Patents Assigned to SYMBOL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
  • Decoding barcodes displayed on cell phone
    Patent number: 8857719
    Abstract: A method of decoding a barcode includes generating a first illumination towards a target object with a first illumination level, capturing a first image during a first exposure time period, and determining a first location and a second location on a scan line in the first image to find a switchover condition. If the switchover condition indicates the presence of a mobile display device, the method further includes generating a second illumination towards the target object with a second illumination level, capturing a second image during a second exposure time period, and decoding the barcode in the second image. Here, at least one of the second illumination level and the second exposure time period is determined based on values of pixels on the scan line between the first location and the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong Liu, Edward D. Barkan, Dayou Wang
  • Method and apparatus for controlling mirror motion in light scanning arrangements
    Patent number: 8861059
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of driving a motor in a light scanning arrangement. The method includes the following steps: (1) driving a drive coil with a drive signal to oscillate a scan mirror and a light beam reflected from the scan mirror; (2) generating a feedback signal having zero crossings during oscillation of the scan mirror by a feedback coil in proximity to the drive coil; (3) integrating the feedback signal to generate an integrated feedback signal; and (4) processing the integrated feedback signal to generate a periodic drive signal that has the same time period as the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Giebel, Peter Fazekas
  • MEASUREMENT OF REFLECTED ULTRASOUND SIGNAL FOR ULTRASONIC EMITTER GATING CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140293747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to gate an ultrasonic emitter operation includes a housing including the ultrasonic emitter, where the ultrasonic emitter is operable to periodically transmit an ultrasonic pulse of a predefined frequency. A microphone circuit is disposed in the housing, such that the microphone circuit is operable to receive a reflected ultrasonic signal derived from the transmitted ultrasonic pulse. A controller is coupled to the emitter and the microphone circuit, where the controller operable to gate the operation of the emitter to an OFF state based on at least one measured parameter of the reflected ultrasonic signal. The parameters can include a Doppler measurement and a distance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Calvarese
  • Method of adjusting pointing directions of multiple cameras in barcode scanner
    Patent number: 8844815
    Abstract: A workstation with a housing having a upright window and a horizontal window includes a printed circuit board having at least two imaging sensors thereon located in the housing, and a controller operative to read a barcode in a captured image. The workstation also includes a chassis firmly mounted on the printed circuit board, and two inserts each configured to hold steadily one of at least two lens assemblies. At least one of the two inserts includes multiple slots for attaching such insert to the chassis at a position that is laterally adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wittenberg, Thomas C. Mullaney
  • Object detecting system for imaging-based barcode readers
    Patent number: 8847150
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light emitting diode operative to emit mostly invisible light within an invisible bandwidth, and a scattering surface configured to scatter a first portion of the invisible light from the light emitting diode out of the window. The scattering surface is also partially transparent to allow a second portion of the invisible light from the light emitting diode to pass through the scattering surface and strike the reflector that is configured to reflect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light towards the window. The apparatus further includes a photodetector configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darran M. Handshaw, Mark E. Drzymala, Joseph D. Giordano
  • Modular headset computer
    Patent number: 8848940
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole D. Tricoukes, Juliet T. Chon, Ian R. Jenkins, Mitchell Maiman, Jorg Schlieffers
  • DETERMINING MOVEMENT OF A RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAG USING A PHASE DIFFERENCE/FREQUENCY MODEL
    Publication number: 20140285324
    Abstract: Determining movement of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag first establishes a phase difference/frequency model comprising a set of phase-wrapped local rates-of-change and an intercept point. RFID tag readings are then made to measure phase differences between the interrogation signal and the tag response at different frequencies. A correlation is determined between the measured phase differences versus frequency and the phase-wrapped local phase rates-of-change of the phase difference/frequency model. If the correlation is better than or equal to a predetermined limit, the tag is stationary, or if the correlation is worse than the predetermined limit, the tag is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Austin
  • Electro-optical reader with enhanced laser light pattern visibility
    Patent number: 8840027
    Abstract: Visibility of a scan laser light pattern or an aiming laser light pattern on a symbol to be read by a hand-held, electro-optical reader is enhanced by directing laser light having a laser wavelength in the laser light pattern to the symbol, configuring an optical element to be transmissive to the laser light of the same laser wavelength, supporting the optical element by the reader, moving the optical element from a stored position to a deployed position, and viewing the laser light pattern on the symbol through the optical element in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Chaumont, Christopher Warren Brock, Ian Jenkins, Jaime Weidler, Sunghun Lim
  • Arrangement for and method of preventing symbol misreads in electro-optical readers
    Patent number: 8840025
    Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, preventing a misread of a one-dimensional symbol that can be read in either one of two polarities in an electro-optical reader. A data capture assembly captures light from the symbol, and generates an electrical signal indicative of the captured light. A controller simultaneously processes and decodes the electrical signal as a first decoded result of one of the polarities and as a second decoded result of the other of the polarities. The controller also determines the validity of the first and second decoded results, and generates an output in dependence upon the validity determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dariusz J. Madej, Dayou Wang
  • APPARATUS FOR, AND METHOD OF, ELECTRO-OPTICALLY READING TARGETS BY ENABLING A CUSTOMER TO MOVE A CUSTOMER-OPERATED ACCESSORY READER SUPPORTED BY A CLERK-OPERATED WORKSTATION OF A CHECKOUT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140263644
    Abstract: A checkout system includes a clerk-operated, bi-optical workstation through which products associated with targets having target data to be electro-optically captured are passed, and a customer-operated, accessory reader having an accessory window and a data capture assembly for capturing additional target data of additional targets associated with transaction-related items. The accessory reader is supported by the workstation for movement relative to the workstation to enable the customer to readily position and aim the accessory window at the additional targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darran M. Handshaw, Mark E. Drzymala, Joseph D. Giordano, Sean D. Marvel
  • Self tuning RFID
    Patent number: 8836512
    Abstract: The antenna of an RFID tag is automatically tuned by controlling both the real and imaginary components impedance “seen” by the antenna. The real component (resistive) is controlled by controlling a tap of a charge pump circuit of the tag. The imaginary (reactive) component is controlled by connecting one or more reactive elements of an antenna tuning circuit to the antenna. The real component is controlled by a first digital control loop that automatically activates successive taps on a charge pump of the RFID tag which effectively controls the resistance seen by the antenna. A second digital control loop controls the connection of the various reactive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne E. Shanks
  • Converting a data stream format in an apparatus for and method of reading targets by image capture
    Patent number: 8833660
    Abstract: An apparatus and method read a target by capturing return light from the target with a solid-state monochrome imager operative for generating an output data stream in a monochrome format having a plurality of slots containing pixel data indicative of an image of the target, and with a color controller for receiving the output data stream in a color format different from the monochrome format. A converter circuit converts the monochrome format into the color format and includes an input formatter for formatting the output data stream to have additional slots, a buffer for receiving auxiliary pixel data related to the image of the target, and an output formatter for inserting the auxiliary pixel data from the buffer into the additional slots and for processing both the pixel data and the auxiliary pixel data to enhance the reading of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Slutsky, James R. Giebel, William C. Sackett
  • Radio frequency identification tag and arrangement and method of associating tag data from the tag with code data from an optical code on the tag
    Patent number: 8836480
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a substrate, and an optical code and an RFID assembly on the substrate. The optical code is encoded with code data. The RFID assembly contains tag data. The RFID assembly is operative for reading the optical code to obtain the code data, for associating the tag data with the code data, and for sending the associated tag data and the associated code data by radio frequency away from the RFID tag upon interrogation of the RFID tag by an RF interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sajan Wilfred, Roy Thekkethala
  • Methods and apparatus for transmitting data based on interframe dependencies
    Patent number: 8837453
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reliably transmitting data. A method comprises identifying a metric for a first frame of a plurality of frames, wherein the metric is indicative of decoding significance for the first frame among the plurality of frames. When the metric corresponds to a relatively high decoding significance, the method further comprises transmitting the first frame in accordance with an enhanced transmission scheme. When the metric corresponds to a relatively low decoding significance, the method further comprises transmitting the first frame in accordance with a default transmission scheme. The reliability of the enhanced transmission scheme is greater than the reliability of the default transmission scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeelan Poola, Somesh Agrawal, Ian Chakeres, Ravindra Guntur
  • High performance scan engine with rear-facing image sensor in handheld arrangement for, and method of, imaging targets using the scan engine
    Patent number: 8835825
    Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target by image capture, employ a scan engine in a handheld housing having a tilted handle. A single tilted printed circuit board (PCB) in the handle has front and rear surfaces that respectively face toward and away from the target during reading. An optical assembly having a pair of fold mirrors is mounted on the rear surface, for receiving return light from the target through an aperture in the PCB along the horizontal, and for directing the return light along a folded path. An imaging lens assembly projects the return light onto a solid-state, two-dimensional, image sensor to enable the return light to be detected over a field of view, and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected return light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Barkan, Mark E. Drzymala
  • APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY INTEGRATING AN AUXILIARY READER IN A POINT-OF-TRANSACTION SYSTEM HAVING A WORKSTATION READER
    Publication number: 20140252094
    Abstract: A checkout system for electro-optically reading targets includes a host, a workstation reader, and an auxiliary reader operatively connected to the workstation reader. The workstation reader captures data associated with the targets, and communicates its captured data with the host over a predetermined communications protocol. The auxiliary reader also captures data associated with the targets independently of the workstation reader. The workstation reader automatically integrates the auxiliary reader in the system by automatically detecting the protocol of the auxiliary reader, and by automatically configuring the detected protocol of the auxiliary reader to conform to the predetermined communications protocol of the workstation reader, thereby enabling the auxiliary reader to communicate its captured data with the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mariya Wright, Nina Feinstein, Christopher J. Fjellstad
  • APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF OPTIMIZING TARGET READING PERFORMANCE OF IMAGING READER IN BOTH HANDHELD AND HANDS-FREE MODES OF OPERATION
    Publication number: 20140246496
    Abstract: An imaging reader reads targets by image capture in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation. Upon detection of the mode of operation, a controller sets the resolution and frame rate of a solid-state imaging sensor to different values in each mode to optimize target reading performance in each mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Brock
  • Method and system for optimizing system settings of a laser scanner control system
    Patent number: 8820645
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Giebel, Vladimir Gurevich, Peter Fazekas, Dariusz Madej
  • Methods and apparatus for securing a portable device
    Patent number: 8816816
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a portable device is described. The portable device includes a housing having a mating feature adapted to mate with a corresponding mating feature of the cradle. The cradle includes a locking mechanism that is capable of locking the portable device to the cradle. A transceiver is positioned in the housing. The transceiver is capable of communicating with a remote server containing data of a registered user. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader is positioned in the housing. The RFID reader controls the locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism releases the portable device from the cradle when a RFID tag storing the data of the registered user is positioned proximate to the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ciervo, Nadim Ghafoor
  • MITIGATING AUDIBLE CROSS TALK
    Publication number: 20140236589
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Symbol Technologies, Inc.