Abstract: A method of controlling the mode of parallel operation of a multi-mode parallel graphics processing system (MMPGPS) embodied within a host computing system having (i) host memory space (HMS) for storing one or more graphics-based applications and a graphics library for generating graphics commands and data (GCAD) during the run-time (i.e. execution) of the graphics-based application, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing said graphics-based applications, (iii) a display device for displaying images containing graphics during the execution of said graphics-based applications, and (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division and having a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one of the object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation.

Abstract: A tunnel-type digital imaging-based self-checkout system capable of generating and projecting coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume within a tunnel structure. The tunnel structure is supported above a package conveyor in a retail POS environment, and employs automatic package identification, profiling and tracking techniques during self-checkout operations.

Abstract: An automatic digital video imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic object motion detection and illumination control, 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: An electronic-ink based writing/drawing and 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 structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, including graphical input data provided by an activator module. The integrated circuit structure also includes a programmed processor in communication with the storage element.

Abstract: A computing system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on a hybrid CPU/GPU fusion-architecture chip and/or on an external graphics card, and employing a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem having software and hardware implemented components. The computing system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation, (iv) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (vi) an automatic mode control module. During the run-time of the graphics-based application, the automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem so that the GPUs are driven in a parallelized manner.

Abstract: A computing system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on an integrated graphic device (IGD) embodied within a bridge circuit, and employing a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem having software and hardware implemented components. The computing system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) an external graphics card supporting at least one GPU and being connected to the bridge circuit by way of a data communication interface, (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation, (v) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (vi) an automatic mode control module.

Abstract: The wireless PDT of the present invention employs a “display-on bottom” design which places the unit perfectly centered in the hand of the operator, allowing for the best possible viewing as well as providing comfortable single-handed operation. The high-resolution LCD display allows the PCT to show sharp, clear bitmap images while supporting all Windows-recognized font types and sizes. With the auto back-lit feature, the brightness adjusts automatically making the screen easy to read in all light conditions. The PDT is designed for support within the download/charger cradle of a base station which interfaces with a host system using either USB or RS232 interface. Two standard ‘AA’ or rechargeable Li-Ion batteries provide more than 100 hours of operation. In addition, the PDT comes standard with 2 MB of RAM providing enough memory to store over 100,000 records.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window, and an area-type image formation and detection subsystem having image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object on an area-type image detection array. The system includes an object presence detection subsystem for automatically detecting an object within the FOV, and generating a first trigger event indicative of automatic object detection within the FOV. The system also includes an object targeting illumination subsystem for generating and projecting a visible targeting illumination beam within the FOV, in response to the generation of the first trigger event signal.

Abstract: An electronic-ink based information organizing 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 structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, data, including information and graphical input data provided by a user by way of an activator module. The integrated circuit structure also includes a programmed processor in communication with the storage element.

Abstract: An electronic product identification price display system for installation in a retail environment storing a plurality of consumer products on shelves. The system includes a plurality of remote activator modules installed within the retail environment, and a plurality of remotely-updateable electronic-ink labels applied to consumer products stored in the retail environment. Each remote activator module sends and transmits electromagnetic signals within the space of the retail environment. Each electronic-ink label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal transmitting structure transmits signals from the antenna structure to the remote activator modules.

Abstract: An electronic-ink based display tagging system including a plurality of programmable electronic-ink display tags, and a portable tag activation module for programming display indicia to be displayed on each electronic-ink display tag. Each electronic-ink display tag includes an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. Each electronic-ink display tag includes an antenna structure for receiving radio-frequency (RF) power signals transmitted by the portable tag activation module, and (ii) sending and/or receiving electromagnetic signals carrying information corresponding to one of instructions, programs, data or graphical indicia to be displayed by the addressable display assembly. Each electronic-ink display tag also includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for installation at a retail POS environment comprising a system housing having an imaging window; and a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems for projecting a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through a 3D imaging volume defined relative to the imaging window, for digital imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume. A globally-deployed object motion detection subsystem automatically detects and analyzes the motion of an object passing through at least a portion of the 3D imaging volume, and generates object motion data in response thereto. Object motion data, including object velocity data, is used to generate control data for controlling the operation of the coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems.

Abstract: An automated tunnel-type scanning system arranged about a conveyor belt structure, including: a tunnel structure arranged about a conveyor belt structure for transporting packages; an omni-directional bar code symbol scanning subsystem; a package detection and dimensioning subsystem; and a data management subsystem. The package detection and dimensioning subsystem captures package measurement information about each detected package prior to the package being scanned by the omni-directional bar code symbol reading subsystem, and producing package measurement data representative of the captured package measurement information.

Abstract: A Web-based electronic commerce (EC) enabled shopping network configured to allow members of a consumer product management team and authorized parties to communicate directly with consumers shopping at EC-enabled WWW-sites along the World Wide Web (WWW), serviced by programmable Multi-Mode Virtual Kiosks (MMVKs) driven by server-side components and managed by product management team members and authorized parties. When generated by the first Internet-enabled information server, each MMVK has a graphical user interface (GUI) that is characterized by a plurality of independently programmable display modes. Upon the Web-browser of each consumer encountering an installed MMVK tag along an EC-enabled Website, the corresponding server-side driven MMVK is automatically generated by the first Internet-enabled information server and served to the Web browser for display and review by the consumer.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the hand-supportable housing, and has front and rear surfaces and a light transmission aperture formed centrally therethrough. An image formation and detection subsystem has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and an area-type image detection array for forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object during object illumination and imaging operations. An automatic targeting illumination subsystem is disposed in the hand-supportable housing for projecting a targeting illumination beam into a portion of the FOV extending outside of the hand-supportable housing.

Abstract: An 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 structure 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 structure transmits signals from the antenna structure to a remote transceiver module. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the antenna structure. An on-board battery power structure, operably connected to the integrated circuit structure, supplies electrical power the integrated circuit structure, which is responsive to electromagnetic signals received from the remote transceiver module by the antenna structure and the signal receiving structure.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing module for use with an Internet-based shipping, tracking and delivery network. The module includes a housing having a light transmission aperture with an optically transparent imaging window mounted thereover. A digital camera board supports an area-type color image sensing array, sensing array control electronics, and image capture and buffering electronics. An imaging lens assembly supported within said housing and having image forming optics with a field of view (FOV) on the area-type color image sensing array. A plurality of broad-band LEDs are supported within said housing for producing a field of broad-band illumination. A light focusing reflector is operably mounted for focusing the field of broad-band illumination. A digital image-processing subsystem supports image capture, processing and display functions, as well as digital image file transmission functions within the module.

Abstract: A mobile image capture and processing system including a digital image capture and processing instrument for capturing digital images of shipping documents associated with shipments to be delivered to an intended destination over a Web-based shipping, tracking, and delivery information network, and automatically processing such images to read a 1D or 2D bar-coded shipment tracking number graphically represented therein, and automatically encode the shipment tracking number within the header of the digital image file and the name or title of the digital image file.

Abstract: A POS-based 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 station 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 station includes an 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 are substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array.

Abstract: An Internet-based shipping, tracking, and delivery network including a data collection and processing center operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet, and including a RDBMS for storing and managing shipping information, and a plurality of pickup/delivery vehicles. Each pickup/delivery vehicle is equipped with a mobile digital image capture and processing (MICAP) system for (i) capturing and processing digital images of shipping documents, bearing embedded bar codes, at the point of pickup, (ii) automatically decoding embedded bar codes in said shipping documents, and performing optical character recognition (OCR) on text presented therein, (iii) formatting captured digital images of the shipping labels with such decoded/recognized information, and (iv) transmitting the formatted digital images to said data collection and processing center, for automatic recognition processing and population of the RDBMS maintained by said network.