Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a processor, dispenser memory, firmware for controlling one or more operations of the dispenser and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. A reader for reading information from a near field communication tag is also included. The refill unit includes a near field communication tag secured thereto. Memory is located on the near field communications tag. Data stored on the memory. The data contains firmware update instructions. When the refill unit is installed in the receptacle, the reader reads the data. The processor causes the dispenser firmware to be updated by the firmware update instructions read from the near field communications tag on the refill unit.

Manufacturing a counterfeit resistant document as a randomized assembly of material constituents with a large variety of electrical conductivity attributes, thereby achieving a unique set of physically measured properties of the document, so that a document verifier will be convinced of the authenticity of the document by comparing the results of real time measurements with measurements pre-recorded in a public ledger.

A contactless or touchless dispenser is provided, such as for condiments or similar food service related items. The dispenser allows a user to obtain a quantity of a condiment without being required to touch the condiment dispenser. The dispenser includes a controller for controlling a dispensing mechanism, such as in response to an instruction received from a remote device, or by touchless input, such as by detecting a utensil. The controller may control the dispensing mechanism to cause the dispenser to dispense condiment for a particular period of time or to dispense a particular quantity of condiment.

A reading device includes an antenna, a data storage unit, and a controller. The antenna is configured to receive tag information from RFID tags attached to objects in a receiving range. The data storage unit stores an object ID in association with a predetermined total number of RFID tags on an object corresponding to the object ID. The controller is configured to start a reading operation in which the antenna emits radio waves and receives tag information from the RFID tags. The controller counts the number of RFID tags associated with the object ID according to the tag information received during the reading operation. The counted number is compared to the predetermined total number associated with the object ID, and the controller controls a timing for terminating the reading operation based on the comparison.

Systems and methods of testing portable access devices are described. One method includes receiving, by a reader controller, a configuration file configuration data and providing, by the reader controller, a configuration command associated with configuration data to an access application on an access device. The method also includes configuring the access application on the access device for an interaction scenario based on the configuration command and initiating the interaction scenario between the access device and a test tool. The method also includes receiving, by the access device, interaction data from the test tool and processing, by the access device, the interaction data, thereby generating test output data. The method also includes providing, by the access device, the test output data to the reader controller and sending, by the reader controller, the test output data to the test tool.

This application provides a communications system (100) for automatically selecting an NFC emulation card, which includes an NFC card reader (102) and an electronic device (101). The NFC card reader (102) sends third query information which includes first identification information and a service type of an emulation card. The electronic device (101) determines whether a first emulation card exists. When determining that the first emulation card exists, the electronic device (101) determines whether a second emulation card exists. When determining that the second emulation card exists, the electronic device (101) sends fourth response information which carries second identification information. The NFC card reader (102) sends card selection instruction information. The electronic device (101) receives the card selection instruction information, and sends card selection response information. By using the foregoing technical solution, the electronic device (101) can automatically select a corresponding emulation card, thereby improving NFC payment efficiency.

An electronically-managed optical fiber connection system is provided. A smart ferrule carrier comprises a plurality of ferrule bays configured to accept a tagged optical ferrule assembly. Each tagged optical ferrule assembly comprises an identification (ID) tag storing identification information for the optical ferrule assembly. A smart carrier board comprising a carrier controller is configured to read and/or write information to/from the ID tag of each tagged optical ferrule assembly. A smart carrier adapter is configured to accept a plurality of smart ferrule carriers, the smart carrier adapter including an adapter controller system. The adapter controller system includes an adapter controller configured to communicate with the carrier controller of each installed smart ferrule carrier and a system controller.

Systems and methods for optically measuring a position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position. The system is a wireless network comprising a centrally located data acquisition computer and a multiplicity of remotely located sensor modules mounted at different locations within wireless communication range of a central receiver. Each sensor module is mounted to a clamp that is made specific to a control surface location and embedded with an RFID tag to denote clamp location. The optical components of the sensor modules are selected to enable indication of the linear position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position and then broadcast the measurement results. The broadcast results are received by the central receiver and processed by the data acquisition computer, which hosts human interface software that displays measurement data.

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a processor, dispenser memory, firmware for controlling one or more operations of the dispenser and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. A reader for reading information from a near field communication tag is also included. The refill unit includes a near field communication tag secured thereto. Memory is located on the near field communications tag. Data stored on the memory. The data contains firmware update instructions. When the refill unit is installed in the receptacle, the reader reads the data. The processor causes the dispenser firmware to be updated by the firmware update instructions read from the near field communications tag on the refill unit.

A smart delivery receptacle and related systems and techniques are disclosed. The disclosed receptacle may be configured to detect and securely report wirelessly on whether a package has been delivered thereto. Moreover, the disclosed receptacle may be configured to alert an owner or other authorized party if the receptacle has been compromised or a package has been removed without authorization. To such ends, the disclosed receptacle may include RF wireless communication device(s) configured to transmit RF signal(s) including data pertaining to various conditions to be monitored. Information from the RF signal(s) may be delivered through the internet to a server, which may be cloud-based in some instances, allowing for inter-networking of the system components and other elements as part of the internet of things (IOT). Mobile and other computing devices may access the information stored at the server to monitor the receptacle, as well as control overall system operation.