Abstract: Systems and methods for beamforming in radio frequency identification (RFID) applications are disclosed. A beamforming system uses a distributed architecture and techniques for antenna beamforming using a feedback control loop to direct radio frequency (RF) energy onto a specific region, referred to as an interrogation zone, which includes a calibration node where one or more RFID tags may be located. The distributed architecture of the beamforming system is resistant to fading and shadowing effects, providing accurate RFID reader operation even in environments with multi-path reflections or environmental changes, such as people moving around or changes in the location of equipment.

Abstract: A secure apparatus, system, device and method for coding surface acoustic wave identification tags and sensors to enable unique sensor operation and identification for a multi-sensor environment. In an embodiment, a pseudo noise sequence is applied to the orthogonally coded signal for increased security. An orthogonal frequency coding technique is applied to the SAW tag using periodic reflector gratings for responding to an orthogonal interrogation signal to transmit the sensor identification and sensed data. A transceiver interrogates the sensor with a stepped chirp corresponding to the orthogonal frequency coded chip frequency response, receives a response from the SAW device, applies an oppositely stepped chirp to the response and then uses matched filtering to produce a compressed pulse. The orthogonal frequency coding technique has an inherent advantage of processing gain, code division multiple access, spread spectrum and security.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflective communication system that allows information from wireless communication devices, such as radio-frequency identification devices (RFID), to be reflectively communicated to a receiver in lieu of using a separate communication system. A transmitter transmits a communication signal, having a carrier frequency, to the wireless communication device to provide power. The wireless communication device modulates a data signal onto the communication signal to form a reflected data signal. The wireless communication device reflects the reflected data signal directly to the receiver. In this manner, the process of communicating information from a wireless communication device is accomplished in one communication system rather than two. If the receiver also directly receives the communication signal from the transmitter, the receiver can determine the location of the wireless communication device relative to the transmitters.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave sensor or tag having multiple transducer/antenna pairs each having a different center frequency. The bandwidth of each transducer/antenna pair is inversely proportional to the number of transducer/antennas pairs used and the bandwidth is the sum of the bandwidth of the transducer/antenna pairs. Implementing a SAW sensor or tag with multiple transducer/antenna pairs significantly reduces device losses and improves the performance of the device since the individual transducer/antenna pair's fractional bandwidth is reduced by the ratio of the system bandwidth to the number of transducer antenna pairs used in the sensor.

Abstract: An RFID system in which RFID devices utilize RFID circuits and antennas having unmatched frequency ranges. The system includes an RFID interrogator having multiple interrogator antennas. Each interrogator antenna can be tuned to different respective frequency ranges. The system includes an RFID device having an RFID circuit, and device antennas coupled to the RFID circuit. Each device antenna can be tuned to a respective frequency range that matches only one of the interrogator antennas for communicating with the RFID interrogator according to respective protocols associated with each respective frequency range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a wireless transponder for a security system are described.

Abstract: A reader emits a low frequency signal to energize a RFID tag. The RFID tag responds with a high frequency signal. An antenna on the RFID tag functions as a resonant circuit upon receiving the low frequency signal to power up the RFID tag. In one embodiment, the high frequency signal is a millimeter frequency signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to dynamically controlled, electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems whereby an array of antenna elements is digitally phased and actively driven for concurrent transmission, and digitally phased and combined in the receiver unit to improve detection. In particular, the individual frequency and phase of the plurality of the transmit/receive signals are rapidly varied to allow for automated manipulation (steering) of the transmit field pattern and receive field sensitivity. The invention achieves the following features via means of digital phasing and dynamic computer control: sufficient far-field cancellation, null-free detection and uncompromised detection performance regardless of tag's orientation while using single transmission drivers to drive entire antenna structures, whether loop antenna or ferrite core antenna, using a phase coupler, thereby allowing more efficient system operation or additional features such as deactivator antenna operation.

Abstract: The UHF transponder includes protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) formed by the modulation transistor (T1) and additional control means (20) for said transistor which fulfils two functions: its first response signal modulation function and an additional ESD protection function.

Abstract: RFID readers, systems, and methods are provided for overcoming the effects of RF interference. While a system is communicating in a channel, RF interference is monitored. If it is low, then hopping to another channel is performed according to an ordinary decision. But if interference is high, then hopping out to another channel can be earlier than would be dictated by the ordinary decision under the same circumstances. The earlier hopping out can result in diminishing communication in channels with a lot of RF interference.

Abstract: RFID readers, systems, and methods are provided for overcoming the effects of RF interference. While a system is communicating in a channel, RF interference is monitored. If it is low, then the next channel to be hopped onto is chosen in an unbiased manner. But if interference is high, then the next channel to be hopped onto is chosen in a biased manner that disfavors at least one channel over another, in view of the detected interference. The choice of the next channel can thus result in diminishing communication in channels with a lot of RF interference.

Abstract: A container assembly for tracking a radio frequency identification tag (20) generally includes at least one container (22), an RFID tag (24) associated with the container, and an RFID signal transmitter (26) associated with the radio frequency identification tag. The RFID signal transmitter is capable of transmitting an RFID response signal (1044). The assembly further includes a tracking signal transmitter (28) associated with the RFID signal transmitter. The tracking signal transmitter is capable of transmitting a tracking signal (1046), and the tracking signal is different at least in part from the RFID signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency device capable of differentiating self-jammer signals.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transponder comprising: an oscillating circuit; a first rectifying bridge having its A.C. input terminals connected across the oscillating circuit and having its rectified output terminals connected at least to a voltage regulator in charge of providing a supply voltage; and a second rectifying bridge, of dimension smaller than that of the first bridge, having its two A.C. input terminals connected across the oscillating circuit and having at least one output terminal connected to a demodulator of data sensed by the oscillating circuit.

Abstract: A method for adaptively controlling a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system having a plurality of interrogating antennas and RFID tags. The method comprises the steps of establishing a timeout setting indicative of the time that each interrogating antenna powers a read field during a respective read period and a threshold time period indicative of the time required to transmit energy/exchange data between the RFID tag and the interrogating antenna. A period differential is then calculated which is indicative of the difference between the timeout setting and the time elapsed for the final RFID tag within a respective read field to communicate its RFID tag information. The timeout setting for each interrogating antenna may then be adaptively tuned or varied in accordance with the period differential. To expedite and/or refine the adaptive tuning feature, a variance may also be calculated indicative of the difference between the threshold time period and the period differential.

Abstract: A reader antenna is connected to an interrogator. Conductors are arranged at two places at the opposed marginal edge portions of a radiation plane of the reader antenna along a radiation direction of an electromagnetic wave from the reader antenna. The conductors raises the electric power density above the reader antenna. A storage case is set above the reader antenna and has many items arranged at narrow intervals with radio tags attached thereto. The storage container has the radio tags arranged substantially parallel to the polarization direction of the reader antenna. By doing so, adequate drive power is applied to the radio tag by an electromagnetic wave from the reader antenna.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dual interface card includes at least the following step: collocating multiple card support sheets one onto the other, some of these sheets showing holes, in order to form a recess adapted to receive the dual interface module, one of the sheets supporting the antenna having solid metallic contact pads at least partially freely accessible in the recess depositing a conductive adhesive onto the contact pads positioning the dual interface module in the recess such that the pads of the module are contacting the conductive adhesive executing one single lamination step of the sheets with the module in order to: laminate the multiple layers together in order to form the card body embed the dual interface module in the recess and achieve the curing of the isotropic conductive adhesive and the permanent electrical contact between the antenna and the dual interface module.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system which may exhibit inconsistent RFID tag reporting behavior. The method includes the steps of (i) establishing a timeout setting indicative of the time that each interrogating antenna transmits RF energy within a respective read field, (ii) evaluating/comparing reporting results over multiple interrogation cycles to determine when an RFID tag exhibits inconsistent reporting behavior within the read field and (iii) increasing the timeout setting of the respective interrogating antenna to enhance the energy harvested by an RFID tag/device during each interrogation cycle. In lieu of, or in addition to, increasing the timeout setting, the method evaluates the responses received over multiple cycles and accepts such responses as being valid only when the same response is obtain over consecutive/sequential interrogation cycles.

Abstract: An article present region estimating means references information on location and time of an article detected in an article detecting device and stored in an article management database and information on location and time of a person detected in a person detecting device and stored in a person management database to estimate a location where the article is most likely to be present. An article position candidate weighting means may be perform weighting based on information such as movement of the person, location where the article is normally placed.

Abstract: An RFID circuit comprises an RF carrier signal source, a hybrid coupled to the RF carrier signal source operable to generate an in-phase and a quadrature phase component of the RF carrier signal, a switch coupled to the hybrid operable to pass one of the in-phase and quadrature phase components of the RF carrier signal to its output, and a mixer coupled to the output of the switch operable to multiply one of the in-phase and quadrature phase component of the carrier signal and a received modulated carrier signal and generate a baseband signal.

Abstract: Wirelessly testing an RFID tag before it is packaged or otherwise entered into a process reserved for “working” RFID tags is described. Various processes that employ such wireless testing as well as various “on-die” RFID tag antennae designs for facilitating the wireless testing are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with its related electronic circuit and to a detection process, targeted to detect any magnetic material moving around the antennas/sensors (6) used in Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) electromagnetic systems, which can by internally or externally coupled to these kind of anti-theft systems, significantly decreasing its current vulnerability to fraud, since the current Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) electromagnetic systems are vulnerable for not being able to detect magnetic materials. The present process and detector device suppress that vulnerability by correctly filtering and processing the DC signal generated by the displacement of a magnetic material around one or more EAS electromagnetic system antenna/sensor(s) (6).

Abstract: Systems, methods, or computer program products may collect information about the performance of individual RFID tags. In particular, signal strength and/or signal sensitivity of individual RFID tags may be measured and the resulting performance information may be stored in a data repository. In the data repository, the performance information for an individual tag may be associated with an identifier that is uniquely associated with the tag. In one exemplary embodiment, the performance information may be used by an on-line system configured to automatically determine the performance margin with which RFID tags are being read in an RFID system, or to automatically tune the RFID system to achieve a desired performance margin.

Abstract: An information processing system includes: a first information processing apparatus disposed in correspondence with an entrance of a space including a plurality of areas; a plurality of second information processing apparatuses respectively disposed in correspondence with the plurality of areas; and a third information processing apparatus which manages points, the point being earned by a person who entered the space or the area.

Abstract: A magnetic material sensing device which senses a magnetic material by detecting a signal which the magnetic material emits when an alternating magnetic field is applied, the magnetic material sensing device includes: an exciting coil which applies the alternating magnetic field; a receiving coil which receives a first signal which is generated due to the alternating magnetic field; a noise signal removing part that removes, from the first signal, a noise signal of an object which reflects the alternating magnetic field; and a detecting part that detects, from the noise signal-removed signal, the signal emitted from the magnetic material.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes taggents which reflect at selected frequencies or tones. For each byte of information to be associated with an item to be tagged, a reflective tone range is assigned. Within the tone range of each byte, a bit is represented by a subband range, where a reflective tone in any subband range represents a logic 1 state of that bit. To represent a bit, one of the reflective tones in the subband is randomly chosen. The data carried by the tag may include checksum information carried in further tone range. The randomly assigned subband selected for each item(s) is recorded, and the recorded information accompanies a group of tagged items. Reading tagged items involves tone scanning the tags and using the resulting reflective tones and the recorded information to determine which items are present.

Abstract: An IC tag communication system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of reader antennas which receive radio waves emitted from an IC tag attached to an article, the radio waves being at least partly overlapped with each other; a plurality of readers which are connected respectively to the reader antennas; and a phase adjustment section for adjusting the phases of the radio waves that the reader antennas receive to each other.

Abstract: A transceiver preferably embedded within a wearable security watch, PDA, or other device which achieves a variety of wireless ultrasonic and/or radio-frequency based functions, including digital identification and proximity and sensation monitoring of assets, individuals, pets, and the like. The portable or wearable device realizes these functions by periodically polling and receiving information tags within the transmitting distance of the device. The invention can help reduce the likelihood of the theft, loss, or misplacement by detecting that a tag associated with or attached to an entity has left an individual's proximity and sounding an alarm. The device can also assist individuals with sensory impairments, including persons who are deaf, diabetic, and the like, by detecting a tagged entity as it enters the space around an individual, or by detecting environmental stimuli, such as excessive heat in an individual's proximity or vital sign changes, and sounding an alarm.

Abstract: Emulating a tag reading environment includes accessing a virtual tag reading system of a virtual environment. The virtual tag reading system includes a virtual antenna operable to detect virtual tags. At least one virtual tag is inserted into the virtual environment. The virtual tag is subjected to a field of the virtual antenna. A response of the virtual tag reading system to the virtual tag is monitored.

Abstract: The invention is a system for locating and preventing the loss of personal items within a geographic zone. The system components are a personal portable homing center device a having a radio frequency receiver and a transducer that is actuated by a change in a signal strength; and several zone devices, for instance an active RFID tag attached to the personal item. The homing center device has an algorithm to measure the strength of the signal generated by the tag. The transducer is an audible and/or a silent alarm. The homing center device has three operating modes: Off, Homing-in, and Homing-out. In the Homing-in mode the alarm is actuated when a zone device's signal is detected. In the Homing-out operating mode the alarm is actuated when a zone device's signal falls to a threshold strength, indicating that the item is no longer close to the homing center device.

Abstract: A method for activating a device operatively coupled to an activation circuit includes steps of: receiving a password-protected instruction sent by wireless communication to the device; decoding the instruction using the password; and activating the activation circuit by permanently changing the state of the activation circuit from an off state to an on state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to shield contactless portable electronic consumer devices such as radio frequency identification devices (RFID), tokens, mini-cards, key fobs, cellular phones, smartcards, etc. from wireless interrogation. In one embodiment, a contactless portable consumer device which includes a first antenna is shielded from unauthorized wireless interrogation with a radio frequency (RF) shield. The RF shield includes electrically conductive, non-ferromagnetic material and is configured to prevent unauthorized data transfer between a second antenna external to the portable consumer device and the first antenna.

Abstract: Apparatus for data printing and data writing to a memory tag on or in a base medium is described. The apparatus includes a print head for printing onto the base medium, and a memory tag write device for data writing to the memory tags on or in the base medium. The base medium is moved along a first axis through or past the apparatus. At least a part of the memory tag write device required for communication with the memory tags is moveable relative to the base medium back and forth along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The print head may be moveable relative to the base medium such that it moves back and forth along a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, depending on the printing technology concerned.

Abstract: An RFID transponder is disclosed in which predetermined conductive portions will be removed from the transponder should the transponder be removed from a first object to which it is attached. The transponder has a first response to applied RF before the predetermined portions are removed and a second response after such removal. An RF detector can be used to scan objects with transponders to detect the first or the second response and thereby determine when a transponder has been moved.

Abstract: A remote sensing device includes a sensor and reference circuit. A resonant circuit of the sensor has a resonant characteristic modifiable by exposure to an external condition. The sensor is configured to produce a sensor signal associated with the modifiable resonant characteristic. A reference circuit of the remote sensing device is configured to produce a reference signal suitable for use in conjunction with the sensor signal. The reference signal is used to account for variations of the sensor signal due to variations in the inductive coupling between the remote sensing device and a reader designed to detect the reference signal and the sensor signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system. In this way, in an embodiment, service data associated with a computer system, such as vital product service data and log information may be accessed and updated even while the computer system is powered off.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for preventing unauthorized persons from using an electronic device within a facility. In such an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of RFID tags each having unique identification information associated with a wearer of one of the RFID tags. This system may also include an RFID reader associated with the electronic device and having an RFID coverage zone for detecting RFID tags within the coverage zone. A device management system may be connected to the reader and configured to determine whether wearers in the coverage zone are authorized to use the electronic device based at least in part on detected RFID tags' unique identification information. In such an embodiment, the device management system is configured to activate the electronic device if it determines only authorized wearers are detected in the coverage zone, and to deactivate the electronic device if it determines an unauthorized wearer is detected in the coverage zone.

Abstract: A double clutch transmission includes a first input shaft receiving power from a crankshaft through a first clutch and comprising at least one first drive gear, a second input shaft receiving power from a crankshaft through a second clutch and comprising at least one second drive gear, a first output shaft comprising at least one first driven gear to receive the power from the second input shaft, a second output shaft comprising at least one second driven gear to receive the power from the first input shaft, and a flywheel interposed between the first clutch and the second clutch wherein a bearing supporting the flywheel is disposed on an exterior circumference of the second input shaft.

Abstract: A multi-mode RFID tag includes a power generating and signal detection module, a baseband processing module, a transmit section, a configurable coupling circuit, and an antenna section. In near field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to a coil or inductor in the configurable coupling circuit to transmit an outbound transmit signal using electromagnetic or inductive coupling to an RFID reader. In far field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to the antenna section, and the multi-mode RFID tag then utilizes a back-scattering RF technology to transmit the outbound transmit signal to RFID readers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cargo container monitoring system includes components located on a cargo ship for collecting cargo container status information for a plurality of cargo containers. The components include at least one combination data logger and gateway device. The combination device includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is configured to receive first wireless communications signals transmitted by a plurality of tags at a first frequency. Each tag is associated with a particular one of the cargo containers and the first wireless communications signals received from each tag include cargo container status information for the associated cargo container. The second antenna is configured to transmit second wireless communications signals to an access point at a second frequency. The second wireless communications signals include the cargo container status information received from the plurality of tags and the first frequency is different from the second frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a wireless device within an environment. A wireless device, which is operable in a wireless communication system, comprises a transmitter for transmitting a first signal to a transponder, where the transponder operates independent of the wireless communication system. The wireless device further includes a receiver for receiving a second signal from the transponder, where the second signal includes identifying data associated with the transponder. The wireless device further includes a processor for determining a location of the wireless device within the environment or classifying the environment based at least in part upon the received identifying data.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine timebase and timing (i.e., time sync) of received signals in RFID systems. Multiple matched filters corresponding to multiple timebases are used to receive the preambles of signals received from RFID tags. The multiple matched filters define a range of expected timebases of the received signals. The matched filter with the maximum output signal peak is used to derive the timebase and timing of the received signal. Viterbi techniques can be used in determining the timebase and timing to incorporate a portion of the data signal in addition to the preamble. Reconfigurable matched filters can be used so that after a preliminary timebase is determined as described above, the matched filters can be reconfigured to define a new smaller range centered about the preliminary timebase. This allows the timebase to be determined with finer resolution when another preamble portion is received.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected. The RF energy can be a signal from an RFID tag. The detected signal is used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: A method of preventing interference of signals transmitted from electronic input devices to a computer host. An identification is generated for each individual electronic device. A receiving unit is connected to the computer host. The identification frequencies are pre-stored in the receiving unit. The receiving unit performs scanning of signals transmitted from the electronic devices with a scanning cycle. The receiving unit switches between a plurality of detection sequences within each scanning cycle. When signals are transmitted from the electronic devices, the receiving unit receives the signals within the detection sequences corresponding to the electronic devices that transmitting the signals. The identification frequencies carried by the signals are compared to the pre-stored identification frequencies to ensure the signals being received at respective frequency channels.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for processing freight using Radio Frequency identification (RFID). The freight processing system includes: an RFID label issuing block for issuing and attaching an RFID tag storing freight identification and destination information; an RFID linking block for generating link information between a freight and a carrier; and an RFID freight identifying block for automatically identifying the freight by reading the destination information from the RFID tag attached to the freight.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for using low cost, passive RF sensor technology such as RFID tags, to determine whether containers or other objects are in a right-side-up orientation. A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to sensor apparatus for use in detecting an improper orientation of a conventional box or container with respect to a substantially horizontal surface. The apparatus includes a structure having two sides formed of plastic in spaced apart relationship, to define an enclosed space within the structure. Selected shielding material attached to the structure shields a specified region of the enclosed space against RF signals, the shielded region being located in the lowest portion of the enclosed space when the structure is in a reference orientation with respect to the horizontal surface. An RFID tag embedded in a disk is positioned in the enclosed space, the disk being sized to move freely within the space.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the apparatus receives a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted from the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, measures the strength of the received RF signal, and controls the power supplied from the power supply unit included in the tag or the power excited by the RF signal to be supplied to the tag according to whether the power excited by the received RF signal exceeds a level necessary to operate the tag based on the measured strength of the RF signal. Thus, efficiency of power consumption of the tag and the RFID transmission/reception system can be maximized and the amount of data is reduced to the extent that the set of commands is not needed, thereby simplifying a data process.

Abstract: Systems, methods, or computer program products may collect information about the performance of individual RFID tags. In particular, signal strength and/or signal sensitivity of individual RFID tags may be measured and the resulting performance information may be stored in a data repository. In the data repository, the performance information for an individual tag may be associated with an identifier that is uniquely associated with the tag. In one exemplary embodiment, the performance information may be used by an on-line system configured to automatically determine the performance margin with which RFID tags are being read in an RFID system, or to automatically tune the RFID system to achieve a desired performance margin.