Abstract: An example disclosed apparatus includes memory configured to store a mapping of items to respective ones of a plurality of minimum pixel-resolutions, wherein the minimum pixel-resolutions correspond to an image resolution required to identify a corresponding one of the items using an image; and a processor configured to obtain identifying information corresponding to one of the items; select, using the mapping and based on the identifying information, one of the plurality of minimum pixel-resolutions; determine a value of an output parameter based on the selected one of the plurality of minimum pixel resolutions and a camera position relative to a shelf, wherein the output parameter is at least one of an elevation angle of the camera, a vertical resolution, a horizontal resolution, a vertical field of view, and a horizontal field of view; and output the determined value of the output parameter to facilitate positioning of the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for electro-optically reading targets is mounted in an orientation on a head of a human operator having eyes for directly viewing a calibration target along a sightline. A light source directs a visible light beam away from the apparatus. A calibration assembly adjustably moves the light source, no matter the orientation of the apparatus, to visually position the light beam on the calibration target that is simultaneously being directly viewed along the sightline in a calibration mode of operation. A data capture assembly is operative, subsequent to the calibration mode, for electro-optically reading the targets on which the light beam is visually positioned in a reading mode of operation.

Abstract: A mobile device can be found and recovered by executing a recovery action indicative of at least one location of the mobile device. An interface displays the location of the mobile device.

Abstract: An imaging sensor of an imaging reader senses return light from a target to be read by image capture along an imaging axis over a field of view that extends along mutually orthogonal, horizontal and vertical axes. Two aiming light assemblies are offset from the sensor and are spaced apart along the horizontal axis at opposite sides of the sensor, and direct two aiming light marks, each having a predetermined brightness, at the target. The aiming marks are collinear along the horizontal axis and have inner end regions that overlap on the target to form a bright aiming mark having a brightness greater than the predetermined brightness to visually indicate a center zone of the field of view, as well as outer end regions that visually indicate approximate end limits of the field of view, over a range of working distances.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an electro-optical reader includes a lens mounted in a stepped barrel. The stepped barrel has a barrel step between first and second barrel portions. The optical assembly is installed along an optical axis in a stepped chassis having a first chassis section that receives the first barrel portion with a slip fit in which a mechanical clearance exists between the first chassis section and the first barrel portion, a second chassis section that receives the second barrel portion with an engagement fit in which the second barrel portion frictionally moves against the second chassis section, and a chassis step between the first and second chassis sections. The chassis step is spaced away from the barrel step after installation of the optical assembly to bound a debris compartment to trap any debris resulting from the frictional movement of the second barrel portion against the second chassis section.

Abstract: Objects associated with targets to be read by image capture are detected without any additional hardware in an imaging module. Return light is captured over a field of view of the module. Images are processed, during an object detection mode, to determine their image brightness from the captured return light. Illumination is emitted from an illumination light assembly at a first power level to determine a first image brightness from a first processed image, and at a different, reduced, second power level to determine a second image brightness from a second processed image. An object is determined to be in the field of view when a difference between the first image brightness and the second image brightness equals or exceeds a detection threshold value.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) assembly is installable in a workstation that processes products associated with targets to be electro-optically read. The assembly includes a radio frequency (RF) antenna having a pair of RF feed lines and a conductive loop for generating an electromagnetic field to deactivate EAS tags associated with the products to be processed, and a protective carrier for supporting and protecting the antenna during the installation in a predetermined position in the workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor that is oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the point cloud comprising a plurality of points that each have a respective depth value, (b) segmenting the received 3D point cloud among a plurality of grid elements, (c) calculating a respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volume for each grid element, (d) calculating a loaded-container-portion volume of the shipping container by aggregating the calculated respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volumes, (e) calculating an estimated fullness of the shipping container based on the loaded-container-portion volume and a capacity of the shipping container; and (f) outputting the calculated estimated fullness of the shipping container.

Abstract: Sensor calibration relative to common coordinates with depth, height and shift dimensions includes obtaining, via a mobile apparatus camera, an image of a calibration target. The calibration target includes first and second surfaces at first and second predefined depths, bearing first and second sets of indicia at heights encoded by the indicia and having predefined shifts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coverage hole detection in a wireless local area network (WLAN) using a mobile communication device. The method includes a first step of providing a plurality of access points distributed within the WLAN and at least one mobile communication device operable within the WLAN. A next step includes downloading triggers for respective coverage measurement conditions to the at least one associated mobile communication device from an associated access point. A next step includes detecting a coverage measurement condition by the at least one mobile communication device that activates one of the triggers, whereupon a next step includes sending a coverage measurement indicating the triggered condition from the at least one mobile communication device to an associated access point, which forwards a coverage incident report to a Central Report Manager.

Abstract: A workstation has a metallic housing for supporting an electro-optical reader for reading bar code symbols. A radio frequency (RF) antenna of an RF identification (RFID) reader for reading RFID tags is mounted in a metallic container that is connected to the housing. The RF antenna radiates RF energy at a frequency greater than 900 MHz through RF excitation slots formed between the container and the housing.

Abstract: One light source is energized and another light source is simultaneously deenergized during one frame of an imager that captures return light from an illuminated target as a first image portion having a first target portion. The other light source is energized and the one light source is simultaneously deenergized during another frame to capture the return light from the illuminated target as a second image portion having a second target portion. Either the target portions are combined to form the target to be read, or the image portions are combined to form a composite image from which the target is read.

Abstract: A transmitter subsystem periodically transmits ranging signals at transmit times, and a receiver subsystem receives the ranging signals at receive times within a receiver window having an adjustable time duration. A real-time position of a mobile device supporting one of the subsystems is determined based on differences between the receive and transmit times. An expected arrival time for the transmitted ranging signals is determined based on the real-time position of the mobile device. Each receive time is compared with the expected arrival time to obtain a consistency rate of the ranging signals that are received by the receiver subsystem directly from the transmitter subsystem. The time duration of the receiver window is dynamically adjusted based on the consistency rate.

Abstract: A Bluetooth low energy (BLE)-based asset tag transmits a code that identifies an asset. A device is attached to the asset. The code is scanned with a scanner supported by the device. An advertising beacon is transmitted in an advertising packet having a payload with a Bluetooth low energy (BLE)-based radio supported by the device. The scanned code is automatically loaded into the payload. The advertising packet with the scanned code in the payload is periodically transmitted as a series of beacon pulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lateral flow devices using two dimensional features, preferably, uniform two dimensional test and control features, to provide flow control information, to function as an internal control and/or to provide internal calibration information for the test device. The present invention also relates to methods for using the lateral flow devices to provide flow control information, to function as an internal control and/or to provide internal calibration information for the test device.

Abstract: An antenna includes a ground support, an electrically conductive, endless element mounted at a distance relative to the ground support, and a trio of ports arranged along the endless element for conveying radio frequency signals in an operating band of frequencies. The antenna is compact and has high port isolation and low pattern correlation due to successively spacing the ports apart along the endless element by a spacing of one-half of a guided wavelength at a center frequency of the operating band.

Abstract: A Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacon in a BLE network is electrically powered by a battery, broadcasts messages, and listens for a network communication indicative of whether a mobile device is present in a venue. A beacon controller controls the beacon to periodically broadcast the messages and to periodically listen for the network communication during an active mode of operation, to not broadcast the messages to conserve power from the battery and to listen for the network communication during a power save mode of operation, and to switch from the power save mode to the active mode when the network communication received during the power save mode indicates that a mobile device is present in the venue.

Abstract: An RFID tag reading system and method accurately and rapidly determine true bearings of RFID tags associated with items in a controlled area. An RFID reader has an array of antenna elements and a plurality of RF transceivers. A controller controls the transceivers by steering a primary transmit beam over the controlled area to each tag, by steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle from each tag, by steering a plurality of secondary receive beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive signals from each tag, and by processing the secondary receive signals to determine a true bearing for each tag. Bidirectional communication between the reader and a tag is conducted over a single inventory round in which the tag is read a plurality of times by the primary and the secondary receive beams.

Abstract: A technique for the detection of an unauthorized wireless communication device includes monitoring of Bluetooth® communications activity by a Bluetooth® capable communication device. Any monitored communication activity is analyzed against parameters that are predefined to detect suspected illegal activity. If illegal activity is suspected by the analysis, an alert is generated for a system administrator. The predefined parameters associate illegal activity with; data that includes credit card numbers and expiration dates, credit card transaction logging information, non-discoverable devices, activity after store hours, exceedingly long activity, etc.