One embodiment is directed to a method of reading RFID tags in an interconnection system comprising at least one port. The method comprises initiating a localized read transaction to read any RFID tag attached to a first connector and any RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into the port. The method further comprises, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a first type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the first connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the first type of RFID interrogation signal; and, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a second type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the second connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the second type of RFID interrogation signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In a columnar-shaped magnetic marker including a magnet formed by dispersing a magnetic powder of iron oxide in a polymer material and to be laid in a road without being accommodated in a metal container, one end face of an outer peripheral surface and an entire outer peripheral side surface of magnet are covered with metal foil forming a conductive layer, and an RFID tag which performs wireless communication with a tag reader mounted on a vehicle side is arranged on the end face of magnetic marker provided with metal foil as being in a state of being electrically insulated from metal foil.

A transaction card having an opening in a metal card body, a booster antenna in the opening, and a molding material about the booster antenna. A process for manufacturing the transaction card includes forming an opening in a card body, inserting a booster antenna into the opening, and molding a molding material about the booster antenna.

An antenna device includes an RFIC element, a power supply coil connected to the RFIC element, and a first coil conductor including a first large-diameter loop shaped conductor and a first small-diameter loop shaped conductor. The first coil conductor functions as a booster antenna and forms an antenna resonance circuit. The power supply coil is accommodated in a recess surrounded by the first small-diameter loop shaped conductor. The power supply coil is disposed in a manner that its winding direction is aligned with the winding axis direction of the first small-diameter loop shaped conductor and its outer diameter is inside a coil opening of the first small-diameter loop shaped conductor in a planar view. The power supply coil is coupled to the first small-diameter loop shaped conductor through a magnetic field.

An antenna device includes a feed coil and a sheet conductor. The feed coil includes a magnetic core and a coil-shaped conductor, which is provided around the magnetic core. An RFIC is connected to the feed coil. The sheet conductor has a larger area than the feed coil. A slit that extends from a portion of the edge of the sheet conductor toward the inner side of the sheet conductor is provided in the sheet conductor. The feed coil is arranged such that the direction of the axis around which the feed coil is disposed is parallel or substantially parallel to the directions in which the sheet conductor extends. The feed coil is arranged such that the feed coil is close to the slit and one of coil openings at the ends of the feed coil faces the slit.

In some embodiments, a tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking fastener. The plastic tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking staple or a plastic tracking nail. The plastic tracking fastener may include at least one elongated member comprising at least one distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end(s) may penetrate, during insertion, a surface of an object. The tracking fastener may include a wireless identification device. The wireless identification device may contain electronically stored information associated with an item to which the plastic tracking fastener is coupled. The plastic tracking fastener may have a primary antenna electrically coupled to the wireless identification device. The plastic tracking fastener may have a secondary antenna electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna of the wireless identification device. The secondary antenna may provide higher read range/distance relative to the primary antenna itself. The tracking fastener may communicate information to an interrogator.

The problem to solve is how to extend the operating range of small stackable RFID tags when they are placed in an undesirable orientation. Disclosed is an RFID tag that operates in two modes whereby in a first mode the tag has a short range and in a second mode the tag has a long range. The tag is converted from the first mode short range device into the second mode long range device by placing it close to a coupling device. That is in the second mode the tag becomes a two part RFID tag system (1400) capable of communicating with an interrogator antenna (1407).

Brackets for amplifying antenna gain associated with mountable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a bracket and an RFID tag. The bracket has a base, a first meandering amplification arm connected to and extending away from the base in a first direction, and a second meandering amplification arm connected to and extending away from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction. The RFID tag is mounted to the base of the bracket. The first meandering amplification arm and the second meandering amplification arm are respectively structured to at least one of: amplify an antenna gain associated with the RFID tag; or increase a communication range associated with the RFID tag.

An RFID device that can be connected to a piece of material, in particular, a piece of fabric (22), in an efficient manner and that is small and flexible is provided. A wire antenna (16) is coupled to an integrated circuit provided on a substrate (12) of the RFID device (10). The wire antenna (16) is attached to the substrate (12) by being laced with the substrate (12) via a pair of through holes. In this state, the wire antenna (16) is fixedly connected to the piece of material by heating a coating of the wire antenna (16), which coating includes a thermoset adhesive material. In this manner, the substrate (12) is connected to the piece of material via the wire antenna (16).