1464results about "Near-field in RFID" patented technology

A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.

A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.

The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

A communication system includes a transmitter including a transmission circuit unit that generates an RF signal for transmitting data and an electric-field-coupling antenna that transmits the RF signal as an electrostatic field, a receiver including an electric-field-coupling antenna and a reception circuit unit that subjects an RF signal received by the electric-field-coupling antenna to reception processing, and a surface-wave propagating means for providing a surface wave transmission line made of a conductor that propagates a surface wave radiated from the electric-field-coupling antenna of the transmitter along a surface of the surface wave transmission line.

An inductive power supply including multiple tank circuits and a controller for selecting at least one of the tank circuits in order to wirelessly transfer power based on received power demand information. In addition, a magnet may be used to align multiple remote devices with the inductive power supply. In one embodiment, different communication systems are employed depending on which coil is being used to transfer wireless power.

This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features, along with systems incorporating these devices and methods. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver's seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.

A communication system includes the following elements: a transmitter including a transmission circuit unit configured to generate an RF signal for transmitting data and an electric-field-coupling antenna configured to transmit the RF signal as an electrostatic field; a receiver including an electric-field-coupling antenna and a reception circuit unit configured to receive and process the RF signal received by the electric-field-coupling antenna; and a surface-wave propagation medium configured to provide a surface-wave transmission line to transmit a surface wave emanating from the electric-field-coupling antenna of the transmitter with low propagation loss.

The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

Embodiments are directed to detecting and limiting power transfer to communication device, such as NFC and RFID cards. A method may include detecting one or more communication devices positioned within a wireless power transfer region of a wireless power transmitter. The method may further include limiting an amount of power transmitted by a transmitter in response to the detection.

A communication system includes the following elements: a transmitter including a transmission circuit unit configured to generate an RF signal for transmitting data and an electric-field-coupling antenna configured to transmit the RF signal as an electrostatic field; a receiver including an electric-field-coupling antenna and a reception circuit unit configured to receive and process the RF signal received by the electric-field-coupling antenna; and a surface-wave propagation medium configured to provide a surface-wave transmission line to transmit a surface wave emanating from the electric-field-coupling antenna of the transmitter with low propagation loss.

A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.

A radio frequency (RF) charging system is capable of charging an RF device on a display panel to increase charging efficiency. The RF device generates a response signal upon receiving an RF signal. The RF charging system includes an antenna set having a plurality of antennas, a switch unit, an RF module and a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU controls the switch unit to select one antenna from the antenna set. The antenna is able to receive the response signal and is used for transmitting the RF signal, thereby charging the RF device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an antenna system, comprising a plurality of non-uniformly spaced antenna elements arranged substantially linearly, a power divider for dividing transmit power thereby coupling signals to the plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter capable of phase shifting the signals between the power divider and the plurality of antenna elements such that radiated signals from each antenna element add coherently such that the radiated electromagnetic energy may be focused at a focal point in the near field region or in the Fresnel region of the antenna system. An embodiment of the present invention may also provide at least one additional receive antenna element capable of receiving signals backscattered from at least one RFID tag located in the near field of the focused array and the divider may create substantially equal power levels feeding each antenna element. The antenna elements may be similar or identical and each element may be oriented such that the individual element main beam may point in a unique direction.

RFID apparatus includes transmission means for transmitting an RF signal; reception means for receiving a modulated RF signal; and demodulation means for demodulating a received modulated signal. The apparatus comprises generating means for generating a RF signal dependent on an incoming RF signal, the incoming RF signal being generated by different apparatus, and the apparatus is arranged to transmit the generated RF signal such that the generated RF signal interferes with the incoming RF signal. The RFID apparatus has both the means to respond to an RF reader device, in tag emulation mode, and means to function as an RF reader device, in reader mode.

A self adjusting RF assembly including an RF radiator is disclosed. The RF assembly includes at least one component that may be replaced by a user of the RF assembly. The RF assembly includes an identification element associated with the at least one component for representing at least one characteristic of the component. The RF assembly includes a monitoring element for monitoring the identification element at least during power up of the RF assembly. The RF assembly also includes an adjusting element for adjusting radiation from the RF radiator wherein the adjusting element is operably associated with the monitoring element to maintain radiation from the RF radiator below a preset limit. The preset limit is typically determined by local electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations. A method for maintaining radiation from an RF assembly below a preset limit is also disclosed.

A near field antenna adapted to an object detecting device, for sensing a plurality of units under test of at least an object under test. The near field antenna comprises a periodic guided-wave structure, a metallic reflection portion and at least two near field magnetic coupling antennas. The periodic guided-wave structure disposed below the object under test has a plurality of conductive units periodically arranged on a first plane. The metallic reflection portion is disposed under the periodic guided-wave structure to form an enclosed space. The near field magnetic coupling antennas are disposed on a second plane parallel to the periodic guided-wave structure, and are located in the enclosed space. The feed point and the ground point of each near field magnetic coupling antenna are fed by a coaxial cable with a feeding direction parallel to the periodically arranged conductive units.

A system and method in accordance with example embodiments may include systems and methods for providing a mobile wallet shopping companion application. In an example embodiment, a method for providing a mobile wallet shopping companion application includes, receiving, via a network, confirmation of a transaction using a financial account; receiving, via a network, data relating to both the financial account and a customer associated with the financial account; and transmitting, via a network, processing the data relating to the financial account and the customer associated with the financial account in order to create a tailored offer and / or targeted data for the customer.

Disclosed herein is a method and system for detecting, monitoring and / or controlling one or more of mobile services for a mobile communication device (also referred to herein as a Controllable Mobile Device or CMD), and in particular, when the device is being used and the vehicle, operated by the user of the device, is moving. In addition, one aspect of the invention generally relates to a method and system for modifying a user's driving behaviors, in particular to a system and method for modifying a user's unsafe driving behaviors, e.g., using one or more services of a controllable mobile device while driving, by providing a score to the user rating indicating that they are using a mobile device in a distracting way, or driving in a manner that indicates that they are distracted.

Disclosed are a method and a system for Bluetooth communication. In the Bluetooth system, a Bluetooth device includes: a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader for reading out RFID information from the RFID Tag within an effective transmission and receiving range and outputting the RFID information; a control unit for activating the RFID reader when a request for Bluetooth connection using the RFID is inputted by a user in a Bluetooth communication mode, extracting the bonding information from the RFID information inputted from the RFID reader, and outputting the bonding information; and a Bluetooth module for receiving the bonding information outputted from the control unit, pairing the first Bluetooth device using the bonding information, and performing Bluetooth communication.

A portable RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and slots or recesses for insertion of contactless smart card fobs, including ID card, and having a wireless interface for communicating with a token plugged into a computer, provides physical and logical access.

A transceiver for a RFID reader and a transceiver for a RFID transponder (tag) allow communication between the two devices. The RFID reader utilizes an analog front end and a digital backend. In the receiver portion of the transceiver, the front end of the RFID reader uses a pair of down-conversion mixers to demodulate a received signal into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) digitize the signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) in the back end processes the digital signal and uses a matched filter for data detection. The RFID tag receives an inductively coupled signal from the reader and the receiver portion of the tag uses a pulse / level detector that employs an analog comparator and a sample and hold circuit to detect the received signal. A digital decoder / controller is used to decode the incoming data and to establish a sampling clock for the pulse / level detector. An automatic gain control (AGC) circuit adjusts a receiver gain according to the received signal strength and controls tuning of magnetic coupling circuitry.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID reader, an RFID tag, and a network connection module. The RFID reader includes a reader radio frequency (RF) bus transceiver. The network connection module includes a network connection RF bus transcevier, wherein the reader RF bus transceiver exchanges at least one of inbound RFID data and outbound RFID data with the network RF bus transceiver via an RF bus.

A cabinet frame enclosure is provided having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of equipment, the equipment being removable through the first opening. A plurality of functional modules are provided such as: an asset tracking module for detecting the presence or absence of the equipment from the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the asset tracking module disposed in the first side wall adjacent the first opening; an access control module for providing electronic locking and access control to the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; an environmental management module for monitoring and controlling environmental conditions within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; a power management module for monitoring and controlling power distribution to equipment located in the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the power management module disposed in one of the first side wall or second side wall and adjacent the second opening; and a cabinet control module (CCM) for providing consolidated connectivity to the plurality of functional modules, wherein the CCM presents a single network connection for managing the equipment located in the cabinet frame enclosure.

A mobile communication device (98b) includes: an appliance information obtainment unit (98n) that obtains appliance information (98n1) by proximity wireless communication (98c1) with an appliance (98a) installed in a home (99), the appliance information specifying the appliance (98a); a position information obtainment unit (98j) that obtains position information (98j1) of the mobile communication device when the proximity wireless communication (98c1) is performed; and a transmission unit (98o) that transmits transmission information (98o1) to a server (98c) in the case where the proximity wireless communication (98c1) is performed, the transmission information including the appliance information (98n1) and the position information (98j1).

The wireless electrostatic charging and communicating system includes an electrostatic reader, an electrostatic charger and an electrostatic rechargeable device or electrostatic transceiver such as such as a smart card or radio frequency identification (RFID) card without requiring physical contact to electrodes. The electrostatic system is capacitance based and the charging and communicating occurs over capacitively coupled electrostatic electrodes or electrostatic electrodes. The electrostatic rechargeable device or transceiver includes a charge receiver and an energy storage means, for being charged or communicated with in the electrostatic system. The energy storage means may be any energy storage device including a rechargeable battery or capacitor. In a second embodiment, the electrostatic rechargeable device or transceiver includes an electrostatic charge receiver and an electromagnetic charge receiver with the energy storage means so that it may be alternatively charged or communicated with in an electrostatic system or an electromagnetic system for compatibility in either system.

A mobile station is configured to detect entry into a premises of an enterprise in response to short range or near field radio-frequency signals. The mobile station receives signals from one or more short range wireless beacons located in the premises, and the mobile station sends identifiers from the beacon signals to a location server. The location server processes the identifiers to determine location of the mobile station within the premises and sends information to the mobile station, for presentation to the user of a map of the premises showing the determined location of the mobile station within the premises. Entry detection also may be used to automatically check-in a customer / user of the mobile station with a system of the enterprise used by personnel of the enterprise at the premises to enable the personnel to customize interactions the customer while the customer is at the premises.

A networked system and method for improving hygiene practices includes an interactive communication system of user devices and an information engine. Wired and wireless data transmission methods are provided.

An RFID-based smart terminal, bank card and financial management system are disclosed. The smart terminal comprises a first RFID antenna, a sensor switch and a processor. The first RFID antenna is configured to receive RFID signals. The sensor switch is configured to, when sensing the approach of an RFID signal source, activate the first RFID antenna directly or through the processor so as to enable RFID function. The smart terminal according to the present disclosure can, when sensing the approach of the RFID signal source, trigger the first RFID antenna a to be activated, and can effectively reduce the power consumption and save energy.

Integrated cross-platform perimeter access control system with a RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter configured with a RFID lock, a wireless communication conversion unit configured for operating under a first wireless communication platform and a second wireless communication platform, and a smartphone is disclosed. RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter is installed above sensor area of RFID lock to facilitate RFID lock to interrogate the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter. RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter equipped with photo sensor unit can be turned on in a contactless manner using smartphone with camera light source. Methods adapted for short-range or long range space / room management automation, transportation vehicle rental management, and automated vehicle parking lot management are included. Low-power infrared proximity sensing circuit of infrared type having an infrared transmitter and receiver unit or of capacitive type having a metal plate can be added to the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter so that the RFID reader can be actuated to perform RFID signal reading.