Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic allocation of multiple processor cores in a computer running an operating system includes providing a program operable to halt a core from processing instructions from a respective ready queue. A next step includes establishing a maximum count of tokens available to allow the program execution, wherein the maximum count is less than a total number of cores. A next step includes obtaining tokens by the cores, wherein at least one core will not be able to obtain a token. If a token has been obtained by a core, executing the program by that core, or otherwise not executing the program by that core and remaining active to process instructions from the respective ready queue of that core.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the electromagnetic fields produced by telephones or other mobile devices capable of wireless communication. A wireless communication device includes a substrate having a ground plane. An antenna is coupled to the ground plane, and electrical currents are produced in the ground plane during operation of the antenna. A switchable counterpoise circuit that includes a conducting element and an inductor in series is provided on the substrate. The switchable counterpoise is selectively coupled to the ground plane based upon an operating mode of the wireless communications device, thereby adjusting the electrical currents flowing in the ground plane when the counterpoise is active. The changes in the ground plane currents can produce adjustments in the electromagnetic fields produced by the device, thereby improving hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from an ultrasonic tag to an ultrasonic reader. The method comprises generating and transmitting an ultrasonic sound pressure wave, receiving the ultrasonic sound pressure wave at a first ultrasonic repeater, determining that the received ultrasonic sound pressure wave was not processed at the ultrasonic reader, retransmitting the ultrasonic sound pressure wave from the first ultrasonic repeater, and processing the retransmitted ultrasonic sound pressure wave at the ultrasonic reader.

Abstract: A method of locating a wireless device being operated by an unauthorized user is provided. The method comprises examining biometric information of an operator of the wireless device, determining if the operator is authorized based on the biometric information, and transmitting a message to a remote recipient in response to determining the operator is not authorized. In certain embodiments, the message can include the location of the wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, imaging a target presented to a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation utilizes multiple imaging modules individually mounted for individual installation on, and individual removal from, a motherboard. Each module includes a solid-state imager having an array of light-sensitive sensors for capturing return light from the target over a field of view; a local controller externally of the imager for controlling the imager, for storing image data corresponding to the captured return light, and for interrogating the stored image data; and a daughterboard on which the imager and the local controller are both commonly mounted.

Abstract: A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, imaging printed and electronic codes associated with transactions or objects to be processed, support a window on a housing, illuminate the codes through the window with illumination light from an energizable illumination system, capture return illumination light from the illuminated codes through the window with an array of light sensors looking at a field of view of a solid-state, exposable imager, and process the captured return illumination light. A printed code is read by exposing the imager for a first exposure time and by also energizing the illumination system during the first exposure time. An electronic code is read by exposing the imager for a second exposure time that is longer than the first exposure time and by also deenergizing the illumination system during the second exposure time.

Abstract: A method and system for scanning channels in a network for incoming audio transmissions. A device enters an intelligent scanning mode, which initiates an automatic scanning of predefined channels for incoming audio transmissions. Upon detection, the device tunes to the channel of the incoming audio transmission while continually searching channels of a higher priority for incoming audio transmissions of a higher priority. A device enters a single channel mode to send an outgoing transmission, which automatically reverts the device to the channel of the last incoming audio transmission.

Abstract: Systems devices and/or methods that facilitate dynamic battery capacity allocation are presented. Extended use times or smaller form factors can be achieved for devices employing dynamic battery capacity allocation. By determining factors that can include the type of memory, the usage of the memory, and/or the user's preference to continue to use a device rather than retain data in a volatile memory for a period of time before supplying alternative power, the device can be available for use for longer periods of time on a battery or a smaller battery can be used to achieve similar use time.

Abstract: An illumination time of an illumination system and/or an exposure setting of an imaging system are adjusted by a proximity system operative for detecting a product entering a field of view in a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation. The proximity system includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light to the product, and an infrared sensor for sensing return infrared light from the product. Multiple predefined thresholds are stored for the sensed return infrared light, and a predefined illumination time and/or exposure setting are stored and assigned to each predefined threshold. Adjustment of the illumination time and/or of the exposure setting is performed by comparing the sensed return infrared light from the product in real time operation with the stored predefined thresholds.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images of a target object having a barcode. The apparatus includes a reflector, an LED emitting mostly invisible light, and a photodetector. The LED is configured to emit a first portion of the invisible light toward the target object directly and to emit a second portion of the invisible light toward the reflector. The reflector is configured to redirect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light toward the target object. The photodetector is configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object to generate an electrical signal.

Abstract: A wireless local area network is provided with simplified RF ports which are configured to provide lower level media access control functions. Higher level media access control functions are provided in a cell controller, which may service one or more RF ports that are capable operating with at least two wireless local area subnetworks. Mobile units can also be configured with the higher level media access control functions being performed in a host processor.

Abstract: A network is provided that includes a first WLAN infrastructure device (WID) that defines a first subnet, and a wireless client device (WCD) that is initially associated with the first WID. The WCD associates with a “current” WID when the wireless client device roams from the first subnet to a second subnet defined by the current WID. Upon successful association, the current WID unicasts a first IGMP query message (IGMPQM) to the WCD that has a MAC header including a destination MAC address that is set to a MAC address of the WCD.

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 method and apparatus for providing close proximity antenna measurement and tuning, includes a first receive-only antenna, a second antenna operable in a transmit mode, a tuning circuit coupled to the first antenna, a transmitter coupled to the second antenna, a receiver coupled to the first antenna, the receiver operable to measure a power into the first antenna delivered by a signal from the second antenna driven by the transmitter, and a processor coupled to the tuning circuit, transmitter, and receiver, the processor operable to step changes in the tuning circuit until a substantially maximum power of the signal is measured by the receiver.

Abstract: A technique for mitigating excessive operations attacks in a wireless communication network includes receiving message requests from stations, detecting an excessive operation attack, checking if a received request is a first request or a retry request, and ignoring any first requests. The method can also include saving information about the first request, and wherein if checking reveals that the received request is a retry request, the method further confirms that the retry request and the saved information about the first request meet matching conditions, whereupon the retry request is further processed as normal. Since attacks rarely utilize retry requests, this technique effectively ignores attack messages.

Abstract: A variable focus imaging lens assembly (50) for an imaging-based bar code reader (10) including: a lens assembly (52) focusing light from a field of view (FV) onto a sensor array (28), the lens assembly (52) including a lens (53) movable along a path of travel; a drive mechanism (58) to drive the moving lens (53); a focusing system (60) for establishing a reference point (RP) for the moving lens (53) along the path of travel corresponding to a reference focal plane (RFP) within the field of view; and a projection assembly (62) projecting a virtual target image (64a) of a reference target light source (64) to a predetermined position (P) within the field of view and coincident with the reference focal plane (RFP), the predetermined position (P) being a known distance (D) from the lens assembly (52) along its optic axis (OA).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for locating a mobile device in a sleep mode. A method comprises transmitting a beacon signal configured to initiate transmission of a response signal from a mobile device in a sleep mode. The mobile device is associated with a first wireless access device on a first communication channel. The method further comprises receiving the response signal from the mobile device on the first communication channel and determining the physical location of the mobile device based on the response signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images of a target object having a barcode. The apparatus includes a reflector, an LED emitting mostly invisible light, and a photodetector. The LED is configured to emit a first portion of the invisible light toward the target object directly and to emit a second portion of the invisible light toward the reflector. The reflector is configured to redirect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light toward the target object. The photodetector is configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object to generate an electrical signal.

Abstract: Symbols having symbologies with multi-unit, bar and space element, start and stop patterns on curved surfaces of objects, are electro-optically read by capturing light from a target symbol over a scan line, and by generating an electrical analog signal indicative of the captured light over the scan line. A controller digitizes the electrical analog signal into a digitized signal, decodes the digitized signal between the start and stop patterns into valid characters of the target symbol, identifies leading and trailing waveform portions of the analog signal indicative of the start and stop patterns, matches the identified leading and trailing waveform portions of the analog signal against known analog waveforms of the start and stop patterns of the target symbol, and verifies that a match has occurred when the matching between the leading and trailing waveform portions and the known analog waveforms exceeds a known threshold correlation.