Abstract: Methods and apparatus for illuminating objects comprising asymmetrically illuminating an object using an illumination medium on one side of an optical module of an information capturing module, capturing an electronic representation of the object and decoding the electronic representation of said object. In alternate embodiments, the scanner successively illuminates the object from a plurality of different angles until the object and/or dataform is decoded. The illumination medium can be external to the information capturing module.

Abstract: A method and imaging assembly (10) are disclosed adapted for reading a target object comprising a scan engine (48) having a sensor (46), focusing optics (44), and an imager (48). The scan engine includes a field-of-view defining an area to be imaged by the imaging assembly (10). A housing (80) internally lodges the scan engine (48) and an illumination source (36). The illumination source (36) is adapted to project illumination from the housing (80). A boot (30) extends from the housing (80) for shaping the illumination as it passes through the boot to form an illumination pattern from the illumination. The illumination pattern substantially conforms to a geometrical shape of the boot (30) and is adapted to envelope the scan engine field-of-view.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for an imaging-based bar code reader having a field of view defined by an imaging system of the bar code reader directed toward a target bar code. The illumination apparatus includes: a collector cup comprising a compound parabolic concentrator and defining a longitudinal axis; an illumination source positioned to direct illumination toward a first end of the collector cup, the collector cup directing illumination from the illumination source toward a second end of the collector cup; a first lens array positioned at the second end of the collector cup orthogonal to the collector cup longitudinal axis to receive and focus illumination from the collector cup and a second lens array orthogonal to the collector cup longitudinal axis receiving focused illumination from the first lens array. The lens arrays combining to focus illumination from the collector cup into an illumination pattern.

Abstract: The disclosed bar code reader has an imaging system that includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The bar code reader also includes an illumination system for illuminating the target having a light source for emitting a diverging light outwardly from a light source location and a lens for bending the light including a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing the target for bending the light emitted by the light source to more uniformly illuminate a rectangular, generally planar region at the target within the barcode reader's field of view.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for antenna designs for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described.

Abstract: Association request messages received by one or more access points of a wireless local area network are used to infer the location of a mobile unit requesting association. Association may be refused for security purposed if it is determined that the mobile unit is not within an area services by the wireless network. In addition the inferred location can be used to assign the mobile unit to an access point for association.

Abstract: A barcode reader having a light source illuminating a barcode, a diffuser disposed between the light source and the barcode, a camera opening at least partially surrounded by the diffuser, light reflected from the barcode passing through the camera opening and a camera oriented to acquire light reflected from the barcode after passing through the diffuser from the light source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for RFID devices, such as tag test methods, are described. A tag of a strip of tags is positioned adjacent to an opening in an electrically conductive sheet, the tag having first and second orthogonally polarized antennas. A first RF test signal is transmitted through the opening to test the first antenna of the tag. The tag is positioned such that the first RF test signal has a polarization substantially the same as the first antenna and substantially orthogonal to a polarization of the second antenna. A second RF test signal is transmitted through the opening to test the second antenna of the tag. The tag is positioned such that the second RF test signal has a polarization substantially the same as the second antenna and substantially orthogonal to the polarization of the first antenna. If proper responses to both of the first and second RF test signals are received, the tag has passed the test. This test may be repeated for further tags in the strip of tags as desired.

Abstract: The disclosed bar code reader includes an auto-focusing component for rapidly producing in focus images. An imaging system makes use of an aiming pattern that impinges upon the coded indicia of a target. The imaging system includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The bar code reader also includes an illumination system comprising one or more light emitting diodes for illuminating a the target within a field of view defined by the optical system. A drive circuit coupled to the light emitting diodes of the illumination system including at least one energy storage capacitor for providing an electrical pulse that illuminates the target. A controller selectively energizes the light emitting diodes by discharging the at least one capacitor of the drive circuit.

Abstract: An imaging scanner with a two dimensional array of sensors analyzes data from a segment of the array to detect if one or more indicia conditions is present that would prevent a successful decode based on data in the segment. In this manner, if decoding the indicia using data from the segment of array data is not possible, an enlarged frame of array data can be sought for decode when necessary while one-dimensional and simple two-dimensional barcodes can be quickly processed by loading and decoding only the segment of the array.

Abstract: Systems and methods that reduce a number of holes that penetrate into a housing of mobile computing device by employing a modular housing with a housing plate(s) attachable thereto. Such housing plates can form a segment of a stylus trough and also facilitate attachment of hand strap and socket cover arrangement to the housing of the mobile computing unit. By reducing number of openings into the housing, a risk of liquid or particulate contaminants entering into the device and degrading performance of the mobile computing unit can be reduced and reliability increased.

Abstract: An imaging system (20) for an imaging-base bar code reader (10) having a housing (11) and a window (17). The imaging system (20) includes a dual camera assembly (22) having a first camera assembly (24) and a second camera assembly (26) mounted within the housing (11) to image a target object (14a, 14b). The first camera assembly (24) includes a first field of view (FOV1) and the second camera assembly (26) including a second field of view (FOV2). The imaging system (20) further includes a fold mirror (36, 37) and positioned within the bar code reader housing (11) to intersect and direct the field of view of at least one of the first and second camera assemblies (24, 26) such that the first and second fields of view (FOV1, FOV2) pass through the exit window (17) and are substantially congruent exterior of the housing (11).

Abstract: An embodiment includes a data structure embodied in a tangible computer readable medium comprising a data section encoding at least one data item and an identification map having a plurality of bits, each bit corresponding to an entry in an external table. Another embodiment includes a system of data structures embodied in a tangible computer readable medium comprising at least one data structure, each data structure encoding at least one data item and an identification map having a plurality of fields indicating the presence of a data item. Another embodiment includes a system of structures comprising a data structure including a previously encoded data item, a deletion list, and an addition list.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for load balancing among a plurality of wireless switches configured to support a plurality of clients including a first client. An initial home wireless switch can be configured to initially support the first client. The initial home wireless switch can select one of the wireless switches as a new home wireless switch for the first client. These techniques can be implemented, for example, in a wireless local area network.

Abstract: A variable focus imaging lens assembly for an imaging system of an imaging-based bar code reader for imaging and decoding a target bar code. The lens assembly includes an automatic focusing system for energizing a drive mechanism and imaging system to move a movable lens from the predetermined position along its path of travel and generate a series of image frames; analyzing one or more image frames of the series of image frames to determine a region of interest, the region of interest including an image of a target bar code; analyzing the region of interest in subsequent image frames of the series of image frames to determine an amount of blurring; selecting an image frame from the series of image frames having blurring less than a threshold amount of blurring; and utilizing a decoder to decode the image of the target bar code in the selected image frame.

Abstract: An image projection module within a housing is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image at different image planes of VGA quality. A movable component on the housing causes the image to be formed at a selected image plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a rugged hand held mobile terminal design are provided. The mobile terminal design includes a monocoque enclosure for housing electronic components. The electronic components are mounted on a rail system, which is positioned within an interior portion of the enclosure through an open end of the enclosure. The mobile terminal design also includes a display bezel. The display bezel and the rail system have mating parts for securing the assembly together.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling initiation of configuration of RFID readers using initiate-staging control information, include interrogating a reading zone of a reader for initiate-staging control information, and selectively setting the reader in an initiate-staging state in accordance with initiate-staging control information detected by the interrogation. The interrogation may include interrogating at least one RFID tag located in the reading zone of the reader for initiate-staging control information stored therein. The interrogation may include interrogating a reading zone of the reader for initiate-staging control information only during a predetermined period of time TISC, e.g., after power-up of the reader.

Abstract: The disclosed bar code reader includes an auto-focusing component for rapidly producing in focus images. An imaging system makes use of an aiming pattern that impinges upon the coded indicia of a target. The imaging system includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The imaging system also includes a moveable prism mounted for movement along a path of travel to transmit light passing through the focusing lens onto the pixel array. A drive motor moves the prism relative the lens to adjust a focus of an image of the object formed at the pixel array.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the design parameters of a RFID tag for use with a RFID reader in a RFID system. In the method, a desired frequency band that the RFID tag will operate in is chosen. Additionally, a maximum acceptable cost for the RFID tag, a minimum acceptable data range for the RFID tag and a minimum operating voltage for the RFID tag are chosen. For a given cost, an optimal data rate is calculated by varying a carrier modulation period of an interrogation signal generated by the RFID reader and antenna capacitance of the RFID tag. Next, an optimal range for a given operating voltage is calculated using the optimal data rate.