Abstract: A flexible cable may include an electrical conductor, a dielectric insulator layer surrounding the electrical conductor, a jacket layer being flexible and surrounding the dielectric insulator layer, a shield surrounding the dielectric insulator layer and a connector electrically connected to the electrical conductor. The connector may be configured to connect to an electronic device and communicate electrical signals from the electrical conductor to the electronic device. The cable may further include a capacitive layer engaging the jacket layer. At least one capacitive pad may be disposed on the capacitive layer and be configured to communicate signals (e.g., capacitance variance) over a communications path in response to a user touching the capacitive pad(s) by his or her fingers.

Abstract: Simple device replacement (SDR), low-cost class A compatible devices that store and use configuration tables for use in performing a node replacement may be used. The use of SDR using 802.3 Ethernet-enabled class A devices allows for dispensing with an external management computer or device-mounted additional hardware (e.g., push-button, SD card, etc.), and for performing node replacement while the network remains operating. A modified token ring or logical ring configuration and process may also be utilized. In an embodiment, a logical ring with a token, which may be used as a distributed scheduler that is circulated amongst network nodes, may be provided. The use of a modified token ring may provide for managing low-priority traffic on an 802.3 network for sensors to utilize low-priority communications without impacting high-priority communications.

Abstract: Automatic dispenser (10) of portable terminals (100), comprising a vertical body (11) having a fully closed storage area (20) including a plurality of compartments (50) for storing a corresponding plurality of portable terminals (100) to be taken by authorised users. At least one access door (25) is arranged on said vertical body (11) at said storage area (20) to provide for a selective access within the storage area (20). The dispenser (10) comprises a wireless charging unit arranged within said storage area (20) at each compartment (50) and an air conditioning system (200) configured to control temperature and humidity of each compartment (50).

Abstract: Systems and methods for a machine-readable symbol reader that includes a scan engine, a finger mount, and a wrist mount. The scan engine couples to and moves with the finger mount, which is sized and dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of one or more fingers. The wrist mount accommodates at least a portion of a wrist and releasably secures the wrist mount to the wrist. The wrist mount includes an electrical interface to a power source. A flexible substrate extends between the finger mount and the wrist mount, and may carry one or more electrically conductive paths that extend between the wrist mount and at least one of the finger mount and the scan engine to provide power from the power source to the scan engine. The finger mount may include a user input device to trigger the scan engine to scan within the field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a programmable logic configured to: convolve a stencil in a non-rotated orientation about a 2D array of pixels of a captured image received as image data from a camera to generate non-rotated stencil data; generate rotated stencil data based on a rotation of the stencil into a rotated orientation; generate, based on the non-rotated and rotated stencil data, a per-pixel density map indicative of a location of a corner of a 2D indicia within the captured image; employ noise filtering and subsampling to generate, based on the per-pixel density map, a per-tile density map indicative of the location of the corner of the 2D indicia within a 2D array of tiles that corresponds to the 2D array of pixels of the captured image; and generate, based on the per-tile density map, 2D indicia metadata indicative of the location of the 2D indicia within the captured image.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: A sensor configured to detect and record measured conditions, such as temperature, pressure, volume, displacement, acceleration, and/or other measureable conditions. The sensor may incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) components. The sensor may also incorporate micro-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (MEMS) and/or nano-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (NEMS) that are configured to change in response to certain conditions encountered by the MEMS/NEMS and provide indications of the same. The sensor may include a detector configured to detect the changes in the MEMS/NEMS. The detected changes may be stored by the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID components, allowing information about the changes to be retrieved through a RFID reading and/or scanning process. The sensor may be used to monitor and/or track conditions associated with certain objects and/or environments, among other uses.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) has an image reader that scans indicia located on a floor. The image reader scan the indicium to obtain instructions for the AGV to follow. A processor in the AGV can perform geometry estimation of ellipsoidal objects in order to align the AGV as it moves or is stopped along a path.

Abstract: A boss assembly includes: a first boss formed integrally with a first portion of an enclosure that cooperates with a second portion thereof to enclose a volume, wherein the first passage communicates between the enclosed volume at an internal aperture and an external environment at an external aperture; an enclosure screw having an enlarged head to retain the enclosure screw within the first passage and an elongate threaded shaft portion to extend out of the first passage through the internal aperture, into the interior volume and into a second passage of a second boss of the second portion; and a threaded insert that is sized to engage interior surfaces of the first passage with a tight fit when inserted therein between the head of the enclosure screw and the external aperture, wherein the first threaded insert defines a threaded third passage that extends therethrough.

Abstract: A reader contains a housing with a window having a peripheral rim. The housing has a device for reading coded information which generates a field projecting through the window towards the outside of the housing, and has a device for visually indicating the result to a user. The visual indication device generates an indication appearing substantially at least on the window, on a portion of the peripheral rim of the window, or on a portion of the housing adjoining laterally the peripheral rim of the window. The housing portion is at least on the left side, right side, or below the window. Additionally, a camera based checkout security system includes at least a checkout security camera and a fixed position reader of coded information. The checkout security camera generates a camera field of view directed towards the window of the fixed position reader of coded information.

Abstract: A system and method of processing and analyzing data captured by automatic data collection (“ADC”) readers. The ADC readers encapsulate the captured data in markup language pages and associate various metadata with these pages. A markup language document analyzer identifies associations or links between the meta-data stored in multiple markup language pages. Once an association is detected, the analyzer stores a corresponding hyperlink in one or both of the associated HTML pages 102. After the hyperlinks are stored, a rankings engine may rank the markup language pages based on the hyperlinks that have been stored. The rankings engine may continue to rank the pages as new links are identified and as new pages are created and stored. Queries related to the data received from the ADC readers 100 may be received and processed based upon the rankings of the processed markup language pages.

Abstract: A complex device that integrates a beam shaping aperture in a printed circuit board of the complex device (e.g., scanner or barcode reader or optical module) is provided. The complex device has a light-emitting diode pattern projection system. The pattern projection system includes one or more light-emitting diodes and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has one or more apertures and one or more receptacles. The one or more receptacles are positioned behind the aperture and receive the one or more light-emitting diodes. The printed circuit board with receptacle offer self-alignment for the light emitting diodes. The beam shaping aperture in front of the light-emitting diodes allows light to pass through the aperture that is part of the printed circuit board layer of the complex device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data reading system and method for identifying and processing optical code symbols, primarily DotCode symbols. The data reading system includes an imager for obtaining an image of an item containing the DotCode symbol and a processor for analyzing the image for ultimately decoding the data from the DotCode symbol. The processor analyzes the obtained image to determine a starting pattern for the DotCode symbol and to begin building the DotCode grid from the starting pattern. Once the DotCode grid has been completed, the processor generates a label hypothesis based on the identified data dots on the DotCode grid. Thereafter, a decoder unit receives the label hypothesis from the processor and decodes the label hypothesis to obtain the data for the DotCode symbol.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a machine-readable indicia representative of a standard code associated with an item. An image sensor may be configured to receive an image of the machine readable indicia. An illumination source may be configured to illuminate an anti-counterfeiting key that, when illuminated by the illumination source, reflects the illumination from the illumination source to be incident on the image sensor. A processing unit may be in electrical communication with the image sensor, and may be configured to decode the standard code of the machine-readable indicia and check validity of the reflected illumination from the anti-counterfeiting key.

Abstract: A hand-held barcode reader has a decoding module that analyzes barcodes on a surface. The decoding module determines a displacement based on a current position of the hand-held barcode reader and a desired new position of the hand-held barcode reader with respect to a barcode on the surface. An LED of the hand-held barcode reader produces a first-colored light-spot at a position on the surface to direct a desired movement of the hand-held barcode reader to move from the current position to the desired new position.

Abstract: A laser light projection apparatus is provided for projecting laser light onto the surface of a target object. The laser light projection apparatus includes a laser light source that generates laser light and a housing with a cavity therein defined by sidewalls, at least a portion of which have one or more reflective surfaces. The cavity extends along a center axis of the laser light and has a first portion at which a distance between opposing sidewalls is less than a distance between opposing sidewalls at a second portion of the cavity at a distance farther from the laser light source than the first portion. At least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser light source is reflected from the reflective surface of the sidewalls to form a two-dimensional pattern spaced apart from the center axis.

Abstract: A multi-function sound chamber for a handheld barcode reader may include the ability to (i) amplify or otherwise efficiently project an audible signal generated by a buzzer of the barcode reader to sound window(s), and (ii) provide stiffening support to a printed circuit board (PCB) on which an electromechanical switch is mounted that a trigger of the handheld barcode reader engages when activated by a user of the reader. The sound chamber may provide other functions, including isolating light between good/bad read signals and battery level status. Another function may include reducing electrostatic discharge (ESD) by providing a high-impedance seal around connecting screws. Another function may include retention of the PCB by providing a pocket with a compliant material to retain a top or other edge of the PCB. By having the sound chamber perform multiple functions, the barcode reader may be produced more efficiently and cost effectively.

Abstract: A generic shape quality verification process that allows the generalization of Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM) Direct Part Mark (DPM)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Engineering Consortium (IEC) (ISO/IEC) 29158 quality metrics for a generic shape marked or marked with a generic technique, wherein the AIM-DPM/ISO-IEC 29158 quality metrics, e.g., Cell Contrast, Cell Modulation, Grid Non Uniformity, Axial Non Uniformity, Fixed Pattern Damage, Unused Error Correction, and Print Growth are generalized to permit verification of a generic shape, are generalized to permit verification of a generic shape, where the process in accordance with the invention consists of the following three steps, i.e., (i) configuration, (ii) calibration and iii) work such that based on computed AIM-DPM/ISO-IEC 29158 metrics, it is possible to verify whether quality of the printed layout is acceptable.

Abstract: A code reader and process may include an optoelectronic reading device configured to read a machine-readable indicia. A primary aiming illuminator may be configured to generate a first light beam to illuminate a first aiming pattern (i) onto a surface on which the machine-readable indicia is positioned and (ii) within a field-of-view of the optoelectronic reading device. A secondary aiming illuminator may be configured to generate a second light beam to illuminate a second aiming pattern (i) onto the surface on which the machine-readable indicia is positioned and (ii) outside or in a marginal region of the field-of-view of said optoelectronic reading device.