Abstract: A method and apparatus for resizing digital or stored images initially retrieves a one-dimensional sample of the image, such as a line of pixels. A final image size D is determined so that the absolute value of the original sample size M-2.sup.N *D is a minimum, and where N is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The discrete series of pixels in the line are then converted to a continuous function under a cubic convolution interpolation technique. From the continuous function, intermediate pixel values are determined. Pyramid filtering is employed to filter the intermediate pixel values to a final series of pixel values D. The routine is performed along the opposite dimension so as to alter the size of a two-dimensional stored image.

Abstract: A network is disclosed which utilizes modified preambles in a communication network to facility antenna diversity and multipath compensation. In one embodiment, an antenna diversity protocol first directs a mobile transceiver to select any antenna that enables successful receipt and identification of at least a portion of the preamble, i.e., the selection of a satisfactory antenna. Once a satisfactory antenna is identified, the diversity protocol extracts from received portions of the preamble information necessary to determine whether there is enough preamble remaining to conduct a best antenna search. If so, the other antennas are sequentially selected to evaluate their performance. Thereafter, the diversity protocol directs the mobile transceiver to select the best antenna based on a performance comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material is provided. The apparatus enables the thermal printer to compensate for the variable payout force of the paper substrate material. The apparatus comprises a platen in contact with the paper substrate material at a print region of the thermal printer. A motor and a roller mechanically coupled to the motor are used to transport the paper substrate material through the print region. A rotational rate detector comprises a light source, a disk having alternating radially disposed regions of different light conductivity, and a photodetector adjacent to the disk. The disk is at least partially illuminated by light provided by the light source and the photodetector to provide an electrical signal corresponding to detected periodic changes of the light illuminated onto the disk during rotation of the disk in cooperation with the platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employs a production system-like rule based routine to process signals, such as reflectance signals produced from machine-readable symbols (e.g., bar code symbols). Relevant features data is extracted from each peak or valley in the signal, such as width, height, and relative size. The routine then uses the extracted data for each peak and valley with a set of rules to refine the reflectance signals. Under one or more iterations, the routine selects and resolves conflicting rules and applies resulting rules to process the signal. The processed signal can then be more readily decoded. The routine preferably processes a reflectance signal in portions, such as on a codeword-by-codeword basis. Under an alternative embodiment, a fuzzy inference engine provides sets of values for height, width and relative size. Therefrom rules are applied to determine a size of each peak and valley in the signal.

Abstract: Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transitive control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher level communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or "sleeping" states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network.

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. Additionally, the symbology includes error correction, with a Special Features Flag character indicating use of error correction in a symbol.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) transceiver adaptively maintains power output level linearity across a broad spectrum of transmitting frequencies. The RF transceiver comprises a frequency synthesizer adapted to modulate an information signal across a plurality of distinct channels and an amplifier adapted to amplify the modulated information signal to a desired power level for transmission as an RF signal. The transceiver includes a table of offset values having individual entries corresponding to each of the distinct channels. A portion of the amplified and modulated information signal is sampled to provide binary values corresponding to instantaneous power levels of the transceiver. The offset values are calculated by comparing the sampled binary values to optimal binary values. Thereafter, an amount of amplification provided by the amplifier for an associated one of the channels is controlled in accordance with a corresponding one of the offset values from the table.

Abstract: A switched gain antenna array comprising a plurality of dipole elements disposed in series with a phasing stub coupled between adjacent ones of the dipole elements. An antenna feed line is coupled to a first one of the dipole elements to couple the RF signals into and out of the plurality of dipole elements. The phasing stubs are adapted to adjust phase of the RF signals provided to each of the dipole elements so that the dipole elements operate in phase. A switch is disposed between the first one of the dipole elements and a second one of the dipole elements. The switch is adapted to disconnect the first one of the dipole elements from remaining ones of the dipole elements during transmit operations of the antenna array and to connect each of the dipole elements together during receive operations of the antenna array. As a result, the antenna array has greater gain during receive operations than during transmit operations.

Abstract: A radio receiver for direct sequence spread spectrum radio frequency (RF) signals is provided which discontinues radio reception when it is recognized that a received signal is intended for another such receiver. As a result, the receiving apparatus draws substantially less electrical current than conventional spread spectrum receivers. The apparatus provides for demodulation of an RF signal to recover digital information in the form of a transmitted message packet having a header portion and a data portion. The apparatus determines a message address and data length from the header portion. If the determined address does not correspond to the distinct apparatus address of the particular receiver, the apparatus disables the signal demodulation operation for a discrete period of time corresponding to the determined data length.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus comprises a scanner body portion having an internal receptacle within a scan head portion thereof. A scanning control unit is disposed within the body portion separate from the receptacle and has an electrical connection that extends through the body portion to the receptacle. A removable optical module is adapted to engage the receptacle and be connected electrically to the scanning control unit through the electrical connection. The module includes an optical sensor adapted to receive light reflected from the bar code symbology through an opening through the body portion and convert the light into data representative of the symbology. The data is thereby provided to the scanning control unit. The optical sensor may comprise either a one-dimensional charge-coupled device, a two-dimensional charge-coupled device, an articulated laser, or a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A portable hand-held optical reader having an optical reader for scanning a plurality of optical indicia on a generally horizontally oriented target surface. The reader has a tablet configuration with a display device on an upper side thereof and an optical window on the bottom side thereof for directing a scanning beam, laser or otherwise, downwardly, either vertically or obliquely. The reader may be configured to automatically utilize laser scanning for certain ranges between the reader and the target surface and to utilize non-laser scanning for other ranges between the reader and target surface. The reader is configured to read two-dimensional information, spaced either adjacently or separately, and to generate corresponding images of the two-dimensional information on the display device. The reader is configured to operatively correct for distortion caused by oblique scanning of the coded information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency identification (RF ID) tag which is adapted for use in identifying electronic and/or electrical systems which incorporate electronic components mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The RF ID tag comprises semiconductor circuitry contained within an electronic package, which package is mounted onto the PCB. In addition to the various components and circuitry of the tagged system, the PCB includes the RF antenna portion of the tag defined either in or on the PCB. The package is connected to the antenna via pads on the PCB.

Abstract: An improved bar code reader unit. The bar code is hand-held and has improved focussing and illumination structure.

Abstract: A computer apparatus for receiving a removable communication card such as a radio card or a modem card. A radio or modem is self-contained inside a housing of the communication card and has an electrical interface for communicating information to and from the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus receives the communication card such that it engages the electrical interface. The computer apparatus additionally has at least one pair of electrical contacts which will encounter electrical contacts on the communication card. These contacts automatically connect the communication card to an appropriate antenna, telephone, telephone line or power source. A radio communication card is connected to the appropriate antenna for the type and frequency of the radio. A modem card is connected to a standard telephone line, a cellular phone, or an antenna for a cellular phone if the cellular phone is also disposed within the housing of the modem communication card.

Abstract: A label printing device comprises a housing having a printer and a scanner disposed therein. The housing further includes a window permitting light to transmit therethrough to an optical sensing element of the scanner. The optical sensing element generates image data representative of a previously printed label brought into proximity with the window. A central processor controls the functions of the printer and the scanner. The central processor receives the image data generated by the optical sensing element and commands operation of the printer to print a label corresponding to the previously printed label.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a demodulator having delay circuitry and demodulation control circuitry that may be fully formed within a common integrated circuit. The delay circuitry receives an input signal and generates a delayed input signal. The demodulation control circuitry generates a demodulated output based upon the input signal and the delayed input signal that has a level that is proportional to, or a finction of, a period of a respective cycle of the input signal. The demodulation control circuitry includes pulse generation circuitry, pulse delay circuitry, pulse conversion circuitry and sampling circuitry. The pulse generation circuitry generates a signal pulse based upon the input signal and the delayed input signal with a duration that is proportional to at least one period of the input signal. The pulse delay circuitry generates a delayed signal pulse based upon the signal pulse.

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 and apparatus for resizing or processing images initially retrieves a one-dimensional sample of the image, such as a line of pixels. The image can be of a machine-readable symbol, or other data. A moving window having, for example, five pixels, includes a center "hard core" and four surrounding pixels. Two or more structural sets or multisets are applied to the window to produce a set of pixels greater than the set of pixels in the original image. For example, the center pixel is repeated three times, while immediately adjacent left and right pixels are repeated twice. Thus, a series of nine pixels results. The resulting nine pixels are then sorted based on descending gray scale levels. The n-th largest pixels is selected, such as the third largest. The image is updated, the window moved, and the method repeats again. Pyramid filtering, cubic convolution interpolation, or other techniques can be used to reduce the size of an image, and more complex windows and structural sets can be employed.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer circuit comprises a controller, a synthesizer and a voltage controlled oscillator are used to generate an oscillating signal in response to external commands. The synthesizer provides a lock detect signal to the controller when the synthesizer detects that the oscillating signal has reached a desired frequency following application of a load signal. A first timer, a second timer, and a counter are adapted to receive the load signal and the lock detect signal. The first timer provides a first measurement corresponding to an amount of time between the load signal and a first receipt of the lock detect signal. The second timer provides a second measurement corresponding to an amount of time between the load signal and a final receipt of the lock detect signal. The counter provides a count value corresponding to a total number of times that the lock detect signal is received inclusive of the first receipt and the final receipt of the lock detect signal.