Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing security in an RFID system and provides a secure active RFID architecture that uses a combination of passive and active RFID circuitry and employs authentication and encryption techniques in the processing of data, at rest and over the air. In the method of communicating securely in an RFID system of the present invention, a random number is generated with the passive RFID circuitry. The random number is forwarded to a reader. The reader is authenticated by comparing a first hash value determined from a hash function of the random number generated at the RFID tag and an Authenticated Facility Group ID stored on the RFID tag with a second hash value determined from the hash function of the forwarded random number and an Authenticated Facility Group ID stored in the reader such that if the first hash value matches the second hash value the reader is authenticated.

Abstract: A system, server and methods are described for initiating a desired function or sequence of functions in a mobile communications device such as a mobile phone by scanning a contactlessly readable tag, such as an RFID (NFC) tag. An app running on the mobile communications device uses the unique tag identifying data of the tag to address a tag management server and fetch instructions and/or data, from the tag management server for performing the desired function on the mobile communications device, the instructions and/or data being selected from data records on the server on the basis of the tag identifying data. Further parameters from the tag and/or from the mobile communications device may be provided to the tag management server for selecting the instructions and/or data required for performing the desired function in the mobile communications device.

Abstract: In systems and methods for determining the placement of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, a tag reader communicates with one or more RFID tags at different locations of a target object. The tag reader determines which of the different locations is a preferable location for placing an RFID tag by detecting the transmission power level or other value required to communicate with the RFID tag at each of the different locations.

Abstract: A positioning system and method are provided to use multiple RFID readers to position a target object with an active RFID tag equipped thereon. The system and method defines a geometric center of the locations of the RFID readers as a first coordinate. When the RFID readers continuously receive RF signals of the active RFID tag, a corresponding signal intensity of each of the RF signals is calculated and compared to obtain an approaching vector corresponding to the location of the RFID reader with the greatest signal intensity of the RF signal. A positioned location of the target object is then approached from the first coordinate to a second coordinate according to the approaching vector. The first coordinate and the positioned location of the target object will be reset as the second coordinate. The reset first coordinate is output as the latest positioned location of the target object.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for recognizing a radio frequency identification tag reader. In order to obtain protocol addresses of a plurality of radio frequency identification (hereinafter referred to as RFID) tag readers, a request message including a timestamp indicating a generation time is generated and transmitted, and a response message for the request message from one of the plurality of RFID readers is received. When the timestamp included in the response message satisfies a set condition, a hardware address and a protocol address of the RFID reader are extracted from the response message.

Abstract: To improve communication between tags by causing a mobile object having a RFID tag attached to transmit an interrogating wave only when moving in a communication range to reduce power consumption and prevent occurrence of tag confusion. By acquiring two Doppler signals from 2-frequency transmission waves (CW) with different frequencies and respective reflected waves and detecting phase difference from the Doppler signals, a cargo (21A) is detected to be moving in the communication range (A). Only when the movement is detected, a reader-writer (1A) transmits the interrogating wave (RW).

Abstract: The invention concerns a medical instrument disinfecting system (1) comprising a disinfecting chamber (4) adapted to implement a cycle for disinfecting the instruments. The invention is characterized in that each instrument (1) comprises identification data (5) and in that the chamber (4) is associated with means (6) for acquiring the identification data of the or each instrument (1) when it is introduced into or withdrawn from the chamber (4) at the start and at the end of a disinfecting cycle, with means (7, 8) for acquiring characterization data of the disinfecting cycle and with means (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) for associating the identification data of the or each instrument and the characterization data of the disinfecting cycle to generate traceability data of the disinfection of the or each instrument.

Abstract: A RFID cabinet comprises a cabinet structure and one or more drawers or shelves. Chambers are formed within the cabinet to house the one or more drawers or shelves. An RFID scanner is configured to scan items tagged with RFID tags in the chambers via one or more antennas. The antennas can include transmit and receive antennas or antennas configured to perform both transmit and receive functions. The drawers can have a access cover, or lid that can be controlled so as to control access to the drawer. The scanner can be configured to perform inventory control for the tagged items.

Abstract: Three dimensional RF tag signatures may be obtained from a three dimensional RF tag or multiple two or three dimensional RF tags so that information in addition to presence information may be obtained. In one embodiment, a three dimensional RF tag having two or more power coils disposed in non-coplanar planes enables the coils to experience different levels of excitation from an electromagnetic field. This information may be transmitted along with the RF tag response to enable the orientation of the RF tag relative to an RF tag reader to be determined. In another embodiment, multiple RF tags (either standard RF tags or three dimensional RF tags) may be used on a given article and a response signature from the article as a whole may be recorded. The three dimensional response signature thus collected may be compared with previous versions of the response signature to determine if the article has been altered.

Abstract: Article storage equipment includes a passive-type RFID tag storing identification information of an article storage container and provided in a portion of an outer periphery of the article storage container overlapping above a plate-like member with the article storage container being placed on a storage unit, and control means configured to perform a reading-out operation process for controlling operation of conveying means when execution of an article confirmation process for allowing a RFID reader to read out the identification information of the RFID tag provided in the article storage container stored in the storage unit is instructed to extend an article supporting member to a projecting position at a fetching level, raise the article supporting member to a target reading-out level higher than the fetching level by a raised amount for reading, and then lower the article supporting member to the fetching level to be withdrawn to a retracted position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing security for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining responsibility for a first item when the first item is in a first range of a first container. Maintaining responsibility for the first item includes monitoring a locator tag associated with the first item when the locator tag is within the first range. The method also includes determining when the first item is in the first range, determining if the first item is in a second range associated with a second container when the first item is not in the first range, and determining if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container if the first item is in the second range. Additionally, the method includes transferring responsibility for the first item to the second container if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container.

Abstract: A sensor of a communication device detects whether a card associated with an account is present within a range. Responsive to the communication device detecting the card is outside the range of the sensor longer than a user specified time limit, the communication device sends a first communication to an account provider system via a network for the card to automatically place an account associated with the card on hold, wherein the account provider system blocks transactions to the account when the account is placed on hold. Responsive to the communication device detecting the card return within the range of the sensor, the communication device sends a second communication to the account provider system via the network to automatically reactivate the account associated with the card, wherein the account provider system allows transactions to the account when the account is reactivated.

Abstract: A method of detecting a signal in radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (FIG. 1) is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal (FIG. 7) having a first time in a first logic state (high) and having a second time in a second logic state (low). A weight (700, 702) is determined in response to the first time and the second time. An output signal (from A2D) is produced in response to the weight and one of the first and second logic states.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: RFID driven display system components such as wireless displays (visual RFID tags) and multi-antenna wireless RFID readers that monitor/control the RFID driven displays in order to provide visual real-time information to display viewers and/or provide useful information to a central processing station that monitors the status of and/or updates the RFID driven displays, networks including one or more of the components, and methods for using the RFID driven display system components to monitor assets in applications such as inventory control and manufacturing.

Abstract: A binary tree method for avoiding collision of multiple tags, comprising: during inventorying tags, a reader sending a re-splitting instruction to the tags and entering a next time slot for reception if the reader does not receive any reply information from the tags in a specified time slot and one of the following conditions is satisfied: the reader received incorrectly reply information from the tags in the former time slot, or a re-splitting instruction was sent in the former time slot; and when the tags receive the re-splitting instruction, for tags whose counter values are not 1, the counter values remaining unchanged, and tags whose counter values are 1 splitting into two subsets 0 and 1, and those counter-0 tags replying to the reader. With the present invention, the inventorying flow of Binary Tree is optimized, the inventorying efficiency is improved, and the whole flow becomes more reasonable.

Abstract: In contactless communication in which a carrier wave transmitted from a first antenna of a host is received via a second antenna of a terminal and the carrier wave is amplitude-modulated on the terminal to transmit data to the host, a carrier wave detected from the first antenna is amplitude-demodulated to obtain a first demodulated output, and phase information included in the carrier wave detected from the first antenna is extracted and the extracted phase information is decoded to obtain a second demodulated output. Then, either of the first and second demodulated outputs is selected and output. Even when a null is caused by an antenna distance between a PCD and a PICC, demodulated data is reliably obtained by utilizing demodulation processing that uses phase information.

Abstract: While ECUs are connected with a distribution apparatus via a communication line, each of the ECUs sends status notification representing own status to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus creates status information representing status of the ECUs in accordance with status notifications received from the ECUs connected with the distribution apparatus. This status information is sent to other distribution apparatuses together with data for synchronizing a database. The other ECUs perform similar operations to those of the ECUs, while the other distribution apparatuses perform similar operations to those of the distribution apparatus. Therefore, each of the distribution apparatuses can recognize the status of all the ECUs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for radio frequency identification provides an on-off keyed amplitude-modulated illumination signal containing a sequence of bits configured to illuminate a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, The illumination signal is received at the RFID tag, rectified to generate a wake signal for waking a processor which is subsequently powered by a battery. The received illumination signal is sampled and subjected to a thresholding process. Mobile telephone band interference is countered by correlating the sampled illumination signal to determine its bit sequence and then correlating the bit sequence against a predetermined key. An identification signal from the RFID tag is sent in response to a match.

Abstract: A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFID readers and RFID tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries.

Abstract: An article management system 1 comprising a handheld reader having a reader antenna for transmitting and receiving information with RFID tags and configured to search for a plurality of article tags respectively provided to a plurality of printers, and a database connected in an information transmittable and receivable manner to the handheld reader, wherein: the database stores in association the article name of each printer, management status information, and corresponding article tag ID; and the handheld reader performs a step of scanning an article tag ID from the article tag, a step of issuing a primary notification based on vibration to a user when the article tag ID is received, and a step of issuing a secondary notification based on sound generation to the user when a cross-check of the scanned tag ID and the article tag ID that is the search target results in a match.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accounting for responders at a site, includes obtaining a first RFID from a scanning of a responder radio performed in a vicinity of the site; determining, by using the first RFID, a responder identity from a RFID database that associates each one of a plurality of responder identities to a corresponding responder radio RFID; adding at least one of the responder identity and the first RFID to an active responder database for the site; initiating an acknowledgement to the responder radio; obtaining a second RFID as a result of a second scanning; and removing the responder identity from the active responder database when the second RFID matches the first RFID.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying implanted medical devices, leads and systems, as well as objects in close proximity to a patient having an implanted medical device (IMD), using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the IMD, lead system and/or patient. An RFID tag communicator includes a circuit for limiting the total continuous transmit time of an interrogation signal, and a time-out circuit for delaying a second and any subsequent interrogation of the RFID tag. An external IMD programmer incorporating a multi-functional RFID reader is capable of identifying and communicating with various types of implanted medical devices, even if such devices are made by different manufacturers.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that a document is included in a document management system is disclosed. This system and method includes scanning of a scan track of a document, generating document data dependently upon the scanning, comparing the generated document data to stored document data, the stored document data generated dependently upon a prior scanning of the scan track of the document, and outputting an indication of the document being included in the document management system as determined by the comparing.

Abstract: A wireless network communications unit is operable to transmit and receive data for a host device. The wireless network communications unit includes a wireless network communications interface configured to transmit and receive data using a wireless network protocol when a host device having the wireless network communications unit is turned on. The wireless communications unit also includes a tag component detecting when the host device is turned off. In response to detecting the host device being turned off, the unit enters a tag operational mode wherein the tag component is configured to transmit data identifying the host device via the wireless network interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for providing Quality of service to RFID. In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of providing quality of service in an RFID network comprising storing RFID priority information corresponding to the RFID network, wherein the RFID network comprises one or more tags and one or more readers mapping the RFID priority information into priority information corresponding to a second network.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object (1) tagged with a radio frequency identification tag (2) having an identification code using a network of readers (3) is described. A reader (3) interrogates the tag (2) by transmitting its identification code. In response to receiving its identification code, the tag identifies itself to the reader. Otherwise, it does not identify itself. The method comprises identifying an expected location of the object and directing one or more selected readers according to the expected location to interrogate the tag using its identification code.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an identifiable roof covering incl. the product thereof, comprising the steps of providing a first layer of material, providing a second layer of material onto said first layer of material and arranging a RFID tag onto the first layer of material prior to providing the second layer of material.

Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronization method between a reader and tag according to an example embodiment, the method including: transmitting, by the reader, a first write command message to the tag at a first time; detecting, by the tag, the first write command message from the reader at a second time and transmitting a first response message to the reader in response to the first write message; transmitting, by the reader, a second write command message including first time information of the first time to the tag; and correcting, by the tag, a clock offset using a difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: In an RFID system comprising a detection unit for detecting an RFID tag and a control unit for exercising the control concerning the RFID tag, a determination unit determines whether to access a second area of an RFID tag comprising storage area, comprising of a first area for storing ID information and the second area for storing command information. An extraction unit extracts command information from the second area when it is determined to access the second area. An execution unit performs a process corresponding to the command information extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: Responsive to intercepting an outbound command, a command interceptor may, upon determining that the command is associated with a particular category of commands, transmit an anticipatory response to the source of the command, for example, to prematurely indicate that the command has met with success. Accordingly, a given application whose further execution is dependent upon the successful completion of the command may further execute earlier than would be the case if the given application was to await the transmission of the command, the generation of a response indicating success and the receipt of the response indicating success.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a rectifier and a switch. The rectifier is configured to modulate a received carrier signal. The switch is coupled to at least one node of the rectifier. The switch is configured to modify an impedance of the rectifier to modulate the received carrier signal by providing a potential to the at least one node of the rectifier based on a field strength of the received carrier signal and a modulation-control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with an RFID tag is provided which has a radio communicating device configured to conduct radio communication with a plurality of individual RFID tags constituting a single tag group and a single representative RFID tag associated so as to represent the tag group. A first information obtainment portion is configured to conduct first communication for search of the representative RFID tag corresponding to the individual RFID tag to be searched and to obtain information from the representative RFID tag; a switching determination portion configured to determine if the first communication in information obtainment satisfies a predetermined switching condition. A second information obtainment portion configured to conduct second communication for search of the individual RFID tag to be searched in a communication mode different from that of the first communication if the determination is satisfied and to obtain information from the individual RFID tag.

Abstract: A technique for simultaneously acquiring vehicle identification information and speed information of an RFID tag-attached vehicle by calculating the vehicle speed by using a Doppler shift value extracted from transmission and reception signals between the RFID tag and the RFID reader is disclosed. A method for measuring a vehicle speed by using an RFID reader installed right up on the road or at the roadside includes: transmitting a continuous wave; receiving a reflected wave with respect to the continuous wave from an RFID tag attached to a vehicle which has received the continuous wave; extracting a Doppler shift value from the continuous wave and the reflected wave; and calculating the speed of the vehicle by using the Doppler shift value.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an IC card includes a receiving unit and an executing unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive a batch processing command. The executing unit is configured to execute a first processing and a second processing in response to the reception of the batch processing command.

Abstract: An object locator system utilizes a microtransponder (12) that is used in association with an object to be located. A remote locator (10) transmits an encoded signal in which is embedded an identification code associated with the object to be located. The microtransponder (12) receives the encoded transmitted signal and processes such signal utilizing fast fourier transform techniques. The microtransponder (12) correlates the transformed received signal with a fast fourier transformed version of an identification code associated with the microtransponder (12) and upon detection of a correlation, transmits an acknowledgement signal to the remote locator (10). The remote locator (10) determines the distance to the microtransponder (12) based upon the round trip time from transmission of the coded signal to the microtransponder (12) to the receipt of the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: An RFID tag is provided. The RFID tag includes an emitting module, a temperature detecting circuit and a tag chip. The temperature detecting circuit produces a time signal according to a surrounding temperature, wherein the time signal changes with the surrounding temperature. The tag chip is electrically connected to the temperature detecting circuit and the emitting module, wherein the time signal is transmitted via the emitting module.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention are directed to a selectively accessible electromagnetically resonant data storage element (implemented as a resonant tag, card, embedded element and/or similar devices), for inventory and facility control and management, for product tracking during transportation, for security purposes (e.g., personal identification (e.g., passports, driver's licenses, alien registration cards), access control, etc.), and to facilitate various forms of electronic information interchange (for example in electronic commerce, such as payment cards, etc.), that is selectively responsive to predetermined electromagnetic interrogation thereof, that comprises a novel membrane switch component for enabling a user to selectively enable and/or disable interrogatory access to the resonant component, to protect from unauthorized interrogation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits signpost signals (24) that are received by a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711). The tag in turn transmits radio frequency beacon signals (72) which are received by a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The tag can vary the duration of the beacon signals, for example in dependence on whether it is currently receiving a signpost signal. Further, the tag can dynamically vary the transmission rate and/or transmission power of the beacon signals, for example following receipt of a signpost signal. Varying these parameters can facilitate compliance with governmental regulations.

Abstract: A portable system includes a portable device and a power adapter to supply power to the portable device. The portable device includes a rechargeable battery and a measurement chip to measure charge remaining in the rechargeable battery. The power adapter includes a transmission line, a microprocessor, and a display unit. The microprocessor receives the readout of the amount of charge remaining in the rechargeable battery from the measurement chip via the transmission line, and generates a display signal according to the charge remaining. The display unit displays the charging progress of the rechargeable battery according to the display signal received from the microprocessor.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention are directed to a selectively accessible electromagnetically resonant data storage element (implemented as a resonant tag, card, embedded element and/or similar devices), for inventory and facility control and management, for product tracking during transportation, for security purposes (e.g., personal identification (e.g., passports, driver's licenses, alien registration cards), access control, etc.), and to facilitate various forms of electronic information interchange (for example in electronic commerce, such as payment cards, etc.), that is selectively responsive to predetermined electromagnetic interrogation thereof, that comprises a novel membrane switch component for enabling a user to selectively enable and/or disable interrogatory access to the resonant component, to protect from unauthorized interrogation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and system for pipelining processes in an RF reader. In some implementations, a method includes receiving, from a transponder, a reply to an initial command. A physical (PHY) layer and a media control access (MAC) layer are pipelined to initiate transmission of a subsequent command during demodulation of the transponder reply.

Abstract: A method and system of determining spatial identification of an object, such as orientation, size, location, range, and/or movement, using an RFID system is disclosed. An RFID system can comprise one or more RFID reader receiving antennas that query one or more RFID tags coupled to the object. The measurement of the phase of the tag responses at the reader antennas and phase differentials as a function of distance, frequency, and time are the basis of spatial identification. The system can work with conventional Gen 2 tags and readers without modification of the tags or protocol.

Abstract: A tag detecting system for detecting a movement of a person or an object that mounts an RFID tag, a moving object detecting method, and an entrance/exit management system using the moving object detecting system are provided. The tag detecting system detects a specific person or object by restricting a detection area of the RFID tag to a narrow area. Since the moving object detecting method detects a piggyback, the entrance/exit system prevents the piggyback even if there are a number of persons passing through an entrance/exit gate almost at the same time.

Abstract: A remote communication apparatus such as a mobile digital telephone adapted to receive interrogation from time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus from a network provider and including means to hold an identification module within the apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, with an appropriate identification module means to receive any interrogation signals and adapted in the case that the identification signals are appropriate for seeking identification of a network providers subscriber identification module, then effecting a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to information being stored whereby the appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation other than from the network provider, then, as appropriate, directing such further interrogation to other memory means the further memory means including either passive memory or memory contained on removable mea