Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label. A host system exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication. The host system also identifies a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique. The host system also verifies that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

Abstract: A system and method system for synchronizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers includes a plurality of RFID readers disposed within an environment. Each RFID reader includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector. A master controller also includes a master infrared emitter and is operable to emit a master infrared flash from the master infrared emitter for synchronizing the plurality of RFID readers. Any of the RFID readers, upon detecting an infrared flash with their associated infrared detector, is operable to synchronize their dwell timing with the detected infrared flash and emit their own infrared flash from their associated infrared emitter, so as to propagate infrared flashes to all the RFID readers within the environment.

Abstract: A system for automatically activating a function of a mobile device with a remote device is described. The system includes a first device having an illumination component for generating illumination having a signature. A second mobile device includes a display and a light sensor. A function of the second mobile device is activated in response to the light sensor receiving the illumination having the signature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting an image for inventory monitoring is provided herein. During operation, a camera may take a series of images of a particular area to be monitored. Each image will be broken into a plurality of regions and a determination will be made if a region is at least partially blocked. Those regions deemed unblocked will be utilized to generate a composite image. The camera continues acquiring images, using unblocked regions until a complete composite image is formed without obstructions. The composite image will then be transmitted and used for inventory monitoring.

Abstract: A cordless, electro-optical reader is compatibly docked with different docking stations having station contacts located at different locations. A rechargeable battery is mounted in a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis. Multiple housing contacts are located on the housing. Some housing contacts conduct electrical power to recharge the battery; other housing contacts conduct electrical signals to and from a controller. Each housing contact has one exposed contact portion facing in a first direction, e.g., axially along the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at one location of one docking station, and another exposed contact portion facing in a different second direction, e.g., transversely of the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at another location of another docking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a purchase history of a first user to a second (differing) user is provided herein. During operation a server is provided with an image and determines an identification of a first person within the image. Items that exist within the image, and that were purchased by the first person are also determined by the server. The server then provides information on the items purchased to a second user.

Abstract: A visible target having a predetermined target size is fixed on a document capture stand. A visible aiming light beam is directed along an aiming axis away from an imaging reader. The beam has a beam size in cross-section that changes along the aiming axis. The reader is moved relative to the stand along the aiming axis until the beam size visually matches the target size at a predetermined distance between the reader and the stand. An image of a document supported by the stand is captured at the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An imaging reader has an illuminating light assembly for illuminating a target with illumination light, and a solid-state image sensor with a rolling shutter for sequentially exposing an array of pixels to capture an image from the illuminated target. Target illumination is controlled by controlling an exposure time and a gain of the sensor, and by controlling an output power of the illumination light. The output power is maintained at a maximum level when the exposure time and/or the gain exceed a minimum threshold, and is lowered when the exposure time and/or the gain does not exceed the minimum threshold, while concomitantly maintaining the exposure time and/or the gain constant at the minimum threshold.

Abstract: A user is audibly guided to a selected target from an array of targets, by successively aiming a handheld housing at successive targets in the array, manually actuating a trigger between an aiming state and a reading state, and capturing over a field of view an image of each successive target at which the housing is successively aimed. A controller is operative, in the aiming state of the trigger, for processing the image to detect when each successive target is located in the field of view and for responsively controlling an auditory annunciator to generate an audible aiming sound for each detected successive target. The audible aiming sound for each detected successive target is operative to audibly guide the user to aim the housing at the selected target. The controller is further operative, in the reading state of the trigger, for transmitting away from the housing data indicative of a processed image of the selected target.

Abstract: An RFID tag reading system and method estimate true bearings of RFID tags associated with items located in a scan zone directly underneath an overhead array of antenna elements. A controller energizes a plurality of diametrically opposite antenna elements to yield electric fields having polarizations, and switches each antenna element between mutually orthogonal polarizations. A primary transmit beam and a primary receive beam are steered at a primary steering angle over the scan zone, and a plurality of secondary receive beams are steered over the scan zone 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 estimate a true bearing for each tag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improved locationing system performance in non-line of sight conditions of a mobile device within an environment includes providing a model of the environment that maps transmitters within and objects that obstruct signals from the transmitters, including mapped areas where the signal from a nearby transmitter is obstructed. A location of a device moving within the environment is tracked using the signals. When it is determined that the device is moving into a mapped area having an obstructed signal from a nearby transmitter, a locationing system parameter is modified for that obstructed signal so that the mobile communication device can be located using at least the modified signal parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing mobile connectivity conditions for mobile subscriber units in a wireless communication network includes scanning, by each mobile subscriber unit, for candidate access points and affiliated channels for roaming, whereupon the unit can roam from an originating access point to one of the candidate access points on an affiliated channel for roaming. A link record in the mobile subscriber unit is used for recording an entry including the originating access point, the candidate access point, the affiliated channel for roaming, and a handoff experience value. The link record can be used upon subsequent roaming of the unit to attempt a self-devised handoff without further scanning for access points and affiliated channels. Link records can be shared between mobile subscriber units to speed up map building of link records.

Abstract: A touch-screen display apparatus, the apparatus may include first and second sheets having opposed major surfaces and a size and shape defined by a periphery. The periphery may be defined by opposed ends and opposed edges. The first and second sheets may each have a conductive pattern including a pair of opposed busbars and a plurality of traces electrically coupled to, and extending between, corresponding pairs of opposed busbars. The transparent force sensing (TFS) sheet may have opposed major surfaces and a variable resistance which is related to a force exerted upon one or more of its major surfaces. The TFS sheet may be situated between the first and second sheets. The apparatus may also include one or more separation portions situated between the TFS sheet and the first or second sheet to bias the TFS sheet apart from the first or second sheet.

Abstract: A technique for modifying radio frequency identification (RFID) system operation using movement detection includes an RFID scanner disposed within an environment and operable to obtain RFID data from RFID tags located within the environment. An imaging device captures video of the environment, and a processor analyzes the captured video from the imaging device to detect and locate movement within the environment. If movement is detected within the environment, the processor modifies operation of the RFID scanner that is proximal to the location of the movement, increasing or decreasing interrogation rate, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides IEEE 802.11u failover for a mesh network that contains a root node coupled to a network operations center through a backhaul connection and coupled to a plurality of non-root nodes at least one non-root node of which being capable of IEEE 802.11u communication with an infrastructure device of an external network. A first step includes determining that a first connection to the root-node in the mesh network has been disrupted, disrupting communications on the backhaul connection. A next step includes configuring the one non-root node to act as a root node and configuring a radio of the one non-root node to act as an IEEE 802.11u client. A next step includes associating the radio to the infrastructure device of the external network using an IEEE 802.11u protocol. A next step includes establishing a secure tunnel second connection from the one non-root node to the network operations center through the infrastructure device of the external network using the IEEE 802.11u protocol.

Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) projecting a light pattern towards a target object; (2) detecting light returned from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor to capture a first image with changes in the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (3) processing the first image to determine an optimized position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture a second image when the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) decoding a barcode in the second image.

Abstract: A pair of overhead mirror portions splits a field of view of an imager into first and second subfields of view. An illuminating assembly is energized to illuminate a target. A first part of the imager is exposed to capture return illumination light from the target passing through a horizontal window of a workstation over the first subfield of view, and a second part of the imager is alternately and subsequently exposed to capture return illumination light from the target passing through the horizontal window over the second subfield of view.

Abstract: A mobile device having a camera is adapted to serve as an electro-optical reader for electro-optically reading targets. The device is received and held in a housing having a rear wall. A top extension extends away from the rear wall at a top region of the device. A fold mirror is mounted on the top extension and is spaced away from a camera lens of the device. The fold mirror is inclined relative the rear wall and is operative for receiving at least a portion of a field of view imaged by the camera from each target along a first direction, and for folding and redirecting the field of view along a second direction generally perpendicular to the rear wall through the camera lens to the camera. A handle having a trigger assembly may be connected to the housing.