A scalable tag detection, location, tracking, recovery, and data collection system uses a social network of mobile devices, such as smartphones, as readers, to find lost or stolen goods that are tagged, or to read data or sensor values from tags at remote locations. A network service apparatus compiles IDs of tags of interest into a data structure representing a subset of all tagged items, and transmits the data structure information to the participating mobile devices. Each mobile device application can receive tag transmissions when in proximity to any tag. The mobile device processes received tags with the filter to determine if they are part of the composition of the data structure and thus a tag of interest. If so, the mobile device location, time, and tag ID, are relayed to the network service for additional analysis. The short range tag emits a low power, low duty factor signal.

A charging circuit, an electronic device and a charging circuit system are provided. The charging circuit includes a receiving circuit and a signal processing circuit coupled to the receiving circuit; the receiving circuit is configured to receive electric energy wirelessly transmitted by a transmitting circuit and wirelessly transmit a feedback signal to the transmitting circuit according to the electric energy, and the signal processing circuit is configured to receive a control signal wirelessly transmitted by the transmitting circuit and process the control signal.

Using inductive currents to wirelessly charge a device via a device connected to a power source. This inductive charging may result when a first mobile device recognizes a second mobile device via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near-Field Communication (NFC), or the like). An application stored on the first mobile device may recognize a second mobile device by transmitting an advertising packet when the first mobile device is connected to a power source. An advertising packet may be received by the second mobile device and the second mobile device may transmit a response to the advertising packet in order to generate a connection between the first and second mobile devices. The response may include data such as, connection strength, response time, connection preferences, and the like. Upon detection and connection, the second mobile device may be wirelessly charged by the first device via inductive charging.

The present invention relates to a transponder tag (10) that is operable by a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone for operating such a transponder tag (10), a method of operating the transponder tag (10), and a method for detecting the presence of a portable object. The transponder tag comprises a receiving unit (20) for receiving a wireless input signal. The transponder tag (10) is configured to obtain energy (EG) from the received input signal and to use the energy (EG) obtained from the input signal for transmitting by way of a wireless short-range connection a wireless output signal (SSR) that corresponds to a tag information (ITG) of the transponder tag (10). The receiving unit (20) is configured to receive a wireless input signal (STUP) at a frequency of at least one uplink band of a mobile telephone network. In this way, radiation energy of the mobile phone is used to achieve an energy-efficient and reliable operation of the transponder tag as long as the latter is located within a short distance of the mobile phone. This is useful for numerous applications. For example a person may use his/her mobile telephone to obtain a quick overview and/or a reliable confirmation that all his/her personnel belongings, e.g. keys or medical box, are on board at the moment the person leaves home.

Using inductive currents to wirelessly charge a device via a device connected to a power source. This inductive charging may result when a first mobile device recognizes a second mobile device via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near-Field Communication (NFC), or the like). An application stored on the first mobile device may recognize a second mobile device by transmitting an advertising packet when the first mobile device is connected to a power source. An advertising packet may be received by the second mobile device and the second mobile device may transmit a response to the advertising packet in order to generate a connection between the first and second mobile devices. The response may include data such as, connection strength, response time, connection preferences, and the like. Upon detection and connection, the second mobile device may be wirelessly charged by the first device via inductive charging.

A secure smart card is described. The smart card can include a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The smart card can communicate with various terminals and store a digital signature and other information on the card. Another terminal can validate the information stored on the smart card using the digital signature. In certain embodiments, the terminal can also validate the information by using a blockchain. The advanced design of the smart card obviates the need for a network connection.

A tracking system comprising a tag reader comprising an interrogating antenna. One or more tags comprising an electrical energy generator configured to convert environmental energy to electrical energy. A radio frequency, RF, communication circuit. A controller configured to use the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generator to transmit a data signal to the tag reader using the RF communication circuit.

A charging circuit and an electronic device are provided. The charging circuit includes a transmitting circuit. The transmitting circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit electric energy to a receiving circuit, receive a feedback signal of the receiving circuit, and wirelessly transmit a control signal to the receiving circuit.

A modular transaction card assembly includes a card frame having the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transaction card that is smaller than a traditional card and that fits into a receptacle of the card frame. The card frame may include a window in which contact pads of the transaction card are positioned and flush with the surface of the card frame when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle. The card frame and transaction card assembled together may form a uniform assembly that appears and functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

A method of transmitting a first tier of information by a radio frequency identity (RFID) chip when hailed in a first frequency band and transmitting a second tier of information by the RFID chip when hailed in a second frequency band. The method comprises receiving a first hailing radio signal in a first frequency band by an application executing on a processor of an RFID chip, in response to receiving the first radio signal, transmitting a first tier of information stored in the RFID chip in the first frequency band by the application, receiving a second hailing radio signal in a second frequency band by the application, and, in response to receiving the second radio signal, transmitting a second tier of information stored in the RFID chip in the second frequency band by the application.