A method and apparatus with predictive triggering includes a housing including electronics operable to perform a process that can be activated by a user depressing a trigger with a finger. A trigger is operable to activate the electronics to perform the process. A proximity sensor is operable to detect a user's finger in proximity to the trigger. A processor coupled to the electronics, trigger, and proximity sensor, wherein when the proximity sensor detects a user's finger in proximity to the trigger, before the user's finger actually depresses the trigger, the processor initiates activation of the electronics to perform a portion of the process, and when the user's finger depresses the trigger, the processor directs the electronics to complete the process.

An RFID apparatus for communicating with at least one RFID transponder is provided that has an RFID transceiver for radiating and receiving RFID signals and a control unit that is configured to encode RFID information into the RFID signal in accordance with an RFID protocol or to read it from the RFID signal and in which a singulation process is implemented to give a command to only one respective RFID transponder. The singulation process in this respect checks a communication parameter of the RFID signal itself that is independent of RFID information encoded in the RFID signal.

In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

The inductive/capacitive coupling technology and the radio frequency identification devices (RFID) technology are applied to analyze the relative position of multiple RFID tagged objects located within a finite three-dimensional space. The RFID tags of the objects are read by an antenna at a series of resonance frequencies, with an effective reading range of the antenna changing as the resonance frequency changes. The spatial sequence of the objects is derived based on the information of multiple sets of RFID tags in multiple readings. The technology can be applied to a variety of toys and teaching tools, such as the Tower of Hanoi game.

In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

A radio frequency identification tag at a plurality of detection locations is detected and an expected location of the radio frequency identification tag is determined. A confidence level for each of the detection locations that detected the radio frequency identification tag is determined based on a relative location of the corresponding detection location as compared to the expected location. The determined confidence levels of the detection locations is analyzed to select at least one of the detection locations and an action based on the at least one selected detection location is performed.

In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

A RFID reader RFID reader may include an antenna that outputs signals and receive signals reflected from an object moving relative to the antenna, and circuitry configured to receive the reflected signals from the antenna. The reflected signals may determine that the motion has occurred relative to the antenna or be cancelled using a signal generated based on the reflected signals.

In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

The invention provides method for organizing the disinfection of one or more items contaminated with biological agent(s) comprising (a) attaching a radio-frequency ID (RFID) tag to an item(s) to be disinfected; exposing the item(s) of (a) to a disinfecting means for a period sufficient to disinfect the item; and (c) obtaining a signal from the tagged item when disinfection is complete thereby organizing the disinfection of one or more items.