Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for a hand held mobile device that has a front surface, two side surfaces, and a bottom surface wherein the bottom surface partially includes a battery pack having an outer surface that forms an integral relationship with the bottom surface. The first perch and second perch at least partially extend away from the outer surface of the battery pack of the hand held mobile device. The first perch and the second perch are in a spaced-apart arrangement for allowing the finger of a user to be positioned between the first perch and the second perch during use of the hand held mobile device.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for establishing an authenticated wireless communication (e.g., using Bluetooth technology) between first and second mobile devices. The first device (e.g., a mobile barcode scanner) sends a signal to establish a wireless communication with the second device. The first device includes a data capturing arrangement (“DCA”) as an only input device interface with a user thereof. The second device initiates an authentication process by requesting the first device to obtain a PIN code from the user. Once the first device obtains the PIN code from the user via the DCA, a pairing process is performed to compare the PIN code to entries in a database of authorized PIN codes. When the pairing process has been successfully completed, a link key is generated to establish the authenticated wireless communication between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A bar code reader 10 includes a housing 20 including one or more transparent windows H, V and defining a housing interior region. As a target object is swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows an image of the target object is captured. Cameras C1-C6 have an image capture sensor array with a global shutter is positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view. All the cameras produce images in a sequential manner during an image frame time period. An image processing system has a processor for decoding a bar code carried by the target object. The processing system responds to signals from a light sensor to terminate object illumination when an adequate image exposure has transpired.

Abstract: A data acquisition device for an auto triggering thereof includes a movement detector, a distance detector, a processor, and a data acquiring component. The movement detector detects movement data of the data acquisition device. The movement data indicates a state of movement for the data acquisition device. The state of movement is one of static and dynamic. The distance detector detects distance data between the data acquisition device and an object to which data is to be acquired. The processor receives the movement data to determine the state of movement and, when the state of movement is determined to be static, receives the distance data to determine the distance of the object from the data acquisition device. The data acquiring component acquires the data from the object when the processor initially determines that the state of movement is static and subsequently determines the distance is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of detecting orientation of document using a barcode decoding. The method includes (1) capturing an image of the document with an imaging arrangement having a solid-state imager; (2) determining a presence of a barcode in the captured image of the document; (3) decoding the barcode; (4) determining an up-direction of the document as a function of an orientation of the barcode in the document; and (5) setting an orientation of the document in the captured image based upon the up-direction of the document. In one implementation, the barcode is configured with orientation data indicating the up-direction of the document.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the read zone of an RFID reader. The apparatus includes a supporting sheet, a reader-position mark on the supporting sheet to indicate a recommended location to position an RFID reader, and a zone-boundary mark on the supporting sheet to indicate a read zone of the RFID reader with a predetermined field strength.

Abstract: A method of associating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags with a region, location, or container is provided. The method can comprise, among other steps, transmitting an interrogation signal with an RFID reader corresponding to a read zone of a first size, receiving a response from at least one of the plurality of RFID tags in the region as a new tag, recording an indicator of the response of the at least one of the plurality of RFID tags, thereby designating it as a recorded tag, increasing the read zone of the RFID reader until no new tags are detected, and associating of each of the recorded tags with the region.

Abstract: A system for staging a mobile device is described. The mobile device includes a processor that executes a software application. A memory stores a unique identifier for the mobile device. The unique hardware identifier is readable by the software application and unreadable by any system that is external to the mobile device. The mobile device also includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the mobile device. The RFID tag stores a unique serial number that is readable by a staging system external to the mobile device and by the software application. The staging system encrypts a staging profile using both the unique serial number and the unique hardware identifier to create a device-specific key. The staging system writes the encrypted staging profile to the RFID tag.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of electro-optically reading targets arbitrarily oriented in a workstation, such as a dual window workstation, employs a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the targets over a field of view. The imager has an array of sensors arranged along mutually perpendicular array axes. An optical system splits the field of view into a plurality of subfields of view that extend through a workstation window to a target. One subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along one array axis. Another subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along the other array axis. A controller processes the captured light in both the one and the other subfields to enable the reading of the arbitrarily oriented target in the workstation independently of target orientation relative to the array axes.

Abstract: A headset is described. The headset includes a headset insert worn on a head of a user. The headset insert includes a first connector having a first mechanical coupler. The first connector is configured to mate in at least two different orientations with a second connector having a second mechanical coupler. A frame includes the second connector that mates with the first connector. The frame is adapted to receive the headset insert in at least two different orientations.

Abstract: A head-mounted computing device is described. The head-mounted computing device includes a processor. Coupled to the processor is a memory for storing a software application for execution on the processor. A battery provides current to the processor. A frame supports the processor, the memory, and the battery. The frame includes a mechanical coupling feature and an electrical connector for receiving a peripheral.

Abstract: A system is provided with mobile units that are arranged to conduct wireless data communications with access points following a first protocol, such as IEEE standard 802.11. The mobile units are further arranged for modified protocol communications with peripheral devices that permanently associate with a mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and device enables reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a localized area. The method according to one embodiment includes commencing transmission of an interference signal from a reader device (step 505). A command signal is then transmitted from the device while the interference signal is still being transmitted (step 510). The command signal instructs non-target RFID tags to not respond to an interrogation signal, and the target RFID tags do not process the command signal because the command signal is blocked by the interference signal. Transmission of the interference signal from the device is then stopped (step 515). The interrogation signal is then transmitted from the device after the interference signal is no longer being transmitted (step 520). Finally, a response signal is received at the device from the target RFID tags that enables the device to read only the target RFID tags (step 525).

Abstract: Described is a modular access point for wireless communications. The access point includes a housing which has at least one module receiving slot and a first wireless communication radio. The radio communicates with a first wireless device via a first frequency band. The access point also includes a removable module configured for insertion into the module receiving slot. The module includes a second communication radio utilizing a second frequency band so that, when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a second wireless device via at least one of the first and second frequency bands. The access point includes a plurality of antenna connectors which are connected to the first and second radios. The access point may utilize external antennas or internal antenna modules which interchangeably attachable to the antenna connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving RFID tag reading. The apparatus includes a substrate element having a predetermined active area, and a plurality of resonant elements each having a resonant frequency, a quality factor, and a response band. The resonant elements are distributed within the predetermined active area of the substrate element for scattering interrogation electromagnetic waves radiated thereupon from the RFID reader. At least one resonant element has a null-direction thereof orientated in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a line extending from a center of the resonant element to a center of an antenna of the RFID reader.

Abstract: A mobile computer is described. The mobile computer includes a memory for storing a software application. A processor is coupled to the memory for executing the software application. A display is coupled to the processor for graphically displaying information generated by the software application. A keypad is coupled to the processor for receiving input from a user. The keypad is positioned adjacent to the display. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna is embedded in a portion of the keypad. The RFID antenna includes at least one conductor forming at least one loop for communicating with a RFID device to receive information from the RFID device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing current pulses to the illumination source in an imaging scanner. The method includes: (1) sensing a current supplied from a current port to obtain a current-monitoring signal; (2) controlling a charge current provided to a storage capacitor based on the current-monitoring signal; (3) measuring a parameter related to a voltage across the storage capacitor; and (4) generating a driving current for the illumination source by the illumination driver circuit, if the parameter is above a predetermined threshold value, to provide a driving current for a illumination source in an imaging scanner.

Abstract: A barcode imaging reader includes a housing, a window in the housing, and an imaging sensor having an array of photosensitive elements for capturing light passing through the window. The barcode imaging reader further includes an illumination arrangement for emitting an illumination light from the housing interior to illuminate a barcode target object spaced from the housing. The illumination arrangement includes (i) an illumination source within the housing operative to generate the illumination light during imaging capture, (ii) a first mirror having a shape of a toroidal surface with predominantly concave surface, and (iii) a second mirror having a shape of a toroidal surface with predominantly convex surface.

Abstract: A method includes (1) obtaining a captured image of a document physically placed on a background having specifically designed patterns; (2) storing into a memory the captured image that includes an image of the document and an image of the background surrounding the document; and (3) analyzing the captured image to search for a boundary of the document in the captured image, where step of analyzing includes distinguishing the image of the background from the image of the document.