Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes configuring an RFID tag to store information related to a battery charge level of a battery of a peripheral device, reading the RFID tag, and disabling a subsequent reading of the RFID tag in response to determining that the RFID tag includes stored information indicative of the battery charge level being low or depleted.

A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGO™ RFID backscatter transponders, SEGO™ RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.

An apparatus includes a tape cartridge housing, an RFID chip attached to the tape cartridge housing. The RFID chip includes a tape cartridge ID and tape cartridge information, a time relay operably connected to the RFID chip, and external contact points configured to contact another RFID chip of another tape cartridge within the same tier. A method includes receiving a tape cartridge label read request including a position indicator corresponding to a location of a tape cartridge of interest, moving a tape cartridge gripper to the location indicated by the position indicator, activating a field coil on the tape cartridge gripper to provide power to an RFID chip on a selected tape cartridge, detecting information transmitted by the RFID chip on the selected tape cartridge, determining if the selected tape cartridge is the tape cartridge of interest, and activating a next RFID chip on an adjacent tape cartridge.

Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.

Disclosed are a method, an apparatus, and a system for collecting tags which may reduce recognition time and energy consumption as compared with a tag collection technology in an active radio frequency identification (RFID) system standard according to the related art. The method for collecting tags by an apparatus for collecting the tags in a RFID system, one collection round including: recognizing tags; and collecting data from recognized tags, wherein the recognizing of the tags comprises one scan period, and comprises repeatedly performing a scan process until the tags are recognized using a bit map indicating a recognition status of the tags within one scan period.

A water filtration housing containing a pressure vessel configured to receive a water filter cartridge; a ring enclosure attachable to an open, top end of the housing enclosure; an interface tower including a user interface; a lid assembly removably attachable to the ring enclosure, the lid assembly including (i) a pressure cap and gasket for maintaining a given pressure in said pressure vessel and (ii) a rotatable lever for disengaging the pressure cap from the pressure vessel thereby releasing pressure therein. A mating system between the lid assembly and ring enclosure prevents the lid assembly from being attached to the ring enclosure in a misaligned fashion. RFID technology may be used for identifying the water filter cartridge installed therein and wireless communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi) to transmit collected system data (e.g., water usage) to a central location for analysis such that the customer is provided with, for example, operational suggestions.

An inventory system for objects contained in a space bounded by an enclosure, said system including a tag fixed to each of the objects to be inventoried and a reading point provided with at least one antenna for emitting a wakeup electromagnetic wave confined inside said enclosure so that a tag, on receiving same, becomes active and then emits its identification data intended for said reading point, wherein the system includes means for controlling the emission power of said wakeup electromagnetic wave in accordance with a power-variation model defined by a series of emissions by said or each antenna in stages at power levels different from one stage to another in order to carry out said inventory. The present invention also relates to an inventory method implemented by such an inventory system.

When an IC card is passed over an external card reading and writing apparatus, the IC card starts communication with the card reading and writing apparatus via a wireless interface, so that a change in the internal state of the IC card is reported to an external device via an external wired interface or a dedicated control signal line, thus allowing a specific application to be enabled on the external device or allowing a controller to be powered on and activated. Alternatively, the controller is powered off and deactivated. Accordingly, processing according to the communication state between the IC card and the card reading and writing apparatus or the internal state of the IC card can be smoothly initiated.

According to one embodiment, a reading apparatus includes a shielding body, an antenna, and a reader and writer. The shielding body is formed in a box shape with an upper opening, to place an accommodating body and to shield radio waves. The antenna is provided in the shielding body to receive information from an RFID tag attached to a product that is passing through the opening. The reader and writer is connected to the antenna to read information of the product from the information received by the antenna.

A contactless smart-card reader with security and hybrid multi-core parallel verifying process is provided. The reader obtains a card number via an antenna and a card-recognizing unit. The reader has multiple issuer-SAM controllers and a maincontroller to synchronously compute authentication codes under a multiplexing-mode. The maincontroller verifies the contactless smart-card by the authentication codes one-by-one to obtain a correct authentication code authorized by the contactless smart-card. When the correct authentication code is generated by any one of the issuer-SAM controllers, said issuer-SAM controller performs the compounded-security-access-software program. When the correct authentication code is generated by the maincontroller, the maincontroller performs the dedicated-security-access-software program.