A method includes transmitting, by a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, a series of RF signals to a plurality of RF receiver circuits in a time sequence. The first RF signal commands the plurality of RF receiver circuits to remain silent when received signal strength of the first RF signal corresponds to a power level greater than a first power level. The method further includes receiving one or more sets of responses from one or more sets of RF receiver circuits of the plurality of RF receiver circuits in response to the series of RF signals. The method further includes determining an area of interest based on the one or more sets of responses, determining a set of power levels corresponding to the area of interest, and transmitting a second series of RF signals to the plurality of RF receiver circuits in a second time sequence.

A self-tuning RFID device having an input capacitance that is adjustable in response to a detected signal. The self-tuning RFID device preferably comprises a variable capacitance RFID chip coupled to an inductor, and an input circuit driven by the detected signal from the variable capacitance RFID chip. A change in capacitance with the detected signal is delayed by a specific amount of time, thereby allowing the self-tuning RFID device to function as a dual mode EAS and RFID tag. The ESA functionality can be deactivated by a high field at or near its resonance frequency without disabling the RFID functionality. The effect of the high field may change the input capacitance permanently changing its resonance.

Near field communication (NFC) methods, systems, and devices are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the method includes providing a first NFC device including a NFC antenna, and transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal including a RF carrier signal by way of the NFC antenna. Also, the method includes receiving a first resonant signal after the transmitting has ceased, and processing the first resonant signal to generate a first portion of transformed signal information. Further, the method includes identifying one or both of a first state and a first event based at least in part upon or associated with the first portion of the transformed signal information.

Provided are an electronic shelf label, an electronic shelf label system, and an electronic shelf label method. The electronic shelf label includes a power supply unit configured to provide driving power to one or more terminals, a communication interface configured to provide a display signal to the one or more terminals, a terminal selection unit configured to select a terminal to be controlled among the one or more terminals, and a controller configured to control the terminal selection unit so as to select the terminal to be controlled and generate the display signal.

A radiofrequency harvester circuit may be used in a battery-less RFID device. The harvester circuit includes an antenna unit that captures radiofrequency signals and harvesting circuitry coupled to the antenna unit for collecting energy from the radiofrequency signals captured by the antenna unit. The antenna unit is selectively tunable at a plurality of tuning bands that are scanned by selectively tuning the antenna unit at different frequency bands and sensing respective values indicative of the power of radiofrequency signals captured by the antenna unit at the frequency bands scanned. A highest value out of said respective values for the power of radiofrequency signals as well as the frequency band in the plurality of tuning bands of the antenna unit providing the aforesaid highest value are identified and the harvester circuit is operated with the antenna unit tuned at the frequency band providing the highest value thus identified.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal having a carrier frequency. The RFID tag further includes a tank circuit coupled to the antenna. The RFID tag further includes a tuning circuit operable to determine a received power level of the RF signal at the carrier frequency, determine whether the received power level is lower than a power level threshold. When the received power level is lower than the power level threshold: tuning circuit increases the input impedance of the RFID tag, determines a most recent power level of the received RF signal, and compares the most recent power level with the received power level. When the most recent power level is greater than the received power level, the tuning circuit incrementally increases the input impedance until the received power level is substantially equal to the power level threshold.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems, methods, and computer readable media containing instructions for causing simultaneous triggering and sequential reading of a plurality of tags. In one implementation, the instructions may include displaying an activatable element on a graphical user interface for activating a 2.4 GHz transmitter. The instructions may also include activating the transmitter to cause each of a plurality of tags to send a unique tag ID to a receiver. The instructions may also include reading a first group of tag IDs during a first time interval; recording first information associated with the first group; maintaining activation of the transmitter to cause transmission of at least some of the tag IDs of the first group along with the unique tag IDs of a second group of tag IDs to the receiver; and recording second information associated with the second group.

Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: wirelessly communicating, from a tag, a first signal at a first frequency spectrum that allows a tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is not proximate to an antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a first orientation relative to the tag; and performing operations by the tag to wirelessly communicate a second signal at a second frequency spectrum that does not allow the tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is proximate to the antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a second different orientation relative to the tag.

Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: dynamically determining a length of each metal thread to be incorporated into or trace to be disposed on a item to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of the item. In the metal thread scenarios, the methods also involve: creating a metal thread having the length that was dynamically determined; and sewing the metal thread into the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. In the trace scenarios, the methods also involve forming the trace on the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. Next, at least a communications enabled device is attached to the item so as to form an electrical coupling or connection between the communications enabled device and the at least one antenna.

Apparatus and method for producing contact, contactless and dual-interface metal transaction cards that provides enhanced durability and aesthetics, with increased production efficiency. The cards may include (i) a metal core subassembly comprising a metal layer or layers (metal inlay) having a slit (S) allowing for contactless functionality, and (ii) a UV hard coat on a release-carrier layer disposed on one or both sides of the metal core subassembly, and (iii) everything may be laminated together in a single step, providing a metal face smartcard. The hard coat provides a durable, scratch-resistant surface, and protects underlying layers while allowing the passage of a laser beam to write on or within the underlying layer(s), such as a transparent laser-reactive layer. Techniques for hiding or camouflaging the slit provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the metal transaction card.