Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags selected for inventorying using combination of preselect and/or post select criteria. The selection commands can be for selecting according to a tag memory content, by invoking the mask address or by comparing other tag characteristics. Selection criteria can be determined locally at a modem block of a reader or provided to the modem block by higher layers of the reader. Tags meeting the selection criteria are reported to the higher layers for further actions. Some tags may be held while waiting for instructions from the higher layer block(s).

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

Abstract: A method of demodulating signals of an electromagnetic field induced by a contactless transponder includes a step in which the signals from the transponder are detected at given times or frequency. The times or frequency of the detection are synchronized in phase with the electromagnetic field. An associated demodulator and reader are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.

Abstract: A remote activating device remotely activates a device to be activated connected to a first network and a second network. The remote activating device includes a first interface connected to the first network, a second interface connected to the second network, an arrival confirmation processing unit that transmits an arrival attribute confirmation signal to the device to be activated using the first interface and confirms whether or not the arrival attribute confirmation signal has arrived at the device to be activated, and a judging unit that decides the first interface as an activation signal transmitting interface when the arrival attribute confirmation signal has arrived at the device to be activated and decides the second interface as the activation signal transmitting interface when the arrival attribute confirmation signal has not arrived at the device to be activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention are directed to clustering RFID-tag readers of a multi-RFID-tag-reader network in order to obtain a set of RFID-tag readers with high probability of detecting an event, but with low probability of collisions and with an acceptable cost. The cost may be determined by any of numerous cost functions of the RFID-tag readers in the set of RFID-tag readers, and may represent a cost in power, long-term reliability, and other such metrics that may be applied to an RFID-tag network.

Abstract: A radio-frequency tag communication device permitting a radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication, with a minimum required number of interrogators. The radio-frequency tag communication device includes a transmission control portion operable to control transmission of a transmitted signal, so as to prevent overlapping an area of communication of the radio-frequency tag communication device and an area of communication of another radio-frequency tag communication device, making it possible to maximize a spacing distance between the adjacent radio-frequency tag communication devices, and to effectively prevent concurrent receptions of the transmitted signals by the plurality of radio-frequency tags. Namely, the radio-frequency tag communication device permits the radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication with a minimum required number of interrogators.

Abstract: A method of detecting position of a moving RFID tag relative to an antenna, includes continually receiving a signal from the RFID tag at the antenna. The phase of the received signal over a time period is detected and, based on a maximum detected phase, the position of the RFID tag relative to the antenna is detected.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may have a non-responsive mode, triggered by a command from an RFID reader, that temporarily prevents the RFID tag from responding to a query from any RFID reader for a period of time. In some embodiments this non-responsive mode may automatically end after a certain period of time without further action by the RFID reader. In other embodiments this non-responsive mode may end when directed to by another command addressed specifically to the RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a wireless identification tag which can save information with high reliability that is free from the possibility of being lost or falsified, is not broken or melt in the concrete, can expand directionality of an antenna, be distributed in a cement product to be in an appropriate condition for radio communication, and has good adhesion and affinity with cement or the like. A wireless identification tag 1 mixed in a cement product in the manufacturing procedure thereof in which cement, an aggregate, water, or the like are mixed including a protection body 2 incorporating the wireless identification tag 1 having an antenna portion which can write/read information by radio communication, wherein a concave portion 3 is provided on the surface of the protection body.

Abstract: An improved Interrogator (and method of operation) for use in a radio frequency identification system wherein at least one tag modulates a radio frequency signal by modulated backscatter operations.

Abstract: There is provided a terminal for use in determining which of one or more candidate RFID tags having unique data stored thereon is a target RFID tag within a line-of-sight of the terminal. The terminal can comprise program instructions to direct an RFID reading device of the terminal to perform a number of reads of the one or more candidate RFID tags in response to determining that an object is present in the line-of-sight, to calculate an accumulated RSSI of each of the one or more candidate RFID tags, and to determine the target RFID tag from a highest accumulated RSSI. In one embodiment, the unique data can be an EPC. There is also provided a terminal for use in converting an EPC into a decoded bar code. The terminal can comprise program instructions to transmit the decoded bar code to a computer such as an electronic cash register.

Abstract: Communication processing is performed so as to correspond to multiple types of contactless IC cards having different specifications, such as command classes and security algorithms. Without performing a process for a command or response result communicated with an IC card, a reading device encapsulates the command or result into a command that is called a through command and that is independent of the type of IC card and delegates the process to a controller module. Thus, the reading device is independent of the type of IC card. A command and a process procedure which depend on the type of IC card are taken care of by a replaceable software module that is provided in the controller module and that corresponds to the card.

Abstract: A processor (108) configured to associate (302) RFID data (124) obtained from a scene (202) with captured image data for the scene (202). The association can be displayed (304) to a user to enable a user to select (306), using the image data, which RFID data to interact (308) with.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is operative for receiving interrogating radiation at a variable frequency tag and generating a corresponding received signal, and for receiving a signature signal and radiating corresponding response radiation. A logic unit is operative for receiving the received signal and outputting the signature signal in response, the signature signal including a signature code for use in identifying the tag. A voltage controlled oscillator is operative for controlling a rate at which the signature code is output; and a power supply is operative for providing an electrical potential difference for energizing the tag. The voltage controlled oscillator is operable to output the signature code at a rate which is governed by the magnitude of the received signal.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless communication system including a first radio equipment that transmits first data using first radio waves, a data transmitter that outputs a second radio wave generated by modulating the first radio wave according to second data to be transmitted, and a second radio equipment that receives the first radio wave and the second radio wave, and separates and demodulates the first data transmitted from the first radio equipment and the second data transmitted from the data transmitter contained in the received radio waves.

Abstract: RFID tags and chips for RFID tags store a first code and a second code in memory. They are capable of backscattering a combination made from at least portions of the first code and the second code, without receiving any commands in the interim. In a number of embodiments, therefore, a separate command does not have to be sent for also reading the second code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing data on an intermittently connected sensor. A data management system manages the data on radio frequency identification tags. The data management system comprises a radio frequency identification tag capable of storing the data, program code stored on the radio frequency identification tag, and a reader data processing system. The reader data processing system is capable of receiving the data and the program code from the radio frequency identification tag in a radio frequency signal and capable of executing the program code to read the data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for controlling an electronic device. A query is received at a remote control interface. A response to the query is determined. A random response interval of time is determined according/to a collision avoidance mechanism. When the random response interval of time expires, then the response to the query is sent.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in a boundary detection localization system is disclosed, in which the radio badge is carried by a tracked target and performs location sampling communication with an infrastructure component of the localization system at the start and end of sampling time intervals such that positions of the radio badge can be estimated. The method includes: determining a velocity of the radio badge; estimating a critical time for the radio badge to reach a critical region through division in which a critical distance from an estimated position obtained at the end of a most recent sampling time interval to the critical region is the dividend, and the velocity of the radio badge is the divisor; and controlling the radio badge to perform location sampling communication with the infrastructure component of the localization system at the end of the critical time.

Abstract: There is described a method for managing mobile operating devices, which are used to operate a machine within an assigned active area. Emergency stop outlets are triggered as a function of status information of an operating device and of the logon in an active area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking items automatically is described. A passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is used with a material tracking system capable of real-time pinpoint location and identification of thousands of items in production and storage areas. Passive RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked, remote sensing antennas are placed at each remote location to be monitored, interrogators with several antenna inputs are connected to the sensing antennas to multiplex the antenna signals, and a host computer communicates with the interrogators to determine item locations to an exacting measure.

Abstract: A portable device includes an RFID reader for detecting a tag information of an RFID tag, a memory for storing the tag information detected by the RFID reader, and a controller. When a read command for the RFID tag is input and the tag information is valid, the controller controls the RFID reader to retrieve the tag information of the memory. If the tag information is invalid, the controller controls the RFID reader to re-read the RFID tag. The controller can determine whether the tag information is valid using the time and location. Because unnecessary operation can be omitted to read tags, power consumption is reduced and tag information check time is shortened.

Abstract: The pairing method of first and second devices each having a communication function using a millimeter wave band, includes: determining, by the first device, whether or not the a security code of the second device has been registered; when the first device determines that the security code of the second device has been registered, transmitting, by the first device, an activation command instructing the second device to perform millimeter wave band communication, a device ID, and the security code of the second device to the second device through RFID communication; and when the first device receives a message indicating that the second device is ready for millimeter wave band communication from the second device, activating, by the first device, an element for performing communication using the millimeter wave band.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system comprises a radio-frequency identification substrate and an interrogator. In one embodiment, the radio-frequency identification substrate comprises a plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, a first radio-frequency identification device on the substrate monitors an indication of a response of a second radio-frequency identification device on the substrate to an interrogation signal and selectively responds to the interrogation signal based on the monitoring of the indication.

Abstract: A power-saving wireless input device and an associated system are included. The wireless input device comprises an antenna, an RFID transponder, an energy-storing unit, and a sensing unit. The RFID transponder receives an AC signal via the antenna, and converts the AC signal into a DC signal. The energy-storing unit receives the DC signal for charging. The sensing unit, which is powered by the energy-storing unit, generates an input signal to the RFID transponder. The RFID transponder demodulates the AC signal to generate a request signal, and performs load modulation according to the input signal to generate a reply signal in response to the request signal. The reply signal is then transmitted via the antenna.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for periodically measuring the level of ambient noise found on a radio frequency channel used by a radio frequency identification interrogator to read radio frequency identification tags. The measured level of ambient noise is then used to dynamically adjust a threshold value used to predict collisions on the channel.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided, having a transmitting circuit that generates a transmitted signal to operate an RFID tag, a receiving circuit that receives a received signal including a tag signal from the RFID tag and a transmission carrier leakage signal leaking from the transmitting circuit, and a leakage removing circuit that senses a phase and amplitude of the transmission carrier leakage signal inputted to the receiving circuit, converts the transmitted signal from the transmitting circuit into a signal having a phase opposite to that of the transmission carrier leakage signal and an amplitude equal to that of the transmission carrier leakage signal, and synthesizes the converted signal and the received signal inputted to the receiving circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to a request received at an object with a radio frequency identification (RFID) device is described. In one embodiment, a method for responding to a request received at an object with an RFID device is described. The method for responding to a request received at an object with an RFID device involves receiving a request at an RFID device, providing the request from the RFID device to a component of the object, and processing the request at the component of the object. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power rectifier for a Radio Frequency Identification tag circuit. The rectifier is constructed from a pair of complementary MOS transistors. Gates of the transistors have predetermined voltages applied to them. The applied voltages bias the transistors to near their active operating region. During the same time additional control signals are applied to the gates of the transistors, the control signals are synchronous, but out of phase, with each other.

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

Abstract: An RFID tag (10), containing at least two independent microscopic RFID chips (16) or microradios is programmed with the same unique identifier for each chip. The unique identifier is used in the RFID chips (16) to key the RFID chip (16) transmitting to produce outputs in the same time slot so that the outputs add coherently, thus to create an output that is identical to that of a conventional tag containing only one such chip.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: An RFID tag reader/writer having a high degree of stability of communication with only a desired RFID tag. The frequency of a carrier wave to be transmitted from the RFID tag reader/writer is set on the basis of a resonance frequency of an antenna of the RFID tag located within a predetermined nearby communication area, which resonance frequency changes due to mutual coupling between the antenna of the RFID tag and an antenna of the RFID tag reader/writer. According to this setting, the RFID tag located within the nearby communication area has a high degree of sensitivity, and the RFID tag located outside the nearby communication area has a low degree of sensitivity, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an interference between the communication of the RFID tag reader/writer with the selected RFID tag and the communication of the reader/writer with the other or non-selected RFID tag.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transponder and a method for controlling by pulse trains a switch for modulating the load of this transponder in an electromagnetic field from which it extracts its power supply, the duty ratio of the pulses being controlled according to the transponder supply voltage.

Abstract: A robotic transportation device may include a device body, two docking arms, and a controller module. The device body may include at least one motorized wheel, and the two docking arms may include an adjustable wheel locking device. The two docking arms may extend horizontally from the device body and may be adjustable along first and second directions. The adjustable wheel locking devices comprise two adjustable wheel stops extending laterally from the docking arm. The controller module may cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously approach a target device, detect a device type, and adjust a position of the two docking arms and the two wheel stops in accordance with the device type. The controller module may move each adjustable wheel locking device under a target wheel of the target device to lock and lift the target wheels, and cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously transport the target device.

Abstract: An antenna outputs query signals to a wireless tag, and receives response signals output from the wireless tag. An intensity detection circuit detects the signal intensity of the response signals. A control portion judges the type of toner housed in a cartridge, or whether the toner is a certified product or a non-certified product, from the detected signal intensity. Further, the control portion outputs to an output setting circuit an instruction signal to change the signal intensity of the query signals, such that normal wireless communication can be performed with the wireless tag.

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

Abstract: A single antenna single reader (SASR) system and method for locating a tag. The reader connects to a single antenna that is in motion. The reader transmits an interrogation signal to the tag. The reader receives a response signal from the tag. The reader determines the range of the tag from the reader, the received signal strength (RSS) of the response signal at the reader from the tag, and the maximum correlation of the response signal at the reader from the tag. The reader determines the location of the tag using range of the tag from the reader, received signal strength and maximum correlation of the response signal.

Abstract: A method for performing system administration using radio frequency identification (RFID) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a radio frequency identification device, reading the device for information contained within the card, determining whether the information contains a request to perform a task to administer a computer system, and executing the task in response to the request if the information contains the request.

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

Abstract: Integrated switch systems and methods for locating ID tags are disclosed. One system includes an application, a plurality of different tag readers in communication with the ID tags, and an integrated switch configured to enable the application to receive tag information from the different tag readers. An integrated switch includes multiple reader adapters, an application adapter, and a virtualization core. The virtualization core is configured to provide a common interface between each tag reader and the application. One method includes receiving a first signal from a first tag reader and receiving a second signal from a second tag reader, the first and second signals having information related to first and second ID tags, respectively. The method also includes normalizing the first and second signals such that the signals are compatible with the application and transmitting an ID tag report based on the normalized first and/or second signal to the application.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a transmitter configured to transmit test signals a predetermined number of times at an interval shorter than a transmission interval of data signals and a processor configured to measure reception status of a plurality of acknowledgement signals transmitted back in response to the respective test signals transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag tracking system is provided for performing an RFID tag tracking method. The RFID tag tracking system includes an RFID tag, at least one RFID reader, and a backend-server. The RFID tag periodically emits tag signals having different original signal strengths, and the original signal strength of each tag signal determines a signal receiving boundary relative to the RFID tag. The RFID reader is used to receive the tag signals, and the tag signal that can be received by the RFID reader receives the tag signals, and determines one or more receivable signals which cab be received by the RFID reader among the tag signals. The backend-server determines a possible position area of the RFID tag relative to the RFID reader according to the signal receiving boundary of the receivable signal.

Abstract: An RFID signal receiving device includes a receiving element disposed inside an electromagnetic absorption shell. Radio frequency signals emitted from a signal source can only enter the interior of the electromagnetic absorption shell through a window formed on the electromagnetic absorption shell. Therefore, only the radio-frequency signals which pass the windows can be received by the receiving element, so as to define a viewing angle of the receiving element through the window. Through the window, the directional receiving characteristic of the RFID signal receiving device is achieved by relatively a simpler structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include cables and connector assemblies employing a furcation tube(s) for radio-frequency identification (RFID)-equipped connectors, and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a connector assembly is provided that comprises a cable comprising a cable end, an interior area, at least one communication line, and at least one furcation tube disposed in the interior area. The connector assembly also comprises a connector operably connected to the cable end. At least one antenna wire is configured to be electrically connected to at least one RFID tag to serve as at least a portion of an RFID antenna for at least one RFID tag. At least a portion of the at least one antenna wire is disposed inside the furcation tube in the cable. In this manner, the antenna wire is secured inside the rugged packaging of the cable to protect the antenna wire.

Abstract: An RFID tag is disposed within a hermetically sealed housing of an IMD. Low frequency RFID interrogators and tags are used, and the housing walls are made of materials, and/or are reduced in thickness, to facilitate RF communication between the RFID tag and an RFID reader/interrogator programmer. An RFID reader/interrogator may be used which has a limited transmit time and time-out period to avoid interference with the operation of the IMD.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention employ perturbation techniques for configuring RFID-tag-reader networks in order to achieve increased overall efficiency of a network of RFID-tag readers. According to described embodiments of the present invention, individual RFID-tag readers within a multi-RFID-tag-reader network may be removed or shut down, or RFID-tag readers may be displaced relative to one another, in order to remove interferences between RFID-tag readers and to increase the interrogation efficiency of the multi-RFID-tag-reader network. A method embodiment of the present invention schedules a multi-RFID-tag-reader network as a cycle of power-on/power-off intervals.

Abstract: The present invention includes backscatter communication systems, interrogators, methods of communicating in a backscatter system, and backscatter communication methods. According to one aspect of the present invention, a backscatter communication system includes an interrogator including a transmitter configured to output a forward link communication and a receiver configured to receive a return link communication having a carrier signal, the receiver being configured to reduce the amplitude of the carrier signal of the return link communication; and a communication device configured to modulate the carrier signal to communicate the return link communication responsive to reception of the forward link communication.