A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly. The network analyzer detects changes in the reflection coefficients that result from movements of a human appendage, enabling the system to change game states in response to the detected hand movements.

An RFID test system is disclosed that establishes a minimum coupling between two ports without an RFID tag present and a higher coupling when the RFID tag is present. Furthermore, this controlled coupling in the presence of an RFID tag is used to read and identify tags. The RFID tag is read when it is in the coupling zone, as it receives maximum power and has the lowest loss path to the receiver. Adjacent tags do not couple efficiently, so they are isolated from the wanted device (i.e., RFID tag). Further, the coupling through the RFID tag can be frequency specific, and the peak frequency can be determined. This peak frequency and also the amount of coupling can give a good indication of a number of aspects of the tag assembly.

A system for automated localization of information for smart appliances identifies a user of the smart appliance via a user interface. The system receives scanned input associated with an item from a scanning component. The system requests cognitive services from an appliance cognitive localization server, where the cognitive services integrates localization information with the item information. The system provides the localization information to the smart appliance, and operates the smart appliance using the localization information and the item information. The system retrieves the localization information and the item information from an item repository during a subsequent scan of the item using the scanning device.

An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a determining unit. The receiving unit receives read information that is read by a reading unit from a storage medium a plurality of number of times. The determining unit determines abnormality in a reading process performed by the reading unit, based on a first result acquired by comparing a time interval of reading the read information with a first threshold, or on a second result acquired by comparing the number of times the reading is performed with a second threshold.

A self-diagnosing validation device includes an NFC reader having an RF signal range, an active diagnostic chip positioned within the RF signal range of the NFC reader, a memory, and a processing unit. The active diagnostic chip is configured to be selectively powered during a diagnostic procedure. The processing unit is configured to determine that the diagnostic procedure needs to be performed on the NFC reader and perform the diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic procedure includes activating the active diagnostic chip by supplying power to the active diagnostic chip, reading, using the NFC reader, any data being transmitted by the active diagnostic chip, determining whether any data was read by the NFC reader, and determining whether the NFC reader is functioning properly based at least in part of the determination whether any data was read by the NFC reader.

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to tool tracking. In an example embodiment, a method may involve detecting, by a tool monitoring device, a failure of a wireless communication system included in a tool that is stored in an enclosure. The tool monitoring device may determine that the failure is attributable to a temperature in the enclosure being outside an operating temperature range of the wireless communication system. A notification of the failure and/or a description of a cause for the failure may be displayed on a display screen of the tool monitoring device and/or transmitted to a tool tracking device. In an example implementation, the tool tracking device is located outside a vehicle, the enclosure is a toolbox placed in the vehicle, and the tool monitoring device, which is configured to monitor an operational status of the wireless communication system, is located in the vehicle.

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to tool tracking. In an example embodiment, a method may involve detecting, by a tool monitoring device, a failure of a wireless communication system included in a tool that is stored in an enclosure. The tool monitoring device may determine that the failure is attributable to a temperature in the enclosure being outside an operating temperature range of the wireless communication system. A notification of the failure and/or a description of a cause for the failure may be displayed on a display screen of the tool monitoring device and/or transmitted to a tool tracking device. In an example implementation, the tool tracking device is located outside a vehicle, the enclosure is a toolbox placed in the vehicle, and the tool monitoring device, which is configured to monitor an operational status of the wireless communication system, is located in the vehicle.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an array of antennas to distinguish line-of-sight (LOS) paths from non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths. The distance between adjacent antennas in the array of antennas is less than half the wavelength of the radio frequency (RF) signal of the system. Each antenna in the antenna array is also digitally controlled to change relative phase difference among the antennas, thereby allowing digital steering of the array of antennas across angles of arrival (AOAs) between 0 and . The digital steering generates a plot of signal amplitudes as a function of AOAs. LOS paths are distinguished from NLOS paths based on the shapes (e.g., depth, gradient, etc.) of local extremes (e.g., maxima or minima) in the plot.

Systems and methods are provided for measuring and tracking radio-frequency (RFID) tags. Inlay data, converting data, and tag scan data can be received from entities in the supply chain and stored in a database. The tag scan data, including measurement and performance data, can be stored and used for applications such as determining whether RFID tags are defective. The tag scan data, inlay data, and converting data can be analyzed to produce analytic data for reporting and failure prediction purposes. Inlay-SKU combinations of RFID tags can be validated to ensure that the correct inlays are being utilized for RFID tags intended for particular products. More accurate inventory data may be obtained and costs for re-tagging products that have defective RFID tags may be reduced. Entities in the supply chain can also be assisted to comply with various quality control, licensing, and tracking requirements related to the RFID tags.

An arrangement for determining a plugging position of a hose coupling on a connection field includes the connection field including a plurality of coupling sockets and a plurality of hose couplings in which each of the plurality of hose couplings is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of coupling sockets. The at least one hose coupling includes a receiving coil and each of the plurality of coupling sockets includes a transmitting coil. A data interface is disposed in communication with the receiving coil, and an evaluation unit is disposed in communication with the data interface. The receiving coil is configured to analyze an individual identifier retrievable at the transmitting coil during connection of the at least one hose coupling to one of the coupling sockets, and the identifier is transmitted via the data interface to the evaluation unit to determine the plugging position of the hose coupling.