Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) reader is disclosed. The NFC reader includes an antenna front-end that includes a low pass filter, a matching circuit and an antenna coil. The NFC reader also includes a NFC controller. The NFC controller includes an oscillator coupled to the antenna front-end and the NFC controller is configured to detect a presence of an object in proximity of the antenna front-end using one or more changes in an output of the oscillator. The antenna front-end creates a tank circuit for the oscillator.

Abstract: A touch screen includes a touch panel and an ultrasonic probe. A touch panel includes a cover plate, a first sensing structure including a plurality of receiving electrode lines, a glass sheet, and a second sensing structure including a plurality of transmitting electrode lines. The ultrasonic probe includes a first piezoelectric film and a second piezoelectric film. The first piezoelectric film is attached to the touch panel and electrically coupled to the receiving electrode line, and the second piezoelectric film is attached to the touch panel and electrically coupled to the transmitting electrode line. An electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: The child car seat safety system comprises a master system, a pressure sensor, and a cable. The cable electrically connects the pressure sensor to the master system. The pressure sensor is monitored by the master system. The pressure sensor detects when a passenger is in the child safety seat. The master system communicates with the personal data device. If the master system determines that the span of the distance between the master system and the personal data device is too greater the master system sends a first message to the personal data device. The master system further monitors the temperature in the air around the child safety seat. If the measured temperature exceeds a previously determined maximum temperature, the master system sends a second message to an appropriate authority.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for registration of destination identifiers to be used in lieu of geographic addresses. In one embodiment, a user specification of a destination identifier is received. It is determined that the destination identifier is available for registration. A user request is received to register the destination identifier as associated with a geographic address. The destination identifier is registered in response to the user request by creating a stored mapping between the destination identifier and the geographic address.

Abstract: A semiconductor packaging structure includes a chip, a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin. The chip includes a first surface, a second surface, a first power switch, and a second switch, and both the first power switch and the second switch include a first terminal and a second terminal. The second surface of the chip is opposite to the first surface of the chip. The first pin does not contact to the second pin. The first terminal of the first power switch of the chip is coupled to the first pin, and the second terminal of the first power switch of the chip is coupled to the third pin. The first terminal of the second power switch of the chip is coupled to the third pin, and the second terminal of the second power switch of the chip is coupled to the second pin.

Abstract: A portable dual-interface data carrier contains a metal sheet which can be provided with low technical effort and especially no ferrite material is required. The resulting portable dual-interface data carrier is more heavy than a state of the art PVC smart card and provides contact based interface on one side, whereas contactless interfaces is working from both sides of the card. One application domain of the data carrier is to provide a so-called smartcard. The present invention is furthermore directed towards a dual-interface module as well as towards a method for providing a portable dual-interface data carrier. Moreover, a data carrier is suggested comprising instructions for performing the suggested method and for manufacturing the portable dual-interface data carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a smart wallet and a mobile device. The smart wallet includes a first body defining an enclosure, a first biometric sensor, and a first processor to unlock a portion of the first body to allow access to the enclosure responsive to validating a biometric input from the first biometric sensor. The mobile device includes a second body having an attachment interface for removably coupling to the first body and a second processor. The second processor is to send a signal to unlock the portion of the first body based on a user input on the mobile device.

Abstract: A wireless scanner is described that performs a pairing operation with a wireless scanner base before commencing scanning operations in a wireless scanner network. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is used to achieve the pairing operation of the wireless scanner with the wireless scanner base by using an RFID tag associated with the wireless scanner base. The RFID tag in the wireless scanner base may contain pairing information such as a network address of the wireless scanner base for use in automatically establishing a wireless communication session with the wireless scanner base in accordance with another wireless protocol.

Abstract: In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

Abstract: A device can be configured to provide isolation between conductive circuit paths and to selectively connect one of the conductive circuit paths to a shared interface. Each conductive circuit path can include driver circuitry designed to transmit signals according to a particular protocol and a corresponding signal speed. The shared interface can be, in one instance, a connector designed for connection to other devices. The other devices can be configured to communicate over the shared interface using one or more of the particular protocols provided using the different circuit paths.

Abstract: A sensor circuit includes a plurality of half-bridge sensor circuits. The sensor circuit includes a sensor output value determination circuit configured to determine a sensor output value. The sensor circuit further includes an error determination circuit configured to generate an error signal based on a first half-bridge sensor signal and a second half-bridge sensor signal. The sensor circuit further includes a control circuit configured to control a selection of one of the first half-bridge sensor circuit and the second half-bridge sensor circuit for providing one of the first half-bridge sensor signal and the second half-bridge sensor signal to the sensor output value determination circuit to determine the sensor output value.

Abstract: A system and method is described for rapid charging and power management of a battery for a meter. A charger component is operably associated with the meter and is capable of executing a rapid charge algorithm for a rechargeable battery. The algorithm includes monitoring for a connection to an external power source and implementing a charging routine of a battery at a first charge rate and then at a second charge rate. The second charge rate is lower than the first charge rate. A temperature rise in the rechargeable battery due to the first charge rate has a negligible heat transfer effect on the fluid sample. The meter can also include a power switch for controlling current flow to a battery fuel gauge. The power switch is open when the meter enters into a sleep mode. The state of battery charge is determined after the meter exits the sleep mode.

Abstract: A payment terminal can have a near field communication (NFC) circuit to permit the payment terminal to accept an NFC payment transaction from a payment device of a customer. The NFC circuit can have a first set of components that are located on a printed circuit board in the base of the payment terminal and a second set of components that are mounted on a flex circuit in another region of the payment terminal. The flex circuit can be coupled to the printed circuit board and have an extended portion with a plurality of traces to communicate transmit and receive data between the first set of components and the second set of components. The plurality of traces on the extended portion can have a predetermined length that is greater than or equal to 2.5% of the propagation-medium-specific wavelength of the carrier signal communicated over the traces.

Abstract: A data communication system applied in an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus includes a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and a communication device. The CPLD includes a signal obtaining unit, a counting unit, and a comparing unit. The signal obtaining unit obtains SDA and SCL signals of the I2C bus of the communication device, and transmits same to the counting unit. The counting unit counts the valid data of the SDA within one clock cycle of the SCL signal to get a count value, and transmits the count value to the comparing unit. The comparing unit compares the count value with a second preset value, and outputs the corresponding data in decoded form according to the result of comparison.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first coil section that receives a first clock signal from a reader, a power generator that is electrically connected to the first coil section in accordance with a switching operation of a switch, a first near-field communication (NFC) chip that is electrically connected to the power generator and receives electric power in accordance with the first clock signal, a second NFC chip that generates a switching operation control signal for controlling the switching operation of the switch, and a second coil section that is electrically connected to the second NFC chip and receives a second clock signal from the reader.

Abstract: A method for controlling unlocking includes: fingerprint data is received; a dominant frequency of a processor is increased; matching is conducted on the received fingerprint data based on the increased dominant frequency; the mobile terminal is unlocked when the received fingerprint data is matched.

Abstract: A sound reflection assembly comprises a rigid structure having a sound reflection section and a support section, a rigid part in the support section, etc. A directional sound generation module is placed on the rigid part. The directional sound generation module is spatially oriented to direct sound waves generated by one or more speaker elements in the directional sound generation module towards the sound reflection section to be reflected by the sound reflection section towards an audience in an audience area in front of the sound reflection assembly. The directional sound generation module may be a sound bar.

Abstract: An RFID tag inspection method includes the steps of transmitting a measurement signal from a reader/writer simultaneously to a plurality of RFID tags arrayed on a collective base member and configured to process radio signals, receiving response waves from the individual RFID tags in a batch by the reader/writer, and determining, based on strengths and a number of received signals read by the reader/writer, whether or not the individual RFID tags are acceptable. Thus, acceptance/rejection inspection can be performed on the plural RFID tags, which are arrayed on the collective base member, in a batch.

Abstract: A system and method configured for conducting a transaction between two parties using a mobile device, or a plurality of mobile devices. In various embodiments, a system for conducting a transaction can comprise an accessory device having an accessory device module and a hardware component, where the accessory device can have various accessory device capabilities. The system can further comprise a mobile device SDK incorporated into the client application and in communication with the accessory device, where the mobile device SDK includes an accessory conversion module in communication with the accessory device module and where the mobile device SDK provides data to the client application. The client application can request accessory device information and receive accessory device capabilities, and the transaction data for the transaction can be provided in a defined structure between the accessory device and the client application via the mobile device SDK.

Abstract: The optical device includes a light sensor positioned on a base. The light sensor is configured to receive an input light signal and outputs a passed light signal that includes light from the input light signal. The optical device also includes a return system located on the base. The return system is configured to receive the passed light signal from the light sensor and to return at least a portion of the light from the passed light signal back to the light sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, mobile computing devices and computer-readable media are described herein relating to light-based positioning. In various embodiments, light sources (106) may be commissioned to selectively energize one or more LEDs to emit light carrying a coded light signal. The coded light signal may convey information about a location of a lighting effect (102) projected by the one or more LEDs onto a surface (104). In various embodiments, mobile computing devices (100) such as smart phones or tablets may detect these coded light signals from the lighting effects and/or from the light sources, extract the location information, and utilize it to determine their locations within an environment.

Abstract: A contact type card reader may include a card conveying passage, a card conveying mechanism, a contact block having a contact spring structured to contact the external connection terminal of the card; a guide mechanism; a block urging member; a first stopper; and a second stopper. The guide mechanism may guide the contact block to a standby position, a communication position, and a card eject position. At the standby position and the card eject position, the contact block may be disposed on a first direction side relative to where the contact block is disposed at the communication position. The contact block may include a block-shaped spring holder; a turning; and a stopper urging member.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a card reader with a read head positioned in a housing. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device and has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a raw magnetic signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. A power supply is coupled to wake-up electronics and a microcontroller. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device.

Abstract: A modular food holding bin has multiple food holding units or bins, which can be connected and disconnected from each other in multiple different configurations. Each bin can be set to its own temperature, independently of the others.

Abstract: A magnetic field focusing assembly includes a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field, and a split ring resonator assembly configured to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating device and configured to focus the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field generating device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes identifying a special character in a message generated by a sender. A money transfer prompt is supplied to the sender in response to the special character. A transfer amount is validated. An account transfer for the transfer amount is initiated. The message is sent to a recipient with indicia of the account transfer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a coil, a chip with a contact-less function, a rectifier and a switcher. The switcher is connected between the coil and the chip. A first output terminal of the coil is connected to a first input terminal of the rectifier and a second input terminal of the chip. The coil is configured to sense a field and output an AC signal; the rectifier is used for receiving an AC signal input by the coil and outputting electric power through a second output terminal of the rectifier. The switcher is used for connecting the coil with the chip under an input operating voltage, and controlling a connection or disconnection of the coil and the chip according to a control signal when the control signal is received.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RF tag comprising a magnetic antenna for transmitting and receiving information using an electromagnetic induction method, and an IC mounted to the magnetic antenna, wherein the magnetic antenna comprises a magnetic core and a plurality of coils formed on the magnetic core; the coils each have an inductance L1 satisfying the specific relational formula, and are connected in parallel to each other in an electric circuit and disposed in series on the magnetic core; and a combined inductance L0 of the magnetic antenna satisfies the specific relational formula. The RF tag of the present invention is used as a magnetic antenna for information communication using a magnetic field component which is capable of satisfying both reduction in size and improvement in communication sensitivity.

Abstract: A folding mechanism is used to authenticate purchases when making transactions using a contactless smart card. By folding the contactless card in a precise manner, the electrical resistance of the antenna circuit of the contactless card is changed by bypassing the card's built-in resistors. A user may set a folding orientation as the “password” of the contactless card. This folding orientation determines the electrical resistance of the card necessary to authenticate a purchase.

Abstract: A metal pattern formed in the electromagnetic absorber structure is provided. By performing the laser treatment to form the active layer thereon, the metal pattern can be regionally formed on the electromagnetic absorber structure in the following electroless plating processes.

Abstract: An imager module for an optical code reader may include a camera comprising a lens system, and an actuator for moving the lens system operatively connected to the lens system for autofocus adjustment. The actuator for moving the lens system comprises a linear electric motor with a drive shaft, a position sensor device adapted to detect the position of the drive shaft within a predefined stroke length and a control device adapted to control the movement of the drive shaft. The control device and the position sensor device are integrated in a single PCB, the electric motor comprises a frame that supports the drive shaft, and the single PCB constitutes part of said frame. On optical code reader may include such an imager module.

Abstract: A security element has at least two luminescent substances, in which the security element has a first and a second luminescent substance which have a substantially identical, joint emission band. The first or the second luminescent substance, or both luminescent substances, have at least one excitation band that leads to an emission at the joint emission band only in the case of the first or the second luminescent substance.

Abstract: An IC tag issuing apparatus for writing identification data to IC tags, the IC tags arranged in multiple rows aligned as an IC tag continuous body, and issuing the result, the IC tags issuing apparatus including second antenna units arranged to face each row of the IC tags arranged in multiple rows, respectively, and functioning as a plurality of writing row antenna units for writing the identification data to the IC tags by the electromagnetic induction method and a third antenna unit arranged at a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the IC tag continuous body from the second antenna unit and functioning as an electric-wave type antenna unit for writing the identification data to the IC tags by the electric wave method and constituted to write the identification data by using the third antenna unit to the IC tag in which the identification data could not be written by using the second antenna unit.

Abstract: A reading device includes an antenna having a signal radiating surface and configured to output a linearly polarized wave from the radiating surface, a movable and rotatable stage supporting the antenna and configured to move the antenna along a first direction parallel to the radiating surface of the antenna and rotate the antenna on an axis that is normal to the radiating surface of the antenna, and a tag reader connected to the antenna and configured to supply signals to the antenna for reading information from a wireless tag and to receive signals from the antenna including information read from the wireless tag.

Abstract: Container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine are disclosed that contain beverage or foodstuff preparation material and include a code encoding preparation information. Beverage or foodstuff preparation machines and systems that can be utilized with the container are also disclosed. Methods of producing and using the containers, machines, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Communications apparatus has a short range wireless radio frequency communicator (1301a) capable of at least one of seeking to initiate short range communication by transmitting an RF signal and of responding to such initiation so that communication between two short range wireless radio frequency communicators occurs when an antenna of a short range wireless radio frequency communicator seeking to initiate communication by transmitting an RF signal is in range of or comes into range of the antenna of another short range wireless radio frequency communicator responsive to such initiation so that the magnetic field of the RF signal transmitted by the short range wireless radio frequency communicator seeking to initiate communication is inductively coupled to the antenna of the short range wireless radio frequency communicator responsive to such initiation to enable communication of at least one of power and data between the short range wireless radio frequency communicators.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a physical quantity is disclosed. The sensor system includes a first sensor path comprising a first first sensing element and a second first sensing element and a first intermediate node being provided in between the first first sensing element and the second first sensing element. The sensor also includes a second sensor path comprising a first second sensing element and a second second sensing element and a second intermediate node being provided in between the first second sensing element and the second second sensing element. A third sensor path is provided and comprises a first third sensing element and a second third sensing element and a third intermediate node being provided in between the first third sensing element and the second third sensing element. A signal processing device is also included.

Abstract: An electrical control unit which is supplied in operation with an operating voltage, has: a non-volatile memory for storing operating parameter values and/or program code of the control unit, a control device which is coupled to the memory and controls an operation of the control unit depending on the stored operating parameter values and/or the stored program code as long as the control unit is supplied with the operating voltage, and a passive radio-frequency identification transponder, which is coupled to the memory and, regardless of whether the control unit is or is not supplied with the operating voltage, is designed to store operating parameter values transferred from an RFID read/write device and/or program code transferred from the RFID read/write device in the memory and/or to transfer operating parameter values stored in the memory and/or program code stored in the memory to the RFID read/write device.

Abstract: A capacitive image sensor and a method for running the capacitive image sensor are disclosed. The capacitive image sensor includes a number of capacitive sensing elements, forming an array, each capacitive sensing element for transforming a distance between a portion of a surface of an approaching finger and a top surface thereof into an output voltage, wherein a value of the output voltage is changed by a driving signal exerted on the finger; an A/D converter, for converting the output voltage into a number and outputting the number; and a signal source, for providing the driving signal to the finger.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tag device has at least one mobile cellular telephone. The mobile cellular telephone is capable of communicating on a WiFi network, wherein the at least one tag device transmits wireless data messages in a non-associating mode.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the automated management of financial resources. Manufacturer item data is received and processed to parse a manufacturer item identifier and any associated product item identifiers, which are then added to a repository of budget category, manufacturer item, and purchase item data if they are not already present. Purchase item transaction data is received and processed to parse individual purchase item identifiers (IDs) and their associated purchase item data. The purchase item data corresponding to the purchase item identifier, which in turn corresponds to a manufacturer item identifier, is then associated with a default or user-defined budget category identifier. If a user decides to modify existing purchase item ID and budget category ID associations, then a purchase item ID association is selected, followed by the selection of a target budget category ID.

Abstract: In a method for generating a secret key, a first node which is connected via a transmission channel to a second node estimates a variability of the transmission channel with regard to at least one physical channel parameter of the transmission channel, selects a sampling rate for the channel parameter as a function of the variability, generates a bit sequence by sampling the channel parameter at the selected sampling rate, and adjusts the bit sequence with the second node.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones.

Abstract: A card processing system may include a card reader read data recorded in the card or record data to the card; and a host control section to control the card processing system. The card reader may include a card insertion part include an insertion port and a control section. The card insertion part may include a light emitting part. The control section may be connected with the host control section and be configured to perform light emission control which controls an emission color and an emitting method. The host control section may be configured to specify a host-side combination of an emission color and an emitting method and be configured to perform the light emission control. The host control section may previously set a predetermined combination of an emission color and an emitting method based on the host side combination of the emission color and the emitting method.

Abstract: It is disclosed a printer comprising a front opening through which one or more documents to be treated could be introduced therein, wherein the printer comprises a first path for transporting said one or more documents from a first position to a second position and back to the first position; wherein the printer further comprises a second path for transporting said one or more documents from said first position to an exit, wherein said second path comprises a flap for deviating said one or more documents towards said exit and a separator for directing the one or more documents to one of a first tray and a second tray.

Abstract: A fluid treatment cartridge includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a treatment media contained within the housing. The fluid treatment cartridge includes a detection member comprising at least one closed electrically conductive loop having at least two spatially separate sections. Each of the sections generates a magnetic response when at least one section is electromagnetically excited. The magnetic response of each section is predetermined by the physical shape of the section and comprises at least one of a predetermined magnetic phase response and a predetermined magnetic amplitude response. The predetermined magnetic response of at least one other section of the closed electrically conductive loop corresponds to at least a one digit code.

Abstract: A card reader to read information in an integrated circuit (IC) card includes a housing, a first antenna, a control circuit, a switch unit, and a third antenna. The first antenna is disposed inside of the housing. The control circuit is to communicate with the IC card within a communication range of the first antenna and perform at least a process that acquires data from a memory in the IC card. The switch unit is provided to the housing and includes a radio frequency (RF) tag that includes a second antenna. The third antenna is disposed inside of the housing. The switch unit functions as a switch that performs a predetermined function by causing the RF tag to communicate with the control circuit via the second antenna and the third antenna when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments comprise one or more security methods, systems or apparatus suitable to provide additional security to personal property or financial transactions. Embodiments feature a proximity security token which is physically separate from a protected device. A communications link is provided between the proximity security token and the protected device which communications link operates over a limited range. Thus, the presence and active operation of the limited range communications link between the proximity security token and protected device indicates that the protected device has not been lost and stolen. Interruption of the communications link indicates that the protected device may have been lost or stolen causing the commencement of security actions.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a barcode reader that includes a bright field illumination system, a dark field illumination system, and an additional illumination system that is better able to illuminate an area of the reader's field of view between the far zone (where bright field illumination is optimal) and the close zone (where dark field illumination is optimal). In this “center zone,” the dark field illumination may not be bright enough and the bright field illumination may not be diffuse enough for reading a barcode.