Abstract: A system and method utilizing the principles of axial chromatic aberration for auto-focusing an image onto an image sensor are provided. The system and method are particularly suitable for incorporation within an optical code reader. A signal processor analyzes data signals representative of the intensity or magnitude of wavelength components of an impinged image onto the image sensor for determining a value indicative of the focus quality of the impinged image. An actuator controls movement of a lens in accordance with the determination until obtainment of a desired focus quality. A decoder decodes the image having the desired focus quality.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag inlay tester and sorter system are described. A tag inlay is received. A characteristic of the tag inlay is tested. The tag inlay is disposed if the tag inlay is determined to fail the test of characteristic. The tag inlay is transported to a processing station if the tag inlay is determined to have passed the test of characteristic. The tag inlay is processed at the processing station. In an aspect, the tag inlay testing and tag inlay processing is performed in a single apparatus. In an alternative aspect, the tag inlay testing is performed by a first apparatus, and the tag inlay processing is performed by a second apparatus.

Abstract: A method that enables the power saving frame transmission comprising an AP informing a plurality of stations within its range in a WLAN about a plurality of scheduled service periods during which the AP has access to a channel in a scheduled service time, receiving the information about the plurality of scheduled service periods by the plurality of stations and deciding about initiating or not initiating a frame transmission, whether or not an acknowledgement and an immediate response expected from other APs pertaining to said WLAN are received prior to a subsequent scheduled service time, wherein the frame is transmitted in a cooperative frame transmission scenario.

Abstract: An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. When used on a stand to image documents, typically neither the stand or document is moving. Therefore blurring due to motion is not an issue. A sensor detects when the scanner is mounted to a stand. When commanded to take an image the scanner electronics and software modifies an auto-exposure process to minimize gain and lengthen exposure. This modification results in the scanner that is effective for scanning bar codes and yet also takes excellent pictures when mounted to a stand.

Abstract: Described is a scanner for reading an optical code which includes a light transmission system and an image acquisition system. The light transmission system projects light on a target. The image acquisition system receives light reflected from the target to generate an image of the target. The image acquisition system is arranged to receive the light reflected from the target at a plurality of angles so that, when specular reflection of the target is associated with a first of the plurality of angles, light from a second one of the plurality of angles is available to minimize image degradation associated with the specular reflection.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for verifying a self-authenticating document. First, upon a request for verification of the document, a characteristic digital data “CDD” is extracted from the document. An image of at least a predetermined portion of the document is obtained. The image is divided into a predetermined number of pixel groups and each pixel group includes a plurality of pixels. Pixel characteristic data is determined for each pixel. A pixel group classification data is determined for each pixel group as a function of the pixel characteristics data of at least one pixel in the pixel group. A further CDD for the image is generated as a function of the pixel group classification data and a location of the corresponding pixel group in the image. The document is verified if the CDD is substantially identical to the further CDD.

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.

Abstract: An imaging-based bar code reader (10) featuring: an imaging system (20) including an imaging lens assembly (26) and a sensor array (28); an image stabilization system (30) including a sensor system (34) to determine pitch and yaw movements (PM, YM) of the lens assembly (26) and a compensating optical element (26e) moveable along two axes (YL, XL) orthogonal to the optic axis (OA) of the imaging lens assembly (26) to compensate for pitch and yaw movements (PM, YM), the image stabilization system (30) being selectively actuatable; and an image analysis system (31) coupled to the image stabilization system (30), the image analysis system (31) analyzing blurring of an imaged target bar code (14?), when blurring exceeds a threshold value, the image stabilization system (30) being actuated when imaging the target bar code (14) to reduce blurring of the imaged target bar code (14?).

Abstract: An exemplary imaging based barcode reader has an imaging system that includes a photosensitive array, a focusing lens fixed with respect to the light detecting array which creates an image of a target object on the light detecting array; and an aperture stop fixed in relation to the focusing lens having an opening that allows light from the target object to impinge upon the lens for focusing onto the light detecting array. The focusing lens has a surface facing the aperture stop that is toroidal and in one exemplary embodiment approximates a cylinder that balances or optimizes. Astigmatism of the lens in the imaging plane located in the close proximity to the photosensitive array.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for communicating using a telecommunications device which includes an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. The ASR system which is capable of recognizing at least one prestored command from a voice input to the telecommunication device is activated. The ASR system compares the voice input to the at least one prestored command. When at least a first portion of the voice input matches the prestored command, the ASR system reviews a second portion of the voice input to determine a parameter value. A tone system generates a tone frequency corresponding to the parameter value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the geographic location of a user incorporates the sensing of a plurality of physical environmental parameters at the user's location. The parameter values are compared to corresponding parameter values associated with known locations, and a best-fit correlation is established. The identity of the determined location may be displayed to the user, or may be used to control a location-based operation, such as the unlocking of a safe, the transmission of an entry password, or the disabling of a piece of equipment. Persistence weighting values for different environmental parameters may be applied to improve the reliability of the correlation.

Abstract: A composite laser beam is swept as a pattern of scan lines on a projection surface, and selected pixels arranged along each scan line are illuminated to project an image of high quality and in color. A data frequency of a video signal supplied by a host is matched to a scan frequency of a scan mirror to reduce the amount of buffer memory required and to make the projected image brighter and more uniform in brightness.

Abstract: A method for tracking vibrational information for an item via an RFID tag is provided. The method includes interrogating the RFID tag at various points throughout the supply chain to obtain vibrational entries for the RFID tag. The vibrational entries are then individually compared to a set of thresholds. The sum of the one or more vibrational entries may also be compared to a different set of thresholds. A designation for the item (e.g., non-operational, potentially damaged, normal) is then assigned based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for automated manufacturing microstrip element antennas is described. The microstrip element antenna comprises a printed circuit layer, a dielectric layer and a ground plane layer. Mass manufacturing process for such microstrip element antennas without any substantial manual assembly process is described. Automation of the manufacturing steps leads to lower production costs, faster production and a higher yield.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for manufacturing light weight microstrip element antennas incorporating a skeleton dielectric spacer instead of a regular solid body dielectric spacer is described. The microstrip element antenna comprises a radiator, a dielectric layer which is in the form of a skeleton rib-caged structure and a ground plane layer. Due to the skeleton rib-caged structure of the dielectric spacer, design flexibility in terms of a non-uniform variation of the effective dielectric constant across various dimensions of the dielectric layer is obtained. Additional advantages of such a dielectric spacer include a wider choice of materials from which the antenna can be made, overall light weight and low production time and machine cost due to lower cooling time of the dielectric. Further, an antenna with a skeleton dielectric spacer further has a better drying characteristics in an event of a water ingress during or post-production.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in color. The pixels are rendered symmetrical in cross-section by aligning a narrow dimension of a beam spot of a laser beam along scan lines of the raster pattern.

Abstract: An application program interface in a computer for allowing application programs executing in the computer to access a wireless RF input/output facility or port in the computer, which emulates a serial port in the computer by the steps of opening a handle to a virtual COM port from an application program executing in the computer; opening and configuring a serial port by the application program; starting a thread to receive characters to be communicated through the RF facility; and utilizing the virtual COM port to open a component interface to allow communications through wireless RF communications.