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: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates receiving data from at least one device. A radio frequency identification (RFID) network can include at least one device that receives data from a tag. A batcher component can collect the data based on a start boundary and an end boundary and communicate the batched data to an RFID process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to identify devices including a first set of commands to identify devices in a first state and a second set of commands to identify devices in a second state, wherein devices identified in the first state are placed in the second state and devices identified in the second state are placed in the first state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for implementing an RFID network, comprising the following steps: each read-write station transmits at least one test signal; each read-write station (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) receives the (receivable) test signals of neighboring read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17), said signals comprising a station address, a frequency channel number and a measured signal intensity of each receivable neighboring read-write station (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17); a network structure (110) comprising structure data and a co-ordination plan comprising co-ordination data are calculated using a number of time slots (21, 31, 41) and a number of frequency channels (20, 30, 40), a service frequency channel (reader service channel, RSK) and/or a service time slot (reader service time, RST) being defined and used by the read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) for service purposes; and at least corresponding structure data and co-ordination data for an organized, synchronous network operation is transmitted

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: The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master RFID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. Finally, the method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.

Abstract: A method of providing security and maintenance of a group of devices using a group of tags. Each of the tags is attached to a device and includes a radio frequency transceiver for intercommunicating using ultra-wide band signals. Using the intercommunication, distance between two of the tags is determined and an alarm is triggered when the distance is greater than a previously defined threshold distance. The distance is preferably determined by measuring a round trip delay time between the transmission of a transmitted signal to the other tag and reception of a response signal in response to the transmitted signal from the other tag. The distance is preferably determined by measuring a time delay between transmitting a unicast ultra-wide band message and receiving a unicast response message. The intercommunication preferably uses ultra-wide band signals which relay information regarding completeness of the group between the tags of the group.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining when a set of RFID tags on a set of stacked objects belongs to a same defined subset of stacked objects (“set identification”).

Abstract: Methods and systems of receiving data payload of RFID tags. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising selecting (by each of a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags) a time window within which to transmit (the selecting to create respective time windows), sending a start signal from a RFID reader to the plurality of RFID tags (the start signal indicative of the start of a first time window), and transmitting a signal by each of the plurality of RFID tags in the respective time windows.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) tag is provided with an antenna coil adapted and configured to wirelessly exchange data with a read/write terminal, a RF transmitting/receiving unit adapted and configured to modulate and demodulate data exchanged via the antenna coil, a protocol change field programmable gate array (FPGA) unit adapted and configured to selectably process data modulated or demodulated by the RF transmitting/receiving unit, and a memory unit adapted and configured to store data processed by the protocol change FPGA unit. Preferably, the protocol FPGA unit includes a plurality of differently programmed RF transport protocol circuits selected based on code data stored in the memory unit.

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: Provided are a tag estimation method and a tag identification method using the same in a RFID system. In the tag estimating method, a reader divides tags in an identifiable area into a predetermined number of groups. Tags are identified by applying a pilot frame Lp to a first group among the divided groups. The reader calculates a collision probability Pcoll of tags after the pilot frame ends. Then, unidentified tags of the first group, which are not identified for the pilot frame, are identified by allocating an additional pilot slot Ladd at an end of the pilot frame or generating a new frame L1 according to the collision probability Pcoll.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a plurality of moving tags by using a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers. The technology of the present invention efficiently identifies multiple moving tags to thereby improve the identification rate and reading speed of an RFID system and increase the throughput of the RFID system. The method for identifying a plurality of moving tags by using a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes the steps of: a) grouping the multiple tags into a predetermined number of tag groups; b) allocating the tag groups to the RFID readers respectively; and c) identifying tags of each allocated tag group in each RFID reader.

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 method and system for controlling distant equipment. A passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag within a Programmable Secure Remote Controller (PSRC) receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a transmitter integrated in the distant equipment. The distant equipment is external to and remote from the PSRC. The PRSC does not include an internal source of energy and requires energy from an external source to operate. The PSRC is configured to distribute sufficient energy from the RF signal to components of the PSRC to enable the components to operate. The RFID tag is activated to generate information and the information is decoded to identify the distant equipment. A request to perform an operation that controls the distant equipment is received. After the request is received, a first predefined scenario is activated for performing the operation that controls the distant equipment.

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: There is disclosed a test head device for testing the functionality of a large number of RFID chips arranged in smart labels (17) within a smart label production apparatus by means of a data reading and/or data writing process, wherein the smart labels (17), each comprising a first antenna (10a-10e), are placed next to and behind one another on a common continuously moving strip, wherein the test head device comprises a plurality of test systems which function independently of one another, each of said test systems consisting of a write and/or read unit (12a-e), a second antenna (3, 11a-e; 18) connected thereto which is in each case assigned to one of the first antennas (10a-10e) for simultaneously transmitting read and/or write data between the first and second antennas (10a-10e; 3; 11a-e; 18) by means of ultrahigh frequency waves, and a common table unit which can be displaced at least in the height direction, wherein the second antennas (3; 11a-e; 18) are arranged on a common antenna carrier plate (2) orie

Abstract: Obscured radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are indirectly read by an RFID reader. Other tags operate to relay the information associated with the obscured tags from one tag to another, until the associated information is ultimately received by the RFID reader from a tag in direct communication with the RFID reader. The tags may be adapted to store the received information associated with the obscured tags and then to encode this associated information and resident information in return signal(s) transmitted to the RFID reader and/or to other tag(s). The RFID reader is adapted to decode the received return signals to obtain the information encoded therein, and to process the decoded information to identify irrelevant tags and obscured tags.

Abstract: A system for remotely reading embedded RFID tags may generally facilitate the retail facility planogram auditing process. A set of RFID tags embedded with products displayed for sale at a retail facility may be provided and configured to store associated product information. An array configured to read the stored associated product data and triangulate the positions of the embedded tags may be located within range of the retail facility. The collected product data and triangulated positions may then be used by the system to audit the retail facility's compliance with a predetermined planogram. The audit results may be thereafter stored in a computer medium, aggregated in accordance with a predetermined format, communicated to personnel, and provided in a reviewable format via a user interface.

Abstract: In a radio frequency identification (RFID) system that requires an RFID reader to receive a response from an RFID tag and then transmit a command to the RFID tag within a certain time period, the RFID reader may place an initial part of the command transmission in the RFID reader's transmit chain before receiving the entire response from the RFID tag, and complete the command transmission after receiving the entire response.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining when a set of RFID tags on a set of stacked objects belongs to a same defined subset of stacked objects (“set identification”).

Abstract: The RFID reader of an RFID system includes a processor for processing a command for the RFID tag and a response from the RFID tag, a modem for modulating the command from the processor or demodulating the response from the RFID, and an RF unit for transmitting the modulated command transferred from the modem to the RFID tag or receiving the response from the RFID tag and transferring the response to the modem. The RFID tag of the RFID system includes a power supply unit for generating energy using a radio wave received from the RFID reader, a receiver for demodulating a signal received from the RFID reader, a data processor for performing operation according to the signal demodulated by the receiver, and a transmitter for backscattering a signal from the data processor.

Abstract: A wireless tag reader/writer apparatus includes a receiving/transmitting antenna configured to transmit an interrogation signal to wireless tags, each having a storage unit with at least a reserved area and an EPC area for storing a group ID unique to the wireless tag, and configured to receive response signals from the wireless tags; a tag-data storing unit configured to store interrogation data and response data, the interrogation data being contained in the interrogation signal to be transmitted to the wireless tags, and the response data being contained in the response signals transmitted from the wireless tags; and a main control unit configured to detect the group ID stored in the reserve area of each wireless tag, from the response data stored in the tag-data storing unit, and configured to determine that at least one of the wireless tags has dropped out, from the number of group IDs stored in the reserved area of each wireless tag.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for interrogating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag population are described. Tags are interrogated by a reader. The reader and tags engage in communication according to communications algorithms, where data symbols are exchanged between the reader and tags. Furthermore, a reader implicitly controls the operating state of every tag in the tag population by transmitting a single data symbol. Bit patterns may be collected from the tags by the reader, using a variety of interrogation techniques. In a general interrogation, the reader exchanges symbols with the tag population to interrogate the entire tag population. In a specific interrogation, a reader exchanges symbols with the tag population to target a particular tag identification number. Tags may also be placed in a superposition state by the reader, where they respond whenever a received data symbol matches the next bit of their identification number.

Abstract: An RFID security tag which changes its reflectivity after receiving an interrogation signal is provided. The RFID security tag changes its reflectivity so that it becomes transparent to RF power of the RFID reader interrogation signal once the RFID security tag responds, thereby permitting surrounding RFID security tags to absorb the interrogation signal and to respond thereto. These surrounding RFID security tags then, in turn, change their reflectivity so that RFID security tags surrounding that second set of RFID security tags can absorb the interrogation signal and can also respond thereto. In this manner, a large plurality of RFID security tags, such as those associated with merchandise loaded on a palette, can be interrogated accurately.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining when a set of RFID tags on a set of objects belongs to a same defined subset of objects (“set identification”).

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The inventions preferably uses radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: Communications device identification methods, communications methods, wireless communications readers, wireless communications systems, and articles of manufacture are described. In one aspect, a communications device identification method includes providing identification information regarding a group of wireless identification devices within a wireless communications range of a reader, using the provided identification information, selecting one of a plurality of different search procedures for identifying unidentified ones of the wireless identification devices within the wireless communications range, and identifying at least some of the unidentified ones of the wireless identification devices using the selected one of the search procedures.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates simulating one or more devices respective to disparate vendors, wherein the devices can be associated with an RFID infrastructure. A physical device can wirelessly receive data from a tag. A device simulator can employ a virtual replication of the physical device to simulate the physical device within an RFID network allowing the device to be virtually represented as if physically within the RFID network.

Abstract: A disclosed system includes electronic tags and a communication apparatus that communicates with the electronic tags and includes management information to manage the electronic tags. In the disclosed system, each of the electronic tags contains an ID a part of which represents one of group IDs identifying groups among the electronic tags and is configured to send a response when a request sent from the communication apparatus contains a corresponding one of the group IDs; and the communication apparatus is configured to send requests one by one each of which requests contains one of the group IDs, thereby to request the electronic tags group by group to send responses to the communication apparatus, and to recreate the management information based on the responses.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes one or more master devices that are adapted to control the operation of one of more slave devices. The master and the slave devices are operably coupled by at least one radio frequency communication interface. The master devices are adapted to assign the slave devices to a delayed off mode of operation, define a time delay associated with each slave device, and activate the delayed off mode of operation. The slave devices include manually operated switches and are operably coupled to corresponding loads. During the delayed mode of operation, each slave device is adapted to delay a transition for the corresponding load from on to off by the time delay associated with the particular slave device.

Abstract: RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods are provided for inventorying RFID tags. In some embodiments, a population of RFID tags begins being inventoried using a first set of communication parameters, and then continues using a second set of communication parameters. This way, some RFID tags can be inventoried faster, without missing tags that require a longer time to read.

Abstract: An identification system which may be employed in a transport or monitoring system has at least one stationary and at least one mobile transmission unit which are each provided with an antenna, which antennas in turn are coupled inductively or capacitively to each other during the transmission of data. At least one of the antennas is designed such that in response to a mutual displacement of the coupled antennas a direction-dependent modulation of the transmitted signals occurs which is demodulated and evaluated in at least one of the transmission units, for example, by a demodulation unit and a processor, optionally a signal processor, in order to obtain information relating to the relative motion of the two transmission units. In addition to known identification functions, the identification system may perform additional important functions without requiring any significant additional expense.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes one or more master nodes that are adapted to control and monitor the operation of one or more slave nodes. The master nodes and the slave nodes are operably coupled by one or more communication interfaces, such as radio frequency, Internet Protocol, power line, or other conventional communication interfaces. A hand-held radio frequency controller includes a controller that is operably coupled to an radio frequency transceiver. The controller includes an operating system and application programs, including a device engine, a scenes engine, an events engine, a system engine, and an away engine. The device engine, scenes engine, events engine, system engine and away engine permit a user of the hand-held radio frequency controller to customize the operation of at least some of the aspects of the master and slave nodes.

Abstract: Identification information is wirelessly communicated between radio frequency devices. In one embodiment, a first wireless device transmits a signal to request identification information. Other wireless devices are each affixed a respective item, and each of the other wireless devices determines if a reply signal is to be transmitted, and if so, communicates the reply signal to the first wireless device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a signal from a wireless transmitter to a radio frequency (RF) device of a plurality of RF devices within a communication range of the transmitter. The signal is to select a group of the RF devices. A reply signal is received from each RF device if the respective RF device determines that it is a member of the group.

Abstract: A system has a read command signal that includes an Address field, Byte Data field, and Starting Address field. If the tag data read from the memory address identified by the Address field is the same as the Byte Data, the tag sends a response signal with Page Data read from the memory location identified by the Starting Address field and the tag ID. A write command signal includes an Address field, Byte Data field, Starting Address field, and Page Data field. If the tag data is the same as the Byte Data, the tag writes the data from the Page Data field to the memory location identified by the Starting Address field. Accordingly, data is read from and written to the tags in a single step, and the reader need not wait for the tag to respond with a tag ID before requesting that data be read from or written to that tag.

Abstract: A system generally for personalizing and synchronizing fob data in the context of a distributed transaction system is disclosed. A dynamic fob synchronization system may comprise point of service (POS) devices configured with transponder-readers to initiate a transaction in conjunction with a fob, an enterprise data collection unit, and a fob object database update system. An exemplary dynamic synchronization system (DSS) may comprise various fob POS devices, a secure support client server, a fob object database update system (FODUS), one or more enterprise data synchronization interfaces (EDSI), an update logic system, one or more enterprise data collection units (EDCUs), and one or more fob POS devices configured to interoperably accept and interface with fobs. In an exemplary embodiment, DSS may comprise a personalization system and an account maintenance system configured to communicate with FODUS.

Abstract: Disclosed methods, systems, and apparatuses remotely monitor a plurality of field assets. Device discovery is conducted to find a communication path through a master controller to an operations center. A plurality of states are monitored for individual field assets of the plurality of field assets. In response to trigger events, monitored states are selectively included in data sets that may be parsed, compressed, encrypted, and forwarded through a mesh network to an operations center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The inventions preferably uses radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: A method recognizes whether a transponder designed for communicating with a communication station belongs to one of at least two groups of transponders. First, for each group of transponders, a check data block that is significant for the group of transponders is generated. Then, the data from the check data block that is significant for the group of transponders is evaluated for the recognition of whether the transponder belongs to the group of transponders.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking each item in a cluster of items. Each item has an associated item ID. The method and system involve the following steps. Storing a plurality of item records. The plurality of item records includes, for each item in the cluster of items, an associated item record for storing the associated item ID for the item. Each item record in the plurality of records is then linked to the other item records in the plurality of item records. Using the associated item record for each item in the threshold number of items, and the link between each item record and the other item records, the item records for the associated item ID of each item in the cluster that are not in the threshold number of items are determined.

Abstract: A controller for a device transmitting commands across one or more communication channels. Each such channel may employ a separate medium, such as radio waves and infrared light. The controller may transmit two separate signals to a device, where one signal is sent via radio waves and the other by infrared light. One signal may correspond to a group identifier and the other to an operating command to be carried out by the device. The device may receive both signals and, if the device belongs to a group corresponding to the group identifier, it may execute the operating command. Alternatively, the group identifier may be replaced by a wake command and the device may execute the operating command only if the wake command is received.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes one or more master nodes that are adapted to control and monitor the operation of one or more slave nodes. The master nodes and the slave nodes are operably coupled by one or more communication interfaces, such as radio frequency, Internet Protocol, power line, or other conventional communication interfaces. A hand-held radio frequency controller includes a controller that is operably coupled to an radio frequency transceiver. The controller includes an operating system and application programs, including a device engine, a scenes engine, an events engine, a system engine, and an away engines. The device engine, scenes engine, events engine, system engine and away engine permit a user of the hand-held radio frequency controller to customize the operation of at least some of the aspects of the master and slave nodes.

Abstract: A transmitter is adapted to transmit a command, toward one or more receivers. Each receiver is adapted to receive said command and identify said transmitter, which as transmitted it. Furthermore, each receiver is adapted to supply a signal addressed to an installer, for example, a visual signal, by actuating an operator connected to the receiver. The method for matching a transmitter and a receiver includes assigning a subset or a rank to each receiver; then the receivers supply a signal, depending on their subset or their rank, for example, in response to a rank modifying command. When only the receiver to be matched supplies a signal, the installer emits a command from the transmitter. The receiver, which has just supplied the signal, receives the command and is matched to the transmitter, which has transmitted it. the matching is carried out without any action on the receivers, simply by means of commands transmitted from the transmitter.

Abstract: A radio frequency tag for a radio frequency identification system is provided that includes an antenna and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The receiver receives and demodulates a message received on at least one frequency. A retransmit controller receives the message, determines a retransmit status for the message, and if the retransmit status is positive, initiates retransmission of the message for reception by another radio tag.

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: A directional warning system and a method of warning of friendly forces. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which the directional warning system may be associated.

Abstract: A method and system for dividing a set of tagged items into subsets. Each tagged item is tagged with a passive RFID tag. A RFID reader is instructed to poll the RFID tags of all tagged items in a specified region having fixed boundaries to generate information including, for each tagged item, a spatial location of each tagged item and a list of all other tagged items in the region which are adjacent to each tagged item. The region is split into a plurality of subregions. For each subregion, a central tagged item having more adjacent tagged items in each subregion than any other tagged item in each subregion is determined, utilizing the generated information. A virtual boundary is outlined around the central tagged item to enclose the central tagged item and a portion of the tagged items in each subregion which are adjacent to the central tagged item.

Abstract: A new and improved method for supervising and monitoring people from a remote location comprising the use of a communication system that builds upon telecommunications connections, computer interfaces, and information management via the internet. Strategically placed web cams, microphones, speakers, and display monitors are operatively linked to computers and information management means, and are used to permit a person in a remote location to view and listen to people in a plurality of active locations to verbally or visually prompt responses to inquiries or directives. The people in the active locations may also interact via these same interconnections to the person at the remote location. Touch screen technology may be included for purposes of automated supervision of tasks performed to accomplish a particular routine by the people in the active locations.