Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding profiles which may fail to resolve narrow elements in machine-readable symbols first begins by generating a reduced information set using a high speed circuit having contrast amplitude values and segment distance values produced from a profile from the symbol. Second, closure boundaries are determined. Third, the distances between the centers of the resolved elements are determined. Thereafter, a unit distance or X-dimension is determined for 1-wide narrow elements unresolved in the profile. Based on the unit distance, a matrix is constructed for determining the number of narrow elements unresolved between two resolved elements. Based on the measured center distances and the matrix, all of the unresolved narrow elements are identified in the profile and the profile is subsequently decoded.

Abstract: A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition techniques. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In addition, the scanner provides autodetect circuitry for determining the type of terminal to which it is attached and automatically converts the two-dimensional code information into an appropriate one dimensional format, as needed, for communication to an attached terminal.

Abstract: A heater for a liquid crystal display and accompanying backlight is provided that is easy to install or remove from a liquid crystal display assembly and that extends the low temperature operation of the backlight and the liquid crystal display. The heater comprises a heating element with a foil-type heating element extending from it. The heating element may be attached to an insulating heater pad with a foil backing. The heater is disposed between the backlight diffuser and the printed circuit board and the foil-type heating element wraps around the backlight. Application of an electrical current to the heating element heats the LCD assembly and the backlight and extends their low temperature operation. The heating element may further comprise a resistive element and the light source may further comprise a fluorescent lamp. The foil-type heating element may further comprise an adhesive layer permitting attachment to the backlight.

Abstract: A linerless label tracking system enables the tracking and identification of items such as airline baggage or delivery parcels at any point prior to their destination. The linerless label tracking system consists of an RF transponder which includes a memory for storing data that can be read by a user with conventional reading devices. The RF transponder comprises an antenna and an IC chip and is incorporated into a linerless label. The lineress label comprises an adhesive layer and an outer surface layer onto which indicia can be printed. The adhesive layer further comprises a pressure sensitive material. The outer surface layer comprises a direct thermal label or tag stock (paper, film, or combination). The RF transponder is incorporated into the linerless label in one of many ways and the linerless label is then applied to the item to be tracked.

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 even less. Preferably the light source is of an electronically triggerable instant response type and is located substantially within the reader head portion. The bar code image is converged through a generally rectangular optical aperture and is decoded by a battery powered programmable decoder located substantially within the handle portion.

Abstract: The disclosed system provides a UDP+ connection-oriented protocol layer that reliably communicates over the UDP transport layer in a hand-held device. By providing reliable communication over the UDP transport layer instead of using the TAP transport layer, memory requirements are reduced, and applications running on the hand-held device have reliable data transfers performed on their behalf. Additionally, the UDP+ layer is designed to communicate using a "persistent session." A persistent session is a mode of communication where, when a connection terminates, the data associated with the connection, including the packets that have not yet been transferred, is not discarded. Instead, in using a persistent session, UDP+ retains the data associated with a connection after it terminates, reestablishes the connection, and completes the data transfer.

Abstract: A light beam scanner comprises a light source providing a beam of light and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanning mirror that reflects the beam of light through a light-transmissive window. A light detector receives the light that is reflected off a target and that passes back through the light-transmissive window. The MEMS scanning mirror oscillates to provide a scan pattern to the beam of light. The MEMS scanning mirror comprises a resonate transducer in order to oscillate the reflective surface to provide a desired scan pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding profiles which fail to resolve narrow elements in machine-readable symbols formed as relief patterns, first begins by identifying which elements in the profile are resolved. Second, the distances between the centers of the resolved elements are determined. Third, closure boundaries are determined, and the widths of resolved elements are determined at the closure boundary. The type of resolved element is determined based on its measured width. Thereafter, a unit distance is determined for 1-wide narrow elements unresolved in the profile. Based on the unit distance and the width of two adjacent resolved elements, a matrix is constructed for determining the number of narrow elements unresolved between two resolved elements. Based on the measured center distances, the resolved element widths and the matrix, all of the unresolved narrow elements are identified in the profile and the profile is subsequently decoded.

Abstract: A wireless network having a base station adapted for wireless communications, a wireless bar code scanner and a network ID label having a bar code symbol printed thereon. The bar code symbol includes encoded information pertaining to the base station. A wireless bar code scanner is adapted to scan and decode the network ID label. The wireless bar code scanner initiates a communications link with the base station utilizing information from the decoded network ID label. The wireless bar code scanner includes a light source for illuminating a printed bar code symbol, an electro-optical element for imaging the printed bar code symbol, a decoder for decoding the imaged printed bar code symbol into an alphanumeric string, and an input/output device for conducting wireless communications with the base station.

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 optoelectronic device for multidirectional capture of images, comprising a retro-collector, two independent deflectors and retro-collection means (11), whose deflection means comprise two extending along orthogonal axes and respective deflector drivers coupled to oscillate the deflectors at a specific amplitude between two positions about their axis. The optoelectronic device also includes a controller that controls the drivers so as to oscillate the deflectors at a relatively low frequency between two positions in a first mode, or at a relatively high frequency capable of stabilizing the deflectors between the two positions in a second mode.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided which is adapted for printing information onto multiple types of print media, including both a conventional print media and a linerless print media. The thermal printer comprises a mechanism that transports the print media through a print region of the printer, which comprises a thermal print head and a rotatable platen disposed such that the print media is transported therebetween. A coating is provided on selected portions of the transporting mechanism and the platen. The coating comprises an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface. The powder of the coating further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide, silica, and calcium sulfate. The coating has a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils. The textured surface provides sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to permit the printer to effectively transport both conventional print media and linerless print media.

Abstract: A hand-held data processing system of modular structure includes a base unit that couples with a reader unit as well as other units. The other units can include display, printing, communication or other interface functionality. The base unit can also function when separate from the reader unit and the other units. The base unit can include an indicia reader or a display component. In addition, the base unit, reader unit and the other units can possess the capability of coupling with an accessory module such as a memory device, processor or microcomputer. The reader unit and the other units can include power supplies that can supply power to the base unit. Finally, a combined assembly of a base unit and a reader or other unit can be of a size that fits within a shirt pocket.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification transponder (RFID tag) in accordance with the principles of the present includes a tag antenna having a gain and an input impedance. The tag also includes RFID circuitry, which may be in the form of an RFID tag integrated circuit, the RFID circuitry also being characterized, in part, by an input impedance. According to the principles of the present invention the tag's read distance is maximized by tuning the tag antenna impedance and gain. In general, the imaginary part of the antenna impedance is chosen as the negative of the imaginary part of the RFID circuitry's impedance. Additionally, the real part of the tag antenna's impedance is selected by tuning those geometrical antenna parameters that affect both the antenna's gain and impedance. For RFID tags wherein the geometrical parameters of the tag antenna do not affect the gain G.sub.

Abstract: A memory device comprises a substrate, an antenna on a first surface of the substrate, a microelectronic structure coupled to the antenna, a selectively deformable intermediate layer covering the first surface, the antenna and the microelectronic structure and conforming thereto, and an adhesive layer covering the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may be deformable for selectively positioning the antenna with respect to the adhesive, and positioning the antenna with respect to an item to which the memory device is secured. The intermediate layer may be compressed, creating a relatively low profile for printing on the memory device. The intermediate layer may be an elastomerically compressible material, such as foam, or may be a selectively pressurizable and deformable envelope.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus prints bars of symbol characters comprised of a plurality of rows which are in turn comprised of a plurality of close adjacent dots to improve print quality and modulation when the symbol is printed on a media which is or can be laminated. The basic method includes removing a portion of one dot or more from an end of each of the plurality of rows of pairs of wide bars separated by an intervening space. As a result, the inside edges of the wide bars are reduced, thereby increasing the width of the intervening space, and resulting in improved symbol print quality.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing radio frequency transponders having substrates formed from a flexible tape or film are disclosed. The RF transponders are formed on the tape so that their longest dimension (e.g., their length ("L")) is oriented parallel to the length of the tape. This layout places few or no constraints in the transponder's length allowing the length of the transponder's antenna circuit to be adjusted to satisfy the requirements of various applications.

Abstract: An indicia reader operable over a broad range of distances and a method for reading indicia therewith. The indicia reader having a sensor and a distance determining device. The indicia reader being capable of configuring itself to read indicia at the determined distance. The indicia reader can have an aiming aid, communications capability, a keyboard, a motor, an actuator, an intensity sensor as well as audio and visual signaling components. The method of using involves the steps of determining distance and configuring the device to read. Other steps can include aiming, reading, decoding, automatic termination, communicating, signaling and automatic reinitiation.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted terminal and keyboard assembly for use on a vehicle. The assembly includes a terminal mountable to a vehicle, an elongated cable having first and second cable portions, the first cable portion being connected to the terminal and keyboard assembly mountable to the vehicle and connected to the second cable portion. A keyboard assembly has a housing with a cable storage recess therein size to removably receive and retain the second cable portion with the first cable portion being exterior of the housing. The recess has a first length and the second cable portion has a second length longer than the first length. The cable is positioned with the first cable portion extending through the recess and to the terminal. A cable retaining member is connected to the housing and positioned to retain the first portion of the cable within the recess.

Abstract: An assembly of terminal docks connectable to a power or data source and interconnected by a jumper connector adapted to transfer power, data, or both between adjacent terminal docks. The terminal docks are configured to carry power or data to or from a hand-held electronic device. A first terminal dock is connectable to a power source and has a first receptacle with a connector therein electrically connectable to the power source. A second terminal dock has a second receptacle and a second connector therein. A connector chip mechanically retains the first and second terminal docks immediately adjacent to each other. The connector chip also has first and second engagement members and an electromagnetic pathway extending therebetween.