A method for controlling NFC tag and a controlled NFC tag, said method comprising: producing an on or off control signal causing an electronic switch to close or to open, the off or on control signal being exerted upon the electronic switch in parallel connection with the NFC antenna coil; by means of an enabling signal or a disabling signal emitted by the electronic switch, enabling or disabling transfer of electromagnetic energy coupled with the NFC antenna coil to the NFC tag chip. The controlled NFC tag comprises: an NFC tag body, an electronic switch in parallel connection with the NFC antenna coil, and an electronic switch control circuit producing on or off control signals for the electronic switch. The present invention allows information inside the NFC chip to be accessed according to certain conditions, thus avoiding unnecessary operations while enhancing the security of information stored in the NFC chip.

A reading apparatus includes a wireless tag reader including an antenna and an antenna surface facing a first direction and through which the antenna emits a radio wave to read tag information from a wireless tag, and a code reader including an imaging unit and an imaging window facing the first direction and through which the imaging unit acquires an image to read a code. The code reader further includes a grip detachably connected to the wireless tag reader.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) encoding device can comprise an applicator, an RFID reader with an antenna, and a housing having a receptacle. The receptacle can be configured to receive a vial. The applicator can be configured to apply an RFID tag to the vial. The RFID reader can have at least one antenna. The antenna can be configured to communicate with the RFID tag. The device can be configured to communicate with a host computer.

An RF tag for sending data to a tag reader is described. The tag comprises an antenna to couple to an RF field of the tag reader and first and second resonant circuits, the first comprising a non-linear, adaptive resonator configured to automatically self-tune to a frequency of the RF field, the second a linear resonator. The tag also has a local power store. The tag powers up using the non-linear, adaptive resonator, which can automatically self-tune without an external power supply, and this resonator is used to charge the local power store. Once operational the tag switches to using a linear resonator for communicating with the tag reader.

Systems, methods, and electronic circuits facilitating embedded sensor chips in polymer-based coatings are provided. In one example, a method comprises fabricating an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit comprising one or more semiconductor devices, one or more sensors, and a communication element; encapsulating the electronic circuit within an insulator, resulting in an encapsulated circuit; and dispersing the encapsulated circuit into a lacquer solution comprising a polymer carrier and a solvent.

Mobile high density read chambers are provided for scanning a plurality of RFID tagged items. Such chambers may include an enclosure with an interior defined by upper and lower surfaces, with a sidewall extending therebetween. An access (such as a door) may be associated with the sidewall, with the access being at least partially opened to access the interior of the enclosure from an outside location. The chamber further includes an RFID reader having at least one antenna positioned within the interior of the enclosure to emit a scanning signal within the interior of the enclosure. A base supports the enclosure, with at least one movement member supporting the base and configured to engage a ground surface for transport of the mobile high density read chamber. The movement member may comprise one or more wheels, ball casters, low-friction sliders, or rollers, for example.

A reader device for attachment to a smart device comprising a display, the reader comprising an antenna, processing and reading circuitry, and a communications module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuitry, the processor and the communications module are coupled to each other, and whereby the antenna encloses said display. When a card is tapped on the display, the antenna receives a signal and transmits the signal to the processing and reading circuitry. The processing and reading circuitry processes the signal to produce data, and the produced data is transmitted to a device external to the reader device by the communications module.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.

A method and apparatus for detecting RF field strength. A field strength reference generator develops a field strength reference current as a function of a field strength of a received RF signal; and a field strength quantizer develops a digital field-strength value indicative of the field strength reference current. In one embodiment, detected field strength is used to dynamically vary the impedance of a tank circuit whereby, over time, induced current is maximized. In another embodiment, the quantized field strength is used to sense changes to the environment to which the RFID tag is exposed. In yet another embodiment, dynamic variations of the quantized impedance of the tank circuit are used to sense changes in the environment. Several alternate antennas are specially adapted to facilitate sensing of environmental conditions using the RFID tag.

A system and method for performing a package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.