Combination Response Patents (Class 340/10.41)
  • Publication number: 20100089750
    Abstract: A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Goodnow, Lei He
  • Publication number: 20100090809
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting a sensor status of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method and apparatus transmit an RFID tag identifier (ID) together with sensor data or sensor status information to an RFID reader, thereby enabling the RFID reader to receive the sensor status information about the RFID tag without additionally communicating with the RFID tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Junho Yeo, Preishuber-Pfluegl Josef, Janek Alex, Schuhai Andreas, Hae-Won Son, Jae-Young Jung, Gil-Young Choi, Cheol-Sig Pyo, Jong-Suk Chae
  • Publication number: 20100079258
    Abstract: A method is present for processing a signal. A response signal is received from a structure. The response signal is decomposed into a plurality of signals based on a number of characteristics. A mode in the plurality of signals is identified based on a number of known characteristics for the mode, wherein the mode has a velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Jeong-Beom Ihn, Christopher J. Martens
  • Publication number: 20100079259
    Abstract: A reader obtains tag identification information of an RFID tag circuit element for article via radio communication using an apparatus antenna, stores the obtained tag identification information in a memory, gets area identification information of each room relating to a plurality of rooms storing the articles and a corresponding number of articles in association with each other from a database, calculates the number of the RFID tag circuit elements for article on the basis of a remaining memory capacity of the memory, the tag identification information capable of newly stored, compares the number of articles obtained as above with the number of RFID tag circuit elements for article calculated as above and determines the room with a corresponding number of articles not more than the number of RFID tag circuit elements for article as an inventory-manageable area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Yuta Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7688182
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a rectifier circuit configured to convert an alternating voltage supplied from an antenna into a direct-current voltage, a nonvolatile memory coupled to the rectifier circuit to operate by use of the direct-current voltage, a sensor circuit coupled to the rectifier circuit to operate by use of the direct-current voltage to collect measurement data, and a logic circuit configured to control the nonvolatile memory and the sensor circuit such that an access operation of the nonvolatile memory and a data collecting operation of the sensor circuit are not performed concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Eiichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 7675358
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that generates a clock signal with a fixed pulse width from a carrier. The invention also provides a semiconductor device where data can be obtained accurately from a carrier using a clock signal with a fixed pulse width. Further, the invention provides a semiconductor device that has a simpler circuit configuration and a smaller scale, and consumes less power as compared to the PLL circuit. According to the invention, a signal obtained by dividing a carrier including 100% modulation is not used as a clock signal, and a correction circuit is used to generate a clock signal using a demodulated signal and a signal obtained by dividing the carrier including 100% modulation. According to the invention having such a configuration, a clock signal with a fixed pulse width can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 7663491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate damage detection mechanism using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag including a substrate, at least one RFID tag with a RFID chip, a RFID transmitter and at least one data input/output port and at least one conducting circuit loop arranged to cover the substrate and provided with a first end that is electrically connected to a reference voltage and a second end that is electrically connected to the data input/output port of the RFID tag. The RFID chip generates a conductive code when the conducting circuit loop is originally conducting and generates a open-circuit code when the conducting circuit loop becomes open circuit resulting from the damage of the substrate in which both the conductive code and the open-circuit code are transmitted by the RFID transmitter and received by a RFID reader to determine the damage of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chung Hua University
    Inventors: Chi-Kuang Hwang, In-Hang Chung, Chih-Hu Wang, Ching-Cheng Tien, Bore-Kuen Lee, Tung-Chou Chen, Chia-Wen Wu, Chien-Jung Chiu, Ming-Ching Yen, Jwu-E Chen
  • Publication number: 20100032437
    Abstract: In a container (1) for transporting and storing substances that is provided with a transponder for radio frequency identification, it is provided that the container exhibits a substantially cylinder-shaped main section (12) having a curved lateral surface, and that the transponder includes an electronic memory (21) and, as a coupling element, an antenna coil (22), the antenna coil (22) being disposed in or on a wall surface of the container (1) and with its axis parallel to the cylinder axis of the main section (12). According to the present invention, the antenna coil (22) is disposed in the region of the cylinder-shaped main section (12) of the container on the lateral surface of the cylinder and exhibits one or more windings around the cylinder axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: DYNAMIC SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Lossau
  • Publication number: 20100021993
    Abstract: A system for measuring parameters in a container is disclosed. A container has a solution. A protective layer is deposited over at least one sensor and at least one wall of the container, where the protective layer is attached to the wall of the container to form a seal between the container and the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is configured to have an operable electromagnetic field based on a thickness of the container and the protective layer. The at least one sensor in conjunction with a tag is in proximity to an impedance analyzer and a reader that constitute a measurement device. The at least one sensor is configured to determine at least one parameter of the solution. The tag is configured to provide a digital ID associated with the at least one sensor, where the container is in proximity to the reader and an impedance analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Radislav A. Potyrailo, Steven T. Rice, Vincent F. Pizzi
  • Publication number: 20100013604
    Abstract: A method of identifying a plurality of transponders, the method comprising receiving at an interrogator one or more data transmission blocks from each transponder, wherein the first data block contains a uniquely detectable transponder identity and zero or more further data blocks defining a set of data blocks making up a transponder transmission. The first data transmission block also contains in transmission block number; one or more further data transmission blocks containing additional block data and a respective transmission block number; the block number being changed, by decrement or increment, automatically as each data block is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Gordon Gervase Turner, Albertus Jacobus Pretorius
  • Patent number: 7648070
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for locating, identifying and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, first location information included in a DHCPDISCOVER request can be used to determine appropriate configurations for networked devices. In some such implementations, the first location information is read from an RFID tag near the networked device and is inserted in the DHCPDISCOVER request. The first location information may include any type of absolute or relative coordinate, positioning, cartographic or similar information and/or information from which such information may be derived. Second location information, which may be a logical name, is provided to the device. If the device is an RFID reader, the second location information may be included with reads from RFID tags that are transmitted from the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Droms, Gary Dennis Vogel, Jr., Roland Saville
  • Patent number: 7642898
    Abstract: A secure apparatus, system, device and method for coding surface acoustic wave identification tags and sensors to enable unique sensor operation and identification for a multi-sensor environment. In an embodiment, a pseudo noise sequence is applied to the orthogonally coded signal for increased security. An orthogonal frequency coding technique is applied to the SAW tag using periodic reflector gratings for responding to an orthogonal interrogation signal to transmit the sensor identification and sensed data. A transceiver interrogates the sensor with a stepped chirp corresponding to the orthogonal frequency coded chip frequency response, receives a response from the SAW device, applies an oppositely stepped chirp to the response and then uses matched filtering to produce a compressed pulse. The orthogonal frequency coding technique has an inherent advantage of processing gain, code division multiple access, spread spectrum and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Malocha, Derek Puccio
  • Patent number: 7639118
    Abstract: A detector receiver circuit (2) for use as a wake-up detector for detecting an amplitude modulated carrier signal is described. The circuit (2) comprises: an antenna (4) for receiving the modulated carrier signal; a transistor (10), such as an FET, is connected to the antenna (4) and configured to operate as a detector of modulation of the carrier frequency. The circuit further comprises a resonator circuit (12-16) which is also connected to the transistor and configured such that the transistor (10) can simultaneously oscillate at substantially the modulation frequency; an oscillator quenching means (20) for periodically quenching oscillation of the transistor (10) and means (26, 28, 30) for sensing the characteristics of the build-up of oscillation to indicate the presence of a modulated carrier signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ian J Forster
  • Publication number: 20090315685
    Abstract: RFID method and system are provided. A reader transmits a reader signal to beacon tags and a listening tag. The beacon tags transmit beacon signals including a beacon identification and a beacon distance to the reader. The listening tag receives the beacon signals. Neighbor distances are calculated for the beacon tags based on when the beacon signals are received, when the listening tag receives the reader signal, and a constant processing time. The neighbor distances are the individual distances from the listening tag to the beacon tags. A list is stored including the beacon identification for the beacon tags, the beacon distance, and the neighbor distances. The listening tag transmits the list and a listening tag identification to the reader. A geographical position of the listening tag is calculated based on the beacon distance, beacon coordinates, and a listening tag distance which is from the reader to the listening tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Jean-Yves Clement, Gerard Marmigere, Joaquin Picon, Xavier Rey-Robert, Vincent Tassy
  • Publication number: 20090303019
    Abstract: A method for providing a service by a server to a reader device is disclosed, the provision being based on the readout information of a readout operation by the reader device of a tag, the tag comprising information relating to the unique tag-ID of the tag, comprising reading out the unique tag-ID during the readout operation; communicating the unique tag-ID to the server; providing the service to the reader device, the service being determined at least partially based on the value of the unique tag-ID. Corresponding tags and tag reader devices have further also been disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Lieven Trappeniers, Zhe Lou, Marc Bruno Frieda Godon, Johan Georges Prosper Criel
  • Patent number: 7627309
    Abstract: The information sharing method of the present invention is realized by an information sharing system that includes: first and second mobile terminals and an information sharing server. The first mobile terminal first reads, from a radio tag that is embedded in an information transmitting medium, positional information and an identification number of the information transmitting medium, and then transmits this information to the information sharing server. The information sharing server selects relevant information that shows detailed content of the information transmitting medium based on the identification number of the information transmitting medium that has been transmitted in from the first mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Nitta
  • Publication number: 20090289776
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a composite RFID tag, where the composite RFID tag may include a plurality of individual tags that are arranged to respond to a reader as one tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Larry Moore, Steve Beckhardt, David Puleston, Robert W. Hamlin, Leonid Mats
  • Publication number: 20090243812
    Abstract: A single unified server transmits/receives information in a common interface format with respect to a plurality of service servers and a portable terminal and has a common database in a data format corresponding to the common interface format, and the plurality of service servers connects to clients in a specific interface format to provide services by individual applications, respectively, and coverts a data format between higher-lank data transmitted/received in the common interface format and lower-lank data transmitted/received in the specific interface format. The portable terminal transmits/receives information in the common interface format using the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Kazutaka Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090231161
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting the location of a vehicle in an electronic toll collection system employing a wide area communication protocol. The vehicle includes a transponder that sends reports regarding the position of the vehicle and the time at which the position was determined. The system includes a vehicle position predictor for estimating the future position of the vehicle within a roadway based on two or more reports of past positions and the times at which they were recorded. Speed data or other data impacting likely future position may also be reported and factored into the estimate. The estimate of future position may be used in connection with triggering enforcement measures, timing a toll transaction, integrating wide area toll communications into a legacy toll transaction system, or for other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Alastair Malarky
  • Publication number: 20090231110
    Abstract: One or more plants may be associated with an electronic tag including a memory circuit and interrogation interface. The memory circuit in the electronic tag may include data corresponding to the one or more plants. According to an embodiment the data may include at least one data coordinate corresponding to an external database holding data related to the one or more plants. The external database may hold plant care information such as a record of treatments received by the one or more plants and/or plant care instructions, for example. The data may be structured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090231109
    Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, or other type of device that transmits data in response to a broadcast of energy, may have a switch. The switch may allow an operator to signal whether the device will transmit data when energized. The switch could also allow an operator to select a particular item of data, or a combination of items of data, to be transmitted. Receiving data reflected from the device may signify an action to be performed, or may signify the fact that some physical action (e.g., pressing, by a human finger) has occurred with respect to the device. Thus, device that transmit data when energized may be used to direct the operation of other devices (e.g., by turning such other devices on or off), to implement tactilely-sensitive displays, or as part of other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James T. Reichert, Glenn T. Thrush, David W. Baumert
  • Publication number: 20090224891
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a repository configured to store information comprising classification components. The information is received from a plurality of locations where the information is captured from one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags at each of the plurality of locations. Each of the one or more RFID tags is associated with at least one item. The repository is also configured to store market data comprising at least one geographic restriction associated with the at least one item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Claire Svetlana Vishik, G. Neelakantan Kartha
  • Publication number: 20090207001
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying animals with radio frequency identification transponders using phone number identifiers and manufacturer codes stored within ISO 11784 code structures in ISO 11784/85 compatible implantable transponders. These phone identification (ID) transponders feature unique telephone numbers, allowing pets to be returned to their owners through direct phone contact, for which ISO 11784 standard does not provide. The phone number information can be stored prior to implantation or after implantation depending upon the type of transponders being utilized. More particularly, within the ISO 11784 code structure, phone number related country codes are stored in bits 17-26, and phone numbers and manufacturer codes are stored in bits 27-64.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph V. Masin, Barbara P. Masin
  • Publication number: 20090204250
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for measuring physical, chemical and biological properties of a manufacturing system comprising embedding a plurality of RFID sensors in a plurality of corresponding single use components wherein each of the plurality of RFID sensors is configured to provide multi-parameter measurements for at least one single use component from the plurality of single use components, and each of the plurality of RFID sensors is further configured to provide simultaneous digital identification for the single use component and for its respective RFID sensor and further comprises reading the multi-parameter measurements and the digital identification for the plurality of single use components using at least one RFID writer/reader, processing the measurements using a processor, and controlling subsequent process steps by comparing the measurements of at least one parameter to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Vincent Francis Pizzi, Staffan Klensmeden, Richard John Ferraro
  • Patent number: 7573370
    Abstract: An RFID tag has a memory, an RF transceiver that supports long range RF communications with a long range reader, and an interface that supports short range communications with a short range reader over a secure link. The RF transceiver can be used to transmit an ID stored in the memory of the tag to a long range reader, and the interface can be used to transmit sensitive history information to a short range reader over the secure link. The ID uniquely identifies an article to which the tag is attached, and the history information provides environmental data, and/or maintenance data, and/or shipping data, and/or inventory data, and/or production data, etc. about the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Becker, David W. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20090192647
    Abstract: An object search apparatus acquires, from each IC tag of IC tags corresponding to objects respectively, an object information item including an identifier of an object, a hierarchical level, a detection method for detection of the object, and a manipulation method for the object, to obtain a plurality of object information items including a target object information item of a target object, selects, from the object information items, an object information item higher in the hierarchical level than the target object, detects an object corresponding to selected object information item by using the detection method in the selected object information item, manipulates detected object in accordance with the manipulation method in the selected object information item, selects target object information item from the object information items, and detects the target object from the detected object by using the detection method in the target object information item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Manabu NISHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7564366
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for using a frequency division circuit to produce a desired frequency in a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID tag). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an RFID tag includes a frequency division circuit connected to a logic circuit and a oscillator. The logic circuit is adapted to identify at least one frequency associated with a received RF signal (e.g., the frequency of the signal, a frequency identified by the signal, etc.). This frequency is then used by the frequency division circuit to calibrate the frequency provided by the oscillator. In one embodiment of the present invention, the frequency division circuit includes at least one variable counter adapted to divide the frequency provided by the oscillator (i.e., the oscillation frequency) by a programmable factor to produce a desired frequency. The desired frequency is then provided to the logic circuit and used to modulate a received RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Pillai, Rene Martinez, Harley Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20090167503
    Abstract: The SAW sensor in a stainless steel button package having a diaphragm and mounted on a threaded port. Package can hermetically seal a sensor and RFID-antenna assemblies from media. Sensor diaphragm is exposable to media. Sensor and RFID antennas communicate electrically with SAW sensor and RFID device, respectively, for sensor measurements and identification. Antennas receive RF interrogation signal from a nearby interrogator/transceiver and send reflected RF signals back to the interrogator unit containing sensor measurement and sensor ID. TRF signal excites a SAW resonator inside the sensor and causes the SAW to resonate wherein resonant frequency changes with pressure and temperature applied to the sensor. Antennas could be printed circuit board antennas, helical antennas, loop antennas, any other commercially available off-the-shelf antennas or a combination of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: James D. Cook, Brian J. Marsh, Mohammed A J Qasimi, Daniel Dixon, Sachin Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090167504
    Abstract: An insulation monitoring system as a remote monitoring system comprises an insulation monitoring terminal as a remote monitoring terminal that monitors a facility and a terminal management server connected to the insulation monitoring terminal via a network. The terminal management server monitors the operational status of the insulation monitoring terminal by receiving an operation verification signal transmitted from the insulation monitoring terminal. The insulation monitoring terminal includes detection unit for detecting abnormalities in a power unit, extraction unit for extracting representative values from the detection results obtained by the detection unit, and operation verification signal transmission unit for transmitting an operation verification signal including the representative values extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal management server at regular time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Shinichi MUKAIGAWA, Tamio UEDA
  • Publication number: 20090160605
    Abstract: An interrogation system employable with an object having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation system includes a database having prior knowledge about the object, and an interrogator that scans the RFID tag and discerns additional information therefrom about the object. The interrogator still further includes a control system that identifies the object based on the prior knowledge and the additional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Steven D. Roemerman, John P. Volpi, Logan Scott
  • Patent number: 7551058
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for monitoring an environmental parameter in concrete comprising an enclosure for embedding in concrete; a detecting means connected to the enclosure for detecting at least one environmental parameter in concrete, the detecting means comprising at least one capacitive element for measuring capacitive change; an active material connected to the enclosure, the active material being liable to respond to the environmental parameter and the active material being operably connected to the capacitive element; a RFID chip mounted within the enclosure, the RFID chip being operably connected to the detecting means; and an antenna operably connected to the RFID chip, the antenna being operably connected to the detecting means, and the antenna being part of an L-R-C circuit whose resonance frequency shifts within an assigned frequency band. The invention also provides a MEMS-based capacitor that responds to an environmental parameter in concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Design Consulting USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Arthur Johnson, Joseph Duane Kulesza
  • Publication number: 20090153307
    Abstract: A position measurement terminal using locations of position identifying tags includes a photographing unit that photographs one of a plurality of position identifying tags including tag identifying information and processes an image of the photographed position identifying tag; a control and operation unit that performs a control and operation for location measurement of the position measurement terminal; and a communication unit that has access to a tag position information server that stores position information corresponding to tag identifying information of the individual position identifying tags and receives position information of the photographed position identifying tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jaeho KIM, Gyungchul Sihn
  • Publication number: 20090146800
    Abstract: An inventory monitoring system including a data collection and transmission module and a data evaluation module. The data collection and transmission module receives data from an RFID tag and transmits the data to the data evaluation module to thereby enable the presence of a product to which the RFID tag is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Seeonic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Grimlund, Harley Feldman, Ken Drewlo, Nicholas Singh
  • Publication number: 20090140841
    Abstract: Estimating a location of a RFID tag in time and space using incomplete data. A signal is received from an RFID tag at a plurality of receivers over a time range. At any particular time within the time range the signal is received at less than three receivers. The signal is generated at specific times within the time range. Receipt of the signal at a given receiver at a given time within the time range comprises an event. In this manner, a plurality of events arises during the time range. Additionally, corresponding locations of the plurality of receivers are known. The plurality of events is received at a data processing system. An algorithm is executed on the data processing system to process the plurality of events. An estimated location in time and space of the RFID tag is then generated with the algorithm and based on the plurality of events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Laurens Meyer
  • Patent number: 7540078
    Abstract: A recycling method of wastes of an electrical appliance containing an article having a circuit soldered with parts soldered with a lead free solder. The method includes discriminating a first article having a circuit soldered with lead free parts from a second article having a circuit soldered with lead containing parts; recovering, grinding and melting each of the first and second articles to separate materials of the first article and materials of the second article; recycling reusable valuables contained in the materials of the first article and second article; and shredding a portion of the first and second article not containing the reusable valuables and burying/treating the portion at a stabilizing dumping ground or a controlled dumping ground for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Suetsugu, Shunji Hibino, Masato Hirano, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Mikiya Nakata
  • Publication number: 20090085725
    Abstract: A compliance control system for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for operating a vehicle. Compliance data is received from a token or another source, is evaluated to determine compliance status, and the operation of the vehicle can be affected based upon the determined compliance status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Leah Faith Brookner, George Michael Brookner
  • Publication number: 20090072951
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) energized by an electromagnetic field produced by another device, including a near-field activated circuit (210) transmitting an output signal upon exposure to an energizing electromagnetic field, a sensor (230) having an output coupled to the near-field activated circuit, the sensor producing a signal on the output in response to sensing an environmental condition other than the energizing electromagnetic field, wherein the output signal of the near-field activated circuit changes when the sensor changes states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: William P. ALBERTH, JR., Patricia A. ROBB
  • Publication number: 20090058617
    Abstract: A method for setting up a system of a reagent chip analyzer is provided. The method is adapted to modify parameters and testing conditions according to data of an authorization tag, so as to improve the adaptability range of the reagent chip analyzer for reagent chips of multiple specifications. The method includes: reading an identification code, an authorization times, and specifications and analysis parameters of the reagent chip from the RFID tag; determining whether to load the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip according to the identification code and the authorization times; and if it is determined to load the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip then decreasing the authorization times by degrees, and analyzing the reagent chip according to the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Tzu-Chiang Wu, Chein-Ho Chuang, Tsung-Kai Chuang, Jiann-Hua Wang
  • Publication number: 20090051500
    Abstract: A RFID circuit element provided with an IC circuit part that can store information and a tag antenna connected to the IC circuit part is provided, and the IC circuit part stores and holds auction site information including operator information such as login ID, password and the like and URL and the like of an auction site associated with each of a plurality of auction sites and product information such as product name/model number of a product the operator wants to successfully bid, a bidding price, quantity and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuru NAKAMURA, Kazuya NISHIMURA, Yasuhisa ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20090045924
    Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely monitoring trailer or trailers attached to a vehicle is provided. The method includes associating an identification tag or ABS ECU that is configured to broadcast a trailer identification signal with a trailer. The method further includes receiving the trailer identification signal on-board the vehicle, associating the trailer identification signal with the vehicle, transmitting the trailer identification signal to a remote processor and receiving the trailer identification signal at the remote processor. The system comprises a mobile data terminal capable of generating and responding to telematic events comprising at least one processor, a graphical user interface, an input device, a memory and a set of executable instructions which may include a plurality of modules, such as a vehicle location module capable of receiving a GPS signal and transmitting the GPS signal to a remote processor for determining a location of a transportation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: R & L CARRIERS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Roberts, SR., Chris Deck, Steve Crandall
  • Publication number: 20090033471
    Abstract: In the English translation document, please replace the abstract with the following: There is described method for using a mobile control device that serves for controlling a machine within an assigned effective range which is only partially delimited by one or more RFID transponders and has protective measures. Control commands of the control device are also executed when it does not receive any valid transponder data, but the controller has received a corresponding signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Gerhard Griessnig
  • Publication number: 20090027173
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has controllable features that allow for modification of its interaction with external devices, such as RFID readers. The RFID device may have multiple antennas, coupled to multiple contacts of a chip of the device. The chip may include a real or virtual switch for selectively coupling the chip to either of the antennas. The switch may be activated by an external signal sent to the RFID device. The RFID device also may be controlled by adjusting an adjustable modulator within the RFID device. The modulator may adjust outgoing signals from the RFID device to an appropriate level of signal strength, or to have other suitable characteristics. By control of the antenna couplings and/or the modulator settings of the RFID device, adjustments in performance of the RFID device may be made for suitable operation in a variety of situations and environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ian J. Forster
  • Publication number: 20090002174
    Abstract: A wireless tag includes at least one of a signal radiation unit that radiates a first linking signal based on an instruction from a wireless tag access device, and a signal detection unit that detects a second linking signal that has been radiated and provides the second linking signal to the wireless tag access device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicants: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Oki Consulting Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigezou Kukita, Takahide Kawakami, Koichi Sakanashi, Fujio Deguchi, Masayuki Muratani, Masaru Nishijima, Motoatsu Yoshikawa, Shirou Nagata
  • Publication number: 20090002176
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for secure communications of confidential information are provided. In an embodiment, a method of communicating with a population of radio frequency identification tags includes transmitting a first interrogation signal, receiving a response to the first interrogation signal from at least one RFID tag at a first received signal strength including at least a portion of a first identification code, and transmitting a second interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information, a command to transmit a response to the second interrogation signal at a secure power level, and the first identification code. In another embodiment, a method for communicating with an RFID tag includes receiving an interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information and transmitting a response to the interrogation signal at a secure power level. The response includes the confidential information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin BEKRITSTKY, Randall Allen Drago, Ming-Hao Sun
  • Patent number: 7471187
    Abstract: In a door control system, in polling collation processing, a start request signal is intermittently transmitted from a vehicle. When a human around the vehicle is detected, a start request signal is transmitted from the vehicle with high output power. A portable device returns a response signal to the vehicle. Furthermore, when the start request signal is transmitted at the high output power, the reception sensitivity is set to be lower than the normal sensitivity. When receiving the response signal from the portable device, the vehicle transmits an ID request signal, and acquires an ID code from the portable device. The ID code thus acquired is collated with each ID code registered in the vehicle. When both ID codes agree, the vehicle doors are unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Takeshi Kumazaki, Ifushi Shimonomoto
  • Publication number: 20080316002
    Abstract: Provided is a pre-configuration system and method for defining user configuration preferences for consumer devices and computer software and hardware at time of purchase and, then, automatically configuring the target devices when the device is packaged or first used. Information gathered in conjunction with the purchase of a target device is employed to determine the user configuration and then the user configuration is applied to the target device. A target device and associated hardware are imbedded with RFID tags thus enabling elimination of the configuration of a device by the end user. As a result, both user documentation and support calls are reduced. This is accomplished using RFID technology that enables labor free, automated transmittal of configuration data to the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: PETER T. BRUNET, Anh Lu, Lawrence F. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20080303636
    Abstract: A secure system for tracking goods loaded on a delivery vehicle having a driver's cab and at least one container, said driver's cab being provided with a first RFID transponder disposed on any wall of said cab, and each of the containers is provided with at least two RFID transponders, one of which is disposed on any wall of said container and the other of which is disposed on each of the delivery doors of said container, each of said RFID transponders being designed to co-operate with a RFID reader/interrogator integrated into a mobile telephone of the driver of the vehicle, said mobile telephone being in communication with a management server via a mobile communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicants: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES, French Limited Company, NBG ID, French Simplified Joint Stock Company
    Inventors: Fabien CHATTE, Bruno Fabre, Dennis Gilham, Guy Venture
  • Publication number: 20080278294
    Abstract: A system including wireless tags that transmit information from fixed locations to nearby wireless tag readers possessed by moving persons also includes a wireless tag status inference apparatus to which the wireless tag readers send identifying information received from the wireless tags. The wireless tag status inference apparatus logs the information received from the wireless tag readers, and compares the logged information with a stored list of installed wireless tags to identify suspected inoperable wireless tags. Wireless tags requiring replacement or repair can thereby be identified promptly and inexpensively, without the need to dispatch personnel on periodic inspection tours of all areas in which the wireless tags are installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryouhei Konuma
  • Patent number: 7446660
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention may incorporate an oscillator circuit into a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in which the oscillator circuit comprises at least one component that is sensitive to an environmental factor such as temperature or humidity. When the tag responds to an RFID reader, the tag may incorporate the sense environmental parameter into its response by transmitting an oscillating signal whose frequency indicates the value of the parameter. The RFID reader may then determine the parameter by analyzing the resulting analog portion of the waveform in terms of frequency and/or cycle and/or pulse width. In some embodiments, the environmental sensor may be incorporated into the integrated circuit containing the RFID tag circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Posamentier
  • Patent number: 7446662
    Abstract: System(s) and method(s) to increase the accuracy and efficiency of an RFID system is provided. A system includes an RFID component that receives a signal from an RFID reader, and an identifier component that interfaces with the RFID component and identifies the source of the signal. The system further includes a signal strength component that interfaces with the identifier component and measures the strength of the signal. The system can include an environment component that analyzes an operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Somogyi, Vivek R. Bapat, Sujeet Chand, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard A. Morse, Joseph P. Owen, Jr., Arthur P. Pietrzyk, Kenneth A. Tinnell