Abstract: A method of operating a workstation includes capturing multiple monitoring images each being captured with the imaging sensor while the illumination light source is energized during one of multiple short exposure-time-periods, and detecting a checkup-condition that includes analyzing the multiple monitoring images to determine the presence of any adverse feature on workstation's window. Each of the multiple short exposure-time-periods is shorter than four times of a threshold exposure-time-period but no shorter than 25% of the threshold exposure-time-period. The threshold exposure-time-period is a minimal exposure-time-period needed for the imaging sensor to capture recognizable patterns of a barcode that is in directing contacting with the window while the illumination light source is energized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a localized region of a touch screen for a plurality of sensor inputs to identify a camera profile of at least one user equipment. In response to identifying the camera profile initiating a localized visual data exchange by displaying data within a region defined by the camera profile. Data communication is initiated with the user equipment over the alternative communication. In order to maintain a secure communication the invention periodically monitors the localized region of the touch screen for the plurality of sensor inputs identified as the camera profile during the localized visual data exchange while communicating over the alternative communication network.

Abstract: A cable retention mechanism locks an external connector with an input/output (I/O) connector of an electronic device. The mechanism includes a retention housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adjacent to the device housing when the retention mechanism and the electronic device are coupled to one another. The mechanism includes a retainer including a mounting arrangement defining a channel receiving a cable of the external connector, the mounting arrangement biased to apply a first retaining force to the cable. The retainer includes a biasing member compressing a portion of the mounting arrangement such that a width of the channel decreases as the channel approaches the second surface, the biasing member applying a second retaining force to the mounting arrangement to increase the first retaining force. When tension is applied to the cable, the biasing member increases the second retaining force.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: A plurality of imaging modules, each including a solid-state imager mounted on an individual printed circuit board (PCB), is mounted in a reader, such as a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing images along different fields of view of diverse targets useful for customer identification, customer payment validation, operator surveillance, and coded indicia. The imaging modules are individually mounted on a motherboard for individual installation at, and individual removal from, the reader.

Abstract: A workstation includes a first window located in an upright plane, a second window located in a generally horizontal plane that intersects the upright plane, and a controller operative to read a barcode, and a weighing system having a horizontal platter operative to measure the weight of produce exerting gravitational force on the horizontal platter. The workstation also includes a four-bar apparatus having a front bar, a back bar, a first side bar, and a second side bar all atop the horizontal platter. The four-bar apparatus is operative to be settled into one of a first configuration and a second configuration. The upper edge of each of the front bar, the back bar, the first side bar, and the second side bar has an average height at the second configuration larger than its average height at the first configuration.

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 at least a first slit-frame-image and a second slit-frame-image; (3) determining an optimized position of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture an image of a barcode when the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) processing the image of the barcode to decode the barcode. In the method, determining the optimized position includes processing at least the first slit-frame-image and the second slit-frame-image.

Abstract: Determining movement of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag first establishes a phase difference/frequency model comprising a set of phase-wrapped local rates-of-change and an intercept point. RFID tag readings are then made to measure phase differences between the interrogation signal and the tag response at different frequencies. A correlation is determined between the measured phase differences versus frequency and the phase-wrapped local phase rates-of-change of the phase difference/frequency model. If the correlation is better than or equal to a predetermined limit, the tag is stationary, or if the correlation is worse than the predetermined limit, the tag is moving.

Abstract: An imaging scanner includes an aiming light source configured to emit visible light through both the shape defining element and the aiming lens arrangement to generate an aiming pattern on a target object. The shape of the aiming pattern changes with the distance between the target object and the imaging scanner. For determining the distance, the shape of the aiming pattern in a pixel data is compared with the expected shape of aiming patterns at multiple distances.

Abstract: An adapter for a mobile device is described. The adapter includes a handle portion having a trigger switch that is accessible to an index finger of a hand of the user when the handle portion is held in the hand of the user. A cradle portion is positioned above the handle portion for receiving at least a portion of the mobile device such that a plane of a display of the mobile device is substantially aligned with a long axis of the handle portion and the display is viewable by the user when the mobile device is positioned in the cradle portion and the handle portion is held in the hand of the user. A data acquisition device is coupled to the cradle portion. The data acquisition device acquires data from an object upon actuation of the trigger switch.

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 method and system for validating presence of a communication device in a confined area using a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes sending a first handshake message including a generated first key over a second network connection different from the WLAN connection by a device. A next step includes generating a second key to be returned to the device in a second handshake message over the same connection. A next step includes sending a WLAN probe request that has been modified to include the second key via the WLAN. A next step includes validating whether the device is present within the confined area using a second communication network; whereafter allowing communication access over the second network using both the first and second keys if the device is validated as being present within the confined area, and taking appropriate action if the device is not validated as being present within the confined area.

Abstract: A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an electronic compass that generates compass data corresponding to an orientation of the mobile device relative to true north. A global positioning system (GPS) module receives a GPS signal from multiple satellites. The GPS module determines a heading direction of a vehicle transporting the mobile device relative to true north based on the position data when the vehicle is moving above a threshold velocity. A motion sensor generates motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile device when the mobile device is moved. A processor adjusts the heading direction of the vehicle relative to true north based on the compass data when the vehicle is moving below the threshold velocity.

Abstract: A mobile device is configured to execute encrypted source files and includes a transceiver configured to receive an archive file comprising encrypted source files. The mobile device also includes a storage unit configured to store the received archive file. A local web server in the mobile device is configured to interpret a format of the received archive file, retrieve at least one source file from the archive file in response to a request from a device browser, decrypt the retrieved source file, and forward unencrypted information associated with the decrypted source file to the device browser. The device browser in the mobile device is configured to display the unencrypted information.

Abstract: A glove electronic device includes a plurality of peripherals, each of which is affixed to an adhesive cover and attachable to a location in at least one of finger portions, a wrist portion and a hand portion of the glove electronic device. Configuration of the plurality of peripherals on the glove electronic device is adaptable during use of the glove electronic device. The device also includes a transceiver for sending information captured by one or more of the plurality of peripherals and for transmitting information to one or more of the plurality of peripherals. The device further includes a processor configured to operate one or more of the plurality of peripherals responsive to a movement associated with the glove electronic device or body signals being sensed from sensors attached or worn on the body.

Abstract: An RFID reader is provided that includes an antenna array comprising multiple antenna elements circumferentially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the antenna array. Each antenna element includes multiple patch elements disposed above one or more underlying substrates, wherein the patch elements of each antenna element are disposed on an outer side of the antenna element. Further, one or more of the antenna elements is an asymmetric antenna element, wherein a first end of the asymmetric antenna element is wider than a second, opposite end of the asymmetric antenna element, wherein a first patch element disposed proximate to the first end of the asymmetric antenna element is larger than a second patch element disposed proximate to the second end of the asymmetric antenna element, and wherein a resonant frequency associated with the first patch element is approximately the same as a resonant frequency associated with the second patch element.

Abstract: Targets to be read by image capture are illuminated and imaged over an extended range of working distances. A near imager captures return light over a relatively wide imaging field of view from a target located in a close-in region of the range. A far imager captures return light over a relatively narrow imaging field of view from a target located in a far-out region of the range. A single illuminating light assembly is shared by both the near and far imagers. An illumination light source emits illumination light, and an illuminating lens assembly optically modifies the emitted illumination light, and simultaneously illuminates a wide illumination field to illuminate the target located in the close-in region of the range, and a narrow illumination field to illuminate the target located in the far-out region of the range.

Abstract: Energy efficient roaming of a mobile device is described. The mobile device can include a sensor for sensing a motion of the mobile device to generate a sensor signal. A radio is capable of communicating with a wireless network. A processor activates the radio in the mobile device. The processor generates an environmental profile of the mobile device based at least on the sensor signal. A memory is coupled to the processor for storing the environmental profile. The processor deactivates the radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold for a first period of time. The processor reactivates the deactivated radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold for a second period of time.

Abstract: A system for, and a method of, configuring an electro-optical reader as a keyboard device having a selected keyboard layout containing keyboard layout data, encode each of a plurality of configuration symbols with a symbol sequence number, a total number of the configuration symbols, and a fractional amount of the keyboard layout data. During a configuration procedure, all the configuration symbols are electro-optically scanned and decoded, and the symbol sequence number, the total number of the configuration symbols, and the fractional amount of the keyboard layout data are extracted for each configuration symbol. The keyboard layout data for all the configuration symbols are linked in a sequence determined by each symbol sequence number and the total number of the configuration symbols. All the keyboard layout data is processed to configure the reader during the configuration procedure.

Abstract: A method and device is for a multi-touch based correction of a handwriting sentence system. The method includes receiving touch inputs, generating interpreted input data as a function of the touch inputs, and displaying the interpreted input data on a display device. A request to correct a portion of the interpreted input data then switches to a correction mode. During the correction mode, a correction user interface is displayed on the display device, a gesture is received so setting data is determined as a function of a first disposition of the gesture, the setting data indicating a type of correction to be applied to the portion of the interpreted inputs, a correction data is determined as a function of a second disposition of the gesture, and the portion of the interpreted input data is corrected as a function of the touch input, the setting data, and the correction data.