917 results about "Rf communication" patented technology

A conductive line radar comprising at least one signal surface wave launcher, which comprises a signal surface wave transceiver, which is physically attached to a power line. The signal surface wave transceiver transmits a wave signal along the power line with another signal radiating from the wave signal in a plurality of directions along the power line. The at least one signal surface wave transceiver receives reflected signals from a target within a distance of the power line. The at least one signal surface wave launcher includes at least one RF communications transceiver and can be inductively powered from the power line.

This invention provides a system and method for identifying, locating, authorizing by proximity and communicating with equipment and personnel in a facility that generally employs a series of limited range transceivers for location determination and a distributed wireless data network for data transfer. The system employs unique RF transceiver tags on personnel and equipment that are each uniquely identified and registered with a facility control application that oversees activities in the facility. The tags are tracked by RF communication based upon their proximity to one or more fixed-base networked access points and relays (which transfer location data by RF back to access points) within four range zones. Location data on all tags is uploaded periodically to a location server that interfaces with the facility control server. Tag data is monitored by the facility control server to track, authorize and deauthorize certain data transfers, movements and activities in accordance with rules established for each tag (or type of tag) within the facility control server's application. Wireless networking (WiFi, for example), in combination with the RF-derived location information, allows the facility control server to correlate and transmit data to staff in conjunction with location and proximity. WiFi can transmit authorizations, deauthorizations and general data based upon triggers established by proximity and location. Likewise, data can be transmitted over WiFi from readers etc. from personnel and equipment located and identified by the system.

A security network for a building using at least one RFID reader to communicate with at least one RFID transponder to provide the radio link between each of a number of openings and a control function capable of causing an alert in the event of an intrusion. A gateway provides an interface between the security network and various external networks. The control function can be located in either or both of the RFID reader and the gateway. The RFID transponder is connected to an intrusion sensor. The gateway can communicate with the RFID reader using active RF communications, power-line communications protocol, or hardwire connection. The RFID transponder can contain an energy store. The RFID reader contains means for transferring power to an RFID transponder for the purpose of charging any energy store. The security network can contain more than one RFID reader.

A radio-frequency (RF) load control system allows for the expedient transmission of subsequent digital messages to one or more recipients via an RF communication link. The control system comprises at least one load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load in response to a received digital message. Each control device of the load control system is operable to interrupt the propagation of a first digital message to transmit a second digital message in response to determining that the second digital message has a high priority than the first digital message. For example, an originating control device may transmit first and second digital messages in response to a press and a release of an actuator, respectively, and may interrupt the propagation of the first digital message to transmit the second digital message if the first digital message is irrelevant in view of the second digital message.

A multi-level meshed security network. The network includes a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting relatively high power RF communications, and a controller function. The second level has a plurality of transponders, supporting relatively low power RF communications, and at least one sensor. Each of the components of the first level communicates with each other and with each of the components of the second level.

A radio frequency (RF) communications system includes a local RF communications device and an RF antenna including a conical RF launch structure coupled to the local RF communications device, and an elongate electrical conductor having a proximal end coupled to the conical RF launch structure and a distal end spaced apart from the conical RF launch structure to define an elongate RF coverage pattern. The elongate conductor may be a coaxial cable. At least one remote RF communications device, within the elongate RF coverage pattern, wirelessly communicates with the local RF communications device.

A near field RF communicator (100) has an inductive coupler (102) and a first signal provider (109, 110, 111) to cause the inductive coupler to provide a first signal that when inductively coupled to the inductive coupler of another near field RF communicator in near field range is insufficient to cause initiation of communication with that other near field RF communicator. A sensor (116) senses a change in an impedance of the inductive coupler (102) due to inductive coupling of the first signal between the inductive couplers of the said near field RF communicator and a said other near field RF communicator in near field range. A controller (107) determines whether or not another near field RF communicator is in near field range on the basis of any change in impedance sensed by the sensor and, if another near field RF communicator is determined to be in near field range, causes a second signal to be inductively coupled to the other near field RF communicator to initiate communication between the two near field RF communicators. The sensor may use a phase detector (118) to enable a change in impedance to be sensed by detecting a change in a current-voltage phase relationship resulting from a change in impedance.

A system for wireless communication using ultrasonic signals that includes a transmission module, which receives input signals from a wireless device, modifies the received input signals in a manner that converts each received input signal into a corresponding ultrasonic signal and wirelessly transmits each said ultrasonic signal over an ultrasonic link, and a receiving module, which receives the transmitted ultrasonic signals, recovers the corresponding input signals therefrom and enables outputting each respective input signal through one or more output devices. Modification of the input signals may include compressing, encoding and modulating the input signals. The input signals may be voice audio signals for enabling to use the system for supporting phone calls by enabling ultrasonic communication between for instance, a wireless headset and a mobile phone. Transmission and receiving modules may be associated with a wireless headset and mobile phone for allowing ultrasonic and optionally RF communication therebetween.

The centralized optical-fiber-based wireless picocellular system includes one or more service units at a central head-end station. The one or more service units are optically coupled to one or more transponders via respective one or more optical fiber RF communication links. The transponders are each adapted to provide within the associated picocell electromagnetic RF service signals from different service units, and receive electromagnetic RF service signals from any client device within the picocell. The service signal from the particular client device is sent over the optical fiber RF communication link back to one or more service units. The transponders are arranged along the length of one or more optical fiber cables, which can be distributed throughout a building infrastructure. This creates a picocellular coverage area that provides a number of different wireless services relative to the building infrastructure. The service units can generate the electrical service signals, pass such signals to and from one or more outside networks, and/or coordinate the delivery of the signals between client devices within the picocellular coverage area.

A mobile device with a touch panel and a touch-lock operating method thereof are provided. The mobile device preferably includes an RF communication unit for supporting communication services; a touch panel for sensing input touches; a display unit for displaying a screen, where the screen includes at least one of a preset image, text, and map; and a controller for setting a touch-lock in the touch panel according to a preset condition. The controller also controls the display unit to display at least one of a text and image or at least one particular icon corresponding to the information reception event that occurs, based on the RF communication unit, in the touch-lock state. A portion of the display screen can be locked, or only certain predetermined touch functions permitted.

An integrated security control system and method which integrate the functions of a wireless security system control panel and a radio transceiver in an integrated security control system unit. The integrated control unit includes a first telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications, and a second radio frequency (RF) cellular communication system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication network. The cellular communication system is the primary communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event. A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF status display or a wireless RF keypad, is provided with a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit beeps. The separate unit is positioned at a separate location from the integrated security control system unit, such that the entry beeps do not alert an entering person to the location of the integrated security control system unit. When a security event is triggered, the control unit delays activating a security alarm sounder in the control unit until after the second RF communication system has finished transmitting the alarm message.

A method and apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, including at least one RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, and a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along the distribution path, wherein each interrogator of the plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the each interrogator along the distribution path. Each interrogator interrogates the RFID tag during the RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to the RFID tag. The RFID tag and each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory.

Embodiments of the present invention enable energy transfer via short-range RF communication between a main device and an associated device, thereby allowing the main device to energy charge the associated device. Accordingly, the need for a separate charger for the associated device can be eliminated. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for applications in which the main device and the associated device operate in close proximity to each other. Further, embodiments of the present invention are suitable for applications in which the associated device is more energy-constrained than the main device. According to embodiments, energy transfer applications can be supported using near field communication (NFC). In an embodiment, energy transfer via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone and a Bluetooth headset. In another embodiment, energy transfer via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth enabled digital camera and a Bluetooth enabled digital frame.

A method of and a system for controlling low power radio frequency activity of terminals, including a method of selecting and activating a wireless terminal. A signal, including a transmission indication, is transmitted by a first terminal. A second terminal receives the signal a number of times and compares the received transmission indications with predetermined indication values. When the comparison shows that a predetermined number of satisfactory transmission indications have been received by the second terminal, the second terminal commences transmission. The transmission indication can be messages having tail portions with a preselected set of states.

A system and method for detecting and recording interference in an RF communication channel for an ingestible imaging device is provided. During a period when transmission in a communication channel may be idle, interference levels may be detected and recorded. Changes in transmission levels may be altered based on the detected interference level. Transmission may be delayed due to detected levels of interfering signals.

A transponder-reader transaction completion system includes a Radio Frequency (RF) operable reader for interrogating a RF operable transaction device via RF communication, wherein the transaction device is operable to provide an account number in ISO/IEC 7816 magnetic stripe Track1/Track 2 format to the RF reader via RF communication. The RF reader is additionally operable to provide an account number in ISO/IEC 7816 magnetic stripe Track1/Track 2 format to a merchant system for use in transaction completion.

An automatic GPS tracking system is taught that consists of a GPS tracking unit secured to a person or an asset that includes a GPS receiver and a first battery operated a processor and first RF transceiver which emits an RF signal. A home base station receives the RF signal within a pre-selected proximity communication distance. A monitoring station which is in communication from a cellular modem or a satellite modem within the GPS tracking unit such that, if a person or asset having the tracking system secured thereon moves beyond the a pre-selected proximity communication distance from a home base unit, the first transceiver RF communication signals is lost, the processor automatically powers “on” the second battery to power up the GPS receiver and the cellular modem, and the GPS tracking unit may signal the monitoring station which displays the location of the person or asset.

A radio frequency controller device enables the utility of a target to be controlled using an RF communication. The radio frequency controller device has a switch that is set to a defined state responsive to the RF communication. More particularly, conditional logic circuitry uses the RF communication to determine if the target's utility should be changed, and sets the state of the switch accordingly. The radio frequency controller device also has a target interface that allows the target to determine the state of the switch, and based on the state of the switch, a different utility will be available for the target. The radio frequency controller device also has an antenna for the RF communication, as well as a demodulator/modulator circuit. When used to control the utility of an electrical or electronic device, the radio frequency controller device has a low-power circuit portion that is used to set the state of the switch responsive to the RF communication, and also has a full power circuit portion that communicates with the target. In this way, the state of the switch may be set when the target is in a power-off condition, and the target is able to determine the state of the switch when the target is activated.

An RF transmitter (30) includes an RF power amplifier (32) for which the power input bias voltage (40) and signal input bias voltage (80) are controlled within feedback loops. A peak detector (44) generates a lowered-spectrum, peak-tracking signal (34) that follows the largest amplitude peaks of a wide bandwidth communication signal (16) but exhibits a lower bandwidth. This signal (34) is scaled in response to the operation of a drain bias tracking loop (146) then used to control a switching power supply (36) that generates the power input bias voltage. The tracking loop (146) is responsive to out-of-band power detected in a portion of the amplified RF communication signal (16″). A ratio of out-of-band power (128) to in-band power (126) is manipulated in the tracking loop (146) so that the power input bias voltage is modulated in a way that holds the out-of-band power at a desired predetermined level.

A multiple mode RF communication device (100), such as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, has a first RF communication resource (102, 122) that communicates by default using a first communication mode. A second RF communication resource (104, 124) communicates by default using a second communication mode. A system manager (110) deploys the first and second communication resources according to a set of deployment rules, wherein the deployment rules may be dependent upon a communication quality parameter, priorities, availability of the first and second communication resources as well as other parameters.

Disclosed is a medical infusion device including a dedicated processing unit for detecting abnormal operation of the operation of the device. Specifically, a watchdog controller is employed as an independent monitor of the functioning of microprocessors used in the medical infusion device for controlling things such as RF communication, insulin infusion, and system integrity. Through the use of an independently-powered watchdog control system, the accuracy and reliability of the device is enhanced, resulting in greater assurance to the patient receiving periodic or continuous infusion of a drug.

Smart, rollable, mini-pallet cargo container system comprising robust, auditable, secure, sealable, lockable, trackable and pollable, universal, half/quarter-sized boxes particularly useful for moving highly valuable or sensitive, personal, political, military or commercial materials, embodiments include truly verifiable ballot boxes, verifiably secure moving containers. Blast attenuation inserts are disclosed. The boxes include electronic locks containing event memory, sensors and alarms, and RF communications and GPS locator module(s) that radio to a base station the time, location and status of the inventive box, and anomalous events as they occur, including unauthorized attempts to open or break into the container, or potential damage events. In addition, both the locks and comm modules are programmable, and provide extensive, and selectably pollable and down-loadable, printable event, access and transport history and audit trails. The comm system permits remote tracking and real time status check via the Internet, LAN or WAN wireless networks.