Abstract: An optical scanner (600) and method of operating same includes a housing (16) supporting first (34) and second scanning systems (202), the first scanning system for scanning indicia on a target object, the housing defining an interior region of the scanner. The first scanning system comprises one of an imaging camera (208/209) and a laser light source (38) disposed within the housing interior region defining a first field of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The second scanning system (202) comprises a separate imaging camera (602) disposed in the housing interior region for reading auxiliary data from an auxiliary object relating to one or more target objects being scanned, the second scanning system defining a second field of view (604). A locator platform (620) is recessed within the housing for positioning an auxiliary object within the second field of view during use of the scanner.

Abstract: A method tags connecting components. The method comprises capturing an image of a plurality of grid sections. The image of each of the grid sections includes at least one connector disposed therein. The at least one connector has a first end in a first one of the grid sections and a second end in a second one of the grid sections. The method comprises displaying a first virtual identifier in the image of the first grid section for the first end of the connector. The method comprises displaying a second virtual identifier in the image of the second grid section for the second end of the connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to interactive systems and methods for dimensioning with a mobile device. The mobile device can include an accelerometer, imager, and a corresponding algorithm configured to compute dimensions based on a plurality of inputs from the accelerometer, imager, etc. Specifically, the accelerometer allows the mobile device to measure acceleration and time, and the algorithm is configured to convert these measurements into distances. Additionally, with a three-axis accelerometer, the user can move the device off an axis being measured and still receive an accurate measurement, i.e. the algorithm can compensate for off-axis movement. Further, the present invention can incorporate an imager on the mobile device to provide additional compensation supplementing the algorithm and allowing the user additional freedom to be positioned away from the starting and end-point of a measurement.

Abstract: A reader for and method of electro-optically reading symbols aim a front of a handheld housing at a symbol during reading. A solid-state, low resolution image sensor having a linear array of pixels is arranged in the housing and has less than 2000 pixels in number. The pixels sense return light returning along an optical path away from the symbol that is located in an extended range of working distances relative to the front of the housing. An imaging lens is positioned deep in the housing at an increased spacing of at least one inch as measured along the optical path away from the front of the housing, for capturing the return light over a reduced scan angle that is less than 40 degrees, and for projecting the captured light onto the sensor. A controller processes the return light sensed by the imager into data relating to the symbol.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for displaying read range of a nomadic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader based on feedback from fixed RFID beacon tags. For instance, the nomadic RFID reader can transmit an interrogation signal within a space that includes a plurality of fixed RFID beacon tags at known locations, and can receive response signals from a group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. Based on known locations of the group of fixed RFID beacon tags, a read range of the RFID reader can be determined. The read range is defined by the group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. The read range of the nomadic RFID reader can then be displayed on a display along with other information about the fixed RFID beacon tags and/or RFID item tags that are within the read range of the nomadic RFID reader.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: A method virtualizes an image sensor. The method comprises selecting one of at least two portions of a filter to use as a function of a mode of operation. The method comprises capturing an image using the selected one of the at least two portions. The method comprises executing a functionality using data extracted from the image. The functionality corresponds to the mode of operation.

Abstract: A system having a mobile device and a wearable mount configured to couple to the mobile device, the coupling making the mobile device wearable at a worn location, wherein a set of functionalities of the mobile device corresponds to the worn location. The wearable mount having a coupler configured to couples to a mount coupling of a mobile device and a fastener that fastens the wearable mount to a location, the location, a set of functionalities of the mobile device being based on the location.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for managing RFID readers. The system and method manages RFID readers by controlling the RFID readers to reduce interference between RFID transmissions. The system and method locates RFID readers, including mobile and fixed RFID readers, and controls the transmitting of the RFID readers such that proximate readers do not transmit simultaneously. This reduces the interference between RFID readers, and thus can improve the reliability and accuracy of the RFID system.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for augmenting an optical barcode scanner. The apparatus comprises an accessory module that includes an RFID reader, a body part attachable to the optical barcode scanner, and an interface connector for forming a communication link between the RFID reader and the optical barcode scanner when the interface connector is connected with the expansion port of the optical barcode scanner.

Abstract: An electro-optical reader for, and method of, reading a symbol, utilize a light source for emitting a light beam along a path, an optical assembly including a variable focusing element for focusing a major light fraction of the light beam between a range of working distances in which the symbol to be read is located along the path, and a controller for controlling the variable focusing element to have different focusing states. One of the focusing states is a reference focusing state in which the variable focusing element is operative for focusing the major light fraction at a reference focal plane. A detector assembly, including a detector aperture located at the reference focal plane, is operative for detecting an amount of a minor light fraction of the light beam, and for generating a self-calibration signal indicative of the reference focusing state when a predetermined amount of the minor light fraction has been detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating an optimized exposure time for an imaging-based barcode scanner. The method includes (1) determining a SNR decodability function that enables a decodability value be determined from a signal-to-noise ratio; (2) determining a blur decodability function that enables a decodability value be determined from a blur value; (3) measuring a blur and a signal-to-noise ratio for an image captured with a first exposure time; and (4) determining an optimized exposure time based on the measured blur, the measured signal-to-noise ratio, and a combined decodability function that depends upon both the SNR decodability function and the blur decodability function.

Abstract: A method including loading a data file into a memory of a mobile computing device, displaying a portion of the data file on a display of the mobile computing device, detecting user motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile computing device by a user, the motion being indicative of the user's desire to view a further portion of the data file, and displaying the further portion of the data file on the display as a function of the user motion data.

Abstract: A method and system for secure call Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signaling includes entering (202) dial string of a telephone number of a destination device, assigning (210, 212) the dial string to a predefined string having a total length that is greater than the dial string such that there will be at least one leading hexadecimal bit in the predefined string length that is not used when the entered dial string is converted to a hexadecimal, converting (214) the dial string to hexadecimal, reversing the order of the hexadecimal, and placing the reversed hexadecimal at the beginning of the predefined string, appending (216) “one” bits to the predefined string length indicating how many nibbles of the predefined string length are unused, if any, and appending the remaining intervening unused bits in the predefined string length to “zero” bits, and sending (226) the encoded string length.

Abstract: Devices that are enabled to communicate with each other via an ad hoc conference mode and an infrastructure supported conference mode, are provided with processing capabilities that can allow them to evaluate one or more resources required to support an ad hoc conference communication session and/or one or more quality metrics associated with the ad hoc conference communication session, and determine whether one or more resources or metrics are outside optimal operating parameters. If so, the processing logic can initiate a transition from the ad hoc conference communication session to an infrastructure supported conference communication session hosted at a conference server.

Abstract: A method of configuring an RFID reader includes (1) collecting information related to an operation environment of an RFID reader, and (2) configuring the RFID reader to operate in a mode that is selected for the operation environment of the RFID reader.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) and method (200) for reading residential and/or commercial meters. The system and method comprise a transmission element (12) that attaches to an external location of a meter (24). The transmission element (12) selectively communicates a reading signal (40) corresponding to a meter value. The system and method further comprise an imaging unit (14) located within the transmission element (12) that images the meter value at a prescribed frequency. The system and method also comprise a transceiving arrangement (16) that receives the reading signal (40) communication from the transmission element. The transceiving arrangement (16) also comprises a converter (44) that analyzes and converts the reading signal (40) communication to a use signal (46).

Abstract: An imaging reader has a two-dimensional array of image sensors for capturing return light from a two-dimensional symbol over a field of view as pixel data to be stored in internal random access memory (RAM) of a controller even though the internal RAM has less storage bytes than the number of sensors. The controller determines a size and a location of the symbol in the field of view, maps and subdivides the symbol into a plurality of image capture zones based on the symbol size and location, sequentially captures the return light from each zone, sequentially stores the pixel data from each zone into the internal RAM, sequentially digitizes the stored pixel data from each zone as digitized data, and decodes the digitized data from all the zones.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for secure communications of confidential information are provided. In an embodiment, a method of communicating with a population of radio frequency identification tags includes transmitting a first interrogation signal, receiving a response to the first interrogation signal from at least one RFID tag at a first received signal strength including at least a portion of a first identification code, and transmitting a second interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information, a command to transmit a response to the second interrogation signal at a secure power level, and the first identification code. In another embodiment, a method for communicating with an RFID tag includes receiving an interrogation signal that includes a request for confidential information and transmitting a response to the interrogation signal at a secure power level. The response includes the confidential information.