An authentication method for a tag device includes exchanging authentication codes between the tag device and an authentication server to perform mutual authentication. A reader device acts as a communications bridge between the tag device and the authentication server. The reader device may observe mutual authentication between the tag device and the authentication server as an indicator that the tag device is authentic. A failure of mutual authentication indicates that the tag device is not authentic.

A reader that reduces the impacts of radio waves while keeping the convenience during reading, and such an information providing system. The reader reads information from a RF tag attached to a product. The reader has an opening, and includes a shield that accommodates the product placed through the opening, and an antenna that radiates radio waves for communicating with the RF tag attached to the accommodated product. The reader reads information from the RF tag while keeping the shield open.

A system and a method for recommending a protocol used for tissue processing are provided. The system includes: a basket, attached with an identification code, wherein the identification code is configured to identify a type of tissue contained in a cassette carried by the basket; and a tissue processor, configured to read the identification code to obtain the type of tissue, and to recommend a protocol according to the obtained type of tissue. With the system, it is possible to automatically recommend the protocol suitable for tissue processing, avoiding that a user selects a wrong protocol, and improving a quality of the tissue processing.

Example systems and methods for controlling communication protocols for multi-protocol interrogators are provided herein. In various implementations a multi-protocol interrogator is provided that is capable of exchanging data with a transponder according to a plurality of protocols and is configured to transmit a control signal indicating a preferred protocol from the plurality of protocols over a radio interface. Multi-protocol transponders are also provided that are configured to receive and recognize the control signal, and respond only on the signaled, preferred protocol.

A system and method for tracking marine equipment is provided. Generally, the system and method of the present disclosure are designed to generate indicia corresponding to the inventory level of marine equipment used for a particular marine activity. To facilitate the assignment of indicia reflecting the inventory level of marine equipment used for a marine activity, the system and method of the present disclosure uses a plurality of equipment profiles having a defined lower limit and quantity associated with each piece of marine equipment. The lower limit may be manually input or automatically generated. The quantity may be tracked by the system using equipment transmitters and equipment sensors. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia indicate whether the quantity of a piece of marine equipment has fallen below a certain specified level as defined by the user. Users may purchase new marine equipment from third-party retailers via the user interface.

A method of effecting a purchase order includes accessing from one or more memory devices computer-readable instructions, wherein the computer-readable instructions are executable by one or more processors of a computing device to detect a purchase trigger event. The method also includes recalling a delivery address specification in response to the detecting of the purchase trigger event, forming a cryptocurrency transaction, the cryptocurrency transaction incorporating the recalled delivery address specification therein, and transmitting the cryptocurrency transaction into a peer to peer cryptocurrency network.

A health and safety compliance system includes processor(s), where the processor(s) are communicatively coupled to a user interface. The user interface includes a display screen, where the display screen is capable of displaying electronic image(s) and is communicatively coupled to the processor(s). The system also includes (i) a sensor unit that is communicatively coupled to the processor(s) and is capable of detecting motion of a user, (ii) a liquid dispensing unit that is communicatively coupled to the processor(s), and (iii) a temperature detection unit that is communicatively coupled to the processor(s).

NFC standards include a plurality of types (Type A, Type B and Type F). The communication controller performs a polling so as to detect a portable device that communicates in accordance with the NFC standards. The memory stores region information indicating a region where a vehicle is to be used. Based on the region information, the communication controller stops the polling of a type among the plurality of types that is not used in the region.

Systems and methods for enabling payment of invoices are provided. A method of creating an electronic payment transaction includes receiving location information of a user device; obtaining billing information of a user associated with the user device from a retailer according to the location information; sending a request to the user to confirm a payment amount; and in response to receiving confirmation from the user of a confirmed payment amount, creating an electronic payment transaction to deduct the confirmed payment amount from an account associated with the user and to provide a payment to an account associated with the retailer for the confirmed amount.

Autonomous cellular transceivers for data logging, tracking and managing shipments, the devices having auto-provisioning capability. To auto-provision itself, the cellular device must be associated in a digital record with a particular shipment or object based on physical attachment or proximity—without manual assistance. Subsequent logging, tracking and managing records in a database or databases accessible to one or more users must be updated to reflect that assignment. Auto-provisioning is achieved by associating a cellular identification number of the autonomous cellular device with a shipment or object having a unique shipping identification number or an inventory identification number. Once the identifiers are coupled, the system creates a “shipment profile” of relevant data collected by a sensor or sensors on the cellular device while en route. The system will monitor, log, and report timepoint, waypoint, condition of the goods (as evidenced or extrapolated from sensor data) while in transit. Upon delivery, when polled, or at intervals, the system may publish a link to the data and/or a summary of the shipment status and condition, and push that link onto smart devices held by decision makers and agents in the logistics management tree. In a first instance, termed here “contextual auto-provisioning”, capture of location, direction of motion, and time of departure, and so forth, with correlation to known delivery routes, schedules, sounds, and other granular data, is used for autonomous data provisioning. Other means for auto-provisioning include “RFID piggyback means” and “cellular ranked ping means”. In a preferred application in cold chain monitoring, once self-assignment is made, the cellular device will log shipment temperature during transit and the cellular device or system will interrogate cellular networks for location and time. Reporting is by cellular radio, and can include temperature, location by cellular triangulation, projected arrival time, and any alarm notifications, for example. Reports can be directed to smart phones, to mobile clients more generally, and to cloud-hosted administrative services. Uses in logistics also include monitoring shipments for exposure to volatiles, humidity, or shock outside of accepted limits, or any diversion, delivery error, or delay of goods, particularly as applied to perishable goods such as foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, or to manage inventory of items such as bulk materials, gas cylinders, blood bags, and so forth.