Abstract: An RFID based monitoring system and method is provided. A tag module is allocated to an item to be traced, which is operable by an RFID reader. In the system, the tag module is accessed through conductive coupling with an entry point that is operable in an RF field of the RFID reader.

Abstract: A network controller for facilitating roaming of a mobile wireless communications device between access points communicates with at least one access point over a wired network which, in turn, communicate with a mobile wireless communications device over a wireless network. The network controller includes a data processing system including a protocol stack that facilitates a communication session between the mobile device and a network device on the wired network, and a session table identifying session information for each said communication session. The session information identifies the current access point with which the mobile device is currently associated. The protocol stack updates the session table from session information received from the current access point, maintains a first virtual circuit with the network device, maintains a second virtual circuit with the current access point, and bridges communication between the virtual circuits in accordance with the session information.

Abstract: A method and system for RFID communication is provided. The system includes a first RFID reader and an RFID read-write tag uniquely assigned to the first RFID reader. The RFID read-write tag receives information from RFID readers other than the first RFID reader and provides the information to the first RFID reader.

Abstract: A client-host detection device for detecting connecting a connected peripheral is disclosed herein. The device comprises a peripheral sensor connected to a terminal, a terminal sensor connected to or for connection to a peripheral and a terminal electrical connector connected to the terminal for electrical connection with a peripheral electrical connector connected to a peripheral. The peripheral sensor is positioned to sense the terminal sensor upon connection of the terminal electrical connector with the peripheral electrical connector. The device allows for an electrical connector to be maintained in an unpowered state unless a peripheral is connected thereby reducing or preventing de-plating of the contacts of the electrical connector caused by conductive solution across the contacts as a result of the voltage on the connections. The device also allows for the use of an unpowered peripheral.

Abstract: A system for testing radio frequency (RF) communications of a device capable of such communications is provided. The system includes a chamber for isolating the device from RF interference, an antenna that is suitable for RF communications with the device wherein the antenna is capable of communications over a range of frequencies, the antenna being located within the chamber, and a digital communication link for providing non-RF communications with the device.

Abstract: A system for providing backup power supply to a device is provided. The system includes a supercapacitor and a single circuit for charging and discharging of a supercapacitor. The single circuit operates with an inductor to provide for charging and discharging of the supercapacitor.

Abstract: A client-host detection device for detecting connecting a connected peripheral is disclosed herein. The device comprises a peripheral sensor connected to a terminal, a terminal sensor connected to or for connection to a peripheral and a terminal electrical connector connected to the terminal for electrical connection with a peripheral electrical connector connected to a peripheral. The peripheral sensor is positioned to sense the terminal sensor upon connection of the terminal electrical connector with the peripheral electrical connector. The device allows for an electrical connector to be maintained in an unpowered state unless a peripheral is connected thereby reducing or preventing de-plating of the contacts of the electrical connector caused by conductive solution across the contacts as a result of the voltage on the connections. The device also allows for the use of an unpowered peripheral.

Abstract: A handle for the housing of a portable computer has a grip portion for grasping by the hand of the user, a proximal end having a proximal surface for mating with an adjacent surface of the housing, and a distal end. The handle also has an actuator assembly for operating one or more scanning functions and is located in the grip portion. A releasable connection mechanism is positioned on the proximal surface and including an operable latch extending outwardly from the proximal surface adapted for engaging with the corresponding first slot in the adjacent surface of the housing. At least one protrusion extends outwardly from the proximal surface for engaging with the corresponding second slot in the adjacent surface of the housing. A control coupling is established once the proximal surface is mated with the adjacent surface through engagement of the releasable connection mechanism.

Abstract: A network controller for facilitating roaming of a mobile wireless communications device between access points communicates with at least one access point over a wired network which, in turn, communicate with a mobile wireless communications device over a wireless network. The network controller includes a data processing system including a protocol stack that facilitates a communication session between the mobile device and a network device on the wired network, and a session table identifying session information for each said communication session. The session information identifies the current access point with which the mobile device is currently associated. The protocol stack updates the session table from session information received from the current access point, maintains a first virtual circuit with the network device, maintains a second virtual circuit with the current access point, and bridges communication between the virtual circuits in accordance with the session information.

Abstract: A portable terminal having a handle configured for connection to an enclosure of the portable terminal, such that the portable terminal has one or more scanning functions for interacting with information objects 16 in a logistics environment. The handle has a handle body having a grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of the user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to the housing of the portable terminal, and a distal end of the grip portion. An actuator assembly of the handle is configured for affecting the operation of one or more scanning functions and is positioned in an aperture of the handle body for access by one or more fingers of the user's hand.

Abstract: A wearable holder for a multi-modal mobile computer that connects a mobile computer to a headset for speech-directed operations while the mobile computer is docked in the holder but also allows easy disconnect and reconnect operation when the mobile computer must be removed from the wearable holder for handheld operations.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a physical object is provided. The system includes a RFID module for reading RFID tag information from a RFID tag in a RFID tag reading area, a handheld terminal being operable as a stand-alone device, a docking station for operably coupling the handheld terminal to the RFID module, and a storage for holding a physical object having the barcode and the RFID tag to locate the physical object in the barcode reading area and the RFID tag reading area. The method uses a system having a RFID module, a handheld terminal having a barcode scanner and being operable as a stand-alone device, a docking station for operably coupling the handheld device to the RFID module, and a storage for holding the physical object having a barcode and a RFID tag, the handheld device driving the RFID module via the docking station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a window for an optical scanning device comprising a panel having a pair of oppositely directed light transmitting surfaces. A PTC heater wire preferably of a diameter less than the width of the smallest permissible indicia of a barcode is used to regulate the temperature of the panel. A conductive layer comprising carbon nanotubes is also provided for regulating the temperature of the device window. A window intrinsically comprising carbon nanotubes is also provided.

Abstract: An RFID reader and range indicating method for the RFID reader is provided. The RFID reader includes an RF antenna for communicating with one or more than one tag using RF signals, a module for operating on the tag, a module for analyzing a range of the RFID reader; and a module for indicating, based on the analysis, a potential area where the RFID reader is capable of implementing the operation on the tag.

Abstract: A portable computing device including a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface connected to one another by a pair of sides, a proximal end and a distal end, the top surface including a user interface for operation by a user. The device comprises a planar surface located on the bottom surface at the proximal end, such that the planar surface extends to either side of a centerline of the housing and in a direction towards the distal end. The planar surface defines a plane and the centerline extends in a direction between the proximal end and the distal end. The device has at least one protrusion located on the bottom surface at the distal end, such that the at least one protrusion extends between the bottom surface and the plane, such that the at least one protrusion has a respective peripheral surface lying on the plane on both sides of the centerline.

Abstract: A system that provides for Bluetooth communications from a first Bluetooth enabled device to a second Bluetooth enabled device is provided. The system comprising a Bluetooth manager that provides a graphical user interface, an Outgoing Port Driver that shares configurational information with and is started by the Bluetooth manager, a first serial port that receives data from an application operating on the first device, the first serial port acting as a virtual serial port where the first serial port is not connected to communications hardware, a second serial port that is connected to communications hardware, the second serial port acting as an outgoing port, and a Bluetooth stack that receives data to be communicated from the second serial port, wherein the Outgoing Port Driver directs the data from the first serial port to the second serial port via the Outgoing Port Driver.