This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: A first device determines first indication information, where the first indication information indicates at least one second device to access the first device when access needs to be performed; and the first device sends the first indication information. In this way, a reader/writer may provide an access opportunity for a tag device that needs to perform access, to improve system efficiency and reduce a missed reading rate.

A replacement part for replacing an original mechanical machine part having has an original mechanical configuration with original part descriptive data is made by first receiving performance data obtained by monitoring the machine during operation with the original machine part with one or more sensors and then sending the performance data to a modeling server. The modeling server then calculates multiple optimized mechanical configurations of the replacement part with one or more modeling algorithms based on different optimization criteria using at least the original part descriptive data and the received performance data. Then a selection of several performance options representing the multiple mechanical configurations of the replacement part are provided, one of which is selected by a user. Finally a replacement part is made with the final optimized configuration corresponding to the selected performance option or sending optimized part descriptive or construction data with the final optimized configuration.

A method for proximity detection and ranging with neighboring devices is described here. The method includes identifying, by a processor of a first tag, a second tag from a group of tags within a predefined range of the first tag. The method further comprises initiating, by the processor, transmission of a packet to the second tag in the group of tags identified within the predefined range. The method further comprises, in response to the transmission of the packet, receiving, by the processor, a response packet from the second tag. The method includes in response to receiving the response packet, determining a tag distance between the first tag and second tag. The method includes determining that the tag distance associated with the second tag is less than a predefined distance, generating, by the processor, an alarm or notification to the first tag indicating that the predefined distance is crossed.

A method for distributing an interactive digital event program to a plurality of user devices comprising: receiving a request for an interactive digital event program from a first user device, the request received in response to scanning a first tag having a machine-readable code with the first user device; determining that the first tag belongs to a first group of tags to which a first version of the interactive digital event program is to be distributed; providing the first user device with the first version of the interactive digital event program, the first version of the interactive digital event program to include at least one dynamic content element that is capable of being updated while an event is in progress; and updating the at least one dynamic content element in the first version of the interactive digital event program in response to a predefined trigger.

Various examples are directed to computer-implemented systems and methods for sensor-based mask detection. A method includes communicating with a sensor attached to or embedded in a face mask to determine whether a user is in proximity to the face mask. An alert is provided based on a determination that the face mask is not in proximity to the user. The method includes communicating with the sensor to determine whether the user is wearing the face mask, transmitting a request to determine a location of the user, and querying a datastore to determine whether the location is affiliated with an entity that offers rewards to users wearing face masks. A user profile is updated to indicate a reward is available to the user based on a determination that the user is wearing the face mask at the location of the entity that offers rewards to users wearing face masks.

A method of configuring a contactless communication device is provided. The contactless communication device includes integrated circuits hosting at least two applications compatible with different communication protocols or the same communication protocol and using different communication parameters and a contactless communication circuit. The method includes stopping, by the contactless communication circuit, the transmission of answers of the contactless communication device to requests transmitted by a proximity coupling reader during a transaction initiated by the reader to cause the initiation by the reader of a new transaction.

A container includes a surface and a first resonance portion. The surface defines a volume of the container, and the first resonance portion includes an assembly of three-dimensional (3D) carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion is configured to indicate a presence of an item within the container by resonating at one or more predetermined frequencies in response to an electromagnetic radiation ping associated with a user device located a distance from the container. In some implementations, the container may include a second resonance portion including an assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks, the one or more second carbon-based inks being different than the one or more first carbon-based inks.

A container includes a surface defining a volume of the container, a first resonance portion disposed on a first portion of the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks, and a second resonance portion disposed on a second portion of the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks different than the one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion can resonate within a first range of frequencies in response to one or more electromagnetic pings received from a user device, and the second resonance portion can resonate within a second range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pings, the second range of frequencies being different than the first range of frequencies. In some instances, the user device may be a smartphone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a near-field communication (NFC) device.

A computing device comprises a memory and a data interface for connecting to a corresponding interface in a storage assembly. The memory comprises instructions which, on connection with the storage assembly, cause a processor of the storage assembly to: detect, using a device sensor of the storage assembly, one or more medicament delivery devices stored in the storage assembly; and display, on a display screen provided on the storage assembly, information relating to a medicament stored in the storage assembly.

Novel modular smart management devices in the form of drop safes include the modular components of a chassis, door and technology cabinet. The drop safes enable retailers to make cash deposits quickly and safely within or near their own facilities. Various technology, including RFID readers, RFID tags, and other equipment allow the drop safes to identify each deposited bag. Employees utilize specialized apps on their mobile devices to facilitate deposit creation and other tasks. Novel methodologies for accessing the drop safes for emptying employ single-use, time-expiration type authorization codes along with other security measures to minimize risk and to provide other benefits. Novel structures along with methodologies for replacing, on-site, modular components with auto-detection of functionality during initialization and re-initialization enables for efficient replacement and upgrading of components, including the upgrading of safes to provide additional functionality.