Abstract: A machine-readable symbol reader for reading machine-readable symbols such as barcode symbols employs a first reflective surface having a first perimeter to create a pointer beam, and a movable second reflective surface with a second perimeter small than the first perimeter to create a scanning beam. The pointer and scanner beams may exist simultaneously and may be formed from a same illumination beam.

Abstract: A media marking transponder system includes a media fastener and a wireless transponder circuit coupled to the media fastener. The antenna for the wireless transponder circuit has a first effective length when no piece of media is fastened to the media fastener and a second, different effective length when at least one piece of media is fastened to the media fastener.

Abstract: An RFID tag's mobility can be increased and cost can be decreased by using high-performance mobile power antennas instead of battery powered tags. Disclosed are some power antennas that include a half wave rectifier, a full wave rectifier, and a voltage multiplier. These antennas can be cascaded to boost the power or voltage gain. Additionally, planar elements can be added to increase efficiency without decreasing mobility.

Abstract: At least one identification (ID) number is used to effectuate communication between a radio frequency (RF) number and a radio frequency identification (RFID) base station. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, at least a first ID number and a second ID number are stored on an RF transponder. Upon receipt of a write request, the RF transponder compares an ID number portion of the write request with the second ID number stored on the RF transponder. If the numbers matched, then a data portion of the write request is stored on the RF transponder. If the ID numbers do not match, then the write request is ignored. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the RF transponder is adapted to determine the second ID number using at least a portion of the first ID number. For example, the second ID number could be a subset of the first ID number, determined using an algorithm that is based (at least in part) on a portion of the first ID number, etc.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network includes a network sink node and a plurality of cluster nodes. The cluster nodes are configured to pass communications upstream and downstream. Each cluster node has a communication range, or coverage area. A cluster node is configured to communicate with sensor nodes within the coverage area of cluster node. The sensor nodes are configured to register with at least one cluster node. The cluster nodes are configured to register with the network sink. Identifiers for the sensor nodes may be dynamically generated. Identifiers for the cluster nodes may be dynamically generated.

Abstract: A data request from a requesting device is received at a network of wireless sensor nodes. The data request is then forwarded through the network of wireless sensor nodes to a source wireless sensor node, where data responsive to the data request is generated. A reply including the responsive data is then forwarded along at least two communication paths through the network of wireless sensor nodes back to the requesting device.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant certification device receives a certified digital time stamp from a trusted third party, resets a time function and produces a time stamp receipt in an on-line mode; The tamper-resistant certification device receives a digital file from a mobile computing device, and produces a certified digitally signed digital file including a copy of the digital file, time stamp receipt and temporal offset in an off-line mode to evidence the content of the digital file within a defined tolerance of a day and/or time. A processor may be portioned into tamper and non-tamper resistant portions.

Abstract: An identification protocol that includes multiple identification methodologies is used to isolate and identify a radio frequency (RF) transponder. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the RF transponder includes a memory device, an RF front end, a random number generator (RNG), a counter, and a signal processing circuit connected thereto and programmed to operate in accordance with an identification protocol (or portions thereof). If multiple RF transponders are transmitting their ID numbers simultaneously, the radio frequency identification (RFID) base station may chose to resolve these conflicts later by transmitting the {a} Next_Cycle command, which moves the transponders back to a ready state. Alternatively, the {a} Fail command can be used to isolate and identify individual RF transponders.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a plurality of RFID tags each having adjustable tag resonant frequency, and an RFID reader configured to transmit interrogation and change frequency RF signals. The interrogation and change frequency RF signals are transmitted at the current tag resonant frequency. The plurality of RFID tags modify the tag resonant frequency to a new tag resonant frequency in response to the change frequency RF signals. RFID tag identification rates may be enhanced by interrogating the plurality of RFID tags at the tag resonant frequency for a dwell time, receiving response RF signals, determining a new tag resonant frequency, and transmitting a change frequency RF signal that causes the RFID tags to change the tag resonant frequency to the new tag resonant frequency. The new resonant frequency may be based on the number of received responses.

Abstract: An optoelectronic reader for reading machine-readable symbol such as barcode symbols employs a detection sub-system having an RX concentrator. The detection subsystem may include an N-tuple RX concentrator. The RX concentrator may define an optical path for light to illuminate the machine-readable symbol.

Abstract: A selectively mountable optical assembly having an optics body, at least one optical element, and a mounting base. Coupling structure allows the optics body to be selectively coupled to the mounting base such that a flange on the optics body is selectively aligned with the mounting base when in an engaged position.

Abstract: A mobile key includes an RFID tag associated with a memory. The memory holds a secure access code. An authorization status for a person or item associated with the mobile key is determined by interrogating the mobile key using an RFID interrogation field. Security information, such as a secure identifier or access code, physical measurement data, or biometric data may be provided by the mobile key. The key may also comprise a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone. Security information, such as an access code, may be provided to the key using the wireless communication device or other communications network.

Abstract: A carrier structure has a plurality of cells. A corresponding plurality of objects having data carriers, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, is placed in each cell. Each cell has an indicator associated therewith and is defined by walls that substantially prevent waves (such as RF waves) from propagating between cells. A control module is coupled to the carrier structure and is operative to selectively activate individual ones of the indicators. An automatic data collection device (such as an RFID reader) interrogates the data carriers of the objects placed in the cells, and the data carriers can provide response signals to the data collection device. The control module also monitors the response signals using an antenna present in each cell. If the data collection device selects a particular one of the responsive data carriers, the data collection device provides a notification signal to the control module to notify the control module of the selection.

Abstract: A device and a process for acquiring symbols by interleaving data samples in a plurality of data sets gathered during sampling of returns from a plurality of scanning passes. In one embodiment, the sampling frequency is proportional to the scanning frequency by a quotient of twice the number of samples in a representation and an integer such that the quotient is an irreducible fraction.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a barcode involves obtaining a two-dimensional source image and converting it into a frequency domain image (FDI). Frequency trends in the FDI are then analyzed to determine whether barcode information is present in the FDI. In this way, the presence, location, orientation, size and symbology of a barcode can be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: A scalable and adaptive technique determines which particular software features should be installed in a device (such as a data collection device) without rebuilding the operating system of the device. The device stores a product configuration matrix (PCM) that provides identification information, including which software features should be installed in the device. A configuration control file (CCF) is externally stored at any suitable location, such as in a local file system or on a network. The CCF contains product configuration masks, identifications of external locations where software features can be obtained, and identifications of locations within the device where the software feature is to be loaded. During an installation process, the PCM is read from the device and compared with the product configuration mask in the CCF. When there is a match, the software features corresponding to the matching product configuration mask are obtained and loaded into the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information. The printer including a paper feed motor, a carriage motor and a printer control system. The system causing the paper feed motor and the carriage motor to move at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for implementing forced frequency “hops” if the time it takes to perform a particular transaction is greater than the time available on a particular carrier frequency. In one embodiment of the present invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) base station processor (in conjunction with program information stored in a base station memory) is adapted to (i) determine the amount of time available on a particular carrier frequency (e.g., pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, European Telecommunications Standardization Institute (ETSI) regulations, etc.), (ii) determine the amount of time it would take to perform a particular transaction, and (iii) force the base station to “hop” to another carrier frequency if the transaction time is longer than the available time. In one embodiment of the present invention, the time it would take to perform a particular transaction is the time it would take to perform the next transaction.

Abstract: An automatic data collection device (10) and method reads images from display screen (22) of an electronic display device (24), such as a cellular telephone. The method reads a flashing image of a target machine-readable symbol (12) displayed on the display screen, by obtaining at least two images of the display screen. In the first image, the image of the target machine-readable symbol is present. In the second image, the image of the target machine-readable symbol (12) is absent. The second image of the display screen, when the image of the target machine-readable symbol is absent, comprises noise and other images that are irrelevant to the decoding process. This noise in the second image is subtracted from the first image of the display screen having the image of the target machine-readable symbol displayed thereon the symbol. A resulting image from the image subtraction is an improved image of the target machine-readable symbol.

Abstract: An antenna mount includes a base, a mounting member and a resilient member extending between the mounting member and the base. The resilient member may be removably coupled to the base via a first coupling member and/or coupled to the antenna mount via a second coupling member. The coupling members and the resilient member are configured to release or disengage in response to a force and/or torque exceeding a threshold force and/or torque.