Abstract: Audible crosstalk can be mitigated in a low-cost three-wire device having audio capability and/or voice applications. In some embodiments, a voltage can be introduced in a microphone power supply that is approximately the same as a measured noise voltage and the resulting voltage appearing at a microphone output can be optimized to mitigate the noise voltage and, thus, the presence of crosstalk. In some embodiments, a microphone within a circuit can be isolated to mitigate crosstalk by introducing current into a circuit that is approximately the same as a measured current, but having a flow in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A device and method automatically executes a predetermined procedure. The method includes receiving input data by a mobile unit (MU), the input data including a request for output data, the MU including a data capture module. The method includes obtaining external data using the data capture module, the external data being indicative of at least one external condition related to the MU. The method includes selecting one of at least one capture engine of the data capturing module as a function of the external data and the input data, the selected capture engine configured to obtain the output data. The method includes automatically executing a predetermined procedure using the MU as a function of the selected capture engine and the external data, the predetermined procedure including a plurality of steps, one of the steps being obtaining the output data.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reading system having a phased antenna array accurately locates RFID tags in a controlled area, by steering an interrogating beam over the controlled area to interrogate the tags and generate return modulated RF signals. A primary receiver steers a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle that is fixed during each tag interrogation. A primary demodulator demodulates and reconstructs the received return modulated signals. A secondary receiver, independently of the primary receiver, steers a secondary receive beam at a plurality of secondary steering angles. A secondary correlator/demodulator demodulates the combined return modulated signals, and utilizes the reconstructed signal reconstructed by the primary demodulator at each of the secondary steering angles. Both the primary and the secondary receivers cooperate to accurately locate the same tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensation of noise in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device through modulation of a received signal is described. The method includes determining an amplitude signal proportional to an amplitude of a transmitter signal and associated noise; processing the amplitude signal to derive a correction signal; and modulating a received signal during a receive period with the correction signal to substantially remove the associated noise from the received signal. An RFID device and an RFID transceiver integrated circuit (IC) are also described.

Abstract: An imaging reader is worn by a user. The reader has an imaging assembly that has a solid-state imager with an array of image sensors and a lens assembly. In a reading mode, the imaging assembly captures and projects light as an image onto the array. A controller detects a user's finger pointing at a symbol proximal to a tip of the finger in the image, and generates a control signal when the finger obstructs the symbol in the image. Upon receipt of the control signal, the controller automatically controls a drive to move the imager and/or a lens of the lens assembly to an adjusted position in which the symbol in the image is unobstructed by the finger. The unobstructed image of the symbol is processed into identifying data, and the data is transmitted away from the housing to a remote host device.

Abstract: Each charging member in a group identifies a docking connection. Each charging member, responsive to identifying the docking connection, transmits information to other charging members in the group and receives information transmitted from another charging member in the group. Each charging member generates a list using the information transmitted to the group and received from the group. Each charging member also includes a ranking component for filtering, sorting, and ranking entries in the list according to a predefined selection filter and/or ranking filter. Each entry in the list is associated with a charging member with a docking connection and in the group. Each charging member determines based on a predefined indication filter that an entry in the list that is associated with the charging member is ranked at a predefined position in the list and provides an indication.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading forms, each form having a plurality of form fields arranged at locations relative to one another, by image capture, includes storing form templates, each template having a plurality of template fields arranged at locations relative to one another, and capturing images over a field of view. A form and a correct orientation of the form, whose image is being captured, are automatically identified by matching the locations of the form fields in the captured image of the form with the locations of the stored template fields. The form fields on the identified form in the correct orientation are thereupon processed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a truly passive trigger in a hands-free device, e.g. an RFID system. Specifically, the present invention includes a passive trigger antenna, an RFID reader system, and an associated passive triggering method. The passive trigger antenna may include any type of antenna solely for the purpose of reverse power detection, i.e. the passive trigger antenna is another antenna associated with the RFID reader system solely for detecting near field obstructions. The present invention utilizes detected near field obstructions as a passive trigger thereby eliminating manual activation of the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a passive trigger for a hands-free RFID system, such as a wearable RFID device. Advantageously, the passive trigger overcomes a requirement for a user to manually trigger a button or other activation mechanism for RFID reading thereby making the RFID system truly passive and hands-free.

Abstract: Serially-distributed devices in a communication network include a cable including communication wires, a plurality of devices connected in series with the communication wires along a length of the cable, and a headend interface connected at one end of the cable and operable to provide a communication interface with the devices.

Abstract: An imaging reader reads targets by image capture in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation. Upon detection of the mode of operation, a controller sets the resolution and frame rate of a solid-state imaging sensor to different values in each mode to optimize target reading performance in each mode.

Abstract: An inventory monitoring controller maintains information reflecting a current inventory of articles based on radio frequency identification (RFID) tag identifying information received from one or more RFID tag readers in the context of inventory polling operations. In an embodiment, the controller also adjusts an operational parameter (e.g., a missing article detection threshold or a variable polling parameter) based on an analysis of the RFID tag identifying information. For example, a variable polling parameter may be adjusted in response to an occurrence of a triggering event (e.g., an inventory change indicated by the RFID tag identifying information or an occurrence of a temporal event), and a missing article detection threshold may be adjusted based on historical information relating to the detection of (or failure to detect) a particular RFID tag.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target by image capture, employ a scan engine in a handheld housing having a tilted handle. A single tilted printed circuit board (PCB) in the handle has front and rear surfaces that respectively face toward and away from the target during reading. An optical assembly having a pair of fold mirrors is mounted on the rear surface, for receiving return light from the target through an aperture in the PCB along the horizontal, and for directing the return light along an internal folded optical path. An imaging lens assembly is mounted between the fold mirrors and has an imaging axis that extends generally parallel to the PCB. The imaging lens assembly projects the return light onto a solid-state, two-dimensional, image sensor to enable the return light to be detected over a field of view, and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected return light.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a server provide context aware multiple-input-multiple-output MIMO antenna systems and methods. Specifically, the systems and methods provide, in a multiple MIMO antenna or node system, techniques of antenna/beam selection, calibration, and periodic refresh, based on environmental and mission context. The systems and methods can define a context vector as built by cooperative use of the nodes on the backhaul to direct antennas for the best user experience as well as mechanisms using the context vector in a 3D employment to point the antennas in a cooperative basis therebetween. The systems and methods utilize sensors in the nodes to provide tailored context sensing versus motion sensing, in conjunction with BER (Bit Error Rate) measurements on test signals to position an antenna beam from a selection of several “independent” antenna subsystems operating within a single node, as well as, that of its optically connected neighbor.

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: Method and apparatus of reading the screen of a mobile computing device. The apparatus is an imaging scanner that includes a NFC device having a NFC antenna. The imaging scanner also includes an illumination system operative to illuminate a target object with illumination light. Under a first condition that no NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a first illumination light with a first intensity. Under a second condition that the NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a second illumination light with a second intensity. The second intensity is less than the first intensity.

Abstract: A system and method automatically determines aligned edges of display devices for an aggregate display. The system includes a first mobile unit (MU) and a second MU. The first and second MUs include respective emitters, sensors, transceivers, and display devices. The emitters of the MUs are activated to transmit edge patterns based upon an inter-device communication such that when one of the sensors of the first MU receives the edge pattern from the second MU and vice versa, the MUs have an aligned edge. Select emitters of the MUs are activated to transmit a further edge pattern based upon a further inter-device communication such that when a corresponding sensor of the first MU receives the further edge pattern from the second MU and vice versa, the aligned edges are verified to be aligned.

Abstract: A system configures a mobile device. The system includes a visible light communication (VLC) transmitter and a mobile device. The VLC transmitter is configured to emit a visible light signal corresponding to staging profile data, the staging profile data including configuration data. The mobile device includes a VLC receiver configured to receive the visible light signal, the visible light signal being converted to generate the staging profile data, the staging profile data automatically configuring the mobile device for communicating with a communication network as a function of the configuration data.

Abstract: A method establishes a secure authenticated connection between two devices. The method includes (A) obtaining data related to a tapping event between a first device and a second device, the data including time data of the tapping event; (B) selecting, by the first device, a target device; (C) establishing a non-authenticated secure communication link between the first device and the target device; (D) sending, by the first device, a challenge communication to the target device, the challenge communication including a request for a further data related to the tapping event; (E) receiving, by the first device, a response communication in response to the challenge communication, the response including the further data; (F) determining if the target device is the second device by matching the data with the further data; (G) if the target device is the second device, establishing a secure authenticated communication link between the first and second devices.