A method for associating a digital asset to apparel and said apparel to a user, where the apparel includes an embedded chip that is assigned a blockchain ID. The user utilizes a mobile device to create an account for linking the asset to the user and scans the apparel with the mobile device. During the scan by the mobile device the mobile device detects the presence of the embedded chip and further detects the chip ID. This chip ID is transmitted to a server, where the server validates the chip ID and transmits a confirmation of the authenticity of the chip ID to the mobile device. Upon receipt of the confirmation by the mobile device the apparel is determined to be authentic. Authenticated apparel can be logged to a user account.

A secure arrangement for performing secure contactless payments includes an external contactless card reader comprising a short-distance communication antenna. The secure arrangement comprises a card reader terminal comprising a secure controller configured for performing financial transactions, wherein the secure controller is located in a secure area within the card reader terminal, an external contactless card reader comprising a short-distance communication antenna configured for converting an electromagnetic signal comprising card data, received from a contactless payment card, into an analogue signal and a feed line configured for transferring the analogue signal between the external contactless card reader and the card reader terminal. The secure area in the card reader terminal comprises an A/D converter for digitizing the analogue signal to a digital signal that can be processed by the secure controller, within the secure area.

A near-field communication device operates to transmit data by near-field communications techniques to another device. The near-field communication device includes a memory that stores a message to be transmitted in an ASCII format. The message is retrieved from the memory and transmitted using the near-field communications techniques in an ASCII format.

There are provided an apparatus registration method capable of efficiently associating specific information about apparatuses and arrangement information about the apparatuses stored in an operation terminal, a program for implementing the method, and an apparatus system. A method for registration of luminaires associates a plurality of luminaires with items of arrangement information about the luminaires stored in an operation terminal for operating the luminaires. The method for registration of luminaires is adapted to include the steps of: consecutively reading at least two or more of items of specific information about the luminaires included in the luminaires using a RF reader; storing items of arrangement information about the luminaires into the operation terminal; and consecutively associating the at least two or more items of specific information consecutively read by the RF reader with at least two or more items of arrangement information among the items of arrangement information about the luminaires.

A distributed automation control system includes a network for connecting members of the system to a central server for communication between the members and the central server. The members can include a device controlled by a microcontroller in communication with the network, a mobile object digitized to communicate with the central server via the network, and a facility component in communication with the central server. A member can be assigned to one or more groups of members for group learning and for generating a group heartbeat. Each member defines a safety volume which is monitored by the central server. When the safety volume of one member overlaps the safety volume of another member, the central server initiates a responsive action which can include ceasing the operation of at least one of the members.

Disclosed herein are a device, method, and system for dynamically activating a lightweight mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) within a remote control creating an ad-hoc payment system within a media system. When the lightweight mPOS is activated, remote control may operate as an ad-hoc lightweight mPOS that is capable of receiving contactless payment information for purchase of content provided by a media device. The lightweight mPOS may be controlled by the media device in response to a request to purchase the content.

For locking industrial safety guarding, a sensor includes an inductive coil that generates a second sensing field about a second sensing field axis at a second frequency that detects advancement of a locking bolt. The sensor further includes at least two radio frequency identifier (RFID) coils that generate a first sensing field at a first frequency that detects an RFID tag. A second RFID coil of the at least two RFID coils has a second polarity reversed from a first polarity a first RFID coil of the at least two RFID coils and reduces the first sensing field at the second sensing field axis.

What is disclosed is a system and method for preventing texting while driving and offering usage-based rewards. The system comprises a phone holder mounted within a vehicle and an application running on the driver's smartphone. A control circuit of the phone holder is configured to detect the smartphone in the holder, detect vehicle motion. An NFC tag on the holder also launches the smartphone application. Depending on measured parameters and determinations made by the “smart” holder and smartphone application, usage data is recorded by the control circuit and/or smartphone. The in-vehicle system is also configured to connect to a cloud-based server for storing vehicle and phone usage data and calculating usage-based rewards, such as insurance benefits for plan members. The system can also include an electronic notification device affixed to the rear windshield of the vehicle and that is selectively switched on to indicate active use of the system.

Methods and apparatus for detecting the retention of a car key by a customer after return of a rental car are disclosed. A plurality of RFID tags having a common identifier are attached to the rental car keys. The shuttle bus or other facility exit is equipped with a detection portal configured to detect a RFID tag having the common identifier and provide a signal upon detection of the RFID tag to a monitor that provides an alert upon receipt of the signal.

The invention relates to classic car restoration services systems and methods, and, more particularly to classic car restoration services interfacing systems and methods allowing classic car facilities and enthusiasts to document, represent to prospective buyers, acquire classic cars and to facilitate their restorations.