Abstract: A shipping and tracking system has a number of tracking stations that are geographically distributed. The tracking stations gather information from shipping items processed by the shipping and tracking system. The shipping and tracking system provides an enhanced level of security for selected shipping items. The enhanced level of security for the selected shipping items is based at least on the information gathered at the tracking stations. The enhanced security is provided in such a way that personnel of the shipping and delivery system cannot physically discern whether or not a shipping item is being shipped with enhanced security.

Abstract: A wireless encoder for encoding a plurality of wireless communication devices carried by media comprises a shielded enclosure having an exterior surface defining an aperture; a wireless signal generator to excite the shielded enclosure; and a media path along which media carrying a plurality of wireless communication devices travels. The media path passes across the aperture outside the shielded enclosure.

Abstract: A system includes a terminal, a wireless access network, a multimedia core network and a network device, which connects the wireless access network to the multimedia core network, expanded location updating to the registration procedure of the multimedia core network, and performs double registration of the user to the multimedia core network. The terminal performs expanded location updating relaying the registration point identity of the multimedia core network, the user's phone number and the private user identity to the network device in connection with normal location updating signaling. In the double registration performed by the network device, two addresses are registered for the user of the terminal, one of which is associated with the domain name of the terminal in question or a numeric IP address, and the other to a domain name of the network device or a numeric IP address.

Abstract: A system includes a terminal, a wireless access network, a multimedia core network and a network device, which connects the wireless access network to the multimedia core network, expanded location updating to the registration procedure of the multimedia core network, and performs double registration of the user to the multimedia core network. The terminal performs expanded location updating relaying the registration point identity of the multimedia core network, the user's phone number and the private user identity to the network device in connection with normal location updating signaling. In the double registration performed by the network device, two addresses are registered for the user of the terminal, one of which is associated with the domain name of the terminal in question or a numeric IP address, and the other to a domain name of the network device or a numeric IP address.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a target region in an image is disclosed. In one embodiment a method includes automatically locating a signature field in a target region of an image captured by a barcode reader, where the target region includes rectangular boundaries defined by graphical delimiters in the image. One embodiment of the method includes, generating a binary-colored image, optionally performing de-speckling, generating a search pattern comprising multiple search locations that spatially correspond with pixels in the image, identifying a darker-shaded pixel in the multiple search pixels as a candidate pixel that is a portion of one of multiple graphical delimiters, analyzing colors of neighboring pixels of the candidate pixel to compute a weight value of the candidate pixel, and/or saving the candidate pixel as a located graphical delimiter of multiple graphical delimiters if the weight value of the candidate pixel exceeds or approximates a weight threshold.

Abstract: An automatic data collection device (10) and method reads images from display screen (22) of an electronic display device (24), such as a cellular telephone. The method reads a flashing image of a target machine-readable symbol (12) displayed on the display screen, by obtaining at least two images of the display screen. In the first image, the image of the target machine-readable symbol is present. In the second image, the image of the target machine-readable symbol (12) is absent. The second image of the display screen, when the image of the target machine-readable symbol is absent, comprises noise and other images that are irrelevant to the decoding process. This noise in the second image is subtracted from the first image of the display screen having the image of the target machine-readable symbol displayed thereon the symbol. A resulting image from the image subtraction is an improved image of the target machine-readable symbol.

Abstract: A shipping and tracking system has a number of tracking stations that are geographically distributed. The tracking stations gather information from shipping items processed by the shipping and tracking system. The shipping and tracking system provides an enhanced level of security for selected shipping items. The enhanced level of security for the selected shipping items is based at least on the information gathered at the tracking stations. The enhanced security is provided in such a way that personnel of the shipping and delivery system cannot physically discern whether or not a shipping item is being shipped with enhanced security.

Abstract: Data carriers (such as RFID tags) are formed into clusters of data carriers. Each cluster has at least one bridge data carrier that can communicate with a bridge data carrier of another cluster, thereby allowing data carriers in each cluster to communicate directly or indirectly with each other using a stochastic communication protocol method. Direct tag-to-tag communication capability is provided between data carriers in each cluster and/or between clusters. The data carriers can backscatter and modulate a carrier wave from a source, thereby using the backscattered and modulated carrier wave to convey data to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information. The printer including a paper feed motor, a carriage motor and a printer control system. The system causing the paper feed motor and the carriage motor to move at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly is provided, the assembly including a linear actuator, an elongated guide spaced in parallel alignment with the linear actuator and a movable carriage disposed therebetween. The carriage includes a first notch to receive a rod of the linear actuator and a second notch to receive the guide. The carriage remains in direct and continuous contact with the linear actuator and the guide at the first notch and second notch, respectively, when the carriage moves linearly back and forth along a travel axis.

Abstract: A system and method for recalibrating a bar code scanner or other optical system is described. In some cases, the system dynamically adjusts the focal length of a lens assembly based on open-loop process, such as based on feedback related to a distance between the lens assembly and an imaged object. In some cases, the system dynamically adjusts the lens assembly in order to provide auto focusing or zoom adjustment.

Abstract: A method and system of determining spatial identification of an object, such as orientation, size, location, range, and/or movement, using an RFID system is disclosed. An RFID system can comprise one or more RFID reader receiving antennas that query one or more RFID tags coupled to the object. The measurement of the phase of the tag responses at the reader antennas and phase differentials as a function of distance, frequency, and time are the basis of spatial identification. The system can work with conventional Gen 2 tags and readers without modification of the tags or protocol.

Abstract: A system and method of using motion or spatial identification technology with a mobile RFID reader to detect whether an RFID tag is part of a forklift load or other ambulatory space includes determining if a tag is within a defined space or if a tag is in motion relative to a mobile RFID reader. The system and method determines whether a particular RFID tag is part of a forklift load/space, has been added to or removed, is an extraneous tag, etc.

Abstract: A system for generating an extended specular lighting field for reading symbols on a reflective background surface is described. A scanner generates illumination for illuminating the symbols. Reflection of the illumination incident upon the reflective surface is retroreflected onto the symbols on the reflective surface. Reflection of the retroreflected light by the reflective surface is received by the scanner for processing information about the symbols. By using the reflective surface to help illuminate the symbols, an ordinary scanner can be used to read the symbols.

Abstract: Communication service providers systems are dynamically selected for use by a subscriber device such as cellular telephone, other mobile device, or landline telephone based on the current location of the subscriber device and automatically comparing communication service characteristics of the communication service provider systems to determine the least expensive or otherwise preferable service provider. The communication service characteristics may include items such as current usage rates, signal strength, available bandwidth and network speed. Once a communication service provider system is selected, service provider identification information is automatically communicated to the subscriber device to enable seamless or nearly seamless switching to the selected communication service provider system, even while a current communication session is in progress using another communication service provider system.

Abstract: A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.

Abstract: A distance between at least one antenna of an interrogation system and a transponder, such as an RFID tag, is determined based on derivatives with respect to frequency of the phase and the signal strength of responses transmitted by the transponder and received at the at least one antenna. The derivatives of the phase and the signal strength facilitate compensating for sources of multipath interference. Determining changes in distance may further facilitate determining location, speed, or bearing of the transponder by the interrogation system.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining a distance to a desired target via correlating a pulse modulated signal with its corresponding reflected signal, while compensating for noise error in the reflected signal to allow for a more precise distance determination. Further details and features are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for implementing an RFID network, comprising the following steps: each read-write station transmits at least one test signal; each read-write station (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) receives the (receivable) test signals of neighboring read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17), said signals comprising a station address, a frequency channel number and a measured signal intensity of each receivable neighboring read-write station (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17); a network structure (110) comprising structure data and a co-ordination plan comprising co-ordination data are calculated using a number of time slots (21, 31, 41) and a number of frequency channels (20, 30, 40), a service frequency channel (reader service channel, RSK) and/or a service time slot (reader service time, RST) being defined and used by the read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) for service purposes; and at least corresponding structure data and co-ordination data for an organized, synchronous network operation is transmitted

Abstract: Data carriers (such as RFID tags) are formed into clusters of data carriers. Each cluster has at least one bridge data carrier that can communicate with a bridge data carrier of another cluster, thereby allowing data carriers in each cluster to communicate directly or indirectly with each other using a stochastic communication protocol method. Direct tag-to-tag communication capability is provided between data carriers in each cluster and/or between clusters. The data carriers can backscatter and modulate a carrier wave from a source, thereby using the backscattered and modulated carrier wave to convey data to each other.