Abstract: A statistical basis for use in a self-scanning checkout system determines how many items to check in a shopper's shopping cart for incorrect or missing scans as well as which particular or types of items to check to determine if they were properly scanned, if the shopper is determined to be audited. The present invention does not audit every customer, but rather determines whether a given shopper or customer is to be audited on a given shopping trip based upon obtaining a minimum checkout loss for such customer. The methodology determines how many items to check for a given shopper as well as which particular items to check for that shopper.

Abstract: A video imager processor and two radio frequency transceivers are supported on a common support having a predetermined form factor, such as that of a Compact Flash card commonly utilized in mobile computers. Common digital processing circuitry is used for processing the baseband signal from the RF transceivers, making a highly integrated and compact arrangement.

Abstract: A statistical basis for use in a self-scanning checkout system determines how many items to check in a shopper's shopping cart for incorrect or missing scans as well as which particular or types of items to check to determine if they were properly scanned, if the shopper is determined to be audited. The present invention does not audit every customer, but rather determines whether a given shopper or customer is to be audited on a given shopping trip based upon obtaining a minimum checkout loss for such customer. The methodology determines how many items to check for a given shopper as well as which particular items to check for that shopper.

Abstract: A method of reading an indicia, for example a bar code, comprising areas of differing light reflectivity comprises producing an electrical signal representative of light reflected from the indicia and selectively sampling the signal at a rate well below the Nyquist rate. The sample points are not uniform, and are chosen to represent key features in the signal. An attempt is then made to decode the indicia, using the samples. If the decode is unsuccessful, the samples which have been collected are analyzed to provide information on the extent to which they represent true data corresponding to the indicia, and the extent to which they present noise. Signal collection and/or processing and/or sampling is then adjusted and the process is repeated. The continual feed-back of information related to the scanning environment allows more aggressive decoding techniques to be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user.

Abstract: An auto ID reader and one or two radio frequency transceivers are supported on a common support having a predetermined form factor, such as that of a scan engine module commonly utilized in hand-held bar code symbol scanners. Common digital processing circuitry is used for processing the signal from the auto ID sensor and an RF transceiver baseband signal, making a highly integrated and compact arrangement. A single Fast Fourier Transform circuit is utilized for each transceiver.

Abstract: Described is a mobile computer and a reader that may be constructed as a standard modular attachment (e.g. sled) for the computer that may be used only when RFID interrogation is desired. The sled may carry an antenna loop, integrated RFID reader electronics, and a dedicated battery that are separate from the actual mobile computer.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode omnidirectionally is formed an a common substrate. The scanner may include a mirror assembly or scan module, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror.

Abstract: Monolithic circuit chips are disclosed which are particularly adapted for use with barcode reading, video and photographic systems. The monolithic circuit chip can include a sensor array, digitizer and decoder. The monolithic circuit chip can alternatively include an imager circuit, radio frequency circuit and memory. The memory can be one of ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), E2PROM, or Flash memory. The monolithic circuit chip can be formed using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) techniques.

Abstract: An auto ID reader and a radio frequency transceiver are supported on a common support having a predetermined form factor, such as that of a scan engine module commonly utilized in hand-held bar code symbol scanners. Common digital processing circuitry is used for processing the signal from the auto ID sensor, and the RF transceiver baseband signal, making a highly integrated and compact arrangement.

Abstract: Devices having either wireless data communication capability or RFID tags can be located using dual function fixed devices which are distributed throughout a facility. The devices will identify those units with which they are communicating using a wireless radio data communications protocol and also identify items within the local area using RFID tags on the units.

Abstract: The location of unmodified wireless assets in a wireless communication network may be identified using time differences of arrivals of a communication sequence at different network receivers. Time-stamping devices may include correlator circuits in parallel with signal decoders to time-stamp communication sequences. Cellular wireless networks may be frequency-multiplexed to increase spatial time-stamping density. Tags may be attached to passive assets to provide location identification information to network devices. Locations of assets broadcasting standard 802.11 radio frequency structures may be identified. Noise inherent in correlating a communication sequence may be reduced by using a selected correlation function.

Abstract: A plurality of data collectors and/or a transceiver for transmitting data in a plurality of transmissions are actuated by independent, manual actuations of a triggering circuit, preferably comprising a plurality of trigger switches, or a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger positions.

Abstract: A Mobile Station (MS) is able to vertically roam in either direction between two different network, i.e. WWAN and WLAN. The MS is equipped with a dual mode Radio for WWAN and WLAN transmissions. The WLAN Radio is linked to a WLAN Enterprise Gateway Controller (EGC) via a first air link and the WWAN Radio is linked to a WWAN Base Transceiver Station (BTS) via a second air link. The EGC is connected to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) which is in turn connected to the BTS. An outgoing VoIP call from the WLAN Radio to a remote party on the WWAN will transition or seamlessly switch over to a WWAN connection when the MS detects packet error rates, frequent scale back or consistent signal degradation. Upon such conditions, the WLAN Radio requests the EGC to request an Explicit Call Transfer via the MSC to the MS integrated WWAN Radio portion which automatically accepts the call based on referenced information stored in the user's subscriber identification module (SIM).

Abstract: A hand-held optical reader for reading printed indicia on a remote target includes a light source for generating a scanning light beam and a detector for detecting the light reflected from the printed indicia. The light source and detector are housed within a housing having a window through which the light beam passes from the source to the target for reflection from the target to the detector. The housing includes parallel front and rear faces, each being generally rectangular in shape and having a lower portion and upper portion. The front and rear faces are joined by a substantially planar base face at their lower edges. The window is disposed in the front face with the reader being ergonomically configured so as be comfortably held in the hand of a user, with the user's palm adjacent the rear face to enable the user to direct the scanning light beam at a remote target.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.

Abstract: A multiple working range scanner includes a collection mirror which is segmented, with each segment having differing optical properties, such as focal length, optical axis, and so on. Differing segments or combinations of segments deal with reflected light received at differing working ranges, and direct it to a photodetector. In another embodiment, beam shaping may be applied to an astigmatic laser beam, for example by means of a part-concave mirror, to create an x waist in the beam which is further from the scanner than the y waist. This provides enhanced performance when the scanner is used on a bar code symbol which is not accurately aligned. In order to provide improved optical alignment within a bar code scanner, the collection mirror may be adjustable both in the x direction and in the y direction.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing internal clocks of receiving stations of a locating system are described. A beacon transmits reference data packets at a known position. A first arrival time is compared to a second arrival time to determine a correlated arrival time data. The first arrival time is a time of reception of the reference data packets by a first receiving station, and the second arrival time is a time of reception of the reference data packets by a second receiving station. A linear polynomial fit is computed as a function of the correlated arrival time data and the first and second arrival times. Times of arrival of data packets at the first and second receiving stations is synchronized as a function of the linear polynomial fit.

Abstract: A multiple working range scanner includes a collection mirror which is segmented, with each segment having differing optical properties, such as focal length, optical axis, and so on. Differing segments or combinations of segments deal with reflected light received at differing working ranges, and direct it to a photodetector. In another embodiment, beam shaping may be applied to an astigmatic laser beam, for example by means of a part-concave mirror, to create an x waist in the beam which is further from the scanner than the y waist. This provides enhanced performance when the scanner is used on a bar code symbol which is not accurately aligned. In order to provide improved optical alignment within a bar code scanner, the collection mirror may be adjustable both in the x direction and in the y direction.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.