Methods and apparatuses are provided using RFID devices to assist in determining an open status of a container. For example, a first RFID tag is fixed to a first portion of the container and a second RFID tag is fixed to a second portion of the container. Upon a user action to at least partially open the container, the first and second portions will move relative to each other, such that one or more of the RFID tags will no longer be readable by a receiver circuit proximate the container or will now be readable by the receiver circuit. The reading or cessation of reading of one or more RFID tags indicates at least one open status of the container. In some embodiments, the open status is at least one of an unsealing confirmation, an open motion initiation status, an open motion confirmation, a partial open status and a fully open status.

Techniques for facilitating the configuration of a device through inductance power transfer are described. In some instances, a device that is packaged for shipment may be associated with an induction coil. The induction coil may be disposed within a package or otherwise arranged. The device may be temporarily powered via the induction coil to receive content wirelessly and store the content on the device. The content may be associated with a user to which the package will be shipped.

A device for near-field communication with a portable user apparatus, includes: a first communication antenna located on a first carrier; a first device for activating the first antenna located on a second carrier, which is facing the first carrier and mechanically connected to the first carrier by pads. The pads are made of conductive metal and the device also includes: a second antenna, a first winding portion of which is located on one end of the first carrier and a second winding portion of which is located on one end of the second carrier, the two ends facing one another. The first portion and second portion of each winding electrically connected by a pad, the second antenna emitting an electromagnetic field, a main component of which is perpendicular to a main component of the electromagnetic field emitted by the first antenna; and a second device for activating said second antenna.

Provided is an electronic device, including a housing, a fixing hole, a platform and a sensor. The fixing hole is located at the housing and configured to detachably fix an identification element. The platform extends outward from the lower edge of the fixing hole. The sensor is disposed on the platform and configured to communicate with the identification element.

The present invention provides for an electronic functional device such as an isolator and arranged to offer configurable functionality for alteration of the function of the device, the device including wireless reception means for receiving wireless configuration data for the selective configuration of the device, and can also include wireless transmission means for the wireless transmission of data identifying its configured state.

A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.

A physical shopping cart comprises a controller and a sensor array comprising an initial sensor configured to detect possible-items placed into the physical shopping cart and a secondary sensor configured to determine if possible-items detected by the initial sensor is are items-of-interest. The physical shopping cart is configured to maintain the secondary sensor in a low-power state; sense a possible-item placed into the physical shopping cart; determine if the possible-item is an item-of-interest; and transmit a sense-message that identifies the item-of-interest.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of robotic gripping systems, and in particular to electromagnetic shielding of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices in order to prevent unwanted wireless exchange of data between RFID tags and remote transceivers, such as a RFID readers. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the shielding is utilized within a sort station or pick-and-place environment where a robotic gripper is operating.

A system and method are disclosed for activating remote monitoring functionality of a personal wireless device associated with a released individual. After incarceration, former inmates are released under a variety of different circumstances, many of which require follow-up check-ins with case managers or other individuals. As part of their release, inmates often agree to multiple restrictions and requirements. In order to better monitor compliance with those requirements, a personal wireless device assigned to the released individual can be programmed with certain rules and automatically trigger when a violation is detected. As a result of a detected violation, the personal wireless device activates certain devices, such as a camera, microphone, etc., to capture data in order to remotely monitor the released individual. A case manager can also manually activate monitoring.

A passive radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is configured to dynamically vary the Q factor of its resonant antenna coil circuit in order to optimize its performance under different conditions. This RFID reader suitably provides optimal performance for both transponder reading and transponder writing operations, rather than being designed for optimal performance for only one operation or the other, or some fixed compromise between them.