Apparatuses, systems, and methods of manufacturing are described that provide improved tag identification. An example system includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner that receives a stream of RFID tags each associated with a respective article. The system further includes a first sensor attached to the RFID scanner that generates first positional data and a second sensor positioned separate from the first sensor that generates second positional data. The system also includes a computing device communicably coupled with the RFID scanner, the first sensor, and the second sensor. The computing device receives the stream of RFID tags, receives first positional data from the first sensor, receives second positional data from the second sensor, and determines an intended RFID tag from amongst the stream of RFID tags based upon the first positional data and the second positional data.

A portable RFID tag reading system to be carried by an operator and including a reader with associated processing, the processing being programmed to record as a set the identity of all of the RFID tags in the range of the reader when the reader finds a specific RFID tag and to detect movement of the operator after the specific RFID tag is found by recognizing a change in RFID tags seen by the reader from the recorded set.

Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: emitting a wireless signal from an antenna of the tag with a first signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to an active antenna modulation marker; changing an impedance of a sensor from a first impedance value to a second impedance value when the active antenna modulation marker is exposed to a stimulus; and emitting a wireless signal from the antenna of the tag with a second signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to the active antenna modulation marker and the sensor has the second impedance value.

Techniques are provided to estimate the location of an RFID tag using tag read information, such as a tag read count or a tag read rate, and an opportunity metric, such as an inventory cycle duration, inventory cycle rate, or inventory cycle count. A tag tracking system determines read information for a tag in a zone and an opportunity metric associated with the tag and the zone. The tag tracking system then computes a success rate based on the tag read information and opportunity metric, and uses the success rate to estimate the location of the tag.

The present invention relates to a wireless power transmitter and method for detecting a RFID/NFC card. Disclosed in the present application is a wireless power receiver comprising: a power pickup unit configured to receive, in a power transfer phase, wireless power generated by magnetic coupling from a wireless power transmitter; and a communications/control unit configured to transfer, in a negotiation phase, a first end-of-power-transfer (EPT) packet to the wireless power transmitter for detecting an RFID/NFC card, and to detect the RFID/NFC card during a re-ping time secured on the basis of the first EPT packet, wherein the first EPT packet instructs requesting the removal of a power signal for a predetermined time. As the process for detecting communication cards, such as RFID or NFC, between the wireless power transmitter and receiver is clearly defined, such RFID/NFC cards can be protected against getting destroyed by the wireless power, and a stable wireless power transfer can be achieved.

Some embodiments are directed to a method and a system allowing moving tags to be discriminated from stationary tags, which can be used in the field of tracking merchandise or objects provided with RFID tags.

In the case of a potential detection, by a first near field communication (NFC) device, of a second NFC device, a validation of this detection is performed according to the time variation gradient of at least one environmental condition of the first device. A value of one of an amplitude and an phase of a signal across an oscillating circuit of the first NFC device is compared to first thresholds to potentially detect the second NFC device. Validation of detection occurs when one of the amplitude and the phase of the signal is outside the first thresholds adjusted as a function of the time variation gradient. Validation detection also occurs when one of the amplitude and the phase of the signal adjusted as a function of the time variation gradient is outside the first thresholds.

An RFID tag reading system and method accurately and rapidly determine true bearings of RFID tags associated with items in a controlled area. An RFID reader has an array of antenna elements and a plurality of RF transceivers. A controller controls the transceivers by steering a primary transmit beam over the controlled area to each tag, by steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle from each tag, by steering a plurality of secondary receive beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive signals from each tag, and by processing the secondary receive signals to determine a true bearing for each tag. Bidirectional communication between the reader and a tag is conducted over a single inventory round in which the tag is read a plurality of times by the primary and the secondary receive beams.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media pertaining to a battery-less identification tag for embedding into products may be provided. Embodiments may include a flexible substrate; a first differential antenna on the flexible substrate, the first differential antenna including a first meandering arm and a second meandering arm, and the first differential antenna being of a first size; a second differential antenna on the flexible substrate, the second differential antenna including a third meandering arm and fourth meandering arm, and the second differential antenna being of a second size smaller than the first size; and at least one communications chip connected to the first differential antenna and the second differential antenna.

Methods and systems are disclosed for automated and continuous instrument tracking and management thereof. The method includes receiving a list of medical tools or instruments, associating each medical tool within the list a status, monitoring information associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) associated with a first medical tool, wherein the monitoring is executing using a plurality of sensors, detecting a presence of the first medical tool based upon the monitoring; and changing the status associated with the first medical tool based upon the detecting.