Abstract: A system and method for controlling a machine is provided. For example, the method includes coupling removeably, at an on-board controller module of a machine, a first identification device, reading, using a reader in the on-board controller module, a code stored in the first identification device, receiving, at the on-board controller module, a wireless message including another code from a control console, comparing, using a processor in the on-board controller module, the code with the received another code, and processing, using a processor coupled to the reader, the wireless message based on the comparing to determine pairing with a second external wireless identification device of a control console to the machine if the code and the received another code match.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for remotely collecting metering information via a light emitting diode (LED) based street light. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting information from a utility meter coupled to a home, establishing a two-way communication path via a communication module to a central office, wherein the communication module is coupled to the LED based street light and sending the information from the utility meter to the central office via the two-way communication path.

Abstract: A radio wave control apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects an object, other than a communication target device, in a radiation range to which a radio wave radiating unit radiates predetermined radio waves in each of a plurality of radiation directions; and a radiation range determining unit that determines a radiation range in each of the radiation directions such that the predetermined radio waves are radiated over a predetermined communication range, in which the communication target device is communicable using the predetermined radio waves, and no no-communication area that is caused when the predetermined radio waves reflected on the object is caused in the communication range.

Abstract: A method of wireless communication, with a circuit that includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, can be carried out using a circuit that is configured and arranged to communicate with RFID cards that use load modulation of an RF carrier provided by the RFID reader. A presence of the radio frequency (RF) carrier is detected on an antenna. A local clock signal is generated. A difference between the local clock signal and the RF carrier is detected. In response to the detected difference, the frequency of the local clock signal is modified to reduce the detected difference. Load modulation of the RF carrier is mimicked by modulating the local clock signal to encode data; and driving the antenna with the modulated local clock signal.

Abstract: An electronic device (200) includes a single antenna (211), a communication circuit (202), and a RFID circuit (207). A switch (212) selectively couples the single antenna to one of the communication circuit or the RFID circuit. For example, the RFID circuit can be coupled to the single antenna when the electronic device is OFF, and the communication circuit can be coupled to the single antenna when the electronic device is ON. Accordingly, RFID information can be received from an RFID communication device when the electronic device is OFF. When the electronic device is ON, an interrupt can cause the switch to connect the RFID circuit to the single antenna, sometimes only for less than a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A system for authenticating electronic devices, particularly chips or integrated circuits is described. This allows authenticating that the devices are authorized by the original manufacturer for operation in critical applications.

Abstract: An upright type apparatus for embedding wireless IC tags, the upright apparatus including: a vibration alignment unit for aligning the wireless IC tags in the same direction by applying a vibrating force to the wireless IC tags; a separating unit for separating the wireless IC tags aligned by the vibration alignment unit and dropping the separated wireless IC tags one by one into a vertically-dropping passage; a plurality of IC tag processing units disposed along the vertically-dropping passage in a vertical direction; a plurality of IC tag pressure feeding sections disposed at a lateral side of the plurality of IC tag processing units, respectively; and a defective wireless IC tag reception section provided beneath the vertically-dropping passage.

Abstract: A detection unit positioned on a package includes a magnet, a first magnetic switch, a second magnetic switch, a processor, and a clock. The first magnetic switch outputs a first control signal or a second control signal according to magnetic flux density of the magnet. The second magnetic switch outputs a third control signal or a fourth control signal according to the magnetic flux density of the magnet. The first control signal is the same as the third control signal; the second control signal is the same as the fourth control signal. When the processor receives the first control signal and the third control signal at the same time, the processor reads a first real-time clock (RTC) signal from the clock. When the processor receives the second control signal and the fourth control signal at the same time, the processor reads a second RTC signal from the clock.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The RFID reader includes a transmitter/receiver module configured to transmit a radio signal at a plurality of different power levels, and a control module coupled to the transmitter/receiver module and configured to control the power level at which the radio signal is transmitted based on a number of RFID tags detected when transmitting the radio signal at an initial power level.

Abstract: A wireless tag device can communicate with an inquiry device includes: a local terminal storage unit storing local terminal identification information which can be discriminated from another wireless tag device; a reception detection unit detecting a signal transmitted from the inquiry device or another wireless tag device; an inquiry signal receiving unit receiving the detected inquiry signal if the inquiry signal is transmitted using a first frequency from the inquiry device; a reply signal transmitting unit transmitting a reply signal in response to the inquiry signal using a second frequency different from the first frequency; and a report signal transmitting unit transmitting a report signal including the local terminal identification information stored in the local terminal storage unit using a third frequency different from the second frequency if the inquiry signal transmitted from the inquiry device cannot be detected continuously in a specified time period in the reception detection unit.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enabling a user to obtain item information relating to an item (10), the item having associated therewith an item identification means (12) and an RFID response means (14) arranged to provide a predetermined response on being subjected to a currently applicable trigger signal; the method comprising steps of: establishing from the item identification means (12) item identification information; using the item identification information to determine from an item information source (30) a currently applicable trigger signal for the RFID response means (14); subjecting the RFID response means (14) to the currently applicable trigger signal; receiving a predetermined response from the RFID response means (14); and using the predetermined response to obtain item information from the item information source (30); wherein the RFID response means (14) is arranged to generate a new currently applicable trigger signal and a new predetermined response associated therewith following subjecting of th

Abstract: An universal and reusable RFID system comprises an universal and reusable RFID reader, an universal and reusable RFID data carrier, a universal and reusable RFID neutral tag, a RFID neutral tag equipped collapsible and reusable pallet and a RFID neutral tag equipped collapsible and reusable box. In various embodiments, the universal and reusable RFID system is used for data collection, data comparison, data confirmation and data combination under all conditions in the supply chain and logistics management. A “bank-like” system is further used for all components of the universal and reusable RFID system to be efficiently supplied for use and collected for further application.

Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.

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 system includes a network device that is disposed at a site and configured to communicate with a wireless network. A controller is disposed at the site and is in communication with the wireless network, and a passive device is disposed at the site and includes a unique identifier disposed thereon. The system further includes a mobile device associated with the site and which includes a communication chip. The communication chip is configured to read the unique identifier when the mobile device is placed in close proximity to the passive device, and a mobile application disposed on the mobile device is configured to transmit the unique identifier to the controller for use in controlling the network device.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide for enhanced RFID tag receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity that results from use of transistor detector based square law tag receivers and tag hibernation to maximize battery life. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing. Embodiments of the present invention also provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Further enhancement is achieved via design of system command sets and tag state machine behavior that control system interference and allow maximum usage of high sensitivity. Command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system.

Abstract: A tag includes a processor, a radio frequency transmitter coupled to the processor, and a capacitively driven communication circuitry coupled to the processor. The processor is to energize the capacitively driven communication circuitry to receive a serial set of binary bits via the capacitively driven communication circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a common interface capable of being connected to the connector, a plurality of port modules, a switching unit configured to connect one of the plurality of port modules to the common interface, a wireless reader configured to receive interface information of the connector through a local access to the connector, and a controller configured to select, based on the received interface information, one port module to be connected among the plurality of port modules and a pin of the common interface to be electrically connected and to control the switch to connect the selected port module and the pin of the common interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a RFID reader circuit includes a RF power amplifier coupled to a coupler; an amplitude and phase adjustor module coupled to an output of the coupler; a signal combiner module coupled to an output of the amplitude and phase adjustor module; and a low noise amplifier coupled to an output of the signal combiner module. In another embodiment, a RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags; and at least one RFID reader, the at least one RFID reader comprising a RFID reader circuit, the circuit comprising: a RF power amplifier coupled to a coupler; an amplitude and phase adjustor module coupled to an output of the coupler; a signal combiner module coupled to an output of the amplitude and phase adjustor module; and a low noise amplifier coupled to an output of the signal combiner module. Other systems, methods, and circuits are described as well.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a base station and at least one transponder by a high-frequency electromagnetic carrier signal is disclosed, onto which information packets are modulated, whereby each information packet has a header section, a middle section, and an end section and whereby the middle section has a data field for the transmission of data and/or address information and a protection field placed thereafter for the correction of errors in the transmission of the data and/or address information, whereby after the data field the base station inserts at least one control field, by which the protection field following the inserted control field can be changed in such a way that the duration of an information packet is set variably. The invention relates further to a base station for carrying out this method, to a data communication system containing a base station and at least one transponder in communicative wireless contact with the base station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master RFID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of RFID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. Finally, the method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.

Abstract: The selection of at least one back-modulation element of an electromagnetic transponder from among a plurality of resistive and/or capacitive modulation elements of the load of an oscillating circuit of the transponder, including selecting the modulation element(s) according to a binary message received from a read/write terminal.

Abstract: A terminal and an operation control method thereof are disclosed. A terminal performs an authentication procedure upon receiving a tag device's information from the tag device. If the tag device is identified as a registered tag device in the authentication procedure, initial data corresponding to a function to control the terminal even in a power-saving mode or a lock mode is received from the tag device, and the function corresponding to the initial data is performed.

Abstract: According to one set of embodiments, techniques are provided for performing actions based upon physical locations of one or more paper documents. According to another set of embodiments, techniques are provided for tracking the physical locations of paper documents. According to another set of embodiments, techniques are provided for determining electronic document information for paper documents. According to another set of embodiments, techniques are provided for determining and tracking the contents of a container. According to another set of embodiments, a document security system is provided. According to another set of embodiments, techniques are provided for tracking documents in a workflow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for establishing voice communications between a business in a building and a customer m an automobile. The communications link may use radio frequency identification, tags to establish communication capabilities. Then a FM radio voice communications channel may be opened between the building and the radio in the automobile. The business and the customer may discuss and complete a transaction over the voice communications link.

Abstract: A controlled area containing items associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is monitored with an RFID tag reader having a phased antenna array for generating a multitude of beams to interrogate the tags in the controlled area, and with a controller for collecting data from the interrogated tags, for automatically configuring the beams based on the collected data, and for processing the configured beams to optimize the monitoring of the controlled area.

Abstract: A device for use in electronic article surveillance EAS is disclosed which comprises a resonant circuit, typically designed for 8.2 MHz operation, in addition to a transponder, such as RFID, for non-contact communication with a communication station. The RFID transponder can provide a signal to detune the resonant circuit to disable the EAS and optionally another signal to tune or retune the resonant circuit to enable or re-enable the EAS. The detuning and tuning or retuning may preferably be achieved using phase change memory material, configured as a programmable switch having two states with different resistances.

Abstract: The lighting device (10; 42) includes means for switching a light source on and/or off and search means suitable for detecting and identifying neighboring objects (34, 36, 38, 40) present in the proximity of the device and provided with radio transmitter circuits, e.g. of the Bluetooth type, that are suitable for interfacing with the device. The device includes means for causing it to switch off, and possibly to switch on, said means co-operating with the search means (20) to detect the appearance or the disappearance of neighboring objects in the radio range of the lighting device, and to trigger switching off of the light source on detecting the disappearance of at least one neighboring object, conditionally as a function of predetermined criteria. Switching is controlled essentially without orders being transmitted from neighboring objects to cause the lamp to switch off or on.

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: The present invention provides a method of operating a thermal cycler using readable tags (for example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)) to simplify the operation and to reduce user interaction requirements. The RFID tag is used to program the thermal cycler unit. This automates process flow and allows single button operation. In general terms, the invention uses RFID tags provided on reaction vessels to identify a particular vessel; while a readable program card contains data associating reaction vessel identities with specific operations (eg, thermal cycling program, detection steps) to be performed on that vessel. The thermal cycler detects the reaction vessel RFID tag, and selects an appropriate operation to perform.

Abstract: An information processing method includes the steps of: detecting a magnetic field variation that occurs in the vicinity of a receiving section that receives a magnetic field signal; determining whether or not a detection result satisfies a predetermined condition that is set in advance; connecting a storage section, which stores information included in the magnetic field signal received by the receiving section, to the receiving section if it is determined that the detection result does not satisfy the condition; and connecting the storage section to a reading section that reads information stored on the storage section, if it is determined that the detection result satisfies the condition.

Abstract: There is provided an RFID tag having multi-voltage multipliers including two or more antennas configured to receive electromagnetic waves emitted from a reader, a first voltage multiplier configured to be connected to one of the antennas and change the received AC electromagnetic waves to DC voltage signals, a modulator configured to transmit backscattering communication signals by changing impedance through the antenna connected to the first voltage multiplier, and a second voltage multiplier configured to be connected to another antenna among the antennas and change AC electromagnetic waves received from the other antenna to DC voltage signals.

Abstract: When processing repeated operations on the keyboard of a mobile communication device, mainly at direct debits, used is a separate data carrier with a memory in which is stored at least one file with a sequence of keyboard orders of a macro type. Data carrier is energetically supplied contact-free by electromagnetic field of the mobile communication device while receiving the requiring order and, according to this order, chooses from the memory and encodes appropriate file with a sequence of keyboard orders. Data carrier sends the encoded file into the mobile communication device which decodes the received file and performs processes representing the keystrokes according to the sequence of keyboard orders. The invention also describes connection and data carrier to perform above described method where the data carrier consists of a processor, transmitting and receiving unit, block for transforming electromagnetic field and a memory to store a file of orders.

Abstract: Systems for identifying and categorizing distributed devices, e.g., lighting fixtures and thermostats, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a user (200) sends a low power discovery message to devices (201) using a portable programming tool (100). The devices (201) within range respond with identification information. The portable programming tool (100) organizes the responses by proximity and sends a “flash” message to the device with the closest perceived proximity. That device responds with a visual or audible signal (202), allowing the user (200) to determine whether that device is the one intended for selection. If so, the user initiates a store routine in which identification information, including category information, is stored in one or more locations, such as, the selected device (201), the portable programming tool (100), and/or a central or local controller (1100). The identification and categorization can, for example, be used to automate load shedding and to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication method, device, and system. The communication method include using low-frequency alternating magnetic field signals to control a communication distance between a first radio frequency (RF) device and second RF device. The communication device receives and uses a first low-frequency alternating magnetic field signal transmitted from a second RF device to control the communication distance to the second RF device. The communication system includes a first RF device and a second RF device. The first RF device generates and transmits a first low-frequency alternating magnetic field signal and receives a second low-frequency alternating magnetic field signal, and the second RF device generates and transmits the second low-frequency alternating magnetic field signal and receives the first low-frequency alternating magnetic field signal.

Abstract: A duplication detection module may be configured to determine if data on a RFID tag is encoded. If the data on the RFID tag is not encoded, the duplication detection module may determine that the RFID tag is a duplicate RFID tag and that an item associated with the duplicate RFID tag is counterfeit. If the data on the RFID tag is encoded, the duplication detection module may cause the decoder to decode the data on the RFID tag using a private key of a receiving party as a decoding parameter. The module may check for an item identifier and a sender identifier as a part of the encoded data, determine whether the item identifier has previously been read to determine if the RFID tag was duplicated during transport and compare the sender identifier with an expected sender identifier to determine if the RFID tag was duplicated during transport.

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, characterized 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 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: An antenna for protecting radio frequency communications includes a masking portion to broadcast a masking signal including a first loop and a second loop connected to the first loop, wherein a current supplied to the masking portion flows in opposite polarity in each of the first and second loops. The antenna includes a reader loop to receive a response signal from a responder and decoupled from the masking signal, wherein the masking signal masks the response signal about the responder.

Abstract: A system and method selectively reads radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags within an RFID interrogation zone. A portion of the RFID tags have a first operating range and a portion of the RFID tags have a second operating range that is different from the first operating range. Each RFID tag is programmed with an identifier associated with the operating range of the RFID tag. A first interrogation signal is transmitted which has sufficient power to activate RFID tags that are located within the RFID interrogation zone and have the first operating range. A response signal is received from each RFID tag capable of receiving the first interrogation signal. Each response signal indicates the identifier of the associated RFID tag. Each RFID tag that has an identifier associated with the first operating range is selected.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an RFID system for safely controlling an auto guided vehicle, an automated robot or other moving object (“AGV/BOT”). The system may include a plurality of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, and each may store a unique identification in a first memory location, a position in a second memory location and/or an instruction in a third memory location. An AGV/BOT having an RFID transceiver or antenna and a computer with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a predetermined table may read one or more of the memory locations. The table comprises a plurality of data elements with certain data elements associated with particular RFID tags. The AGV/BOT safely determines its location upon matching the one or more memory locations read with one or more data elements, or triggers a fault upon failing to match. The AGV/BOT may also predict the next RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an active data tag device (100) which includes an expiration event generator (108), and a memory (106) which has tag data (116) stored therein. Upon the occurrence (614) of and expiration event, the tag disables access to the tag data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an RFID scanner is provided herein. During operation, an RFID scanner will utilize beamforming techniques to appropriately beamform an interrogation signal. A first beamforming scheme will be used for a first task (e.g., EAS, inventory management, point-of-sale mode scanning of a first area, . . . , etc.) and a second beamforming scheme will be used for a second task.

Abstract: A passive wireless memory device includes a memory unit and a passive tag. The passive tag converts data stored in the memory unit into a data packet in response to first to third data request signals from a reader and transmits the data packet to the reader. The passive tag determines the size of the data packet in response to the channel state predicting flag and the second and third data request signals.

Abstract: A method for card-reading anti-collision with automatic frequency hopping is provided, which is used for a system in which a card reader simultaneously reads a plurality of cards in radio frequency identification technologies. The method comprises: both the card reader and the cards to be read are configured to have an automatic frequency-sweep function and a function of hopping from a current channel to another channel, and to store access addresses and transaction addresses; when the card reader is in a frequency-hopping card-seeking state, it is in an n-channel frequency-hopping working state, in which, the access address of each channel is the same, and the card reader reads the cards by means of hopping frequencies in a sequence iteratively through n channels. When the card reader detects that two or more cards collide, the card reader sends a command of random frequency hopping, making all the conflicting cards to hop to other channels randomly and to wait to access those channels.

Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers may transmit one or more encapsulated commands within the payload of an encapsulating command. An encapsulated command includes at least a command code and an instruction. A reader may instruct a tag to store the encapsulated command(s) or instruction(s) for later execution. A sequence of encapsulated commands may be contained within one encapsulating command or spread across multiple encapsulating commands. The sequence of encapsulated commands, or the sequence of instructions associated with the encapsulated commands, may form a program. The reader may cause the tag to execute the instructions or program upon receipt, upon a trigger event, serially or in parallel, and/or may cause the tag to modify the instructions or program by adjusting parameters. The reader may later instruct a tag to execute the instructions or program via another command which, in some cases, may be sent prior to tag singulation.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag access method and a circuit applied to an RFID tag to determine whether to respond to a command sent by a reader are provided. According to the access method, an extra reference value is used for adjusting a parameter or a count value, so as to increase or decrease the probability of generating a condition matching with a command sent by the reader. Therefore, the probability of the tag being accessed is adjusted, and the tag carrying urgent information shall be accessed prior to the tag without urgent information.

Abstract: A communication processing device includes a control unit for, when receiving an address update request signal including a segment identifier for identifying a segment address of a recording unit from a reader/writer, holding the segment identifier in a RAM, and when receiving a readout request signal including an offset address having the segment as a reference from the reader/writer, transmitting to the reader/writer data recorded in a region specified by an address having the offset address contained in the readout request signal as offset with the segment address identified in the segment identifier as a reference of the regions of the recording unit.

Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.