Abstract: There is described a method of determining a phase value for an NFC card emulating device that enables said NFC card emulating device to communicate in phase with an NFC reader device while utilizing active load modulation, wherein the NFC card emulating device comprises a card antenna and the NFC reader device comprises a reader antenna, the method comprising receiving a reader signal from the NFC reader device at the NFC card emulating device through coupling of the card antenna and the reader antenna, the reader signal comprising a subcarrier modulation; estimating a resonance frequency of a system corresponding to the coupled card antenna and reader antenna based on the received communication signal; and determining the phase value based on the estimated resonance frequency and a set of parameters that represents a predetermined reference system. Furthermore, an NFC card emulating device, an NFC system, and a computer program are described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes providing an interactive device having at least one of a display screen and an audio component, pairing the interactive device with a user device, transferring data to the interactive device, and displaying images via the display screen or emitting sound via the audio component based on the transferred data. The interactive device is a non-transmitting device.

Abstract: An online system receives a content item including an image from a content-providing user and/or receives an interaction with the content item from a viewing user. The online system accesses a machine-learning model that is trained based on a set of images of items associated with an entity and attributes of each image. The online system applies the model to predict a probability that the content item includes an image of an item associated with the entity based on attributes of the image included in the content item. Based on the predicted probability, the online system updates a profile of the user (i.e., the content-providing user and/or the viewing user) to include an affinity for the item. Upon determining an opportunity to present content to the user, the online system selects content for presentation to the user based on the profile and sends the content for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A multizone equipment tracking solution includes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to items of inventoried equipment; a plurality of RFID readers deployed in a plurality of different zones, including a transit zone and a storage zone, wherein an RFID reader in a transit zone comprises a mobile reader and a wireless signal strength measurement component; and a monitoring node. The RFID readers read tag codes from items that are in the different zones, and report the information to the monitoring node, permitting a real-time, end-to-end view of inventoried equipment across different zones. The RFID reader in the transit zone also measures a wireless signal strength (e.g., cellular) along a transit route and reports the measurements, thereby reducing a need for dedicated monitoring efforts by the wireless network operator. Reported data, may be advantageously mined to provide value for inventory management, while also providing cost savings for wireless network management.

Abstract: An operation method of a user device which performs near field communication (NFC) with a card reader includes downloading a service certification of a service, which the card reader provides, from a service authentication server through a network, sending status information of the user device to the card reader, receiving a service identifier (ID) which the card reader sends depending on the status information, performing an authentication process with the card reader based on a symmetric key when the service ID is present in the downloaded service certification, and sending an authentication success message to the card reader when the authentication process succeeds.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal phosphate hydrate nanoparticles wherein metal reactants are selected from metal precursors of transition metals,phosphate precursors are selected from: Trisodium phosphate Na3PO4, disodium phosphate Na2HPO4, phosphoric acid H3PO4 and hypophosphoric acid H4P2O6, wherein said method comprises the following step of a reaction medium comprising at least a metal reactant, a phosphate precursor and a solvent, is submitted to a solvothermal treatment at a pressure superior to 50 MPa, and at a temperature of from 100 to 350° C.

Abstract: A system, device, and method are disclosed for reducing or eliminating interference between proximate electronic devices. The system, device, and method rely on a switch communicatively disposed between a signal origination device and an antenna. Further, the switch is connected to an electronic device and is operable to receive a signal from the electronic device corresponding to whether the electronic device is in an activated or de-activated state. Additionally, when the electronic device is in an activated state, the switch is operable to open, preventing communication between the signal origination device and the antenna.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit storing sheets each including a wireless tag, a printer, a communication device, and a controller for controlling the printer to convey a first sheet, acquiring first strengths of signals from a first tag on a first sheet during the conveyance of the first sheet and second strengths from tags not sheets being conveyed. Based on the acquired strengths, the controller determines a threshold value for distinguishing between sheets being conveyed and not being conveyed. The controller then controls the communication device to write information to a tag on a sheet being conveyed based on the threshold value.

Abstract: A key fob duplication device is disclosed. The duplication device may have a housing and a display device attached to the housing. The duplication device may also have a controller enclosed within the housing. The controller may read data stored in the first key fob. The controller may also determine whether the first key fob can be duplicated based on the data. When the data indicates that the first key fob can be duplicated, the controller may write the data of the first key fob and an indicator value on a second key fob. The indicator value may indicate that the second key fob cannot be duplicated. When, however, the data indicates that the first key fob cannot be duplicated, the controller may display a message on the display device, indicating that the first key fob cannot be duplicated.

Abstract: A method for detecting scratches and bumps applied to a vehicle uses an acceleration sensor. Signals of the sensor are analyzed and evaluated based on duration and frequency.

Abstract: A tag for detecting an analyte can include a radio frequency identification tag including a sensor portion, the sensor portion configured to change resistivity when the radio frequency identification tag contacts or interacts with an analyte, whereby the resistivity change alters an output of the radio frequency identification tag, wherein the sensor portion includes a circuit, and wherein the sensor portion is configured to activate the circuit or deactivate the circuit when contacted or having interacted with the analyte, where the sensor portion includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes associated with a chemically-degradable polymer. In certain embodiments, the chemically degradable polymer can be a metallo-supramolecular polymer.

Abstract: Techniques for location-based apparatus management can result in significant battery power savings for the apparatus and robust controls over the apparatus. This may be achieved by using discovered wireless network(s) to learn repeating patterns of the apparatus and, accordingly, set up soft geofences to trigger automatic operations of the apparatus. Information associated with the discovered wireless network(s) is used to determine the location of the apparatus, and the type of location can be identified. Based on the type of location, the apparatus is placed in a mode corresponding to the identified type of location. Alternatively, or additionally, specific features and/or applications on the apparatus may be activated or deactivated.

Abstract: Remote measuring and sensing. Some example embodiment related to optical energy harvesting by identification device, such as infrared identification device GRID devices). Other embodiments relate to RFID device localization using low frequency source signals. Yet still other embodiments related to energy harvesting by RFID in electric fields in both conductive and non-conductive environments.

Abstract: Provided is a living body information identification system that can identify position information of a living body (a person) and state information about a state of the living body without attaching a wireless device or a sensor on a human body. The living body information identification system includes a transceiver configured to transmit radio waves and wirelessly receive a signal, and sensor modules configured to receive the radio waves, convert the received radio waves into power, and use the power as a power supply to transmit own unique ID information to the transceiver. The sensor modules receive the radio waves from the transceiver, convert the received radio waves into power, and use the power as a power supply to transmit state information about a state of the living body to the transceiver. The transceiver identifies the living body based on the ID information and the state information.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes a power conversion unit configured to transfer wireless power to a wireless power receiver by forming magnetic coupling with the wireless power receiver; and a communication/control unit configured to communicate with the wireless power receiver to control transmission of the wireless power and to perform high level data transport. Further, the communication/control unit is configured to transmit a data stream including a sequence of data packets in which the high level data is divided to the wireless power receiver based on the high level data transport, and the data stream includes at the beginning an auxiliary data control packet.

Abstract: To enable information such as clip meta information to be automatically set to a camera. The camera transmits position information to a server via a network. The camera receives information related to a specific person who possesses a portable terminal located near a position indicated by the position information from the server via the network. For example, the specific person is a reporter who reports using the camera, and the information related to the specific person is coverage information regarding the reporter. Furthermore, for example, the specific person is a camera operator who operates the camera, and the information related to the specific person is camera setting information regarding the camera operator.

Abstract: Wireless power transmission methods, wireless power transmitters, wireless power receiving method, and wireless power receivers are disclosed. Wireless power is transmitted using power signal comprising a multi-sine waveform within a bandwidth to drive a plurality of antennas. Beam-forming coefficients are generated and the relative phases of the power signal used to drive the antennas is controlled by the beam-forming coefficients.

Abstract: A wireless tag processing device includes a wireless tag reader-writer and a processor configured to acquire first and second sets of parameter values, control the reader-writer to transmit a radio wave using each parameter value of the first set and acquire a first intensity of a response wave from a wireless tag, when a highest first intensity satisfies a first condition, determine a parameter value of the first set corresponding to the highest intensity as a parameter value to be used by the reader-writer, and when the highest intensity does not satisfy the condition, control the reader-writer to transmit a radio wave using each parameter value of the second set and acquire a second intensity, and when a highest second intensity satisfies a second condition, determine a parameter value of the second set corresponding to the highest second intensity as the parameter value to be used by the reader-writer.

Abstract: A PC presents, to a user, a difference between an actual speed and an ideal speed, the actual speed being a moving speed of a colorimeter when the user moves the colorimeter with respect to a color chart, the ideal speed being a moving speed of the colorimeter ideal for color measurement on the color chart.

Abstract: A product tagging system is provided that includes at least one RF backscatter transmitter configured to emit a Radio Frequency (RF) signal on a frequency. The system includes a plurality of passive RF backscatter tags, each associated with a respective product and configured to backscatter a reply in response to a transmission from the transmitter. The system includes at least one RF backscatter receiver configured to read data for the respective product by detecting a distributed ambient backscatter signal generated by backscattering the RF signal by a corresponding one of the tags. The at least one RF backscatter receiver includes at least two antennas for performing Simultaneous Multi-Port reception (SMP) by receiving respective distributed ambient backscatter signals from a same one of the tags responsive to a same one of the RF signal being transmitted thereto. Each of the transmitter and receiver include a respective synchronized clock for the SMP.

Abstract: A semi-passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a digital circuit with switching components operating within an interrogation range of an incident carrier wave. A plurality of input connections and output connections direct data communications through the switching components within the digital circuit, and the data communications are subject to switching operations of the switching components between at least one of the input connections and at least one of the output connections. A backscatter response reflected from the digital circuit upon arrival of the incident carrier wave, wherein the backscatter response is a modulated backscatter response in the presence of the switching operations.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is provided, comprising a modulator and a controller, wherein: the modulator is configured to generate a modulated signal to be transmitted to an external RFID reader; the controller is configured to increase a transmitter impedance during a first period of time; the controller is configured to decrease the transmitter impedance by enabling the modulator during a second period of time. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is conceived.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure transmits wireless power to a wireless power receiver, receives a first received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a first calibration data point from the wireless power receiver after a negotiation phase, transmits ACK in response to the first received power packet, receives a second received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a second calibration data point from the wireless power receiver, transmits ACK in response to the second received power packet, receives a new second received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a third calibration data point from the wireless power receiver, transmits ACK in response to the new second received power packet, and constructs a power calibration curve using the first received power packet, the second received power packet, and the new second received power packet.

Abstract: A RFID tag (501), reader (502) and protocol allow a protected read operation in a two-step tag authentication with cipher-block cryptography. A challenge-response mechanism using a shared secret symmetric key (638) for tag authentication includes a challenge and information to read data from a tag's memory (637). Tag's response to the challenge-response mechanism includes the response to the reader's challenge and data from the tag's memory. A method embeds a protected write operation in a four-step reader authentication with cipher-block cryptography. The protocol allows a challenge-response mechanism using the shared secret symmetric key for reader authentication including a challenge and information to write data to the tag's memory. Reader's response to the challenge-response mechanism includes a response to the tag's challenge and data for writing to the tag's memory.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in which electromagnetic field components generated by a transmitting coil is induced to other transmitting coils based on plurality of transmitting coils being driven for multiple wireless charging, for example, wirelessly charging two or more receivers to prevent degradation in performance of detecting a receiving coil and a foreign object during multiple wireless charging. According to the present disclosure, the receiving coil and foreign object detecting apparatus in multiple charging conditions using the plurality of transmitting coils includes an induced signal processor. The induced signal processor can control an amount of voltage and an operation frequency corresponding to the wireless charging coil and can detect a peak and can include a filter to thereby prevent interference of a signal induced from other neighboring transmitting coils.

Abstract: A method for initiating a time- and geographic-based electronic transaction includes: storing, in a mobile computing device, payment details associated with a transaction account; receiving a payment zone notification upon entry of the mobile computing device into a predefined geographic area, the notification including payment terms; registering a first timestamp upon receipt of the notification; displaying the payment terms; receiving an indication of approval of the payment terms; receiving an exit notification upon exit of the mobile computing device from the predefined geographic area; registering a second timestamp upon receipt of the exit notification; calculating a transaction amount based on an elapsed amount of time between the first timestamp and the second timestamp and a payment rate; and transmitting the calculated transaction amount and payment details.

Abstract: A device comprising: a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising input, output, and coupled ports; an antenna capable of receiving RF signals having a first characteristic and transmitting RF signals having a second characteristic, the antenna connected to the RF coupler to provide received RF signals to the input port of the RF coupler and transmit RF signals received at the input port via coupling to signals received at the coupled port; and signal transformation circuitry having an input connected to the output port of the RF coupler to receive RF signals provided by the antenna to the input port and an output connected to the coupled port, the signal transformation circuitry configured to transform first RF signals having the first characteristic received from the output port to second RF signals having the second characteristic and to provide them to the coupled port.

Abstract: Remote measuring and sensing. Some example embodiment related to optical energy harvesting by identification device, such as infrared identification device GRID devices). Other embodiments relate to RFID device localization using low frequency source signals. Yet still other embodiments related to energy harvesting by RFID in electric fields in both conductive and non-conductive environments.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a location of a terminal includes a communication unit comprising communication circuitry configured to receive, from the terminal, information corresponding to a signal transmitted from a signal generation module that is activated based on a door opening/closing of a vehicle; and a processor configured to identify the location of the terminal in the vehicle using the received information.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing radio based power may include a mobile platform having a plurality of radios and logic to detect changes in location for the mobile platform. The logic may also deactivate at least one of the plurality of radios in response to the changes in location. The changes in location may be detected based on location information obtained from one or more active radios in the plurality of radios and connection losses with respect to active radios in the plurality of radios.

Abstract: A plurality of devices are detected within range of a particular device, and capabilities of each of the plurality of devices are determined, as well as a respective taxonomy to be associated with each device based on the device's capabilities. A set of asset abstractions are identified, referenced by a particular software application configured to manage a particular machine-to-machine network. Each asset abstraction can correspond to a respective one of the set of taxonomies, and the particular machine-to-machine network can be built from an instance of each one of the set of asset abstractions. A subset of the plurality of devices can be selected for deployment in the particular machine-to-machine network based on the associated taxonomies, the subset of devices representing an instance of each one of the set of asset abstractions. The subset of devices are then automatically deployed to implement the instance of the particular machine-to-machine network.

Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a power supply able to discharge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; a first control device and a second control device which are configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply; a circuit board on which the first control device and the second control device are provided; a first capacitor which is provided on an input side of the first control device so as to be connected in parallel with the first control device; and a second capacitor which is provided on an input side of the second control device so as to be connected in parallel with the second control device, wherein a capacity of the first capacitor is different from a capacity of the second capacitor.

Abstract: Energy harvesting Internet of Things (IOT) devices are shown including configurations involving a persistent memory, microcontroller, and flat antenna for electromagnetic RF harvesting. In one embodiment, multiple cycles of energy harvesting are performed by an IOT device, where power harvested via the flat antenna is transferred to a power storage of the device such that when the power storage has an amount of power the microcontroller performs processing resulting in state data stored to persistent memory, then during an additional cycle or cycles of energy harvesting, the device completes a process resulting in a payload that is sent to an end node via wireless transmission. Additional energy harvesting may be provided via an energy harvesting input that provides device input and causes additional energy for harvesting. Configurations include ones where energy harvesting is performed by the device, based on capturing vocal energy from a human voice spoken to the device.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided. One device includes an antenna, a microcontroller, and a power source. The power source configured to generate power in response to ambient energy received at a first frequency during a cycle of energy harvesting using the antenna. The power is transferred to a power storage cell such that when the power storage cell has an amount of power the microcontroller of the device processes at least a part of a processing task to be sent to an end node, and a result of processing of said at least said part of the processing task is stored. During one or more additional cycles of energy harvesting, using generated power to process one or more additional parts of the processing task to assemble a payload or process a wireless transmission of the payload. The wireless transmission of the payload is sent over a second frequency to the end node.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided. One device includes persistent memory, a microcontroller and a power source configured to generate power in response to ambient energy received at a first frequency during a cycle of energy harvesting. The power is transferred to a power storage cell such that when the power storage cell has an amount of power the microcontroller performs processing. The microcontroller selects and runs code routines based on the power available and stores associated state data into the persistent memory. During one or more additional cycles of energy harvesting, the device uses the generated power to retrieve state data from persistent memory and continue processing. The processing is related to assembling a payload and to process a wireless transmission of a payload over a second frequency.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus includes a reagent depository, a wave radiator, a wave receiver, a switcher, and processing circuitry. The wave radiator sends a radio wave to a plurality of wireless tags. The wireless tags are comprised by respective reagent containers in the reagent depository or by respective reagent containers at a reagent retaining space. The wave receiver receives return radio waves from the wireless tags that have received the radio wave. The switcher changes a response state of one of the wireless tags. The processing circuitry specifies reagent information corresponding to the reagent container that comprises the response state-changed wireless tag, based on the return radio waves received before and after the response state is changed.

Abstract: An inductive power transmitter comprising: at least one power transmitting coil configured to generate an inductive power transfer (IPT) field; and an object detection system configured to detect objects in or adjacent a space occupied by the IPT field when generated; wherein the object detection system is configured to detect a receiver object based on a tag associated with the receiver object.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to robots and enabling robots to locate objects in a physical environment. In some embodiments, a method includes charging a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with an RFID reader, where the RFID tag is coupled to an object, and where the RFID reader is coupled to a robot arm. The method further includes receiving a plurality of responses from the RFID tag, where each response includes a power value to which the RFID tag was charged and a time value for charging the RFID tag to the power value. The method further includes moving the RFID reader to a plurality of RFID reader positions using the robot arm, where each RFID reader position is associated with one of the responses of the plurality of responses. The method further includes determining a plurality of distances from the RFID reader to the RFID tag based on power values and the time values of the respective responses at the respective RFID reader positions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for localizing vehicle TPMS sensors. An example vehicle includes a plurality of TPMS sensors, an antenna, and a processor. The processor is configured for determining signal strength values between each of the plurality of TPMS sensors and the antenna, and based on the signal strength values, determining a location of each of the plurality of TPMS sensors.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system including an RFID reader and a reader proxy authenticates itself to a verification authority. The proxy receives a proxy challenge from a verification authority and determines a proxy response based on the proxy challenge and a proxy key known to the proxy. The proxy response is then sent to the verification authority along with an identifier for the reader. The reader then authenticates an RFID tag by sending a tag response to the verification authority, which determines whether the reader is authentic based on the authenticity of the proxy response.

Abstract: Described is a locomotive implant for usage within a predetermined magnetic field. In one embodiment magnetohydrodynamics is used to generate thrust with a plurality of electrodes. In another embodiment, asymmetric drag forces are used to generate thrust.

Abstract: An NFC-enabled digital apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a touch screen display and a near field communication (NFC) module comprising an NFC antenna and an NFC controller. In response to tagging between the NFC-enabled digital apparatus and the external NFC terminal, an NFC communication channel is established between the NFC-enabled digital apparatus and the external NFC terminal for data communication therebetween.

Abstract: An example device includes a first inductive antenna to activate a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and to receive an identification signal from the activated RFID device, a second inductive antenna to emulate the RFID device by transmitting the identification signal of the RFID device, a switch positioned between the first inductive antenna and the second inductive antenna, and a controller to selectively open the switch to decouple the first inductive antenna and the second inductive antenna or close the switch to couple the first inductive antenna and the second inductive antenna.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting gases in an environment using chemical and thermal sensing. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a chemiresistor embedded within a sensor pixel to a gas in an environment; setting a heater embedded within the sensor pixel to a sensing temperature, the sensing temperature being greater than room temperature; measuring an electrical resistance of the chemiresistor in response to setting the heater to the sensing temperature; and in response to a difference between the electrical resistance of the chemiresistor and a reference electrical resistance being less than a threshold, supplying a fixed power input to the heater embedded within the sensor pixel and measuring a temperature of the sensor pixel relative to a reference temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transponder tag (10) that is operable by a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone for operating such a transponder tag (10), a method of operating the transponder tag (10), and a method for detecting the presence of a portable object. The transponder tag comprises a receiving unit (20) for receiving a wireless input signal. The transponder tag (10) is configured to obtain energy (EG) from the received input signal and to use the energy (EG) obtained from the input signal for transmitting by way of a wireless short-range connection a wireless output signal (SSR) that corresponds to a tag information (ITG) of the transponder tag (10). The receiving unit (20) is configured to receive a wireless input signal (STUP) at a frequency of at least one uplink band of a mobile telephone network.

Abstract: A method includes moving an interrogation device through multiple geographical positions. At each geographical position of the interrogation device, a wireless communication terminal is solicited to establish temporary communication with the interrogation device, and a distance value indicative of a distance between the wireless communication terminal and the interrogation device as well as a velocity of the interrogation device is estimated using the temporary communication. A geographical location of the wireless communication terminal is calculated based on multiple estimated distance values and velocities of the interrogation device corresponding to the respective multiple geographical positions of the interrogation device.

Abstract: A blockchain-based method includes: receiving, by a smart label via accessing a block of a blockchain stored on a computer system, a cold chain requirement for a product, wherein the smart label is affixed to a package containing the product, the cold chain requirement for the product is specified and stored by a manufacturer of the product in the block of the blockchain; storing, by the smart label, the cold chain requirement in a memory of the smart label; receiving, by the smart label, from a temperature sensor a temperature of the product, wherein the temperature sensor is affixed to the package containing the product; comparing, by the smart label, the temperature of the product with a temperature range of the product specified in the cold chain requirement; and adding, by the smart label, the temperature of the product and a time at which the temperature of the product is received by the smart label, to the blockchain, if the temperature of the product is outside of the temperature range specified in th

Abstract: A wireless tag passing determination apparatus includes: an antenna that provides multiple communicable regions and a communication disabled region, the communicable regions being arranged alternately with the communication disabled region, such that the communicable regions includes both sides of a passing determination point in a longitudinal direction of a passage in which passing of a wireless tag is determined; a tag reader that determines whether to read a signal transmitted by the wireless tag, based on a signal representing electric wave transmitted by the wireless tag existing in the communicable regions and received by the antenna; and a passing determination section that determines whether the wireless tag passes by the passing determination point, based on a pattern of presence or absence of reading in association with a lapse of time.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in a remote location. In some embodiments, a garment for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags in a remote location comprises a garment body, an RFID reader attached to the garment body, the RFID reader configured to read the plurality of RFID tags in the remote location, an antenna attached to the garment body, and a control circuit attached to the garment and configured to receive, from the RFID reader, one or more identifiers, wherein the one or more identifiers are associated with the plurality of RFID tags, generate, based on the one or more identifiers, emulated identifiers, determine that the garment is within a designated area separate from the remote location, and in response to determining that the garment is within the designated area, cause the emulated identifiers to be transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for desynchronizing notifications across multiple electronic devices are provided. The method includes receiving, by a primary electronic device, a notification, transmitting, by the primary electronic device, the notification to a companion electronic device with which the primary electronic device is synchronized, and desynchronizing a providing of the notification at the companion electronic device.