An article registration apparatus (100) includes: a reading unit (102) that reads article identification information from an IC tag associated with an article by using at least one of a plurality of antennas; a control unit (106) that controls the reading unit (102); a judgement unit (104) that judges whether a reading result of the reading unit (102) satisfies a criterion; and a determination unit (108) that determines the article identification information read by the reading unit (102), wherein the control unit (106) causes the reading unit (102) to read the article identification information by using a first antenna, the judgement unit (104) judges whether a reading result of the first antenna satisfies the criterion, the control unit (106) causes the reading unit (102) to read the article identification information by using a second antenna different from the first antenna when the reading result of the first antenna satisfies the criterion, and the determination unit (108) determines the article identification information to be output, by using the article identification information read by using the first antenna and the second antenna.

There are provided systems and methods for a smart harbor device for intelligent updating and selection for use of transaction processing terminal devices. A smart harbor device may be used to provide updating, servicing, and other maintenance of transaction processing terminal devices, such as EMV terminals used in retail transaction processing. The smart harbor device may include a port where the transaction processing terminal devices may be places, and the smart harbor device may connect to each of the transaction processing terminal devices. Once connected, the smart harbor device may run diagnostics to determine the statuses and conditions for each of the transaction processing terminal devices and maintenance the transaction processing terminal devices. The maintenance may be performed at times where the transaction processing terminal devices are not required for use. Additionally, the smart harbor device may intelligently select one based on statuses and device capabilities.

An arrangement for determining a plugging position of a hose coupling on a connection field includes the connection field including a plurality of coupling sockets and a plurality of hose couplings in which each of the plurality of hose couplings is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of coupling sockets. The at least one hose coupling includes a receiving coil and each of the plurality of coupling sockets includes a transmitting coil. A data interface is disposed in communication with the receiving coil, and an evaluation unit is disposed in communication with the data interface. The receiving coil is configured to analyze an individual identifier retrievable at the transmitting coil during connection of the at least one hose coupling to one of the coupling sockets, and the identifier is transmitted via the data interface to the evaluation unit to determine the plugging position of the hose coupling.

A self-diagnosing validation device includes an NFC reader having an RF signal range, an active diagnostic chip positioned within the RF signal range of the NFC reader, a memory, and a processing unit. The active diagnostic chip is configured to be selectively powered during a diagnostic procedure. The processing unit is configured to determine that the diagnostic procedure needs to be performed on the NFC reader and perform the diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic procedure includes activating the active diagnostic chip by supplying power to the active diagnostic chip, reading, using the NFC reader, any data being transmitted by the active diagnostic chip, determining whether any data was read by the NFC reader, and determining whether the NFC reader is functioning properly based at least in part of the determination whether any data was read by the NFC reader

Systems, methods, and electronic circuits facilitating embedded sensor chips in polymer-based coatings are provided. In one example, a method comprises fabricating an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit comprising one or more semiconductor devices, one or more sensors, and a communication element; encapsulating the electronic circuit within an insulator, resulting in an encapsulated circuit; and dispersing the encapsulated circuit into a lacquer solution comprising a polymer carrier and a solvent.

A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly.

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag IC stores an identifier and a check code. The IC determines whether the stored identifier is corrupted by comparing it to the check code. If the stored identifier does not correspond to the check code then the IC may terminate operation or indicate an error. The IC may also reconstruct the correct identifier from the check code.

A method for testing a wireless tag by a testing unit. The method comprises: transmitting, by a first antenna, a prescribed patten that is recognizable by a tag to put the tag into a testing mode; transmitting a trigger signal to a tag from a second antenna, the trigger signal being adapted to cause a tag to at least respond with a prescribed signal when the tag is good; waiting up to a prescribed amount of time after transmission of the trigger signal for a response to the trigger signal from a tag that is within range of the second antenna; when a valid response is received from the tag within the prescribed amount of time, designating the tag as having passed the test; and when a valid response is not received from the tag within the prescribed amount of time, designating the tag as having failed the test.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an array of antennas to distinguish line-of-sight (LOS) paths from non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths. The distance between adjacent antennas in the array of antennas is less than half the wavelength of the radio frequency (RF) signal of the system. Each antenna in the antenna array is also digitally controlled to change relative phase difference among the antennas, thereby allowing digital steering of the array of antennas across angles of arrival (AOAs) between 0 and π. The digital steering generates a plot of signal amplitudes as a function of AOAs. LOS paths are distinguished from NLOS paths based on the shapes (e.g., depth, gradient, etc.) of local extremes (e.g., maxima or minima) in the plot.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an array of antennas to distinguish line-of-sight (LOS) paths from non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths. The distance between adjacent antennas in the array of antennas is less than half the wavelength of the radio frequency (RF) signal of the system. Each antenna in the antenna array is also digitally controlled to change relative phase difference among the antennas, thereby allowing digital steering of the array of antennas across angles of arrival (AOAs) between 0 and π. The digital steering generates a plot of signal amplitudes as a function of AOAs. LOS paths are distinguished from NLOS paths based on the shapes (e.g., depth, gradient, etc.) of local extremes (e.g., maxima or minima) in the plot.