Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: An automatic digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic illumination control, multi-tier modular software architecture and digital video-imaging based code symbol reading techniques, which ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments, while providing the versatility required to accommodate the different ways in which operators present objects for code symbol reading at POS environments.

Abstract: A diverter for arrangement in a pipe, a barrel or a tower, and including an even number (?4) of conical cavities arranged annularly, all of the conical cavities converging at the center of the diverter. The intersection point of the axial lines of the odd numbered conical cavities and the intersection point of the axial lines of the even numbered conical cavities are located at both sides of and symmetrical about the center of the diverter. As fluid flows through the diverter, the fluid material in the central fluid and edge zones interchange position and produce three-dimensionally intersecting flow. The diverter can efficiently improve the effects of heat and mass transfer, and can be widely used in static mixers, heat exchangers for fluid with high viscosity, temperature homogenizers of the exit of the screw extruder, high efficiency pipe reactors, and in the occasions of fluid-fluid extraction, solid-fluid extraction, etc.

Abstract: An imaging engine includes a plurality of linear imaging arrays, image formation optics, at least one illumination module and supporting circuitry that are embodied within a modular engine housing. The plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics are mounted on an optical bench (which is integral to the engine housing) and provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. The at least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays. The supporting circuitry includes: timing signal generation circuitry that supplies timing signals to the linear imaging arrays in order to read out the row image data produced by such arrays and converts the row image data supplied thereto into digital form.

Abstract: An Automatically-triggered digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system providing a high degree of adaptability to ambient illumination levels and having great dynamic range. The system includes an illumination subsystem, having an active illumination mode and an ambient illumination mode. During object illumination and image capturing operations, the exposure quality of a captured frames of digital video image data is analyzed, and based on the results of such exposure quality analysis, system control parameters (SCPs) are automatically reconfigured. In the event that the exposure quality analysis indicates excessive exposure levels in captured frames of digital video image data, then a new set of SCPs is reconfigured, controlling the illumination subsystem to operate in its ambient illumination mode, whereby, ambient illumination is allowed to flood the field of view and form digital images on the image detection array during object illumination and video-imaging operations.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging module for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging module includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs, wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite illumination field that is at least substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array.

Abstract: An automatic automatically-triggered digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing an adaptive control process involving the real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured frames of digital image data and the real-time reconfiguration of system control parameters (SCPs) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis. By virtue of the present invention, the system enables the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, under demanding point-of-sale lighting conditions and other challenging environments.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system, and software development environment, that supports manufacturer-constrained system behavior modification and/or extension by end-users and third-parties through the development and installation/deployment of plug-in modules within the application layer of the system by persons other than the original system designers. By virtue of the present invention, the standard features and functionalities of such systems can now be flexibly modified and/or extended by end-users and third-parties (e.g. VARs, OEMs etc), and thus satisfy customized end-user application requirements, without possessing or acquiring detailed knowledge about the hard-ware platform of the system, its communication interfaces with the outside environment, and user-related interfaces.

Abstract: A wireless code symbol reading system including a wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader in two-way RF communication with a base station operably connected to a host system, by way of an RF-based wireless data communication link having a predetermined RF communication range over which two-way communication of data packets can occur. The wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader is programmed to automatically detect when it is located inside and outside of the predetermined RF communication range. When the wireless reader is inside the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically transmitted to the base station, and when the wireless reader is located outside of the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically collected and stored in a data packet buffer, until the wireless reader has re-entered its RF communication range.

Abstract: A digital information recording media system including a digital information recording media device, and a digital information reading and writing drive unit for writing digital information to, and reading digital information from the digital information recording media device. An electronic-ink display label is provided to the digital information recording media device for displaying graphical indicia on the electronic-ink display label representative of information relating to the digital information recording media device and/or digital information recorded thereon. An activation module is arranged in communication with the digital information reading and writing drive unit, for providing instructions employed in the determination of determined graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. The electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window, so that the area-type illumination and imaging zones intersect within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. And a control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging stations during system operation.

Abstract: A remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display device employing an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit layer having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly and an antenna structure. A signal transmitting layer transmits signals from the antenna structure to the remote activator module. A signal receiving layer receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the antenna structure. An on-board battery power layer, operably connected to the integrated circuit layer, supplies electrical power the integrated circuit layer, which is responsive to electromagnetic signals received from the remote activator module by the antenna layer and the signal receiving layer.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising a plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics that provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. At least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays. Image processing circuitry performs image-based velocity estimation operations, which analyzes pixel data values of a plurality of composite 2-D images each derived from sequential image capture operations of a corresponding one linear imaging array to derive velocity data that represents an estimated velocity of the imaging device with respect to at least one target object disposed in the fields of view.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in point of sale (POS) environments. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging stations disposed in the system housing, for projecting a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing a series of area-type digital images of an object intersecting therewith during system operation.

Abstract: A coplanar laser illumination and imaging subsystem deployable in an image capturing and processing system, and including an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having an image sensing array and optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the image sensing array, and forming an image of an object within the FOV and detecting said image on the image sensing array and producing a digital image thereof. The system includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem having an array of VLDs for producing a visible illumination beam, and an array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (LDs) for producing an invisible illumination beam. The visible and invisible illumination beams spatially overlaps and spatially/temporally intermixes with each other to produce a composite spectrally-mixed illumination beam having a relative power ratio of visible illumination to invisible illumination (VIS/IR), and is substantially coplanar with the FOV of said image sensing array.

Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing an area-type illumination and imaging station for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. And a control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging station during system operation.

Abstract: An automatic automatically-triggered digital video imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing an adaptive control process involving the real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured frames of digital image data and the real-time reconfiguration of system control parameters (SCPs) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis. By virtue of the present invention, the system enables the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, under demanding point-of-sale lighting conditions and other challenging environments.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber and constructing a two-dimensional digital image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital image.

Abstract: An automatic code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic object motion detection and illumination control, and digital video image capturing and processing techniques, which ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments, while providing versatility required to accommodate the different ways in which human operators present objects for code symbol reading at POS environments.

Abstract: An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having horizontal and vertical housing sections. The horizontal housing section has a horizontal imaging window, and contains (ii) a first plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a first group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the horizontal imaging window, and (ii) at least one area-type illumination and imaging station disposed in the horizontal housing section for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the horizontal imaging window.