Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.

Abstract: A data compression method is defined, which achieves high efficiency when encoding source data drawn from two or more data subsets of differing sizes, and where these subsets are distributed throughout the source message. Methods for encoding and decoding these subsets are disclosed, and a typical bar coding application is described.

Abstract: A bar code reader has an integrated scanning component module which is mountable on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the module may include the digitizer/decoder electronics, enabling the module to be used with a generic PCB. In some embodiments, the module includes a high speed optical scanning arrangement having an optical element which extends longitudinally of a flexible member, secured at one end. In other embodiments, the invention extends to a hand-held optical scanner having a scanning assembly, detector and data transmission coupling all mounted to a common printed circuit board, preferably located within a manually-graspable handle. In yet a further embodiment, an abuse-detector or accelerometer is provided for determining when the device is exposed to deceleration above a predetermined limit, and optionally for automatically shutting down applications programs and for providing a black-box-record of a short time frame before the device was exposed to an unexpected shock.

Abstract: When a connection between a remote unit (MU) and a first stationary access point (SAP) in a wireless network is impeded, an alternative connection between the MU and a second stationary access point is set up using information from announcement messages. The announcement messages are transmitted to notify MUs about messages waiting to be transferred, but the MU looking for an alternative to the impeded connection uses the announcement message to determine other stationary access points it may communicate with. This eliminates congestion normally caused by the MU performing dedicated probing to determine alternative stationary access points. Probing messages and probing response messages often cause congestion in a network.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: A computer implemented apparatus captures data from a user into a form specified in accordance with a markup language such as hypertext markup language. The user selects a data type such as text, handwriting, voice, image and video data type to be captured. Once the user indicates the type of data to be captured, the apparatus enables a transducer associated with the selected data type to capture data. The apparatus also formats data from the transducer into a predetermined format, stores and displays the formatted data in the markup language form.

Abstract: The disclosed techniques for reading postal code are adapted for processing data from an optical imager and identifying and decoding various types of postal code found in such data. A baseline is employed.

Abstract: A method of reading an indicia, for example a bar code, comprising areas of differing light reflectivity comprises producing an electrical signal representative of light reflected from the indicia and selectively sampling the signal at a rate well below the Nyquist rate. The sample points are not uniform, and are chosen to represent key features in the signal. An attempt is then made to decode the indicia, using the samples. If the decode is unsuccessful, the samples which have been collected are analyzed to provide information on the extent to which they represent true data corresponding to the indicia, and the extent to which they present noise. Signal collection and/or processing and/or sampling is then adjusted and the process is repeated. The continual feed-back of information related to the scanning environment allows more aggressive decoding techniques to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bias suppression which includes a transmitter having a bias suppression encoder and a closed-loop VCO FM modulator and a receiver having a bias suppression decoder and an AC coupled FM demodulator. The bias suppression encoder generates a running sum of an encoded digital data signal as well as the sum of an (N+1)-bit block of an injected digital data signal such that the encoder may invert a block of (N+1)-bits of the injected data signal if both sums are of the same polarity thereby reducing the average DC bias of the encoded digital data signal. The encoded data signal is modulated using a closed-loop VCO FM modulator with the DC tracking effect minimized as compared to modulating the non-encoded signal directly. In the receiver having an AC coupled FM demodulator, the bias suppression decoder extracts a stuff bit set by the transmitter and inverts the received block of data if the stuff bit is true.

Abstract: An optical scanner with plural scan beam generation. Scan angle stress is configured in the beam generation.

Abstract: A system for reading indicia such as bar code symbols having a scanner for generating a scanning light beam directed toward a symbol to be read. A trigger manually displaceable from a first position to a second position produces a first light beam for aiming or positioning the reader. The trigger is automatically returnable, or held in the second position, or manually displaceable from the second position to the first position for initiating a scanning beam pattern for reading the symbol. A detector receives the reflected light from the symbol and produces electrical signals corresponding to data represented by the symbol.

Abstract: An optical scanner for reading indicia of variable light reflectivity, such as bar code symbols, having a light source for producing a light beam for scanning a target; a sensor for collecting the reflected light from the target; and various light collection systems, including a louver formed from an array of thin slats positioned adjacent to the sensor so that light directed along substantially only one angle reaches the sensor, as well as imaging/diffusing optical systems.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity has an optical scan module which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user. A first peripheral module, preferably in the form of a wrist watch, has a receiver which detects the reflected light. A second peripheral module, mounted on the other arm of the user, communicates with the first module by radio frequency transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, the light detector may be mounted in a housing which is separate and part from the optical scan module. According to another aspect, a laser pointer or scanner is mounted to a ring which is arranged to be worn on a single finger of the user.

Abstract: Several different embodiments are disclosed of a simple, compact bar code scanner which is capable of scanning in any one of several modes, a linear scan mode for scans along a single axis, an omnidirectional scan mode for scans with consecutive scan lines which are angularly displaced relative to each other, or a raster scan mode for scans with consecutive scan lines along a first scan axis which are displaced relative to each other along a second perpendicular axis. In a preferred embodiment, the compact bar code scanner is used in a small housing mounted on an index finger of an operator such that the natural pointing direction of the index finger aims the scanner. In one embodiment, a high frequency flexural member, with a scanning mirror and permanent magnet mounted thereon, is supported by a low frequency flexural member.

Abstract: A computer peripheral connected via an electrical interface connector to a computer includes a functional module comprising circuitry for performing functions of the computer peripheral. The electrical interface connector is configured to convey a first interface set of signals, and includes a plurality of conductors for conveying a plurality of signals. An interface adapter is coupled to the electrical interface connector, the interface adapter being configured to process signals passing between the electrical interface connector and the functional module to permit a second interface set of signals to be conveyed via the electrical interface connector.

Abstract: Commercial transactions are expedited at a point-of-transaction site by providing a customer with advance notification of the price of selected goods, by providing the customer with a portable, integrated reader/terminal unit having an on-board display on which the price of the selected goods is displayed in response to a manual action on the part of the customer holding the unit.

Abstract: A data encoding/decoding scheme includes a plurality of bar code symbols each carrying a portion of the data in which improved error correction capabilities are incorporated. According to one aspect, once data codewords have been derived to form the symbols, a first set of data correction elements are derived from a first field, then a second set of error correction elements are derived from the data elements and the first set of error correction elements using a second, wider field.

Abstract: A system for storing articles having different descriptions in an enclosure and providing the enclosure with an wireless interrogatable unit having stored indications of the descriptions of the stored articles. The system further contemplates interrogating the enclosure's wireless interrogatable unit to determine the enclosure content.