Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for varying operations of a transponder device based, at least in part, on an availability of energy and/or power that may be harvested and/or collected. In one particular implementation, operations to generate one or more signals from sensor circuitry and/or to perform computations may be varied based, at least in part, on an availability of harvestable and/or collectable energy and/or power.

A method for streaming sensor data from a set of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags includes determining an initial communication approach to be performed with respect to each RFID tag. The method also includes managing access to the RFID tag by refining the initial communication approach based on records of successes and failures of the initial communication approach. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) system is also disclosed, the system comprising one or more processors and a memory system comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, causes the system to perform operations for streaming sensor data from one or more RFID tags to one or more RFID readers.

[Solving Means] A non-contact communication medium according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: a voltage generation unit; a memory unit; a clock signal generation unit; and a control unit. The voltage generation unit includes an antenna coil for transmission/reception, and receives a signal magnetic field from an external device to generate a voltage. The memory unit stores one or more circuit parameters set in the voltage generation unit, and predetermined management information. The clock signal generation unit is configured to be capable of selectively generating clock signals having two or more different frequencies. The control unit is configured to select a frequency of a clock signal to be supplied to the memory unit from the clock signal generation unit.

An circuit includes a first inductive coil and a second inductive coil each including a plurality of metal traces. The first and second inductive coils are each configured to receive a first signal from an electromagnetic field and generate respective first and second output voltages. Each of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil are configured to inductively couple to the electromagnetic field. A first circuit element is configured to receive the first output voltage and generate a first response at a first power level of the first output voltage. A second circuit element is configured to receive the second output voltage and transition to an active state to perform one or more functions when the second output voltage exceeds a second power level. The first and second power levels are related to movement of the first and second inductive coils through the electromagnetic field.

A wearable payment device, such as a finger ring worn by a user, communicates payment data to a payment reader that uses the payment data in order to request a payment transaction. Such wearable payment device may be conveniently carried by and accessible to the user such that utilization of the payment device for the payment transaction is less burdensome for the user, thereby encouraging use of the payment device for payments. Indeed, in some cases, such as when the payment device is implemented as a finger ring or other type of jewelry, the user may be encouraged to carry the payment device in an exposed manner such that it is readily available for the payment transaction without the user having to search in a wallet, pocket, or purse.

Improved methods and systems are described that improve and enhance payment transaction technologies using node association in a wireless node network. In general, a master node related to a payment receiver may detect a signal from an ID node related to a payment provider as the ID node approaches the master node. The master node may then determine if the ID node desires to associate with the master node for a payment transaction based upon a first part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified item being purchased in the transaction. If desired, the master node and the ID node associate for the payment transaction, and the master node then submits payment transaction data to a server. Such payment transaction data is based upon a second part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified payment source for the transaction.

In described examples, an apparatus includes: at least one resonant circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal; a rectifier coupled to the resonant circuit to output a first rectified signal with a constant level portion and a portion matching a first portion of the radio frequency signal, and to output a second rectified signal having a constant level portion and a portion that matches a second portion of the radio frequency signal; a first limiter circuit to limit a voltage of the first rectified signal to a predetermined maximum voltage level; a second limiter circuit to limit the voltage of the second rectified signal to the predetermined maximum voltage level; a third limiter circuit to limit a voltage of the first rectified signal to a predetermined minimum voltage level; and a fourth limiter circuit to limit the voltage of the second rectified signal to the predetermined minimum voltage level.

The invention provides a target tag (10) for object tracking, wherein the target tag (10) is configured to detect listener beacon signals emitted by a plurality of listener nodes (110), wherein the target tag (10) has access to transmission power-related data and receiver sensitivity-related data of the plurality of listener nodes (110), and wherein in a tag operational mode the target tag (10) is configured to: detect the listener beacon signals and to determine related listener beacon signal strengths; determine a tag transmission power based on the related listener beacon signal strengths, the transmission power-related data, the receiver sensitivity-related data, and a predetermined goal number of reached listener nodes; and emit the target beacon signal at the tag transmission power.

An electronic wireless communication device is provided, comprising: a wireless communication means for communicating with a wireless communication initiating device; means for monitoring a communication signal received by the wireless communication means; means for sending at least a first characteristic value relating to the communication signal received by the wireless communication means to at least one other electronic wireless communication device; means for receiving at least a further characteristic value relating to a communication signal received by the at least one other electronic wireless communication device; and processing means for carrying out a comparison based on the first characteristic value and the further characteristic value, wherein the electronic wireless device is configured to selectively activate communication with the wireless communication initiating device based on the result of the comparison. A system and method is also provided for communicating between an electronic wireless communication device of a plurality of electronic wireless communication devices and a wireless communication initiating device that can read one of the electronic wireless communication devices.

Described herein is a modular device for dispensing a lubricant. A first coupling end is attachable to a source of lubrication. A second coupling end is attachable to a lubrication receiver. A control module is arranged between the first coupling end and the second coupling end. The control module includes a flow measuring device in fluid communication between the first end coupling and the second end coupling. The control module is configured to enable dispensing of the lubricant.