Abstract: A battery charging system for discriminating between different battery packs and charging the battery packs according to battery type and charging parameters of the battery pack. The battery charging system has a battery having a label and a charging dock for receiving the battery. Charging dock has a label reader for reading the label when the battery pack is operationally coupled to the charging dock. A discriminator, which is coupled to the label reader, generates at least one charge control signal based on information received from the label reader. A charger that is coupled to the discriminator receives the charge control signal and charges the battery pack based on the charge control signal.

Abstract: A noise cancellation apparatus provides an inexpensive mechanism that is readily adaptable for printers and other equipment and devices that are used in areas where external noise is undesirable. In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a transport mechanism for transporting a media through the thermal printer and a thermal print head for printing on the media. At least one sound emitter is provided for generating an inverse sound signal to cancel noise generated by at least one noise source in the thermal printer. At least one microphone is provided for receiving sound signals from the at least one noise source. Each microphone is connected to an inversion circuit which inverts the received sound signals. The inversion circuit sends the inverted sound signal to one of the sound emitters, which emits the inverted sound signal, canceling out the noise.

Abstract: A zero loss bias “T” is provided for use in an RF receiver front end in order to bias a received RF signal with a DC current. The zero loss bias “T” permits a DC current to be introduced into an RF signal path of a filter having filter characteristics sufficient to pass frequencies only in a desired passband without associated losses to the RF signal. The filter may be provided by an LC filter having a ground coupling point. DC current is coupled to the RF signal path of the filter via the ground coupling point.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder (tag) in accordance with the principles of the invention includes a patch antenna. The patch antenna may be co-located with RFID circuitry and an impedance matching circuit on one side of a substrate. A ground plane may be formed on the opposite side of the substrate. A quarter wave transformer may provide an “RF short” to ground to connect the RFID circuitry on one side of the substrate with a ground plane located on the opposite side of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is an RF tag having a non laminated coating for protecting the semiconductor chip, antenna, and chip antenna connections, and methods for applying the non-laminated coating.

Abstract: A web of linerless label stock having a recording layer on a top surface and an adhesive layer on a bottom surface is provided with registration marks printed onto the adhesive layer. The linerless label stock further includes perforation lines in correspondence with the registration marks. The spacing between adjacent ones of the registration marks may be selected to correspond with desired width of the linerless labels. To process the linerless label stock, the web of linerless label stock is first sent through a flexographic printing system where registration marks are applied to the adhesive layer at constant intervals. After the registration marks are applied, the web of label stock passes through a die station that perforates the web in correspondence with the registration marks. The web is then wound up into finished rolls to be placed on a thermal printer.

Abstract: A dual technology printer includes first and second print stations having a polychromatic print engine and a monochromatic print engine, respectively. The print engines are preferably an ink jet print engine and a thermal print engine. A variable length media queue is formed between the two print stations. The queue may be formed by a guide roller that defines a loop of media between the stations and that is movable to adjust the length of the loop and thereby the length of the queue. Preferably, the second print station has a predetermined pixel addressability and a resolution substantially equal to the addressability to produce sharp borders for machine readable symbologies. In a printing operation, the printing of color images at the first print station may be carried out ahead of demand for a particular batch printing operation during which monochromatic images are printed at the second print station.

Abstract: A hybrid shield and antenna unit for a printed circuit board is disclosed. A shielding enclosure for providing RF and electromagnetic shielding of the electronic components of a circuit board is integrated with an antenna as a single unit. The hybrid shield and antenna combination may be fabricated as a single unit to provide for reduced steps in the manufacturing process thereby leading to improved economy. The hybrid shield and antenna includes a shielding enclosure for providing RF and electromagnetic shielding of an electronic component, and an antenna disposed at an end of said central enclosure, wherein the antenna and the central enclosure comprise a single continuous unit.

Abstract: A magnetic tape information storage media includes a cassette housing having one or more spools for holding a length of magnetic tape and an integral radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder. The RFID transponder may be utilized by an external system to provide functions such as, automated sale, rental, or loan of the media, authentication of the media, indexing of information recorded to the media, enablement/disablement of playback of the media, recording of the number of times the media has been played, inventory, and the like.

Abstract: A universal data input device includes a processor coupled to memory and a two-dimensional or area imager. One or more additional data input modules input wireless (e.g., RF), audio (e.g., voice), card or other data. Software performed by the processor receives the input data, and in one embodiment, receives voice commands. A task manager instructs an application layer to execute appropriate applications based on the voice command, and routes data to the appropriate applications.

Abstract: A symbology reader includes an optical reading assembly received in a reading assembly housing and an antenna shaped to conform to at least a portion of the reading assembly housing and in contact therewith. The antenna can be shaped to form at least a partial enclosure for the optical reading assembly, thus eliminating part or all of the reading housing assembly. A module for use in an imager can include an optical reading assembly mounted in a housing and an antenna having a shape that is complimentary to a shape of at least a portion of the housing. Similarly, an antenna for an imager can include a conductive member having a shape at least partially conforming to a shape of a reading assembly housing in an imager.

Abstract: A computerized system for managing freight or the like which is picked up at various points and delivered to other various destinations, and more particularly to such a system which utilizes hand-held terminals, scanners and printers which are linked together by a micro link radio to each other and by a wide area network radio link to a main area station which can receive and transmit information to a plurality of sets of terminals, printers and the like for managing an overall freight system.

Abstract: A data collection system for use with a movable cart. The system has a portable data collection unit which may include an indicia reader, a wireless communication system or a user interface. The data collection unit can be removed from the cart and can remain operational when removed. When attached to the cart, the data collection unit can communicate with an output device contained within the boundaries of the cart. The output device can be a printer. The system can also include a mounting device which removably attaches the data collection unit to the cart. The mounting device can remain attached to the cart after removal of the data collection unit. The system can include an auxiliary device which can be removed from the cart for operation. For example, an auxiliary device can be a printer that can be removed from the cart along with the data collection unit.

Abstract: A new bar code symbology in an exemplary embodiment employs three bars (and spaces) within nine modules, similar to Code 93. Fifty-three data characters are defined, including several special mode characters. By employing these special mode characters, together with certain routines, three symbol characters can represent two 8-bit bytes, or one 16-bit word. As a result, the symbology can efficiently encode 8-bit bytes for use in computer processing, or encode 16-bit character sets such as Unicode. Symbology encodes extended channel interpretation (ECI) numbers, provides multiple numeric compression modes, provides a structured append using a single mode character, as well as other features.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs series-connected transmission lines to match a high reflection coefficient source impedance with a load impedance. The matching circuit is formed on a dielectric substrate material and accommodates the relatively limited capabilities of photo-lithographic circuit production. The new impedance matching circuit may be constructed of three series-connected transmission line sections. A first section, the section that is to be connected to the source, transforms the high source impedance into a relatively low valued impedance that is substantially resistive. The reflection coefficient of the first section is substantially equal to the reflection coefficient of the source. A second may be implemented as a quarter-wave transformer that transforms the low impedance developed by the first section into an intermediate impedance value.

Abstract: A hand-held computer terminal employing a touch screen for the input of handwritten data comprises a contoured surface disposed between a touch screen surface and input keys or buttons, thereby providing improved ergonomics aiding in the entry of handwritten data while preventing unintentional actuation of input keys or button during the entry of handwritten data.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only ⅓ of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: A system, method of use, and a plurality of types of Radio Frequency Transponders (RF Tags). The RF Tags carry a directory or a tag type number which determines the layout of information in the tag memory. The tag type numbers are arranged hierarchically.

Abstract: A television with hard disk drive comprises an analog video source which may be digitized and stored on a hard disk drive for later playback wherein the stored video data is capable of being played back at a rate slower, faster, or the same as the original analog video signal, thereby providing a viewer with flexibility in viewing a program. Also disclosed is a method for viewing a television program or other video material employing the apparatus according to the present invention.

Abstract: An RF/ID transponder comprises an integrated circuit package including at least a memory and an RF modulator. A dipole antenna is coupled to the RF modulator, and has a length greater than one-half wavelength of an electromagnetic wave having a nominal frequency within an operating frequency band of the RF modulator. A base plate provides an electrically conductive ground plane, and a housing is attached to the base plate. The integrated circuit package and the dipole antenna are supported by the housing at a predetermined distance from the conductive ground plane. Thereby, the dipole antenna provides a radiation pattern that includes at least first and second squinted beams extending at respective acute angles relative to a vector defined normal to the conductive ground plane, and at least one center beam extending along the vector defined normal to the conductive ground plane.