Abstract: Described is a system and method for encrypted communications. The system may include first and second transponders. The first transponder has a first memory arrangement that stores a first key. The second transponder includes a second memory arrangement and has an access to a second key. The first transponder generates a first message for delivery to the second transponder, and encrypts the first message using a randomization key to generate a second message. Then, the first transponder encrypts (a) the second message and (b) one of the a randomization key corresponding index using the first key to generate a third message. The second key may decrypt the third message.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for remotely calibrating data symbols received by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag population are described. Tags are interrogated by a reader, which may be located in a network of readers. The reader transmits data symbols to the tags. Tags respond to the interrogations with symbols that each represent one or more bits of data. To calibrate the tags, the reader transmits a plurality of pulses of different lengths to the tag population. The tags receive the plurality of pulses. A characteristic of each pulse, such as a pulse length, is stored by the tags. The stored pulse lengths are used to define different data symbols that are subsequently received by the tags from the reader.

Abstract: An alignment indication is provided in an optical scanner for reading a two-dimensional optical code by varying the scanning beam to provide a region of apparent greater brightness. In the case of a PDF417 bar code symbol, an elongated brighter region may be oriented so that it is parallel with rows of the PDF417 symbol. The apparent greater brightness may result because of the persistence of the scanning pattern in the user's vision. The region of apparent greater brightness may be achieved by providing a greater density of scan lines in the region. Because of the persistence in the user's vision, multiple scan lines appear simultaneously, and thus a region with a greater density of scan lines appears as a brighter region. The region of apparent greater brightness may also be achieved by providing a differently shaped scanning spot in the region (e.g., a larger, or more elongated spot).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an adapter unit for a personal digital assistant. More specifically, this invention relates to an adapter unit that has a handle grip. The adapter unit provides additional functionality, and improved ergonomics and increased ruggedness to the personal digital assistant.

Abstract: An improved housing configuration for a portable electronic device is provided. The housing includes a flash card slot configured within a battery compartment of the portable electronic device to protect a flash card from outside contaminants. The housing also includes a SIM module, the SIM module having a well to provide for proper alignment with a SIM card, a freely detachable SIM card cover, and a sealing gasket to provide a seal between the well and the SIM card cover. The housing also includes a pen slot, which enables a user to easily remove the pen with a pushing action. The housing further includes a hand strap mount, which can be easily converted into a hip-clip.

Abstract: A method for use in processing an analog signal from a laser scanning bar code reader containing information representative of reflected light from indicia including regions of different light reflectivity, and including narrow and wide elements of the same reflectivity of the indicia, by locating edge transitions between narrow and wide elements; estimating the edge shift associated with such transitions; and changing the edge position to correct for convolution distortion.

Abstract: A portable terminal carried by a user and in wireless communication with a local area network for displaying data based on the physical location of the user. A plurality of network nodes is distributed throughout a venue, such as a shopping mall or a store, in which products are offered for sale. The location of the user is determined by the location of the access node in communication with the terminal. The data may include a recommendation to purchase the product.

Abstract: A portable instrument incorporates an electro-optical assembly for reading indicia during for projecting a bit-mapped image during a display mode. A manually operable switch on the instrument is disposed for selecting one of the modes. The image is formed by pulsing a laser at selected times on selected scan lines.

Abstract: Vibration is minimized in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia by oscillating a counterweight and a scan component to move simultaneously toward each other, and to move simultaneously away from each other. A magnet is mounted for joint movement with the counterweight and the scan component. An electromagnetic coil magnetically interacts with each magnet to cause the counterweight and the scan component to move with oppositely directed moments that counterbalance each other.

Abstract: Malfunction of a bi-directional resonant motor drive in an electro-optical reader is detected without new hardware by monitoring the frequency of a start-of-scan signal, and by determining whether the monitored frequency lies within a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) architecture is described. RFID tags are interrogated by a reader, which may be located in a network of readers. The reader transmits symbols to the tags. Tags respond to the interrogations with symbols that each represent one or more bits of data. An RFID tag includes an antenna pad, a receiver, a state machine, and a modulator. The receiver is coupled to the antenna pad. The receiver receives a symbol from the antenna pad and outputs a received signal. The state machine is configured to determine a response symbol from the received signal and an operating state of the tag. The modulator is coupled to the antenna pad. The modulator is configured to backscatter modulate the received symbol with the response symbol. The modulator is configured to output the backscatter modulated symbol to the antenna pad.

Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of appending a data packet to a data stream queue (“DSQ”), the DSQ having a priority level, allocating a quantum of bandwidth to the DSQ and transmitting the data packet as a function of the priority level and the quantum of bandwidth.

Abstract: A portable communications system and method is provided in accordance with the present invention. The system includes a chip antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals and a communications module case for mounting the chip antenna and providing a chip antenna ground plane. A communications subsystem is associated with the communications module case and is operatively coupled to the chip antenna for processing the RF signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.

Abstract: An image scanning device is provided which includes a system for determining the distance to a target to be scanned. The image scanning device includes an optical system and an image sensor array for focusing a light beam and imaging the target. The device preferably includes an automatic focusing system for adjusting the position of the optical system in order to adjust the focal point, and thereby focus the image of the target onto the image sensor array. In one embodiment of the image scanning device, the distance is determined by analyzing a collimated aiming pattern formed by collimating the light beam. In another embodiment, the distance is determined by analyzing a speckle pattern caused by the speckle effect upon the light beam hitting the target.