts, and/or recommendations, digitally to specified personnel; these alerts and/or recommendations related to flow of the production floor. A system of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device.

Abstract: A network includes a supervisory sensor in communication with a wireless network and a non-supervisory sensor in communication with the supervisory sensor, wherein the non-supervisory sensor communicates with the wireless network through the supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to receive downloads from a server communicating through the wireless network and to collect data from the non-supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to transmit the collected data to a server on the wireless network. Moreover, the non-supervisory sensor and the supervisory sensor each have an active state and an inactive state and wherein the supervisory sensor may be in the active state while the non-supervisory sensor is in the inactive state.

Abstract: Verifying a location of a tag is provided. A request for content associated with the tag is received from a client device that scanned the tag. It is determined whether location data was received from the client device. In response to determining that the location data was received from the client device, it is determined whether a current location of the tag is a predefined location for the tag based on the location data received from the client device. In responsive to determining that the current location of the tag is the predefined location for the tag based on the location data received from the client device, the content associated with the tag is sent to the client device.

Abstract: Mechanisms for generating a set of questions to evaluate a link between concept entities are provided. A hypothetical link between at least two information concept entities is generated. A set of questions corresponding to the hypothetical link is retrieved and pruned into a subset of questions based on at least one of characteristics of the hypothetical link or characteristics of the at least two information concept entities. The pruned set of questions is processed based on a corpus of evidence to generate a measure of support for or against the hypothetical link being an actual link between the at least two information concept entities. A validity indication for the hypothetical link indicating whether or not the hypothetical link is an actual link between the at least two information concept entities is output.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) security tags. The methods comprise: concurrently reading the RFID security tags and locator tags to obtain unique identifiers thereof and Received Signal Strength Indicator (“RSSI”) measurements therefore, where the RFID security tags are respectively coupled to inventory items located within a facility and the locator tags are placed at locations within the facility so as to respectively define a plurality of Zones Of Interest (“ZOIs”) in which inventory items may reside; and determining which ZOI of the plurality of ZOIs each said RFID security tag resides within based at least on the RSSI measurements, a number of times each locator tag was read, read times specifying when the locator tags were read, differences in read times for the locator tags, and known locations of the locator tags.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of reading RFID tags in an interconnection system comprising at least one port. The method comprises initiating a localized read transaction to read any RFID tag attached to a first connector and any RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into the port. The method further comprises, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a first type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the first connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the first type of RFID interrogation signal; and, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a second type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the second connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the second type of RFID interrogation signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Verifying a location of a tag is provided. A request for content associated with the tag is received from a client device that scanned the tag. It is determined whether location data was received from the client device. In response to determining that the location data was received from the client device, it is determined whether a current location of the tag is a predefined location for the tag based on the location data received from the client device. In responsive to determining that the current location of the tag is the predefined location for the tag based on the location data received from the client device, the content associated with the tag is sent to the client device.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A base station system includes a base station apparatus (1) and a wireless transmission apparatus (2). The base station apparatus (1) communicates with mobile stations. The wireless transmission apparatus (2) communicates with the base station apparatus (1) and wirelessly communicate with another apparatus in order to connect the base station apparatus (1) to a mobile backhaul network. The base station apparatus (1) includes a solar cell panel (15) for generating operating power of the base station apparatus (1), and a storage battery (14). The wireless transmission apparatus (2) includes a solar cell panel (25) for generating operating power of the wireless transmission apparatus (2), and a storage battery (24). The base station apparatus (1) and the wireless transmission apparatus (2) wirelessly communicate with each other. This can provide, for example, a base station system that can be easily installed and has high tolerance to accidental or intentional damage to cables.

Abstract: A method for selecting an image of an appliance with a suitable position or orientation of a door of the appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining a digital RGB image from a camera of the appliance and converting the digital RGB image to a device independent color space in order to generate at least one of a first chromatic primary plane image or a second chromatic primary plane image from the digital RGB image. The method also includes comparing the first or second chromatic primary plane images to a reference image.

Abstract: Inventory holders in an inventory system can be moved among differing storage positions. The moves can be performed by mobile drive units not otherwise transporting inventory holders directly to or from inventory stations. A free mobile drive unit can move an inventory holder not likely to be useful soon at any nearby station from a storage position near the station to a position farther away from the station. A mobile drive unit can move an inventory holder likely to be useful soon from a storage position farther away from one or more stations to a storage position nearby one or more stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for interrogating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an RFID module, a first assembly comprising a processor, a second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the RFID module, and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and second assembly such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first configuration and second configuration. The processor may be configured to interrogate RFID tags via the RFID module and RFID radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration, and not interrogate RFID tags when the second assembly is in the first configuration. In addition, both the first assembly and the second assembly may comprise attachment components configured to removably couple its respective assembly to one or more surfaces of an enclosure.

Abstract: A method for filtering scanned objects displayed on a reader is provided. The reader may scan one or more transponders, and obtain, from a database, an image for each scanned transponder. Each transponder may be associated with an object (e.g., an item of retail inventory). The obtained image for each object may be presented on an interface, and a selection of an object category may be received using the obtained images. A determination may be made as to which objects are associated with the selected object category. A display screen may display data associated with only the objects associated with the selected object category.

Abstract: In embodiments of RFID-based power status and battery management, a mobile device includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a memory to maintain context information associated with the mobile device. The mobile device includes a processing system to execute a power manager and to interface with the RFID tag via a communication bus. The power manager can determine a stowed context of the mobile device based on one or more sensors implemented in the mobile device, and communicate a stowed context indication of the stowed context of the mobile device to the RFID tag to be stored in the RFID tag memory. The power manager can also communicate a power-state indicator of a power on state or a power off state of the mobile device to the RFID tag to be stored in the RFID tag memory.

Abstract: A system and method provides for controlling a pneumatic carrier system based on identification information read from a carrier or a payload of the carrier. Each carrier or payload which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon information for the carrier or payload. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the identification device. Based on reading the identification device at locations within the system, the operation of the system is altered.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an industrial vehicle is provided comprising industrial vehicle hardware, tag reader, reader module, user interface, and vehicle controller. The tag reader and reader module cooperate to identify individual sequenced tags along an aisle path of a tag layout in accordance with a sequence list accessible to the reader module. The reader module compares a succession of sequenced tags with at least a portion of the accessible sequence list to determine if the succession of sequenced tags is in sequence along the aisle path in accordance with the sequence list and generates a missing tag signal for a malfunctioning sequenced tag when the comparison of the succession of sequenced tags with the sequence list indicates a sequence irregularity in the plurality of sequenced tags. The reader module then correlates vehicle functionality with the malfunctioning sequenced tag when a missing tag signal is generated.

Abstract: An indicia reader system includes: an indicia reader for reading symbol indicia and producing a symbol signal representative of the symbol indicia, the indicia reader capable of transferring and receiving data formatted in a plurality of protocols; a controller capable of transferring and receiving data formatted in a plurality of protocols; and, a translation interface for translating data from the controller which is in a first protocol to a second protocol for receipt by the indicia reader.

Abstract: A system includes a printed, writeable memory, an initiating computer, the initiating computer having a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the computer to generate an original value, and a memory interface to allow the computer to write the original value to the memory. The system also includes an object to which the printed, writeable memory is attached, the object having a characteristic usable to derive a seed, a reader device having at least one reader to read the original value from the memory, the reader device having at least one reader, the reader to retrieve the original value, and a recipient computer having a processor configured to execute code that causes the processor to generate an authentication value and compare the authentication value to the original value.

Abstract: Synthesized-beam RFID readers may be used to manage and provide information about RFID tag populations. In one embodiment, two or more synthesized-beam readers synthesize respective RF beams towards a tag location. The synthesized-beam readers may coordinate their pointing by means of a controller, a peer-to-peer network, or by using a master-slave arrangement. The synthesized-beam readers may coordinate their transmissions to increase the RF energy available to a tag at the pointing location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a point of return device can be configured to gather information related to a return request and a returning customer. Upon providing the information to an authorization server, the server can identify historical transaction data of the returning customer from data stored in a repository. Based on the historical transaction data and on the return request, the authorization server determines a return authorization decision based on an item-level return policy, another decision based on customer-specific return privileges, and optionally, another authorization decision based on registry-related return privileges. Upon processing the return request based on a selected return authorization decision, data representative of the processed return request is optionally stored in the repository to update the previously identified customer transaction data.

Abstract: An information reading system includes a passive-type IC tag that identifies a device installed on side of an environment, a tag reader that reads identification information of the passive-type IC tag, a sensor unit that detects a touch operation performed with respect to the passive-type IC tag, and a reading control unit that, when the sensor unit detects a touch operation, activates the tag reader and controls timing of reading the passive-type IC tag.

Abstract: Georeferenced transaction data is harvested (“crowd-sourced”) from client devices and sent to a network-based map service. The map service performs cluster analysis on location data points in the harvested data, resulting in one or more clusters representing local densities of transaction occurrences. Data vectors including supplemental data are obtained from one or more vendors. Location data points included in the data vectors are compared to center coordinates of the one or more clusters and the closest matching cluster/vector pair provides a mapping to POI data in a POI database. The mapped POI data is updated with the supplemental data. In some implementations, transaction timestamps in the harvested data are used to estimate the business hours of a business POI.

Abstract: A reading apparatus reading information from an RFID tag attached to a commodity configured to comprise: a casing consisting of an opening serving as an entrance and exit port of a commodity and a space for housing the commodity inside; an antenna configured to be arranged inside the space; an opening and closing lid configured to open and close the opening; an acquisition module configured to acquire an opening and closing state of the opening and closing lid; a reading module configured to execute, in a case in which the opening and closing state acquired by the acquisition module indicates a closing state of the opening and closing lid, a reading processing for reading information relating to commodities from RFID tags of each of the commodities housed in the casing through the antenna; and an output module configured to output the information read by the reading module.

Abstract: A cryptographic representation of value is adapted to goods in production and products at various stages through a supply chain as represented by their stock keeping units or SKU's that refer to a unique identifier or code for the particular stock keeping unit. Embodiments of the invention disclose the generation of a universal unique, yet deterministic, key-pair for all SKUs, shipping cartons, and items, i.e. for every single SKU, shipping carton and item on the globe.

Abstract: An automated retail system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a front and/or rear product rack, each rack having a plurality of bins, each of which has a product door, the system further including a basket moveable along an x-y plane on a rail system to selectively open a product door of a product bin to permit the product within the bin to fall into the basket, the basket movable to a product delivery position to release the product from the basket. Such a system may include sensors and/or scanners to determine contents of each bin, such that any product may be placed in any bin, and inventory of each bin or all bins may be determined at any time. The basket may be configured to move in x and y but not z directions, and may also serve as the sole actuation mechanism for opening the doors.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system configured to process location information for objects in a site comprising an imaging device configured to take a picture of an object, the picture containing a unique identifier of the object; a global positioning system (GPS) component associated with the imaging device and configured to tag the image of the object with GPS location information of the object to generate a tagged image; a communications interface configured to transmit the tagged image to a server computer remote from the imaging device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network; and a processor of the server configured to perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the picture and to create an indicator code corresponding to the identifier of the object, wherein the processor is further configured to create a processed result containing the indicator code and the location to locate the object within the site.

Abstract: Diagnosing faults in a hardware appliance. Information is read by a hand-held reader from one or more contactless tags associated with one or more components in a hardware appliance. One or more component faults and/or issues are identified based on the read information. A query is formed based on the identified one or more component faults and/or issues. A diagnostic database in the hand-held reader is queried, based on the formed query, and one or more query results are displayed in a ranked order on a display of the hand-held reader. In one aspect of the embodiments, the information read from the one or more contactless tags includes a pointer to a datastore in one of the one or more components. An ad hoc wireless network connection is established with the hardware appliance, and information in the datastore is downloaded over the connection.

Abstract: In some examples, a reader system is provided for managing inventory items in an inventory system. The reader system may be configured to read tags associated with items stowed in an inventory holder. The inventory holder may be detachably coupled to a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder to a first position near an antenna of the reader system and the tags may begin to be read. While reading or at other times in the reading process, the mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder relative to the antenna. The identified tags may be compared to a manifest list of items expected to be stowed in the inventory holder.

Abstract: An electrical connection arrangement on a vehicle comprising vehicle contact means connectable to an implement contact means associated with an implement. The vehicle and/or implement contact means is connectable to a control unit which determines wear or damage of the vehicle and/or implement contact means and the wear or damage is communicated to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the proper functionality of an elevator, in which a car (3) is movable in an elevator shaft having an elevator shaft excavation space, and a characteristic value is ascertained under predefined test conditions to determine the proper functionality of the elevator. To simplify the method, it is proposed according to the invention that a change of the distance (A) between a car lower side and a fixed measuring point in the elevator shaft excavation space be measured to ascertain the characteristic value.

Abstract: A device includes a first reader capable of reading a seed value from an object, a second reader capable of accessing and retrieving an original value from a printed memory attached to the object, a memory in which is stored at least one authentication value, and a processor to generate an authentication value from the seed value, compare the authentication value to the seed value, and determine a status of the object.

Abstract: A drawer organizer for facilitating the location of an item stored in one of several drawers in one or more drawer organizer cabinets. Each drawer has an LED and a display device mounted on a front panel, as well as a CPU and a display device driver. The CPU memory contains the address of the associated drawer and communicates with an associated controller which receives drawer address and display information from a host computer. A user specifies an item to be retrieved from one of the cabinet drawers, the host computer transmits drawer identification signals to the controller, which converts these signals to a drawer address and supplies the drawer address to all drawer CPUs in the cabinet. If the incoming address matches the address stored in CPU memory of one of the drawers, this result is conveyed via the controller to the host computer, which then sends item display information to the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards automatically identifying, configuring, monitoring, controlling, managing, and maintaining a machine, via collection computers in communication with the machine components. The components include ID Tags that store identification data, such as a component type and a unique identifier. Interrogation of the ID Tags enables the automatic identification and configuration of the machine. Data provided by the sensors, during usage of the machine, enables the remote monitoring and managing of the usage, as well as maintaining of the machine. Machine maintenance includes automatically predicting and scheduling the replacement of various components. Embodiments provide suggestions for suppliers of replacement components, as well as suggestions for alternative components that may be better optimized for the configuration and usage of the machine.

Abstract: Method for producing a label having at least one identifier and at least one authenticator printed on a printable medium. A unique identifier is generated by a centralized system or a printing device, and the unique identifier is printed on the printable medium incorporating the authenticator. The unique identifier is generated without relation to a product. The method is implemented with a system including one or more printing devices, one or more recording devices and one or more activation devices communicating with the centralized system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneous programming of data to individually addressed Tags. Tags contain a being addressed indicator that allows for processing of simultaneous programming commands. Specified Tags are individually pre-addressed to receive simultaneous programming. Tag data is programmed simultaneously for all Tags in a specified group of Tags. Data is individually verified for each specified Tag in the group of Tags and verification includes tracking a command counter for each specified Tag.