Abstract: An RFID tag reading system and method accurately and rapidly determine true bearings of RFID tags associated with items in a controlled area. An RFID reader has an array of antenna elements and a plurality of RF transceivers. A controller controls the transceivers by steering a primary transmit beam over the controlled area to each tag, by steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle from each tag, by steering a plurality of secondary receive beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive signals from each tag, and by processing the secondary receive signals to determine a true bearing for each tag. Bidirectional communication between the reader and a tag is conducted over a single inventory round in which the tag is read a plurality of times by the primary and the secondary receive beams.

Abstract: A device and method provides predictive visual indicators. The method includes displaying a user interface on a pressure sensitive touch screen display device of an electronic device. The user interface includes a plurality of contact areas. The method includes receiving a first touch input data on a first contact area. The first touch input data includes force data. The method also includes determining a second contact area as a function of the first touch input data and the first contact area. The second contact area is indicative of a prediction for a second, subsequent touch input data. The method includes displaying at least one predictive visual indicator that corresponds to the second contact area in response to the prediction.

Abstract: A method, device and system for picking items in a warehouse a method of controlling picking of items in a warehouse is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at processor of a mobile device, using a communication interface of the mobile device, location sensitive data associated with at least one item to be picked within the warehouse, the mobile device comprising the processor, the communication interface and a display; and, rendering, at the display using the processor, instructions for picking the at least one item in the warehouse, the instructions including the location sensitive data, the instructions updated to emphasize different subsets of the location sensitive data based on a current location of the mobile device relative to a location of the at least one item in the warehouse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when a shipment undergoes excessive vibration or bouncing is provided herein. During operation, a device such as an accelerometer, Piezoelectric, or vibration sensor, will monitor an acceleration/vibration experienced by a shipment. The device will also monitor an acceleration/vibration experienced by the shipping container housing/holding the shipment. If the acceleration or vibration of the shipment exceeds the acceleration or vibration of the shipping container by a predetermined amount, a warning will be given so that the situation can be mitigated.

Abstract: A method for power management of a mobile device includes detecting whether a removable power source has been removed from the mobile device. In response to detecting that the power source has been removed, entering a hot swap mode for a first time period by deactivating a first component of the mobile device and maintaining, via a backup power source in the mobile device, a powered state of a second component of the mobile device and an application state of the mobile device. The method further includes, after the first time period, entering a suspend mode for a second time period by deactivating the second component and continuing to maintain the application state of the mobile device for the second time period.

Abstract: An application executed on a device reads a portion of a memory during one of an initialization operation and a regular read operation. The application may trigger a preventative read operation during at least one regular read operation. During the preventative read operation the application selects at least one block and at least one page for the preventative read operation. The application determines a cadence for the preventative read operation. The application obtains an error correction code (ECC) status for the portion of the memory, determines if a number of errors associated with the portion is greater than a predefined ECC threshold and performs a correction, responsive to determining that a number of errors associated with the portion is greater than a predefined ECC threshold.

Abstract: Implementations relate to a device and method for barcode scanning and dimensioning. In some implementations, the method includes acquiring a two-dimensional (2D) preview image of an object, and processing the 2D preview image to determine one or more dark areas and to determine a location of a code on the object. The method also includes acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object based on the one or more dark areas, and processing the 3D image to determine depth data and to determine dimensions of the object. The method also includes acquiring a 2D data capture image of the object based on the depth data in the processed 3D image, where the 2D data capture image captures the code. The method also includes reading the code based on the 2D data capture image.

Abstract: Targets are read by image capture with a substantially constant resolution over an extended range of working distances. Return light returning from a far-out target located at a far-out working distance is sensed by an array of pixels over a relatively narrow field of view, and over a relatively wide field of view when a close-in target is located at a close-in working distance. A controller processes the sensed return light from the far-out target only from a set of the pixels located in a central region of the array. For the close-in target, the controller groups all the pixels into bins, each bin having a plurality of the pixels, and processes the sensed return light from the close-in target from each of the bins.

Abstract: An RFID tag reading system and method estimate bearings of RFID tags. When the RSSI of a primary and/or secondary RFID receive signal is below a threshold, a primary receive beam is steered in a limited scan to an array of locations distributed around the location at which the RSSI of the primary receive signal is a maximum, and the RSSI of the primary receive signal is recorded at each location. The recorded RSSIs are processed to determine an effective weighted center of distribution of the recorded RSSIs, and the bearing for the tag based on the weighted center of distribution is thus estimated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for highlighting box surfaces and edges in mobile box dimensioning. An embodiment takes the form of a method that includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor when the depth sensor is positioned such that an aiming indicator appears on a first surface of an object; processing the 3D point cloud to identify an extent of the first surface; further processing the 3D point cloud to identify a second surface that is adjacent and normal to the first surface, and to identify an extent of the second surface; and displaying at least part of the 3D point cloud via a user interface, including displaying the identified first surface in a first color and the identified second surface in a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A light-transmissive window is positioned in direct, sealing contact with a chassis of an imaging module for reading a target by image capture. The chassis has a plurality of interior compartments, each having an opening. An imager, an aiming light source, and an illuminating light source are mounted on a common printed circuit board and individually contained in the compartments. The window covers each opening and environmentally seals, optically isolates, and resists entry of the light from the aiming and/or illuminating light sources into, the interior compartment.

Abstract: A source image having a bit depth greater than eight is captured from a moving target. The source image is processed to obtain a plurality of target images each having a bit depth of eight. A memory stores the 8-bit target images. A processor obtains statistical data about the source image, and selects one of the stored 8-bit target images based on the statistical data. A controller efficiently decodes only the selected 8-bit target image.

Abstract: A distance to a target to be read by image capture over a range of working distances is determined by directing an aiming light spot along an aiming axis to the target, and by capturing a first image of the target containing the aiming light spot, and by capturing a second image of the target without the aiming light spot. Each image is captured in a frame over a field of view having an imaging axis offset from the aiming axis. An image pre-processor compares first image data from the first image with second image data from the second image over a common fractional region of both frames to obtain a position of the aiming light spot in the first image, and determines the distance to the target based on the position of the aiming light spot in the first image.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a workstation having a data capture arrangement for capturing through a horizontal window a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation, and a scale for weighing the product at the workstation. The scale has a scale mechanism, and a weighing platter on which the product is placed for weighing. The weighing platter is integrated with the horizontal window and overlies the scale mechanism. The weighing platter projects past the scale mechanism and has a front end that overhangs the scale mechanism. Non-threaded, interlocking connectors, which are provided on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, prevent the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter. The weighing platter is mounted on, and removed from, the scale mechanism without the aid of tools.

Abstract: An ultrasonic locationing system using a dual phase pulse includes an emitter emitting two consecutive frequency bursts, each having a different phase, within one ultrasonic pulse. A receiver microphone receives the ultrasonic pulse, and a processor runs an amplitude-based detection algorithm on the pulse for a band of frequencies of interest and detects a first burst of the pulse within the proper frequency band and having an amplitude exceeding a threshold. Whereupon, the processor determines a relative phase difference between the first burst and a second burst of the pulse and determines whether the relative phase difference is within a predetermined acceptance window, indicating that the pulse is valid for use in locationing the emitter and associated mobile device.

Abstract: A computing device receives a query about at least one concept and at least one document associated with the at least one concept. The computing device accesses a plurality of models created based on information in a labeled database. The computing device decodes information in the at least one document using the plurality of models. Responsive to the decoding, the computing device generate a program with steps associated with the at least one concept.

Abstract: A device and method performs a predefined functionality. The method includes generating a first view including selectable elements corresponding to a predefined functionality with first position data and first orientation data shown on a display device. The method includes determining a movement of the display device relative to a user. The method includes generating a second view including at least one of the selectable elements with second position data and second orientation data based on the first image data and the movement data, the second position and orientation data being the same as the first position and orientation data, respectively, relative to the user. The method includes selecting one of the at least one of the selectable elements of the second view as a function of the second position data and the second orientation data and executing the predefined functionality corresponding to the selected one of the selectable elements.

Abstract: An ice resistant speaker is provided. The ice resistant speaker can be incorporated into a device comprising a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The ice resistant speaker comprises: an audio port at the housing, the audio port comprising: a cavity at the outer surface of the housing; an aperture through the housing, the aperture located in the cavity; and a speaker pill located in the cavity and forming a gap with sidewalls of the cavity, the speaker pill mounted in front of the aperture using one or more flexible pads; and, a speaker driver located adjacent the inner surface of the housing, and further adjacent the aperture.