Abstract: An automatic data collection device includes an automatic focusing feature. The automatic focusing feature is based on a type of triangulation technique, which determines an optimum position of an imaging lens in order to obtain an optimally focused image. The position of the imaging lens may be adjusted until the imaging lens is at the optimum position. A pair of aiming beams is separated by a distance. The optimum position of the imaging lens (and/or the amount of displacement of the imaging lens that is needed to reach the optimum position) can be determined based on a relation that involves the distance between the two aiming beams, a focal length of the imaging lens, and a distance between “spots” that are respectively generated on an image plane (such as on an image sensor) by the pair of aiming beams.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automatic data collection. An automatic data collection system includes an image capture subsystem and a processor subsystem. The automatic data collection system is operable to decode machine-readable symbols in a machine-readable symbol reading mode, and to automatically switch from a machine-readable symbol reading mode to an optical character recognition mode in response to information encoded in a machine-readable symbol. In some embodiments, the automatic data collection system is further operable to perform optical character recognition on human-readable symbols in a human-readable symbol reading mode.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices wirelessly communicate in a near-field region and a far-field region. A device may include a near-field antenna and a far-field antenna. The device may be configured to selectively operate in a near-field mode, employing the near-field antenna, and/or in a far-field mode, employing the far-field antenna, and/or in a joint mode, employing both the near-field antenna and the far-field antenna separately or concurrently. One type of device may be a wireless communications data-reader device configured for both near-field and far-field communications. Another type of device may be a wireless communications data-provider device configured for both near-field and far-field communications.

Abstract: An angular sweep of a directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation is generated by a first oscillating or vibrating reflector that cooperates with at least one fixed reflector. Electromagnetic radiation, for example a laser beam, incident upon the first reflector is reflected to the fixed reflector with an angular sweep created by movement of the first reflector and in turn is reflected back to the first reflector at least once, each reflection back to the first reflector increasing again the angular sweep created by the previous reflection from the first reflector. Multiple reflections creating a wide angular sweep relative to the magnitude of the first reflector's movement.

Abstract: A master entity is capable of broadcasting commands to a plurality of three-state-selection machine slaves. Transitions from one state to another are effected on instruction from commands in a sequence of commands broadcast from the master. Slaves move to another state when they satisfy a primitive condition specified in the command. By moving slaves among the three sets, a desired subset of slaves can be isolated in one of the sets. This desired subset of slaves then can be moved to one of the states that is unaffected by commands that cause the selection of other desirable subsets of slaves.

Abstract: An active RF transponder is provided with a wake-up circuit that wakes the RF transponder from a sleep state upon detection of an RF interrogating signal. The active RF transponder includes a battery, an antenna adapted to receive RF signals from an interrogator, and electronic circuitry providing the various RF transponder functions of sending/receiving signals and storing data. A first embodiment of the invention includes a wake-up circuit that periodically checks for the presence of an RF signal at the antenna. The wake-up circuit is coupled to the antenna and includes a switch adapted to selectively couple the battery to the electronic circuitry and provide electrical power thereto upon detection of the RF signals by the antenna. The wake-up circuit further comprises an oscillator providing a clock signal having a low duty cycle that defines intervals during which the antenna is sampled for presence of the RF signals (e.g., approximately 20 ns every 100 &mgr;s).

Abstract: A data carrier reader is capable of executing a number of different reading methods. A method for reading single RFID tags can store read data to a buffer for eventual transmission to a host, and can suppress redundant data. Still another method associates data read from an RFID tag with a particular object or item using a data coded in a machine-readable symbol. In a further method, the machine-readable symbol is automatically read when the RFID tag is within a predetermined proximity of the reader. In each method, the data carrier reader provides the user a consistent and intuitive output to identify the successful and unsuccessful operations such as reading an RFID tag or machine-readable symbol.