Abstract: A combination of a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID Tag) and to a magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is disclosed. The present invention relates generally to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, and more specifically to RFID transponders for use in RFID systems and the method for their assembly.

Abstract: A reader for reading machine-readable symbols such as barcode, area or matrix code, or stack code symbols employs an aiming beam which may continue to provide an indication of an orientation of a field-of-view of the reader for a set interval following a successful decode of a machine-readable symbol. This provides a more intuitive and efficient user interface, allowing a user to quickly aim at a next symbol to be acquired, without inadvertently acquiring and/or decoding an unintended symbol. This may also reduce the number of user actions required to operate the reader, and may simplify the triggering mechanism interface.

Abstract: Reconfiguration and/or upgrade of Automatic Data Collection (ADC) devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers and/or magnetic stripe readers is facilitated by performing adequate testing, prompt accurate analysis of the results of such testing, and prompt delivery of the analysis to those involved with the development of ADC device builds, associated components and/or functionality. The functionality of ADC devices and/or ADC device platforms is determined and appropriate tests are selected and provided to the ADC device and/or ADC device platform for execution. Results are received, analyzed and provided to appropriate users.

Abstract: The automated software upgrade utility allows a customer, product supplier or software vendor to upgrade the operating system, firmware, applications and data files on any product regardless of the product type and characteristics. This upgrade process can be invoked from a remote location or via interaction directly with the target device.

Abstract: A portable hand-held reader unit includes a photosensor array interiorly of the unit and optics for focusing an image of indicia of information contained on and occupying a predetermined area on a label exteriorly of the reader unit. The reader unit further includes a flashable light source such as a xenon flash tube which is disposed in a ring-like manner about the optical field of view of the reader unit. A marker source which in a preferred embodiment comprise four light sources such as photo diodes or laser diodes, for example, are peripherally disposed interiorly of the reader unit laterally adjacent the photosensor array or in another embodiment at the four corners of the photosensor array. Light emitted from the light sources is projected through the optics of the reader unit peripherally of the field of view of the reader unit as marker beams which impinge a surface toward which the reader unit may be pointed in marker spots peripherally of the predetermined area.

Abstract: A communication system in which multiple protocols and proxy services are executed by an access point. In one embodiment of the invention, GVRP and GMRP registrations are combined in a single packet when a wireless device roams to a different VLAN. In addition, outbound GVRP and GMRP multicast messages are handled by an access point (also referred to as a GVRP and GMRP “gateway”) such that the wireless device is not burdened with the associated computational overhead. In a further embodiment, a wireless device may dynamically switch between a VLAN-aware state and a VLAN-unaware state depending on the nature of a detected access point. For example, if a relevant access point supports GVRP, the wireless device may operate as a VLAN terminal. If a wireless device is not attached to an access point with a matching VLAN ID, the wireless device sends and receives VLAN tagged frames.

Abstract: A data collection device is provided for reading barcodes, matrix codes, acoustical tags, radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags, and other data carriers. The data collection device includes components to determine an actual position of the data collection device with respect to a target data carrier. The data collection device further includes visual indicators to indicate the determined actual position relative to an optimal position of the data collection device relative to the target data carrier. The determined actual position can be at least one of an actual distance or an actual orientation of the data collection device relative to the target data carrier.

Abstract: A frame system for an information handling apparatus is disclosed. In the system, a first frame and an electronic subsystem cooperate to form at least a partial Faraday cage about an electronic component of the electronic subsystem, and a second frame and a different electronic subsystem cooperate to form at least a partial Faraday cage about an electronic component of that electronic subsystem.

Abstract: The automated software upgrade utility allows a customer, product supplier or software vendor to upgrade the operating system, firmware, applications and data files on any product regardless of the product type and characteristics. This upgrade process can be invoked from a remote location or via interaction directly with the target device.

Abstract: A machine-readable symbol reader includes a microfluidic lens assembly providing responsive, reliable auto-focus functionality. A range finder may provide distance to a planar target (e.g., barcode symbol) information for use in auto-focusing, with or without localization. Illumination system, if included, is selectively controlled based on the distance to target and auto-focusing functionality to substantially reduce power consumption. The localization may color optical sensors.

Abstract: A scalable and adaptive technique determines which particular software features should be installed in a device (such as a data collection device) without having to rebuild 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 (wired or wireless). 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.

Abstract: An RFID tag is powered both by an internal battery and passively by an interrogating RF field. As a result, the RFID tag can be passively powered after the internal battery has been depleted. More particularly, an embodiment of the RFID tag includes electronic circuitry to provide RFID functionality, and an energy storage device coupled to the electronic circuitry to provide an operational voltage thereto. A battery is operatively coupled to the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device. A rectified RF power source derived from an interrogating RF field is also operatively coupled to the energy storage-device to charge the energy storage device. The rectified RF power source and the battery are electrically separated from each other. The energy storage device remains charged by the battery in the absence of the RF interrogating field while the battery has remaining capacity.

Abstract: Should a station not require its allocated transmission slot, another station may detect that cessation during a “mini-slot” and start its transmission. For example, to prevent a station from incorrectly perceiving a mini-slot; 1) each station must periodically send a message to the media coordinator to which the coordinator will respond, and any station not hearing the message from the requesting station, but hearing the response from the coordinator must drop out; or 2) the stations could send a request to send (RTS) to the media coordinator, which would send a clear to send (CTS), and only then would the station send its data. All stations in the network system would hear one or the other. The mini-slot would need to be of sufficient duration to have the RTS/CTS exchange. In addition, this last way allows peer to peer connectivity in general (unrelated to whether or not one is using some dynamic TDMA type of service).

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: Radio frequency (RF) power is sent out by a base station to radio frequency identification transponders (RFID tags) for a first time at a first frequency. The frequency is changed to a second frequency, and the RF power sent out for a second time substantially different from the first time.

Abstract: A Write Broadcast system and method uses a base station to write sent data to all or some selected number (sub group) of tags in a base station field simultaneously. By unselecting the tags that have been successfully written to, and requesting a response from the remaining tags in the field (or sub group), the system determines, by receiving a response to the request, that there are tags in the field (sub group) that were unsuccessfully written to. Another Write Broadcast signal is sent to these tags. The system is useful for quickly (simultaneously) “stamping” information on the tag memory of a large number of tags in the field of the base station.

Abstract: A passive RF tag is disclosed in which the tag contains a tag oscillator for determining the modulation frequency of modulating the backscatter signal, and the tag oscillator frequency is stabilized when the tag modulates the backscatter signal.

Abstract: To detect unauthorized attempts to attach to a network having wireless access points, and access point may respond to receipt of a wireless signal from a region that may harbor a network intruder, by sending a special signal to a monitoring station. The special signal may identify the general physical location of the intruder, and the special signal may be transmitted via the network being protected. A source may supply simulated traffic to the access point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically reading information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photosensor, and a reading system capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to the photosensor. The method includes steps of positioning an optical reader containing a photosensor, imaging an information area onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the reader, and generating a digital representation of content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any angular relationship between orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes of the photosensor.

Abstract: A peripheral device is provided for a portable computing device that includes a rechargeable battery, operating circuitry powered by the rechargeable battery, and a fuel cell coupled to provide charging current to the rechargeable battery. Battery charging circuitry is operatively coupled to the rechargeable battery and the fuel cell to control charging of the rechargeable battery by the fuel cell.