Abstract: A broadband antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of phase shifting elements, and a circuitry connection. Each of the antenna elements has a respective antenna element operating bandwidth dependent upon the construction of the element. Each phase shifting element connects a respective one of the plurality of antenna elements to a common antenna connection with a respective bandwidth shift. The circuitry connector couples the common antenna connection to radio circuitry. With the plurality of antenna elements bandwidth shifted by the plurality of phase shifting elements, the antenna elements operate in combination with an operating bandwidth a multiple of the element operating bandwidths. The circuitry connector transforms a frequency design range harmonic impedance at the common antenna connection to a minimum impedance at a second end of the circuitry connector that connects to radio circuitry.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification transponder (RFID tag) in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a tag antenna and RFID circuitry having respective input impedances Za and ZL. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the read distance of the RFID tag is maximized by connecting an inductor in series between the antenna and the RFID tag circuitry. The inductor having an impedance ZL that maximizes the expression [(Ra)(Ga)]½|(ZL|/|Za+Zind+ZL|, where | | indicates the absolute value of the enclosed expression.

Abstract: An antenna structure including a driven antenna element is formed on a substrate that is folded to provide a closed surface, causing the substrate to be nonplanar and spacing the driven antenna element from a base of the substrate. Adhesives on an outside surface of the substrate permit fastening of the folded substrate to a container or packaging. The substrate may have one or more resilient elbows formed by folding, to bias the antenna element carrying portion of the substrate from the base of the substrate. A modulation circuit may drive the driven antenna element. The flexible substrate may be folded into any of a variety of forms such as a substantially O-shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially coil shape, a substantially spiral shape, and a substantially S-shape. Additional folds in the substrate may provide surfaces for mounting passive or parasitic antenna elements, such as reflectors and directors, to form a Yagi antenna structure.

Abstract: An RFID transponder is embedded in a glass surface, such as a vehicle windshield, to provide for the storage and retrieval of vehicle related data. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID device comprises a flexible circuit substrate with an antenna formed thereon and a transponder circuit disposed on the substrate and coupled to the antenna. In a multi-layer glass panel, the RFID device is disposed between adjacent ones of the glass layers and becomes embedded therein upon lamination of the glass layers together. Alternatively, the RFID device may be formed using one of the glass layers as a substrate, thereby avoiding the need for a distinct substrate layer. Where a glass panel has a transparent conductive layer for thermal insulation, the transparent conductive layer may be used to form a conductive portion of the RFID device. In a single layer glass panel, the RFID device is embedded into the glass while the glass is in a molten or plastic state.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method of charging a battery includes supplying a charging current to the battery and measuring one or more battery parameters. The battery parameters may be, for example, temperature, voltage and/or charging current. The battery parameter measured is used to determine a charging current set point. The set point may be selected from a number of different set points stored in memory, where each set point corresponds to a respective battery parameter range. If the charging current being supplied to the battery is different from the charging current set point determined the charging current is adjusted to match the set point. This process is repeated for each of a plurality of time periods (e.g., sampling periods) during charging of the battery.

Abstract: A hand-held data input system having an input stylus and a data receiving pad is disclosed. The data input system can include a recessed stylus holder. The recessed stylus holder can receive the input stylus such that it does not protrude from the system's housing. The data input system can alternatively include a grip facilitator. The grip facilitator can be located proximate the data receiving pad to make contact with a finger of a hand gripping a side of the hand-held unit. Other embodiments include features such as an active stylus, a radio frequency receiver, input keys, handwriting recognition capability, an indicia reader and a handstrap.

Abstract: A radio frequency transponder is provided which comprises a substrate layer, a radio frequency integrated circuit affixed to said substrate layer; and an antenna provided on said substrate layer in electrical connection with said radio frequency integrated circuit. The antenna is comprised of a conductive paste material having a resistivity of approximately 20 &mgr;&OHgr;-cm., which is greater than the resistivity of a conventional etched copper antenna, but still sufficiently low to provide a radio frequency transponder having acceptable read range. The substrate layer further comprises a flexible organic material. The radio frequency integrated circuit is disposed in a flip-chip configuration facing downward toward said substrate layer, with electrical contacts aligned with the antenna.

Abstract: A keypad-overlay for use with an electronic device. The electronic device has a plurality of keys or signal input members coupled to electronic components within a housing of the electronic device. The signal input members have key indicia that identify key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components. The keypad-overlay is removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members. The keypad-overlay has a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over a respective key indicia within the key indicia being visible to a user through the translucent cover member. The cover members have tactile indicators that provide a tactile indication to a user that the cover member has depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke. The cover members have a key-activating protrusion positioned to engage and activate the key when the cover member is depressed toward the key.

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: Methods and apparatus applying RFID technology to identify electronic components, devices, and systems to provide functions such as, for example, security of the assets, inventory tracking of the assets, identification of the assets, and short distance communication between the assets are disclosed. RFID transponders are integrated into electronic components, devices and systems at the component level (i.e., circuit chip, circuit board, etc.), the asset level (i.e., box, computer, etc.), or system level (i.e., network system, computer system, etc.).

Abstract: A code reader configured with a plurality of types of illuminators is disclosed. Having access to the plurality of illuminator types, the code reader controls a reading attempt by first selecting and using one of the available illuminators. If the use of that illuminator fails to yield a valid read, the code reader selects a second of the available illuminators and reattempts the read. Again, upon failure to obtain a valid read, the coder reader selects yet another illuminator and so on until a valid read is obtained else all illuminator options have been exhausted. Illuminator selection order is set as a factory default, but adapts based on actual performance in a users environment. Alternately, illuminator order selection is based on range from the target. Such range may be proximity based, or based on marker beam distance calculations. Additionally, the illuminators are mounted on a single assembly along with read control program memory for ease in upgrade replacement.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection device with a user interface surface that is wider than its handgrip area. Also, a hand-held data collection device with an upwardly facing surface containing a user interface and a side surface containing a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can be held in one hand with a finger reaching the actuators. An opposite side surface can also contain a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can include combinations of a marker beam generator, an indicia reader, a display, a manually actuatable selector, a voice input and a digitizer. The indicia reader can be an optical reader or a radio frequency tag reader. Some of the actuators can have different shapes. The actuators can include an indicia reader actuator or a function selector. The data collection device can collect, for example, handwritten information, including signatures.

Abstract: A smart label printing system and method for printing smart labels is provided. The smart label printing system enables the expedited programming of the RFID tag component of the smart label so that delays due to the unequal time between printing the exterior of the smart label and encoding the smart label are avoided. The smart label printing system comprises a thermal printing unit to print the exterior of the smart label as well as an RF driver to program the RFID tag embedded inside the smart label. Methods are provided to increase overall throughput speed of the smart label, including prioritizing RFID tag data over exterior printing data in a RAM, compressing RFID tag data sent from a host computer, pre-loading fixed and regularly varying data, and predicting variable unknown data through the use of an artificial intelligence model. In addition, methods for uniquely arranging programming antennas and media pathways which act to speed up overall programming speed are also provided.

Abstract: A hand held user computer interface is capable of being automatically switched between a keyboard input mode and a pen input mode. When the computer is pivoted to the pen input mode, the keyboard is automatically disabled allowing the user to grip the keyboard without concern about accidentally hitting a key. The hand held computer comprises a display portion pivotally connected to a keyboard portion by a hinge. In the keyboard input mode, the display portion is at an angle with respect to the keyboard portion. The keyboard portion is pivotable to a position underneath the display portion so that the display portion overlies the keyboard portion and faces upwards to form a comfortable writing surface. The rotation of the keyboard is detected and the computer automatically switches mode to disable the keyboard portion and activate the pen input mode. Thus, no manual knob or switch control is needed to change from keyboard input mode to pen input mode or vice versa.

Abstract: An RF transponder having a plurality of antennas is disclosed, where the voltages produced by the plurality of antennas are cascaded to produce a tag voltage higher than that produced by a single antenna.

Abstract: A bonding pad for a semiconductor device is provided with a mechanical supportive structure substantially surrounding the pad. The mechanical supportive structure prevents cracking of passivation material over the pad when a lead is compression bonded to the pad.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a hand held bar code reader has a handle portion and a reader head portion which may be held spaced from a bar code data carrier during a reading operation. Light energy is directed outwardly through a window so as to illuminate a bar code sensing region in front of the window having a depth dimension of at least about ten millimeters, and an optical system focuses bar code patterns in the sensing region onto an image photosensor in the reader unit with a resolution so as to read e.g. bar code formats with a minimum bar or space width of about 0.0075 inch or less. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is reflected onto the image photosensor by a reflecting mirror positioned relative to the image photosensor by virtue of their common association with a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A data communication system permits optical communication between a printer and a handheld data-collection computer. The printer has a receiving cavity disposed at an outer surface thereof with a first optical communication port disposed on at least one surface of the receiving cavity. The first optical communication port is coupled to the printer to permit data communications therewith. The data-collection computer has a second optical communication port disposed at an outer surface thereof. The second optical communication port is coupled to the computer to permit data communications therewith. The computer is adapted for partial insertion into the receiving cavity to bring the first optical communication port into partial alignment with the second optical communication port, thereby enabling data communication over an optical medium between the first and second optical communication ports to permit direct data communication between the printer and the computer.

Abstract: A device for scanning a bar code symbol is adapted on a glove to be worn comfortably on an operator's bare or gloved hand. The glove includes a scan element on the back of the glove electrically connected to an activation switch disposed on a bottom finger tip of the glove. The activation switch triggers the scan element to scan a bar code by pressing the finger tip at a base of the bar code symbol to be read. Sliding the finger to turn on the scan element is a natural motion and does not interfere with normal use of the hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless radio frequency (RF) testing of radio frequency identification integrated circuits (RFID IC) is disclosed. A fixture is provided for physically and electrically contacting the RFID IC to feed an RF interrogating signal into the RFID IC and receive an RF return signal generated in response thereto. The fixture is coupled to a tester via first and second couplers (interconnected to the fixture and tester, respectively) which establish a wireless link for transmitting and receiving the RF interrogation signal and the RF return signal thereby allowing full and accurate RF characterization of the RFID IC.