Abstract: A device and method automatically executes a predetermined procedure. The method includes receiving input data by a mobile unit (MU), the input data including a request for output data, the MU including a data capture module. The method includes obtaining external data using the data capture module, the external data being indicative of at least one external condition related to the MU. The method includes selecting one of at least one capture engine of the data capturing module as a function of the external data and the input data, the selected capture engine configured to obtain the output data. The method includes automatically executing a predetermined procedure using the MU as a function of the selected capture engine and the external data, the predetermined procedure including a plurality of steps, one of the steps being obtaining the output data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensation of noise in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device through modulation of a received signal is described. The method includes determining an amplitude signal proportional to an amplitude of a transmitter signal and associated noise; processing the amplitude signal to derive a correction signal; and modulating a received signal during a receive period with the correction signal to substantially remove the associated noise from the received signal. An RFID device and an RFID transceiver integrated circuit (IC) are also described.

Abstract: A selected target from a picklist having a plurality of targets is electro-optically read, by image capture, over a range of working distances, by capturing an image of the picklist in the range over an imaging field of view, by storing coordinates of a trajectory of an aiming light pattern in the imaging field of view over the range, by processing the captured image along the trajectory to find and identify a target, by determining whether the target covers the trajectory, and by determining that the target is the selected target when the target at least partially covers the trajectory.

Abstract: An imaging reader is worn by a user. The reader has an imaging assembly that has a solid-state imager with an array of image sensors and a lens assembly. In a reading mode, the imaging assembly captures and projects light as an image onto the array. A controller detects a user's finger pointing at a symbol proximal to a tip of the finger in the image, and generates a control signal when the finger obstructs the symbol in the image. Upon receipt of the control signal, the controller automatically controls a drive to move the imager and/or a lens of the lens assembly to an adjusted position in which the symbol in the image is unobstructed by the finger. The unobstructed image of the symbol is processed into identifying data, and the data is transmitted away from the housing to a remote host device.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading forms, each form having a plurality of form fields arranged at locations relative to one another, by image capture, includes storing form templates, each template having a plurality of template fields arranged at locations relative to one another, and capturing images over a field of view. A form and a correct orientation of the form, whose image is being captured, are automatically identified by matching the locations of the form fields in the captured image of the form with the locations of the stored template fields. The form fields on the identified form in the correct orientation are thereupon processed.

Abstract: Each charging member in a group identifies a docking connection. Each charging member, responsive to identifying the docking connection, transmits information to other charging members in the group and receives information transmitted from another charging member in the group. Each charging member generates a list using the information transmitted to the group and received from the group. Each charging member also includes a ranking component for filtering, sorting, and ranking entries in the list according to a predefined selection filter and/or ranking filter. Each entry in the list is associated with a charging member with a docking connection and in the group. Each charging member determines based on a predefined indication filter that an entry in the list that is associated with the charging member is ranked at a predefined position in the list and provides an indication.

Abstract: Serially-distributed devices in a communication network include a cable including communication wires, a plurality of devices connected in series with the communication wires along a length of the cable, and a headend interface connected at one end of the cable and operable to provide a communication interface with the devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a truly passive trigger in a hands-free device, e.g. an RFID system. Specifically, the present invention includes a passive trigger antenna, an RFID reader system, and an associated passive triggering method. The passive trigger antenna may include any type of antenna solely for the purpose of reverse power detection, i.e. the passive trigger antenna is another antenna associated with the RFID reader system solely for detecting near field obstructions. The present invention utilizes detected near field obstructions as a passive trigger thereby eliminating manual activation of the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a passive trigger for a hands-free RFID system, such as a wearable RFID device. Advantageously, the passive trigger overcomes a requirement for a user to manually trigger a button or other activation mechanism for RFID reading thereby making the RFID system truly passive and hands-free.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a haptic feedback to a rotary knob is provided herein. During operation the rotary knob will be rotated, causing a display to cycle through menu items. A haptic feedback is provided to the rotary knob in order to identify a border (transition) between menu items. During operation a different haptic effect may be provided to different borders in order to distinguish between menu items. In addition, an angle of rotation for a particular menu is allowed to vary prior to a border being encountered. Because both the haptic effect and the angle of rotation for the rotary knob is allowed to vary, a user may be able to easily identify transitions to various menu items.

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.

Abstract: An inventory monitoring controller maintains information reflecting a current inventory of articles based on radio frequency identification (RFID) tag identifying information received from one or more RFID tag readers in the context of inventory polling operations. In an embodiment, the controller also adjusts an operational parameter (e.g., a missing article detection threshold or a variable polling parameter) based on an analysis of the RFID tag identifying information. For example, a variable polling parameter may be adjusted in response to an occurrence of a triggering event (e.g., an inventory change indicated by the RFID tag identifying information or an occurrence of a temporal event), and a missing article detection threshold may be adjusted based on historical information relating to the detection of (or failure to detect) a particular RFID tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an edge of a target object using laser distance measurement. The method comprises rotating a laser distance measuring head in intervals of a predetermined angle in a first direction. Further, at each step of rotation, directing a scan beam onto the target object at a point of incidence and measuring a distance between the laser distance measuring head and the point of incidence. When a difference between a measured distance at a first step of rotation and a measured distance at a second step of rotation exceeds beyond a predetermined threshold value, identifying, that an edge of the target object has occurred at the point of incidence of the scan beam corresponding to the second step of rotation, wherein the second step of rotation precedes the first step of rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus 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 an internal folded optical path. An imaging lens assembly is mounted between the fold mirrors and has an imaging axis that extends generally parallel to the PCB. The 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.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a server provide context aware multiple-input-multiple-output MIMO antenna systems and methods. Specifically, the systems and methods provide, in a multiple MIMO antenna or node system, techniques of antenna/beam selection, calibration, and periodic refresh, based on environmental and mission context. The systems and methods can define a context vector as built by cooperative use of the nodes on the backhaul to direct antennas for the best user experience as well as mechanisms using the context vector in a 3D employment to point the antennas in a cooperative basis therebetween. The systems and methods utilize sensors in the nodes to provide tailored context sensing versus motion sensing, in conjunction with BER (Bit Error Rate) measurements on test signals to position an antenna beam from a selection of several “independent” antenna subsystems operating within a single node, as well as, that of its optically connected neighbor.

Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) projecting a light pattern towards a target object; (2) detecting light returned from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor to capture a first image with changes in the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (3) processing the first image to determine an optimized position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture a second image when the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) decoding a barcode in the second image.

Abstract: A heater management system provides heat to heated zones of a mobile unit. For each heated zone, the heater management system includes a heater driver and a sensor. The heater driver is controlled by a unique control channel that is configured to heat the heated zone. The sensor senses environmental data external and internal to the heated zone. The heater management system includes a memory storing a heater driver prioritization database. The heater management system includes a heater control logic unit programmed to receive periodic reports from each of the sensors, prioritize the heated zones by utilizing the heater driver database as a function of the periodic reports, and determine power to be provided to each of the heater drivers based on the prioritizing operation and a predetermined global power limitation.

Abstract: A system and method automatically determines aligned edges of display devices for an aggregate display. The system includes a first mobile unit (MU) and a second MU. The first and second MUs include respective emitters, sensors, transceivers, and display devices. The emitters of the MUs are activated to transmit edge patterns based upon an inter-device communication such that when one of the sensors of the first MU receives the edge pattern from the second MU and vice versa, the MUs have an aligned edge. Select emitters of the MUs are activated to transmit a further edge pattern based upon a further inter-device communication such that when a corresponding sensor of the first MU receives the further edge pattern from the second MU and vice versa, the aligned edges are verified to be aligned.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of reading the screen of a mobile computing device. The apparatus is an imaging scanner that includes a NFC device having a NFC antenna. The imaging scanner also includes an illumination system operative to illuminate a target object with illumination light. Under a first condition that no NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a first illumination light with a first intensity. Under a second condition that the NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a second illumination light with a second intensity. The second intensity is less than the first intensity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for video assisted line-of-sight determination of a mobile communication device in a locationing system includes sending signals from a plurality of fixed transmitters within the environment to a nearby mobile communication device for locationing the mobile communication device. An imaging device observes the mobile communication device or a user carrying the mobile communication device within the environment, and recognizes when the mobile communication device is not in a line-of-sight condition with at least one nearby transmitter, wherein a signal from the at least one nearby transmitter is obstructed. A locationing system parameter is modified for that obstructed signal such that the mobile communication device can be locationed using the modified locationing signal parameter.