Abstract: It is possible to accurately and conveniently determine the origin, contents, position, and/or destination of a reusable container (such as a tote or bin, particularly for a manufacturing process) by applying a permanent adhesive label with embedded programmable RFID to the reusable container at a location where the RFID may be detected and reprogrammed. The RFID is programmed with accurate variable information including relating to at least one of the origin, contents, position, and destination of the container, and at at least one location the variable information of the RFID is detected. After a first use of the reusable container it is reprogrammed with other accurate variable information, and the detecting and reprogramming are repeated multiple times. Preferably the label is of a substantially moisture impermeable material such as a plastic film, or synthetic paper.

Abstract: Tamper detection and prevention for an object control and tracking system and particularly a Key Track system is provided. Where objects being tracked are keys, a key card having a touch memory device, RF id tag, or other circuitry for storing and transmitting an ID to a controller is provided. A tether attaches a key to the card. In one embodiment, the tether is conductive and the transmission of the ID code passes through the tether. If the tether is cut, transmission is interrupted to indicate a tampering condition. In another embodiment, the tether is resistive and circuitry is provided to monitor a voltage drop across the tether. A change in the voltage drop indicates a tampering condition. An object of the invention is to detect an attempt to remove the key (or other object) from its ID card while leaving the card intact.

Abstract: A system and method of managing failure of an electronic shelf label to respond to a message which conserves system bandwidth. The system includes an electronic shelf label which fails to respond to a first message, and a computer for resending the first message to the electronic shelf label at a first rate during a first time period, for identifying the electronic shelf label as unresponsive if the computer fails to receive an acknowledgment from the electronic shelf label during the first time period, and for sending a second message for determining whether the electronic shelf label exists at a second rate during a second time period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the location of a medication container, such as an intravenous bag.

Abstract: Atomic virtual document generation and tagging is described. A virtual article that is intelligible to a digital processing system is generated from a physical materiality. The physical materiality is marked with an identifier. The virtual article is tagged with a tag that corresponds to the identifier. The generating of the virtual article, the marking of the physical materiality, and the tagging of the virtual article occur at substantially the same time.

Abstract: Certain improvements related to the transfer and use of information are disclosed, including a the transfer of information from an existing database to a database used in conjunction with an RFID device of the type that may be used to interrogate RFID tags associated with items associated with entries in the existing database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an incentive to a cutomer of a store to return a shopping cart to a cart return location. The cart return location, such as a cart corral, has a plurality of detection loops at an entrance to the corral. The system detects a change in inductance of the loops when a cart is returned to the cart corral and generates a cart return signal, which is indicative of a returned cart, in response to the change of inductance. The system determines wheather a cart is being removed from or returned to the cart corral by use of the multiple detection loops. Visual and/or audible feedback indicative of an action may be provided to the customer.

Abstract: The container tracking system comprises a computer system for tracking a plurality of container or carriers. For the purpose of easily tracking any individual container or carrier, a transponder is disposed on the body of the container or carrier. The transponder can be inserted into the body of the carrier in a protected and safe manner. The transponder has a memory configured for transmitting and receiving electronic data, like identification codes, location codes etc. The memory of the transponder (first electronic level) exchanges data with read/write units (second electronic level). A plurality of such read/write units is located on a track or a trajectory of the containers, i.e. is disposed relatively close to a track of the transponder. The computer system of the container tracking system is completed by a processing unit disposed remote from the containers (third electronic level).

Abstract: An inventory control system is described which includes anti-collision, radio frequency identification apparatus or tags affixed to each item of an inventory and including a unique modulation code, an interrogator/reader that generates a field of sufficient range to activate each tag associated with each item of the inventory in communication with a computer. The computer includes a list comprising an identifier for each item in the inventory, the modulation code for the tag associated with each item in the inventory and an item status where the status indicates whether the item is present or absent.

Abstract: A method of restoring display information to an electronic price label which stores temporarily removed display information and sends it to the electronic price label following a temporary period. The method includes the steps of determining whether a memory of the electronic price label contains primary display information during the temporary display period, and if the memory of the electronic price label does not contain the primary display information during the temporary display period, sending a message to the electronic price label containing the primary display information for display following the temporary display period.

Abstract: A wide area network (WAN) of vending machines connected to a host that builds a database of vending-related information received from the vending machines. Also, a communications system within each vending machine having a vending machine data acquisition unit and a multiple-communication-technology adapter to interface the data acquisition unit to multiple communication technologies including at least one wireless technology. Also, a data structure used to build the database, the data structure having data elements corresponding to an identity of a machine, recent and previous prediction information for the machine, and recent and previous refill-visit information for the machine, the elements being linked together. The multiple vending machines communicate with a communications concentrator via one of many communication technologies. The communications concentrator interfaces the multiple vending machines to a data warehouse that builds a database using the data structure mentioned above.

Abstract: A storage device (10, 100) configured to be mounted to or near a house or other building for storing delivered goods. The storage device is shiftable between an expanded position wherein the device occupies a relatively large amount of space when in use and a collapsed position wherein the storage device occupies a relatively small amount of space when not in use.

Abstract: The device of the present invention, positionable in or on a golf bag, monitors golf club location or presence. The device includes a marker mechanism, or tag, positionable on a golf club that imparts a unique identification to the club. The device also includes a sensing mechanism or sensing system that monitors the status of the clubs, including the presence, removal and return of the golf clubs. As each club includes a unique identifier, the sensing system can track the clubs by monitoring the sensors. The device also includes a readout mechanism that cooperates with the sensing system to provide information to the golfer regarding the status of their clubs.

Abstract: A directed inventory system uses individual wireless pick-to modules, or individual wireless pick-from modules, or both, to aid inventory management services such as order fulfillment. Modules wirelessly receive servicing information directly from a processing computer, and transmit servicing status information directly to the computer. Light indicators or display panels on the modules provide information corresponding to a service to be performed, such as a quantity of parts to be picked from a bin, a location of a parts bin to pick from, a designation of a container to pick into, or other servicing information.

Abstract: An apparatus is moved along a rail to a location where objects are to be collected or stored. The apparatus provides information regarding the objects. The rail is provided with electrical conductors, and the apparatus is provided with contacts which are in contact with the conductors. Electric current for a drive unit which drives the apparatus is supplied to the apparatus via the conductors. The apparatus receives data for providing the information via the same conductors and contacts.

Abstract: A computerized base station system communicates with radio frequency tags attached to one or more objects. Included in the system is a separate position detector that determines the position of one or more of the tags within a time increment and within a field of the base station. A communication process reads information from one or more of the tags within the time increment and associates the position determined with the information of the respective tag.

Abstract: Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.

Abstract: A method for obtaining warranty registration of products, facilitating return of lost products, and expediting warranty service on defective products comprising providing a unique identifier on or within each product; providing a lost and found system comprising the steps of marking each product with return instructions and a reward offer to any person who finds said product after it has been lost; and offering to return each product to a registered owner in the event said product is lost and returned by said person who finds it if said owner provides data comprising owner identification and date said product was purchased at retail; providing said data to a manufacturer or other warrantor in order to register said warranty.

Abstract: A vehicle parking network comprises a transmitter-responder device (TRD) for each subscriber and a complementary box which can be coupled to the TRD and only to it, and permits it to communicate with a central computer. The complementary box is provided with identification marks that can be scanned from the outside and includes a microcontroller, memory means and timing means. Once the vehicle is parked, the TRD is used to obtain from the computer a parking authorization and an allowed parking time. Then a legitimate parking sign is displayed and the parking time is downcounted until the allowed time has been completed or until the vehicle leaves the parking space. If communication with the computer cannot be established, the complementary box carries out an assumed parking procedure, stores its data in a buffer memory, and later transmits them to the computer for verification and registration. The computer communicates the data of each parking to the Public Authority charged with collecting the parking fees.

Abstract: This invention is a contactless label chipcard including payment and identification information and a check-out system including a contactless reader for reading and updating payment information stored in that label chipcard. The contactless label chipcard is attached to a product, and the system further includes a device for reading and initiating updating of the payment status resident on the chipcard. The device includes the contactless reader for reading information stored in the contactless label chipcard, and a component for generating an invoice based on the information received from the contactless label chipcard. Further, the device includes a component for checking payment of the invoice and a component for initiating update of the payment status. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.