Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultra-thin outline package for integrated circuits that is much smaller than conventional chip packaging structures. The ultra-thin outline package is particularly useful in fabricating RF or RFID transponders. In an embodiment of the invention, the ultra-thin outline package includes a substrate having an aperture. At least one conductive trace that includes upper and lower portions is disposed on respective upper and lower surfaces of the substrate. The substrate further comprises at least one via electrically connecting the conductive trace portions together. An integrated circuit is disposed in the aperture and is operatively coupled to the upper portion of the conductive trace. An encapsulant is provided in the aperture substantially covering the integrated circuit. The lower portion of the conductive trace is adapted for coupling of the ultra-thin outline package to a secondary substrate using conventional surface mounting techniques.

Abstract: An RF/ID interrogator is provided for recovering a data signal from an RF/ID tag. The interrogator includes a radio having a receiver portion to receive in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals from the RF/ID transponder transmitted at a predetermined bit-rate, and a processor coupled to the radio for controlling operation of the radio in accordance with stored program instructions. In one embodiment, the interrogator performs over-sampling of the data signal received from the RF/ID tag in order to provide a high data recovery rate. The processor controls the over-sampling of the I and Q signals at a sampling rate higher than the transmitted bit-rate of the I and Q signals to provide plural signal samples that are stored in a buffer memory. The processor compares the relative polarity of successive ones of the plural signal samples.

Abstract: A portable data collection system employing a portable data terminal having increased functionality is disclosed. The portable data terminal includes an integral magnetic stripe reader for reading information magnetically encoded on a magnetic stripe card, such as a credit card or the like. An interchangeable feature pod may be attachable to the data terminal and may include a selected data collection or communication device such as, for example, a data communication port, optical indicia reader or laser scanner to facilitate data entry and communication. The interchangeable feature pod may include a compact, ergonomically efficient actuator for activating the selected data collection or communication device. Interconnection of the portable data terminal to interchangeable feature apparatus such as an electrical power supply, peripheral devices, or data communication apparatus may be accomplished via separate line connection, a port replication apparatus or a vehicle docking apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically wedging data received from one or more automatic data collection (“ADC”) devices on an ADC device platform into a destination application based upon wedging criteria. A dynamic wedge receives data from one or more ADC devices and automatically wedges the data into applications based upon user-provided data characteristics or a predetermined set of rules. Applicable wedging criteria used to route data include those that are user-composed and those that pertain to firmware or software characteristics. The dynamic wedge may comprise an ADC data server, ADC device handlers, ADC protocol handlers, and a wedging grid for retaining wedging directives. The ADC data server receives wedging directives from local and remote client applications and stores the wedging directives in the wedging grid. When data arrives from an ADC device, the ADC data server analyzes the data to determine its characteristics.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically adjusting a radio frequency communication system to define the spatial dimensions of a read zone and no-read zone using programmable checktags. The system comprises a controller adapted to send and receive data from two subsets of a plurality of transponders. The first subset of transponders is located in a spatial read zone, and the second subset of transponders is located in a spatial no-read zone. The system automatically adjusts transmission parameters to ensure that only the first subset of transponders is able to be read.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device for acquiring images of planes, such as bar codes, includes a deflector for deflecting an incident beam emitted by a light source such as an oscillating or rotating cyclic polygonial deflector or mirror. A driver osscilates or rotates the deflector in such a way that the incident beam describes, during each cycle, angular scanning adapted to generate at least one elementary scanning line on the plane. A closed loop control circuit controls the driver and is connected, on the one hand, to the clock in order to receive the transfer signal &PHgr;TG and, on the other hand, to the driver and adapted to synchronize the beginning of each scanning cycle in phase and frequency with the signal &PHgr;TG emitted by the clock.

Abstract: A color symbology, such as a bar code symbology, employs three or more colors to encode elements of one or more integer-widths. A light source or an appropriate filter of a color matched to one color of the symbology produces peaks in a reflectance signal produced from a light sensor, which receives light reflected from the symbol. Another, unmatched, color in the symbology produces valleys in the reflectance profile. A third or intermediate color produces a reflectance signal in a middle portion of the reflectance profile. By identifying the peaks and valleys in the profile, the portions corresponding to the intermediate color, may be found by measuring distances between centers of the peaks and valleys in the reflectance profile. As a result, all elements, of all colors in the symbol, may be decoded using a simple data collection reader, such as a laser scanner, employing only a single color laser.

Abstract: An on-demand subsurface printed label. Indicia is reverse printed on the back of a clear plastic label film. Resulting label is suitable for harsh environments without requiring pre-printing or use of an extra protective outer layer.

Abstract: An improved radio frequency transponder has a reflector to increase its operative range. A system of one or more reflectors is operatively associated with a transponder and may be formed out of any sort of radio frequency reflective material. The reflector system can enhance reception or transmission of radio waves by or from the transponder. The reflector system may also be used to provide for selective coupling of the radio frequency transponder with a base station, user- or vehicle-supported reader, or the like based on relative orientation. In addition, the reflector system may be used to selectively reflect particular radio waves.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device for acquisition of images of objects, such as barcodes, includes a lighting system which is designed such that the axis of the light beam intersects the optical axis. A reflector that allows the image beam to pass through, and can reflect the light beam, is disposed such as to intercept the light beam, and is inclined relative to the optical axis, by an angle which is such that the light beam is centered on the optical axis. The lighting system is designed to light the useful optical field throughout the entire depth of the field, and the angle &agr;, in which the lighting system is seen from the object plane, is such that α ≤ Arc ⁢   ⁢ tg ⁢ L 5 ⁢ P , in which L is the width of the object plane, and P is the distance between the object and the lighting system.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data terminal of modular structure includes a base module with a keyboard and a display screen. A data and communications module may be selected from a number of different data and communications modules, each having different types of data communications transceivers, or including in addition data collection devices, such as shelf label readers or bar code readers. The base module includes a microprocessor-controlled data communications and control interface having a predetermined protocol. To adapt the various types of data and communications modules for selection of any one thereof to become attached to the base module and function therewith, each of the data and communications modules includes a microprocessor operable to function as an emulator to interact with the microprocessor of the base module and communicate with the microprocessor of the base module in accordance with the protocol of the data communications and control interface of the base module.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for sending radio frequency (RF) power to RF transponders (RFID tags), wherein the frequency sent to the tags is changed very rapidly.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a battery conditioning system monitors battery conditioning and includes a memory for storing data based thereon; for example, data may be stored representative of available battery capacity as measured during a deep discharge cycle. With a microprocessor monitoring battery operation of a portable unit, a measure of remaining battery capacity can be calculated and displayed. Where the microprocessor and battery conditioning system memory are permanently secured to the battery so as to receive operating power therefrom during storage and handling, the performance of a given battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use and other relevant parameters. In the case of a nonportable conditioning system, two-way communication may be established with a memory associated with the portable unit so that the portable unit can transmit to the conditioning system information concerning battery parameters (e.g.

Abstract: A method for tracking tax payment information includes fixing a unique machine readable identifier to each of a number of taxable items, storing each of the unique machine readable identifiers in a computer readable memory, and storing tax payment information in the computer readable memory for each of the items. The unique machine readable identifier may take the form of a machine readable symbol such as a barcode symbol or as a wireless memory device such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag. The tax information may include data such as the tax payment status, tax payment authority, a tax payment sum, a tax payment date, identify of a manufacturer, identify of a product or product type, and the identify of a product origin. Tax payment information may include tax payment information from multiple taxing authorities.

Abstract: A PC card holder is mounted on a circuit board. A card retainer is mounted adjacent to the holder to prevent unintentional movement of a card out of an engaged position in the holder when the holder is subjected to vibrations. The retainer preferably includes a finger having a hook formed on a free end thereof that is yieldably biased into a blocking position in which it blocks the unintentional movement. An outer end surface of the hook engages a front corner portion of the card. When the card is being intentionally removed from the holder, movement of the card deflects the finger to allow passage of the card. Similarly, insertion of a card into the holder deflects the finger into a nonblocking position.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable character set encodes a string of n-bit character codes corresponding to the data characters from an n-bit set of data characters in a data carrier as a string of m-bit character codes, where m is less than n. A method, apparatus and character set, decodes a string of m-bit character codes corresponding to the data characters from an m-bit set of data characters from a data carrier as a string of n-bit character codes, where m is less than n. The n-bit character set contains character codes corresponding to operations and operating modes such as compression modes to efficiently encode and decode data. The n-bit character set further includes character codes that indicate the presence or absence of companion data carries, and that standing alone or in combination with a modifier character code can indicate an operation to be performed on data in the companion data carrier.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (tag) integrated circuit includes “on-chip” test circuitry. The test circuitry includes a serially-loaded test register. The test register controls the execution of on-chip tests. Such tests may include the testing of EEPROM circuitry included within the IC, the testing of analog circuitry, or the testing of digital circuitry included within the IC.

Abstract: A multi-layer label/tag is disclosed, which may be utilized either as a label or a tag, depending on the needs of the user. The label/tag includes a printed or printable top face sheet and a number of release layers. The top face sheet is attached to the release layers such that it may be removed as a tag or as a label. Cutting through the multi-layer assembly allows a user to remove the item as a label or a tag, as needed.

Abstract: A data communication network for providing dynamic routing through both wireless and wired subnetworks to support wireless communication devices and wired remote stations is disclosed. In the wireless network, the wireless communication devices can be mobile RF terminals, while the wired remote stations might be personal computers attached to a wired subnet, such as an ethernet coaxial cable. The wireless network architecture utilizes a spanning tree configuration which provides for transparent bridging between wired subnets and the wireless subnets. The spanning tree configuration provides dynamic routing to and from wireless communication devices and remote stations attached to standard IEEE 802 LANs.

Abstract: The present invention assures the integrity of state information retained by a Radio Frequency Transponder during a loss of power. During the regular operation of the Transponder power is provided to a voltage-storing device powering an information retention mechanism of the Transponder. After the loss and reestablishing of power to the Transponder but before the Transponder is restarted, the voltage-storing device is checked to determine whether sufficient power is present in the information retention mechanism to retain information without corruption. If sufficient power is present, a signal to indicate that fact is communicated to the Transponder and the stored information is restored. The Transponder is then restarted.