Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for allocating a power signal. In one particular implementation, a reader device may exchange messages with one more transponder devices to determine an allocation of a power signal. For example, one or more transponder devices may provide one or more messages in a downlink signal indicative of a requested signal up time.

The disclosure concerns systems and methods for controlling access to a device with barcode-reading functionality. Enabling the barcode-reading functionality of the device may require providing authenticating information. A user may provide the authenticating information using an identification card with an embedded near field communication (NFC) tag. After the device or a charger of the device validates the embedded NFC tag, the device may enable the barcode-reading functionality but track an amount of time since a last barcode scan of the device. If the amount of time since the last barcode scan reaches a present period, the device may disable the barcode-reading functionality. The device may send a connection request from a portion of a local area network (LAN). A server may receive the request. The server may deny the device access to the LAN if the device is not authorized for use in the portion of the LAN.

A reader apparatus detects a communication object by radiating radio waves and receiving a response, determines a change in a state based on at least one of a position and an inclination of the reader apparatus, and controls power consumed in the reader apparatus by setting a length of a first period, in which a reduction of power consumed in the detection is not performed, and a length of a second period, in which a reduction of the power is performed, based on the change in the state.

An apparatus for context-based credit card reader management is provided that includes a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap. The POS terminal has a card reader and a reader controller. The card reader reads provided cards when fully powered and enabled. The reader controller is coupled to the card reader, and determines one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and dynamically controls power states of the card reader according to the one or more workflow states.

According to one embodiment, a wireless tag reading apparatus includes a first communication interface configured to communicate with a first external device, a second communication interface configured to communicate with a second external device, an antenna configured to emit a radio wave to read a wireless tag, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify either (a) the first communication interface as being in communication with the first external device or (b) the second communication interface as being in communication with the second external device. The controller is configured to change a power level of the radio wave emitted by the antenna based on which of the first communication interface or the second communication interface is identified. The controller is configured to read the wireless tag by controlling the antenna to emit the radio wave with the changed power level.

A system includes one or more assets disposed within a physical location, where each asset is coupled to a wireless tag. Each wireless tag is configured to wirelessly transmit beacon signals at predetermined intervals. The system further includes a gateway configured to cover the range of the physical location. The gateway is configured to scan the physical location to identify beacon signals transmitted by each of the wireless tags and receive the beacon signals from each wireless tag at the predetermined intervals. The gateway is also configured to dynamically optimize a function of the gateway by adjusting a scan frequency based at least in part on a variability of the wireless tags disposed within the physical location.

The disclosure concerns systems and methods for controlling access to a device with barcode-reading functionality. Enabling the barcode-reading functionality of the device may require providing authenticating information. A user may provide the authenticating information using an identification card with an embedded near field communication (NFC) tag. After the device or a charger of the device validates the embedded NFC tag, the device may enable the barcode-reading functionality but track an amount of time since a last barcode scan of the device. If the amount of time since the last barcode scan reaches a present period, the device may disable the barcode-reading functionality. The device may send a connection request from a portion of a local area network (LAN). A server may receive the request. The server may deny the device access to the LAN if the device is not authorized for use in the portion of the LAN.

During hand-held operation, configuration of an NFC/RFID Reader/Writer peripheral device in a predefined mode named “Mobile Mode with Auto-Collection”, enables recognition of a long duration (e.g. 5 second) trigger press (AKA a “Long Press”) as an enabling event prompting a change of scan behavior between single-shot scan operation and continuous scan operation. In other defined Modes of the peripheral device, other predetermined enabling events, such as the presence or absence of a predetermined external power source, prompt the change between single-shot and continuous scan operations. The Long Press and the other intuitive features enable the general user to be able to switch between various modes and to do so without requiring acquisition or use of an additional dedicated scanner with its requisite expense or inconvenience, and without requiring advanced knowledge, special access, or special resources.

A wireless power system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a power conversion unit, a function module, and a transceiver. The peripheral device includes a wireless power receiver circuit, a peripheral transceiver, and a peripheral unit. The power conversion unit converts a power source into an electromagnetic signal. The functional module executes a function regarding peripheral information. The transceiver communicates information regarding the electromagnetic signal and the peripheral information. The wireless power receiver circuit converts the electromagnetic signal into a voltage. The peripheral transceiver communicates the information regarding the electromagnetic signal and the peripheral information. The peripheral unit processes the peripheral information.

A method and device for activating a Near Field Communication (NFC) can improve efficiency in management of switching a simulation card. The method can include: a default action of at least one associated device is detected; in response to that a default action of the at least one associated device is detected, an NFC card associated with the default action of the at least one associated device in a local device is activated. A terminal integrated with an NFC function can implement automatic selection and activation of an NFC card.