Identification Only Patents (Class 340/10.42)
  • Publication number: 20100142708
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a secret key generates the secret key by using information of a mobile RFID terminal, transmits the generated secret key to an RFID tag attached on an article, and decrypts a unique item identifier of the article encrypted by using the generated secret key after receiving the unique item identifier of the article encrypted by using the secret key from the RFID tag. By this configuration, it is possible to protect user's personal privacy of the mobile RFID terminal in a state where user's intervention is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: You Sung KANG, Doo Ho CHOI, Hyunsook CHO
  • Publication number: 20100134260
    Abstract: Methods for accounting for an managing inventory and accounting for goods is disclosed. An RFID tag in the form of an RFID inlay is placed in the interior of a carton, pallet or other container for shipping or storing items. RFID readers can be used to elicit identification information from the RFID inlay within a carton. Such method reduces waste paper and cost. The rate of application of the RFID tag can also be increased using the disclosed methods. Reliability of reading information from the RFID inlay within a carton is improved in comparison to traditional slap and ship RFID labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. McDaniel, Daniel J. Cadigan
  • Publication number: 20100127847
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a dashboard including one or more touchscreen displays; a wireless network interface; and multiple icons for presentation by one or more of the touchscreen displays to a user in the vehicle. Each of one or more of the icons is configurable by the user through tactile interaction with the icon via one or more of the touchscreen displays. Each of the icons when presented to the user makes accessible to the user through one or more of the touchscreen displays particular functionality. The vehicle includes software associated with the icons that is operable to render the icons on the touchscreen displays and implement their functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dave Evans, James Vila, Marc JP Girardot, Michael M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20100109851
    Abstract: Apparatus and system for verifying a route taken during movement of an RFID tag, comprising a trusted platform module; sealed storage (80) comprising one or more stores (50, 52) for storing a public key (64), a private key (68) and a policy (62); and processors arranged to: receive data (60) read-out from the RFID tag (4) and comprising an RFID tag identity and an encrypted signature (9); use the public key (64) to decrypt the encrypted signature (9); verify that the decrypted signature (9) corresponds to a first entity from which, according to the policy (62), a second entity is authorised to receive the given RFID tag (4); use the private key (68) to provide an encrypted signature (9); and forward data comprising the encrypted signature (9) to an RFID tag writer (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Trevor Burbridge, Andrea Soppera
  • Patent number: 7710241
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and method for providing an RFID technique is provided. The terminal includes an RFID reader unit for receiving identification information from an RFID tag and a controller for detecting a pre-set theme corresponding to the identification information and outputting a control signal based on the detected theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyun-Ho Jung
  • Publication number: 20100102963
    Abstract: A device for the detection of the passage of objects, people or animals bearing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, including at least one mobile support which, when at rest, forms a barrier to the passage of the objects, people or animals and which, when in contact with the latter, is capable of moving towards a withdrawn position, this mobile support bearing an antenna connected electrically to an RFID tag reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Pascal Ruffle, Philippe Pierre
  • Publication number: 20100102934
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to allow exhaustive knowledge of the previously marked contents of an air transport means. The invention thus consists of a system for identifying and monitoring the set of the elements belonging to the content of a transport aircraft (V) allowing the user to ascertain in real time the content of said transport aircraft (V). It relies notably on the use of means of remote reading (R1,R2,R3), such as RFID readers, positioned so as to form a portal at the level of at least one of the access doors (A1,A2,A3) of the transport aircraft (V), capable of acquiring the identity of the set of the elements entering or exiting said transport aircraft (V), and it is characterized by the fact that the power supply means and the communication means used by the system according to the invention can utilize the power supply and communication networks of the aircraft (V) which are designed to operate solely when said aircraft (V) is on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Thales
    Inventor: Philippe Guichard
  • Patent number: 7707076
    Abstract: A system for continuous asset verification for at least one piece of well equipment using at least one radio frequency identification tag comprising: at least one radio frequency identification tag for removably attaching to at least one piece of well equipment; a first processor for storing information about the well equipment and for communicating the information to the radio frequency identification tag; a transportable data storage device for receiving and storing from the first processor the information; a controller comprising a second processor adapted to engage with the transportable data storage device, thereby forming a smart controller, wherein the smart controller is adapted for scanning for radio frequency identification tag at least one predefined interval to detect the information; a third processor for communicating with the transportable data storage device and storing the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LP
    Inventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Wilson S. Wimberley, Bryan Lane
  • Patent number: 7701349
    Abstract: An IC tag read-write apparatus includes a control circuit, a transmission link, and a plurality of antenna units. The control circuit controls data relative to an outgoing carrier wave and an incoming carrier wave. The antenna units correspond to a plurality of IC tags. Each of the antenna units includes a modem, a first antenna, and an indication circuit. The modem is connected to the control circuit through the transmission link and modulates the carrier wave based on the data in a data writing operation and demodulates the incoming carrier wave in a data reading operation. The first antenna sends the modulated carrier wave by air to a second antenna of a corresponding one of the IC tags. The indication circuit generates property information with respect to the antenna unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kawahata
  • Publication number: 20100079243
    Abstract: An object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an authentication system which can perform highly convenient authentication while ensuring minimum required authentication accuracy. An authentication system of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first authentication device which acquires a first authentication level, a second authentication device which acquires a second authentication level, and an authentication verifying device which authenticates based on a comparison between a predetermined value and a sum of the first authentication level and the second authentication level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Yasushi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20100079337
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to track positions of a portable electronic device. Different communication modules capable of retrieving position signals are enabled selectively according to the status/type of position signals of the portable electronic device. All of the different communication modules are enabled when the portable electronic device locates around a boundary between different regions that require different communication modules to obtain geography information. Therefore, by means of seamless transferring operation between different communication modules, a remote manager may be able to continuously monitor the positions of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: MITAC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Jun-Ting Shiau, Ta-Yung Lee, Jen-Hao Hsu, Chia-Chin Yu
  • Patent number: 7689195
    Abstract: A transceiver for a RFID reader and a transceiver for a RFID transponder (tag) allow communication between the two devices. The RFID reader utilizes an analog front end and a digital backend. In the receiver portion of the transceiver, the front end of the RFID reader uses a pair of down-conversion mixers to demodulate a received signal into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) digitize the signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) in the back end processes the digital signal and uses a matched filter for data detection. The RFID tag receives an inductively coupled signal from the reader and the receiver portion of the tag uses a pulse/level detector that employs an analog comparator and a sample and hold circuit to detect the received signal. A digital decoder/controller is used to decode the incoming data and to establish a sampling clock for the pulse/level detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jiangfeng Wu, Donald Edward Major
  • Publication number: 20100066510
    Abstract: A control method for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. The control method includes steps of prompting a plurality of RFID tags to enter a ready state; enabling a first RFID tag from the RFID tags to enter an accessible stage, and providing a first identification code to the first RFID tag; and commanding the first RFID tag to enter a standby state from the accessible stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 7679511
    Abstract: A method for obtaining information on a product (1), said method comprising the following steps: the product (1) is marked with several codes (100, 101) that are stored in one or several RFID tags (11, 11?); at least one of said codes is read contactlessly by means of an RFID reader device (2); said reader device (2) sends a set of one or several read codes to a name service server (6) over a telecommunication network (4); said name service server (6) answers with the address of one or several hypertext pages; and the sought information (7) is accessed by means of said hypertext pages. The invention is characterized in that not all codes (100, 101) read by the RFID reader device are contained in the set sent, and in that the code or codes (100, 101) contained in said set are selected in said reader device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Swisscom AG
    Inventor: Eric Lauper
  • Publication number: 20100058629
    Abstract: An animal ear tag that is sufficiently light and small that it may be secured to the ear of an animal without causing irritation to the animal or loss of attachment. The ear tag includes an identification code that may be in the form of human-readable or machine-readable indicia or an RFID tag mounted on or inside the ear tag. The ear tag may be part of a sequential set of ear tags arranged in a strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: The Jackson Laboratory
    Inventors: Joan Emily Malcolm ALBEE, Shannon Byers, Michael V. Wiles
  • Publication number: 20100052867
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying object movement and location with RFID device comprises two RFID gateways constructed by at least one RFID interrogator located inside and outside an entrance of a monitored zone independently, a portable RFID tag carried by the object capable of receiving and responding said signals emitted by said RFID interrogator, and a data processor connected with said RFID gateways capable of receiving said responses to identify said object movement as leaving or entering said entrance and said object location as outside or inside said monitored zone. There is also a corresponding method for identifying object movement and location with RFID device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Siu Keung Kwok, Chi Fai Cheung, Hing Choi Tsang, Wing Bun Lee, Burly K. Tan, Jay Lee, Pui Him Ng, Sze Kit Ho
  • Publication number: 20100058397
    Abstract: For electronic commerce, selected items are tracked in a database and are made available for purchase by interactions with a customer. The construction and maintenance of the database may be summarized by three general steps. The first general step in the construction of the electronic commerce site is the establishment of a link between a particular product and a particular program or program episode that features the product. The second general step is creating a database of the records or links that are established from the first general step. The third general step is establishing an interface with the customer, which may be accomplished through the internet. A preferable technique for generating product tracking information uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to dynamically track products located in the video frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Brian Rogers
  • Patent number: 7671762
    Abstract: A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin C. Breslau, John P. Kaemmerer
  • Patent number: 7673039
    Abstract: To overcome problems there is to be provided useful information to a user, by counting the number of detected RF tags. As a means for solving the problems an information-providing server 20 according to the present invention acquires IDs of RF tag readers disposed near by the Ferris wheel, when there has been presented to the information providing server 20, as a notifying condition, the condition that a user desires to receive an e-mail on the occasion of the number of persons waiting in line for a Ferris wheel having become seven or less. Then after having acquired the number of plural IDs of the RF tags detected by the RF tag readers having the acquired IDs, the information-providing server 20 acquires attribute information of the RF tags. The information providing server 20 counts the number of IDs of RF tags whose attribute is a person, referring to the attribute information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Sakamoto, Goro Kunito, Kenichi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20100045444
    Abstract: A method and a system are described for improved reading of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags using correcting codes on sets of electronic tags. In one embodiment, information is requested from each of a set of electronic tags. The information includes an identification code and a portion of a codeword, the codeword contains a coded message with identification codes of all tags in the set. The information is received from a subset of the set of tags. Portions of the codeword from the received tag information of the subset of tags are assembled. The coded message is constructed from the assembled portions of the codeword. Finally, individually receiving information from a remaining set of the tags in the set of tags. In one embodiment, the system includes a set of electronic tags and a reading device to request and receive information from each of the set of electronic tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: LEONARDO WEISS FERREIRA CHAVES, Mathis Schwuchow, Andreas Schmidt, Abraham Taherivand
  • Patent number: 7667589
    Abstract: RFID tags have an on-chip antenna and an off-chip antenna. One of the antennas can become uncoupled if the proper signal is received, while the other antenna may still operate. The uncoupled antenna can be the larger one, for example the off-chip antenna. Then the tag can then be read only by the smaller antenna, which effectively reduces the range of the RFID tag, but without disabling it entirely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitri C. Desmons, Ronald A. Oliver, Christopher J. Diorio, Todd E. Humes
  • Publication number: 20100039239
    Abstract: An embedded Communication device configured to enable kids identify the sides and sizes of shoes to be warn and responsive for voice auditory communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Angela & Joseph Ibetoh
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7652555
    Abstract: A container that is capable of outputting information related to objects stored in the container. The container is able to output information for objects that are stored by the container and that have identification tags physically associated with them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee
  • Patent number: 7652556
    Abstract: When activating a desired communication mode of an ID communication partner device (2) from a group of possible communication modes, which group comprises at least a TTF mode and an RTF mode, the ID communication partner device (2) and at least one other ID communication partner device (4) are brought into a communication connection, wherein a carrier signal (CS) is output by the at least one other ID communication partner device (4), which carrier signal (CS) is received by the ID communication partner device (2), and wherein the carrier signal (CS) is repeatedly designated by at least one mode activation signal (AS) by means of the at least one other ID communication partner device (4), and wherein the presence of the mode activation signal (AS) is recognized by the ID communication partner device (2), giving a recognition result signal (RRS), and wherein, as a function of the recognition result signal (RRS), the desired communication mode of the ID communication partner device (2) is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Klemens Breitfuss, Holger Kunkat
  • 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: 7639119
    Abstract: A system and method of inventorying multiple objects utilizing a multi-level or a chained radio frequency identification system. The system includes a master tag and a plurality of upper level tags and lower level tags associated with respective objects. The upper and lower level tags communicate with each other and the master tag so that reading of the master tag reveals the presence and absence of upper and lower level tags. In the chained RF system, the upper and lower level tags communicate locally with each other in a manner so that more remote tags that are out of range of some of the upper and lower level tags have their information relayed through adjacent tags to the master tag and thence to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute K1-53
    Inventors: Curtis L. Carrender, Ronald W. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20090316216
    Abstract: In the present invention, paper fingerprint information of a document is read (step 801) and whether the paper finger print information is registered is judged (step 802). If it is judged that the paper fingerprint information is registered, read image data are acquired (step 814). Super-resolution processing is then applied to the read image data and read image data, which had been acquired from the document up to a previous time, and high-resolution image data are thereby acquired (step 816). Next, paper fingerprint information of a recording sheet is read (step 808), and the paper fingerprint information and added information, including information indicating a storage location of the read image data that have been acquired up until now in regard to the document, are stored in an associated manner (step 810). An image is then formed on the recording sheet based on the high-resolution image data (step 812).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuki Nakajima
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090295567
    Abstract: A handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a polarization insensitive antenna that enables simultaneous operation in two orthogonal polarization modes. The RFID reader includes an RF communication module and an antenna coupled to the RF communication module. The RF communication module is configured to process RF signals associated with operation of the RFID reader, and the antenna is configured to transmit and receive RF energy associated with operation of the RFID reader. The antenna includes a conductive loop element having a major longitudinal path, and a slot formed in the conductive loop element along the major longitudinal path. The conductive loop element is configured to operate as a first antenna polarized in a first orientation, and the slot is configured to operate as a second antenna polarized in a second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: David BELLOWS
  • Patent number: 7619532
    Abstract: A base station that uses an antenna assembly and associated signal processing where the antenna assembly includes at least one directional antenna, developing information from which a determination is made regarding the direction from which a received signal is coming. By employing a plurality of such base stations the location of a transmitting tag is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Israel Amir
  • Publication number: 20090273453
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for item identification using RFID. A system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator, and a computer coupled to the RFID interrogator, the computer including a database comprising RFID identification codes and items associated with the RFID identification codes, two or more the RFID identification codes associated with a single item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Mark E. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7609164
    Abstract: A radio tag evaluation system includes a transmission member providing a frequency signal to a radio tag. A transmitting antenna, which is placed on one side of the radio tag for transmiting the inquiry signal supplied from the transmission member. The radio tag is placed and supported around the center of an anechoic box. A receiving antenna is placed on the other side of the radio tag. A reception member is connected to the receiving antenna for analyzing a response signal. The transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are placed orthogonally to each other, and the primary face of the radio tag is placed substantially at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the transmitting antenna. The receiving antenna is unable to directly receive a transmission radio wave which has passed around the radio tag. Accordingly, a response signal emitted from the radio tag can be relatively strongly received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090261955
    Abstract: An identification device is configured to be coupled externally to an optoelectronic device to provide connectivity and/or identification information in an optical network in which the optoelectronic device is implemented. The identification device may include an integrated circuit with unique identification information and a plurality of contacts coupled to the integrated circuit and configured to be coupled to an outside identification system. The outside identification system communicates with the identification device via the plurality of contacts to collect unique identification information, the ability to retrieve the unique identification information additionally implicating connectivity in some embodiments. The identification device may include a plurality of clips configured to engage corresponding posts on a latch of the optoelectronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Moore, Greta Light
  • Publication number: 20090261954
    Abstract: The method is for transmitting data identifying a valve of a wheel to a receiver on board a vehicle. The method includes, excitation of the valve, transmission by the valve of a frame including at least a code identifying the valve, and reception of the frame by the on-board receiver. The reception includes a refreshing of a memory range contained in the receiver by the data from the frame received. The method the includes a reading operation, by a diagnostic instrument, of the most recent data contained in the memory range, and an operation of writing to an area of memory dedicated to storing identifier codes, by a diagnostic instrument, of at least part of the data read including an identifier code. The writing operation is carried out after validation by an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Philippe Artur, Anne Caldichoury, Olivier Costes, Eric Dubot, Olivier Gazalet
  • Publication number: 20090224892
    Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a RFID tag within or outside of a cellular network. Upon receiving a request to track the RFID tag, the cellular network instructs each mobile host within the cellular network to track the RFID tag. When the RFID tag enters a coverage area of one of the mobile hosts, the ID of the RFID tag is communicated to the mobile host. Then, the mobile host obtains its location. At this point, if the mobile host is outside of the cellular network, the mobile host communicates with other mobile hosts within its coverage area such that all of the mobile hosts within its coverage area have the location and time stamp for the RFID tag. When one of these mobile hosts enters the cellular network, the mobile host communicates the location and time stamp for the RFID tag to the cellular network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Charles W. T. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20090228908
    Abstract: A portable media device for use in cooperation with passenger entertainment systems installed in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The portable media device is configured to communicate with one or more content sources, which provide viewing content and which may be proximate to, and/or remote from, the portable media device. Preferably being configured to wirelessly communicate with the content sources, the portable media device can select content from any available content source and can download and present the selected content in any conventional manner. The selected content can be streamed to the portable media device for contemporaneous presentation and/or stored by the portable media device for viewing at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed. As desired, the portable media device likewise can be configured to transmit appropriate upload content to the content sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Margis, James Allen Haak, Christopher Brian Lundquist, Steven Lee Sizelove, Henry Sugito Osias, Karen Marie Werner, John Andrew Johnson, Drew Calvin Bamford, Sebastian Maximilian Johannes Petry, Stefan Pannenbecker, Scott Bright, Ross Collins, Brian Piquette, Mark Taylor, Christoph E. Mack, Rand W. Lee, Gregory Singleton, Skooks Pong
  • Publication number: 20090219159
    Abstract: A method and system to implement an electronic personal training is provided. According to an example embodiment, personal goals for fitness and health-related activities may be recorded, tracked, and provided, using personal electronic devices. The personal electronic devices may receive and store input from objects (e.g., exercise equipments or food items) in an environment (e.g., a fitness center or a supermarket) and output relevant personal information about the activity currently being input (e.g. on a digital screen, pre-stored version of a human voice, etc.). The portable electronic devices may periodically communicate data with a system located on a communications network, where the fitness data may be processed to provide individual and group reports (e.g. email sent to person, membership trends to gyms, account history available online). A user may set or modify his or her goals by accessing the system via the portable electronic device or a user computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Jared Morgenstern
  • Publication number: 20090212923
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an identification information acquisition unit configured to acquire identification information that is contained in a tag whose registration has been instructed by a user and that identifies the tag from among a plurality of tags indicating user feelings; a registration information generation unit configured to acquire information corresponding to a user feeling indicated by the tag whose registration has been instructed by the user and to generate registration information including the information corresponding to the user feeling added in association with the identification information; and a display unit configured to display a list of images of tags corresponding to identification information contained in the registration information and display information corresponding to a user feeling added in association with identification information corresponding to a tag selected from the list of the images of the tags, on the basis of the generated registration infor
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Tokashiki, Hideo Nagasaka, Shigeharu Kondo
  • Publication number: 20090201142
    Abstract: A wireless sensor system identifies a single event in a wireless link. In an embodiment, the wireless sensor system includes an interrogator comprising an oscillator, a power amplifier, an antenna, and a detection circuit. The wireless sensor system also includes a sensor tag. The interrogator and the sensor tag are adapted to inductively couple the antenna and the sensor tag. The detection circuit detects a signal across the antenna, and the single event changes the signal across the antenna. In addition, the detection circuit provides the identification of the single event by detecting the change in the signal across the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Jun Zou, Murat K. Yapici, Lamyanba Yambem
  • Patent number: 7573373
    Abstract: An anti-carjacking system includes a transmitter programmed to receive a selected vehicle identification number or other code for use with a car assigned with that particular number or code. The system further includes a receiver associated with the computer system of the car so identified by the selected vehicle identification number and means for disabling normal driving operation of the car. There is further provided means for sending a disable command from the transmitter to the receiver so that the particular car with the selected vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational. The system may be implemented in various embodiments including a modified car radio system and a RFID embedded license plate configuration. Methods related to vehicle operation and occupant safety are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Hap Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7570151
    Abstract: A reservation system includes a database configured to store information identifying customers who have purchased tickets for an event, information about the scheduled time for the event, and information identifying customers who have arrived; a controller configured to operate on the database; and an interrogator in communication with the controller, and an antenna coupled to the interrogator, the interrogator being configured to send wireless commands requesting wireless responses from portable identification devices, the portable identification devices being configured to transmit identifying data in response to receiving a command, the interrogator having a predetermined communications range and being configured to communicate with portable identification devices within the predetermined communications range, the controller being configured to modify the database to indicate that one of the customers who purchased a ticket has arrived, responsive to the interrogator receiving a response from the portable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Keystone Technology Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20090189744
    Abstract: An identification code circuit for a receiving coil in a magnetic resonance imaging system, is embodied in a main coil. The circuit has a fixed resistance for generating the identification code of the main coil. The main coil has a socket for connecting a sub-coil, so that a coil plug of a sub-coil can be plugged into the socket for connecting to the main coil. The identification code circuit also has a regulating resistance and a sub-coil switch corresponding to the socket. The coil plug of the sub-coil is plugged into the socket to close the sub-coil switch, so that the values of the regulating resistance and said fixed resistance are added together to form a combined resistance value. After said main coil has been connected to a magnetic resonance imaging system, an identification code source voltage value across the combined resistance value is the identification code of the combined main coil and sub-coil. A receiving circuit identification code thus can be generated simply and with reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jian Min Wang, Hua Bin Zhu
  • Publication number: 20090189743
    Abstract: An inventory management and network operations system and method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader data network having RFID readers configured to read tag identifiers from RFID tags associated with equipment to be deployed to a target network and (2) a computer coupled to the RFID reader data network and the target network and configured to retrieve the tag identifiers from the RFID reader data network and network identifiers from equipment deployed in the target network, associate the tag identifiers and the network identifiers and display both the tag identifiers and the network identifiers of at least some of the equipment to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent
    Inventors: Cherian Abraham, Fred Eubanks, Wayne L. Laffitte
  • Patent number: 7567173
    Abstract: An MPF (Multi Function Peripheral) obtains a BD address and a device name from a communication partner search response when it receives the communication partner search response from a cellular phone. When the MFP successfully obtains the BD address and the BD address is stored in a device management database in a RAM of the MFP, the MFP obtains a user name corresponding to the BD address from the device management database. The MFP obtains settings associated with the user name from an environment database in the RAM of the MFP and stores the same in an environment storage area in the RAM. A display process, etc. in the MFP are performed according to the settings stored in the environment storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takahashi, Makoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7564346
    Abstract: An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) obtains a BD address and a device name from a communication partner search response when it receives the communication partner search response from a cellular phone. When the MFP successfully obtains the BD address and the BD address is stored in a device management database in a RAM of the MFP, the MFP obtains a user name corresponding to the BD address from the device management database. The MFP obtains settings associated with the user name from an environment database in the RAM of the MFP and stores the same in an environment storage area in the RAM. A display process, etc. in the MFP are performed according to the settings stored in the environment storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takahashi, Makoto Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20090179743
    Abstract: An electric circuit for a transponder (110) for communication with a base station (120), the electric circuit comprising a memory unit (111) adapted for storing communication related information, and a processor unit (112) adapted for altering an authentification code necessary for the base station (120) to get access to the memory (111) in accordance with a pseudo-random authentification code altering scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Franz Amtmann
  • Publication number: 20090160624
    Abstract: An individual article management arrangements for managing an individual article distributed through a plurality of sites with a form thereof changed at least one of said plurality of sites, including: information processing apparatuses installed at said plurality of sites; and a data center apparatus connected to each of said information processing apparatuses through a network. The data center apparatus and the information processing apparatuses are configured to effect predetermined operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Shigeru Sasaki, Yuichi Kobayashi, Shuji Terada, Yoshifumi Sato, Takeshi Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20090160623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying electronic labels provided with an identification code consisting of a plurality of rows, by means of a base station emitting interrogation commands (104, 108, 124, 128, 140) specifying at least one row of said code, each label emitting, in response to the base station, the value of the code thereof for each said row (110, 126, 130, 142). The inventive method consists of the following steps: the electronic labels are interrogated (104, 108), in an interrogation step, for at least one row of the code, and, if at least one electronic label emits a response (110), a signalisation step is performed by the base station when it has received two responses, the labels that do not have a pre-determined value for the interrogation row are subjected to a temporary inhibition step (114, 134) when the base station signals that it has received two responses, and a storage step (114, 134) is performed for the storage of each row in the labels that are temporarily inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Pierre Raimbault
  • Patent number: 7551082
    Abstract: Automatic information capture and management is enhanced with RFID tags that provide complex information about an object in combination with intelligent systems that apply ontological classification of the object based on the captured information. An intelligent system includes a local RFID system, a central information clearinghouse which may further include one or more data mart having a subset of the clearinghouse information, a search and match engine with fuzzy matching capability, a rule engine, and one or more ontology to facilitate the use of the information captured about the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Claire Svetlana Vishik, G. Neelakantan Kartha