Abstract: A reader electro-optically reads symbols associated with products to obtain read data, and a controller decodes the read data to obtain symbol data indicative of the associated products. Reading performance is assessed by collecting time-to-decode metadata by determining each decode time period that is taken for each symbol data to be successfully decoded, by associating the collected time-to-decode metadata with the symbol data, by comparing the collected time-to-decode metadata with a predetermined long amount of decode time that is indicative of a slow reading performance, by storing each decode time period that at least equals said predetermined long amount of decode time, and by storing the symbol data associated with each stored decode time period.

Abstract: A workstation includes a proximity system having multiple object sensors each associated with an object field of view for detecting a target object outside the housing. Each object sensor includes an IR emitter for emitting IR light into an IR emission field and an IR sensor for sensing returned IR light within an IR detection field that intersects the IR emission field. The workstation also includes a controller is operatively connected to the proximity system for activating each one of the multiple object sensors sequentially.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for stocking and/or restocking an item. During operation, an RFID reader will determine items to be stocked/restocked. This determination may be made by performing a first scan and determining all items within range. Once determined, the RFID reader will continuously scan items that are within range. When the RIFD reader encounters an additional item that is similar to an item to be stocked/restocked, a notification is provided to a user.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reading system and method accurately 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 by transmitting a primary transmit signal to each tag, and steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle by receiving a primary receive signal from each tag. The controller thereupon steers a plurality of secondary receive offset beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive offset signals from each tag, and by processing the offset signals to determine a true bearing for each tag.

Abstract: A mobile system includes a Near-Field Communication (NFC) reader, a sensor, a memory arrangement, and a processor. The NFC reader is configured to communicate with an electronic device within a predetermined range. The sensor obtaining data related to a state of the mobile system and external conditions of the mobile system. The memory arrangement storing a mode application configured to determine when a mode of the NFC reader is to be changed as a function of the data. The processor executing the mode application and changing the mode when at least one of the state and the external conditions changes beyond a respective predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An antenna structure, especially for use with a radio frequency identification reader, includes an array of bifilar antennas mounted on a ground support. Each bifilar antenna includes a pair of bifilar helical elements wound at least partially about a helix axis. Each bifilar element has a ground terminal and a transceiver terminal. Independent radio frequency connectors are connected to the transceiver terminals of each bifilar antenna, and transmit and receive radio frequency signals of arbitrary amplitude and phase to and from the transceiver terminals of each bifilar antenna to obtain and steer an antenna beam, both in azimuth around a boresight of the antenna structure and in elevation angularly away from the boresight.

Abstract: A computing device obtains an incomplete semantic map of a predefined space. The incomplete semantic map includes static landmarks. The computing device receives a set of natural language instructions including a sequence of semantically directive clauses, processes the sequence of semantically directive clauses, decodes one of an action and a path in the set of natural language instructions using an optimization process and based on the incomplete semantic map. In response to the decoding, the computing device inserts a newly identified landmark into the incomplete semantic map.

Abstract: Retail items movable from an inventory location at a retail venue through a portal to a retail exit are automatically tracked. The items are individually associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. An RFID tag reader has an array of antennas for generating a multitude of scan beams at an adjustable scan rate. A first set of the beams covers the inventory location, and a second set of the beams covers the portal to determine an exit characteristic of the items that have exited the retail venue. A point-of-sale workstation at the retail venue is operative, independently of the tag reader, for determining a sold characteristic of the items that have been sold. A controller dynamically adjusts the scan rate of the first and second sets of scan beams to an optimal scan rate as a function of the determined exit and sold characteristics.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasonic locationing system includes an emitter operable to emit two different ultrasonic frequencies simultaneously in one ultrasonic burst. A receiver with at least two microphones is operable to receive the ultrasonic burst. A correlator is operable to correlate the signals obtained from each microphone to derive a time difference of arrival of the ultrasonic burst at each microphone. The time difference of arrival of the ultrasonic signal from the emitter impinging on each microphone of the receiver is utilized to determine a location of the emitter.

Abstract: A Bluetooth master device is paired with a Bluetooth slave device that is selected from a group of Bluetooth slave devices that are in Bluetooth-discoverable range with the Bluetooth master device. The master device establishes with the slave devices unauthenticated communications, each containing a Bluetooth device address of the master device. The slave devices receive from the master device the Bluetooth device address. The selected slave device recognizes a manual action manually performed with the selected slave device by a user. The selected slave device initiates a pairing request, in response to recognition of the manual action, and communicates with the master device at the received Bluetooth device address.

Abstract: A reader antenna for a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader operative for scanning RFID item tags that are oriented at different orientations and that are associated with items contained in a controlled area, includes a pair of mutually orthogonal dipoles for radiating electromagnetic waves with mutually orthogonal polarizations, an electrically energizable RF switch for switching between the dipoles, and an RFID antenna tag mounted adjacent the dipoles, and operative for receiving the radiated wave from either dipole, for locally generating electrical power to supply power to the RF switch, and for energizing the RF switch to switch between the dipoles.

Abstract: An antenna, especially for use with a handheld RFID reader for scanning RFID tags oriented in different orientations, includes a feeding port located on an axis for supplying an RF signal to a primary antenna member for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. A secondary antenna member is juxtaposed with the primary antenna member for re-radiating the electromagnetic waves propagated by the primary antenna member. Each antenna member includes one antenna element extending in a radial direction away from the axis and continuing along at least one turn in a turning direction at least partly about the axis, and another antenna element extending in an opposite radial direction away from the axis and continuing along at least one turn in the turning direction at least partly about the axis. The electromagnetic waves have congruent slant polarizations each having components in both of two mutually orthogonal planes to read the tags.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers are integrated with individual RFID tags to form integrated RFID units that are initially deployed to cover a controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage. A controller determines whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling at least one of the integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the RFID tag integrated with at least another of the integrated RFID units. An interface reports when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and responsively guides a redeployment of at least one of initially deployed integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a peer-to-peer wireless communication network among batteries. A first step includes providing a plurality of batteries with each internally housing a processor and a wireless communication transceiver. A next step includes designating one of the batteries as a master in the network, and the remaining batteries as slaves. A next step includes measuring at least one battery operating parameter for each battery by its associated processor. A next step includes peer-to-peer communicating a health indication of each battery, based on the at least one battery operating parameter, to the master that can determine which of the batteries is the healthiest, and inform a user of the healthiest batteries.

Abstract: A heater management system provides heat to heated zones of a mobile unit. For each heated zone, the heater management system includes a heater driver and a sensor. The heater driver is controlled by a unique control channel that is configured to heat the heated zone. The sensor senses environmental data external and internal to the heated zone. The heater management system includes a memory storing a heater driver prioritization database. The heater management system includes a heater control logic unit programmed to receive periodic reports from each of the sensors, prioritize the heated zones by utilizing the heater driver database as a function of the periodic reports, and determine power to be provided to each of the heater drivers based on the prioritizing operation and a predetermined global power limitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing to avoid counting shelf edge promotional labels when counting product labels. Shelf edges are identified by detecting shelf edge content in a captured image by comparing the image to reference images of shelf edge content. Detected occurrences of shelf edge content are demarcated using a geometric pattern having corners at coordinates corresponding to positions around the identified shelf edge content. Corresponding corners are grouped into clusters, and the clusters are analyzed to define the upper and lower bounds of a shelf region in the image.

Abstract: An antenna module having a side-edge balance-to-unbalance (BALUN). The antenna module may include a flexible substrate with one or more layers that may be configured to receive one first and second conductive patterns, the substrate may have opposed first and second ends which may define a longitudinal length and/or opposed side edges situated between the first and second ends. The first conductive pattern may form an antenna loop situated adjacent to the first end of the flexible substrate and be suitable for transmitting or receiving signals at one or more frequencies. The second conductive pattern may form at least part of the BALUN and may include one or more of a center portion, side portions which may extend from the center portion at opposite sides of the center portion, and electrically neutral slots situated between a corresponding side portion and the center portion.

Abstract: Dimensions of an object associated with an electro-optically readable code are estimated by aiming a handheld device at a scene containing the object supported on a base surface. A scanner on the device scans the scene over a field of view to obtain a position of a reference point of the code associated with the object, and reads the code. A dimensioning sensor on the device captures a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of data points of the scene in automatic response to the reading of the code. A controller clusters the point cloud into data clusters, locates the reference point of the code in one of the data clusters, extracts from the point cloud the data points of the one data cluster belonging to the object, and processes the extracted data points belonging to the object to estimate the dimensions of the object.