Abstract:
The present invention includes methods and devices for locating emergency service providers during emergency operations. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification ("RFID") tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags . Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for methods and apparatus for automatically contacting a service center (112, 110) for one or more particular products (102, 104, 122, 124), as well as contacting other types of entities with respect to any type of item. In a first embodiment, each item includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) of the particular products that is used to automatically contact a service center or the like (210). In a second embodiment, the RFID of the particular product is automatically sent to the service center or the like (214). In the first embodiment, the RFID of each product contains contact information, such as a 1-800 telephone number, a URL address, or email address, for a particular service center or the like. In one implementation, an RFID reader (104) is coupled with a communication device, such as a telephone or computer device, and the user uses the RFID reader to scan an RFID of a particular item (e.g., a malfunctioning product) (206). The relevant service center or the like is then contacted based on the RFID scan (210). For example, the user is connected to an agent at the relevant service center via a telephone or computer network. In the second embodiment, when a service center (or the like) needs RFID tag data for a particular item, a user may select a "send" option (e.g., on the communication device or reader) to have such RFID tag data automatically transmitted to the service center or the like (214).
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or "sleep" when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The "presence" of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.
Abstract:
The present invention includes methods and devices for providing. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification ("RFID") tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags. Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center. In preferred implementations, emergency service provider location information can be provided to control center personnel and to emergency service providers in real time.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or "sleep" when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The "presence" of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.
Abstract:
An active or dynamic RFID tag (306, 312, 318, 360, 500) that actively provides current status information regarding a particular item, and mechanisms for recognizing dynamic RFID information read from such RFID tag. Static identifying information regarding the particular item is provided either by the same active/dynamic RFID tag or by a different passive RFID tag (320). The actively provided status information corresponds to changes in the item's status (608). Active RFID tags are positioned next to one or more components (304, 310, 316) within a system (300) so that each active RFID tag is powered and transmitting its information only when its corresponding component is operational; i.e., the active RFID tag either transmits or fails to transmit based on its component's status state. An RFID reader (700, 800) can then know that a system has a failing component when the component's corresponding active RFID tag is not transmitting its RFID information.