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: A radio frequency (RF) tag is provided with an antenna coil adapted and configured to wirelessly exchange data with a read/write terminal, a RF transmitting/receiving unit adapted and configured to modulate and demodulate data exchanged via the antenna coil, a protocol change field programmable gate array (FPGA) unit adapted and configured to selectably process data modulated or demodulated by the RF transmitting/receiving unit, and a memory unit adapted and configured to store data processed by the protocol change FPGA unit. Preferably, the protocol FPGA unit includes a plurality of differently programmed RF transport protocol circuits selected based on code data stored in the memory unit.

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: 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: An RFID tag that communicates information with an RFID reader/writer includes a receiving unit that receives ID information; a memory unit that stores the ID information; a table that stores a correspondence relation between a change in the ID information and a moving direction; a determining unit that refers to the table to determine a moving direction from ID information received by the receiving unit and previously received ID information stored in the memory unit; and a signal generating unit that sends an interruption signal to a control unit driven by electric power supplied from a battery when the moving direction is determined by the determining unit, and stops generating the interruption signal when the moving direction is not determined by the determining unit.

Abstract: It is presented a method for invoking an application service in response to a tag reading by a mobile terminal. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an input message, the input message comprising data being associated with a tag read by the mobile terminal using local communication, the input message further comprising a recipient identifier linked to the mobile terminal; determining, using a plurality of parameters associated with the tag reading, a plurality of matching application servers, wherein conditions of a tag reading subscription for each of the matching application servers matches the plurality of parameters; and sending an invocation message to each of the matching application servers to invoke a respective application service of each of the matching application servers, the invocation message comprising the recipient identifier enabling each of the application services to send content to the user equipment and the tag data.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and device in which non-RF (radio frequency) data signals are transmitted to a non-RF data port connected to an antenna of a device. The non-RF data signals from the non-RF data port are coupled to a data bus using a low frequency coupler of the device. RF signals are blocked from the data bus using the low frequency coupler of the device. In another aspect, RF signals are transmitted to the antenna of the device and are coupled to an RF port using a high frequency coupler of the device. Non-RF data signals are blocked from the RF port using the high frequency coupler. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

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 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 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: An RFID system according to the present invention includes an RFID antenna system including: a first antenna that can communicate with an external reader/writer; an antenna selector for connecting with the first antenna; and a plurality of second antennas that can connect with the first antenna in order via the antenna selector, each of the second antennas can communicate with an IC tag that is attached to an article placed in a region defined by the second antenna.

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: 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: 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: 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: A remote application invocation system and method are provided herein.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a contactless communication unit configured to conduct contactless communication with an external communication apparatus, a plurality of memory units configured to store information to be transmitted to the communication apparatus, and a controller configured to control communication with the communication apparatus and set a priority order for the plurality of memory units when transmitting information from the plurality of memory units to the communication apparatus. The controller sets the priority order depending on the current time.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for determining a distance between a signpost and a tag and for locating a tag using multiple signposts. The system uses a signal received at a tag from a signpost, and from them measures the signal strength of the signal with respect to one or more antennas on the tag. The system calculates an RSSI using the measured signal strength, from which a distance can be determined between the signpost and the tag. The system also uses signals received from multiple signposts, to measure multiple signal strengths, resulting in multiple distance determinations corresponding to the various signposts, thereby establishing a location for the tag.

Abstract: A non-contact ID tag writing apparatus capable of applying high-speed writing to a non-contact ID tag is realized. With a plurality of antennas (221 to 223) arranged along the direction in which tags (11) are transported, one antenna applies writing to one of the tags while the tags pass through the coverage area of the antenna. The antennas apply the writing to the respective tags different from one another, whereby the writing can be applied to all the tags in a row.

Abstract: An RFID device (100) being operable in a first and a second operating state, the RFID device comprises a control unit (102), wherein the control unit comprises a configuration input terminal for receiving a configuration signal, and a processing unit (101), which is coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit is adapted for switching the processing unit between the first and the second operating state based on the configuration signal, wherein the control unit (102) comprises an activation input terminal for receiving an activation signal.

Abstract: A checkout system performs checkout of articles. The checkout system includes an LCD touch screen 11 for specifying a second article different from a first article having data on the article registered as first article data, a barcode scanner 12 for recognizing a presented article which is the first article presented, and a control unit 314 that determines whether the presented article specified as the second article by the LCD touch screen 11 is not the second article.

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: A tracking system determines the orientation of an object. A transceiver transmits a signal and detects responses from multiple transponders. A processing unit determines an orientation parameter of the object by comparing the responses from the multiple transponders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a Q value for a subsequent inventory round can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator determining at least one of: a number of empty slots, a number of collided slots, and a number of singly occupied slots, in response to the completion of an inventory round, and applying a function to at least one of: the number of empty slots, the number collided slots, and the number of singly occupied slots, to determine the Q value.

Abstract: A mobile radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a high-frequency front-end unit including an antenna, a circulator, an output amplifier, and a signal processor chip. The signal processor chip includes a high-frequency transceiver, a pseudo-leakage signal generator configured to generate a pseudo-leakage signal based on a transmission high-frequency signal, the transmission high-frequency signal being provided from the high-frequency transceiver and being provided to the high-frequency front-end unit and a subtractor configured to subtract the pseudo-leakage signal from a received high-frequency signal to generate a subtracted signal, the pseudo-leakage signal corresponding to a transmission leakage signal included in the received high-frequency signal, the received high-frequency signal being provided from the high-frequency front-end unit, and the subtracted signal being provided to the high-frequency transceiver. Therefore, the RFID reader may eliminate a transmission leakage signal.

Abstract: RFID tag responses are detected by an RFID reader system. The tag response may be detected based on a reference measurement during a tag silent period and another one during the tag response. This helps determine whether a slot is empty or occupied, in a slotted aloha algorithm. The result is reported to the Q-algorithm for a better decision.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, and a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. An RFID device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a crystal controlled first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an activate circuit. The second clock signal generator is inactive until activated by the activate circuit. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. Methods are also presented.

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

Abstract: A power distribution apparatus includes a reader, one or more electrical outlets, and one or more antennas mounted in proximate relation to one or more of the electrical outlets. An asset includes a power cord having a transponder attached thereto, and the power cord may be coupled to one of the electrical outlets. A method for identifying and managing an asset includes mounting the power distribution apparatus in an equipment rack, reading, by the reader through one or more of the antennas, identification data contained in the transponder, communicating information including the identification data through a network to a controller, and determining, by the controller, a control action based on the information.

Abstract: A system for varying the atmosphere in a room, the system comprising at least one adjustable atmosphere-creating device (3, 4, 5, 6) and control means (8) for adjusting said device. Furthermore, the system comprises signal-receiving means (7) for receiving data being carried by a consumer product (1), wherein the control means can adjust said device in dependence upon the data received by the signal-receiving means. The consumer product can be provided with a passive radio frequency tag (2).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for automatically activating a consumer device using a sensor capable of detecting an external stimulus and location determination system capable of providing current location data for the consumer device when a user receives a device. The location determination system provides location data, which is sent to the activation server, in response to the sensor actuating. The location data determined at the time the sensor senses the external stimuli is compared to location data stored on the activation server to automatically activate the consumer device.

Abstract: A RF communication system includes a RF communication module capable of controlling either an IR communication system-controlled device or a controlled device not equipped with a reception circuit for receiving IR signals remotely with RF signals. The RF communication module is equipped with an antenna for receiving RF signals, a RF communication circuit for demodulating the remote control data from the RF signal received by the antenna, a UART interface for outputting bit stream remote data to a device-side microcomputer of the controlled device, and a communication control unit having two types of communication interfaces in a pulse signal interface that outputs a pulse modulated signal, having been pulse modulated with remote control data, to a pulse modulated signal input port of the device-side microcomputer, so that remote control data transmitted by RF signals is output freely, as either bit stream or pulse modulated signals, to a device-side microcomputer of the controlled device.

Abstract: Disclosed are deactivatable RFID labels and tags in individual and web form, and methods of making same. When it is desired to deactivate the label or tag, the tag or label is subjected to tearing. One arrangement involves providing the label or tag with a tear strip by which the RFID transponder in the label or tag is destroyed, and in another arrangement a tag can be torn along a weakening line to destroy the RFID transponder.

Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes an electronic device; and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in direct electrical communication with the electronic device for selectively setting a voltage or current on the electronic device to one of at least three different levels. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in another embodiment includes an antenna; a processor in communication with the antenna; and an interface in communication with the processor, the interface being adapted for direct electrical communication with an electronic device for selectively setting a voltage or current on the electronic device to one of at least three different levels. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An RFID-based data collection, correlation and transmission system and method carried out thereby is provided. The system, which comprises one or more RFID-readers, a radio frequency identification (RFID) recognition and control component. a storage device interface, a portable and/or internal data storage device in communication with the storage device interface, one or more antennas, and a configuration and command component, is operable to collect data of interest from detected RFID tags, and detect and identify system participants and data related thereto. In addition, the system is operable to correlate potential data of interest, such as product advertising information, to the detected system participants, and transmit the data of interest to the system participants via numerous methods of communication. Thus, the system provides a means of highly targeted information distribution, as well as providing user reports valuable in future planning.

Abstract: A communication system includes a wireless IC tag and a reader/writer that performs reading and writing on the wireless IC tag via wireless communication. The reader/writer includes an error control encoder and an error control decoder. On writing data into the wireless IC tag, the reader/writer encodes the data by the error control encoder and writes real data separately from error-control-decodable data. On reading out data from the wireless IC tag, the reader/writer selects whether to read out only the real data or to read out data including error-control-decodable information to decode the data by the error control decoder based on error control information indicating whether to perform error control or not.

Abstract: A transmission unit of a reader/writer transmits, to an active-type radio tag to perform detection of a signal at a constant time interval by supplying power to a reception unit from a power supply unit for a time period, a signal including an instruction to temporarily extend the time period.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system, including: a radio frequency identification tag having an identification code and a set of verifiable data stored therein; and a radio frequency identification reader which sends a reading request to the radio frequency identification tag, requesting to read a first portion of the set of verifiable data, wherein the radio frequency identification tag further comprising control means, which, when the radio frequency identification tag receives the reading request from the radio frequency identification reader, in case of that the set of verifiable data has not been performed a locking operation, performs the locking operation on the set of verifiable data, so that from then on any data of a second portion of the set of verifiable data cannot be read.

Abstract: Active multi-modal RFID tags, illuminator/tag/reader systems, circuit architecture and opera-tional algorithms for battery power conservation that extends tag battery life from a typical 6 months to >5 years. The inventive system is particularly useful in asset and person tracking/inventory systems where power conservation is critical. The tag is configured with a micro-processor operational instruction set algorithm, modifiable on the fly via RF or IR, to synchro-nize a periodic tag awaken/sense envelope that overlaps the illuminator trigger pulse cycle and put the tag into deep, power conservation sleep for N periods of illuminator cycles. When the tag sees an illuminator signal with a different ID, or no illuminator signal at all, it transmits that anomaly via RF to a reader. This means the object or person with which the tag is associated has been moved out of the original illuminator field of view, permitting near real time investigation and tracking.

Abstract: Provided is a portable terminal (100) which can perform pseudo push distribution and display of a message obtained in response to a request from a reader/writer from a noncontact IC card by noncontact communication which is difficult to be always connected with. A noncontact IC card, a reader/writer and information distribution method are also provided. The noncontact IC card for receiving a message transmitted from the reader/writer by noncontact communication is mounted on the portable terminal (100). The message transmitted from the reader/writer is provided with an event header wherein setting conditions for specifying a message to be displayed by the portable terminal (100) are indicated.

Abstract: The IC Card includes a main device having a microprocessor and a memory unit, and an I/O contact pad for a connection between the main device and a read write device, also referred to as a main interconnection. The IC card also includes additional device connectable to the main device via a secondary interconnection including the I/O contact pad, and a switch control for selectively switching between the main interconnection, for a transmission of data between the read write device and the main device, and the secondary interconnection, for a transmission of data between the main device and the additional device.

Abstract: A system of identifying the source location that a particle counter is using to draw its data from. The present invention includes a transmitting sensor placed at the location of interest, and a receiving sensor placed on the particle-counter device. A receiving sensor communicates a new position when a particle counter is not replaced at its origination point.

Abstract: Reversibly activating or deactivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) data tag comprising a circuit responsive to an environmental factor. An RFID tag includes an RFID chip for storing an RFID code, an antenna for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an environmentally sensitive switch.

Abstract: A non-contact communication device is disclosed comprising: an antenna having an input impedance and being for receiving an AC signal having a voltage and a current, a main unit comprising a power-extraction unit and a communication unit and having a main unit impedance, a tuning circuit, and a matching network for matching the input impedance to the main unit impedance, characterised in that the tuning circuit comprises a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between the voltage and the current and is configured to adjust the impedance of the matching network in dependence on the phase difference. Also disclosed is a method for tuning a non-contact communication device.

Abstract: A surgical tool system comprising a control console, a powered surgical device, an intermediate attachment removably connected to the surgical device and a cutting accessory removably connected to the intermediate attachment. Internal to the cutting accessory is an identification device that contains data specific to the operation of the accessory. The control console, through the transfer of signals through the powered surgical device and the intermediate attachment reads the data in the cutting accessory. Based on these data, the control console selectively actuates the powered surgical device. In some versions of the invention, the identification device may be an RFID chip. Signals are exchanged between the surgical device and the intermediate attachment and between the intermediate attachment and cutting accessory by inductive coupling. An identification device internal to the intermediate attachment provides the control console with data describing the intermediate attachment.

Abstract: A medication safety system includes a panel mounted to an IV pole above a multi-channel infusion pump also mounted to the IV pole. The panel includes multiple RFID readers for reading the RFID tags placed on each of the medication containers mounted to the panel. The pump includes a controller that communicates with the RFID readers at the panel to receive the information read by the RFID readers and automatically program the respective pump channel. A verification program verifies that the medication delivery information from the containers matches the patient identified for the pump and the programming parameters of the pump fall within acceptable ranges. In another aspect, the panel contains multiple vibration devices to impart vibrations to the medication of each of the containers mounted to the panel. Those vibrations are sensed by the particular pumping channel to confirm that the correct channel has been programmed for that medication.

Abstract: A communication method, including: sending a response signal including terminal information to a portable terminal upon receiving an identification information request; accepting periodically a connection request from the portable terminal during a period not shorter than a second period and three-fold period not longer than the second period, for each period not shorter than the third period and not longer than three-fold period of the third period; establishing a wireless link with the portable terminal upon receiving the connection request; and controlling an execution apparatus for executing a predetermined operation after the link connection establishment unit has established the wireless link.

Abstract: Ground conveyor, which is provided with one or more labels and/or documentation, which contain information on the use and/or safety of the ground conveyor, wherein at least one label or documentation is provided with an RFID transponder, in which data is saved.

Abstract: In an automatic machine system comprising a mechanism unit (1) including at least one driving mechanism, a controller (2) for controlling a driving operation of the mechanism unit (1), and a teaching unit (3) for operating the mechanism unit (1), the teaching unit (3) includes a teaching unit communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the controller (2) and a first field intensity monitoring portion (13) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the teaching unit communicating portion, and the controller (2) includes a controller communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the teaching unit (3), a second field intensity monitoring portion (26) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the controller communicating portion, and a driving portion for driving the mechanism unit (1) based on an operation signal sent from the teaching unit (3) in the controller communicating portion.