Abstract: Techniques are provided for selecting one of a plurality of clock signals used to drive a bus of a WLAN-enabled device having a WLAN radio module coupled to the bus and designed to operate over a plurality of WLAN channels. A network infrastructure device, such as an access point or port, is provided that comprises a WLAN radio module, a PCI bus coupled to the WLAN radio module, a look up table (LUT) and a processor. The WLAN radio module designed to operate over a plurality of WLAN channels in a first frequency band. The LUT comprises a plurality of entries. Each entry comprises: a particular one of the WLAN channels and a corresponding one of a first clock signal having a first clock frequency and a second clock signal having a second clock frequency that is to be selected.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for determining a direction of motion of an RFID tag. An RFID reader is provided that includes an antenna that is tilted at a tilt angle with respect to a detection path. Response signals from the RFID tag are received at the antenna at different times, and an RSSI sample of each response signal is measured. Based on the RSSI samples, an RSSI/time data point is generated for each of the RSSI samples. Each RSSI/time data point defines a measured RSSI value for a particular RSSI sample versus a time that particular RSSI sample was measured. Based on the plurality of RSSI/time data points, the direction of motion of the RFID tag can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for manipulating content displayed on a touch screen utilizing a transparent pressure-sensing touch panel. A method comprises displaying content on the touch screen and obtaining one or more pressure metrics for an input gesture on the transparent pressure-sensing touch panel. Each pressure metric corresponds to pressure (or force) applied to the transparent pressure-sensing touch panel by a respective impression of the input gesture. The method further comprises adjusting the displayed content on the touch screen in response to the input gesture, wherein the displayed content is adjusted based on to the one or more pressure metrics for the input gesture.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating an input on a touch screen. A method comprises obtaining one or more pressure metrics for an input by a user on a touch screen that is being proffered as that of a known user. Each pressure metric corresponds to a pressure applied to the touch screen by the user at a respective impression location of the input. The method further comprises authenticating the user as the known user based at least in part on the one or more pressure metrics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: In a network comprising a first subnet comprising a first WLAN associated with a home wireless switch a second subnet comprising a second WLAN associated with a first current wireless switch and a third subnet comprising a third WLAN associated with a second current wireless switch, methods are provided for forwarding a Broadcast/Multicast (BCMC) packet generated by a first wireless client device when the first wireless client device roams from the first subnet to the second subnet and a second wireless device roams from the first subnet to the third subnet. Other methods are provided for forwarding a BCMC packet generated by a wired host to a first wireless client device when the first wireless client device roams from the first subnet to the second subnet and to a second wireless device when the second wireless device roams from the first subnet to the third subnet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems that use frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to aid in the operation of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and products. In one embodiment, a system for interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags includes a conveyor belt and an RFID reader. The conveyor belt has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to receive an item to which an RFID tag is affixed and the second surface is configured to slide on a metal slide plate. The RFID reader is configured to transmit instructions embodied in a radio frequency (RF) signal to the RFID tag, wherein the metal slide plate is positioned between the RFID reader and the RFID tag and comprises a frequency selective surface that is substantially transparent to the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for pipelined processing of access commands to a population of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is provided. The method includes transmitting a first queued access command to a first tag in the population of RFID tags, transmitting a second queued access command to a second tag in the population of RFID tags, and transmitting a status request command to the first tag. The queued access command causes the first tag to perform an operation and upon completion of the operation, to suspend transaction processing. The second queued access command is transmitted while the first tag is performing the command operation. The status request command causes the first tag to resume normal processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the amount of exposure for the photodetector array in a barcode scanner. An image is captured with the photodetector array. The type for each sub-region in the multiple sub-regions in the image captured is determined. Each sub-region in the multiple sub-regions is assigned a weight based on the type of the sub-region. The amount of exposure for the photodetector array in the barcode scanner is set automatically based on the weight for each sub-region in the multiple sub-regions. In some embodiments, the predetermined image area are repartitioned into new multiple sub-regions based on the image captured, and the amount of exposure for the photodetector array in the barcode scanner is set automatically based on the weight for each sub-region in the new multiple sub-regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for saving power in a distributed RFID system are provided. One RFID reader includes a RFID radio, a data communication radio, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a current list of RFID tags responding to a current interrogation signal and a previous list of RFID tags responding to a previous interrogation signal to determine if there has been a change in RFID tags responding to the interrogation signals. The controller is also configured to command the data communication radio to transmit a signal to an external computing device if there has been the change in RFID tags, the signal indicative of the change, or not transmit the signal if there has not been a change. An RFID system includes a central computing device, multiple RFID tags, and multiple RFID readers similar to the above RFID reader.

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

Abstract: A wireless system suitable for use as a radio frequency (RF) locationing or presence detection system includes at least one wireless access device and at least wireless device, such as an active RF tag, corresponding to an item or asset of interest. A method of managing RF transmissions by the wireless devices is provided. The method involves the wireless device receiving keep-alive beacons during a first period of time. During this first period of time, the wireless device is operated in a transmit mode. During a second period of time that follows the first period of time, the wireless device receives no keep-alive beacons. During this second period of time, the wireless device is operated in a standby mode such that RF transmissions are disabled.

Abstract: A method for channel management in a wireless network is disclosed. The method begins by a mobile client device receiving active channel information corresponding to active channels from infrastructure devices. Based upon the active channel information, the mobile client device selects an infrastructure device for communicating data for at least one of the media type access categories utilizing one of the active channels.

Abstract: Devices that are enabled to communicate with each other via an ad hoc conference mode and an infrastructure supported conference mode, are provided with processing capabilities that can allow them to evaluate one or more resources required to support an ad hoc conference communication session and/or one or more quality metrics associated with the ad hoc conference communication session, and determine whether one or more resources or metrics are outside optimal operating parameters. If so, the processing logic can initiate a transition from the ad hoc conference communication session to an infrastructure supported conference communication session hosted at a conference server.

Abstract: A handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a polarization insensitive antenna that enables simultaneous operation in two orthogonal polarization modes. The RFID reader includes an RF communication module and an antenna coupled to the RF communication module. The RF communication module is configured to process RF signals associated with operation of the RFID reader, and the antenna is configured to transmit and receive RF energy associated with operation of the RFID reader. The antenna includes a conductive loop element having a major longitudinal path, and a slot formed in the conductive loop element along the major longitudinal path. The conductive loop element is configured to operate as a first antenna polarized in a first orientation, and the slot is configured to operate as a second antenna polarized in a second orientation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for location-based network address translation (NAT). The system allows an administrator to logically partition an environment into a plurality of spatial regions. The method then includes specifying, for each of the spatial regions, whether network address translation (NAT) is allowed or not allowed for that spatial region, then performing a locationing procedure to determine in which spatial region the mobile unit is located. NAT is allowed for wireless data communication from the mobile unit if the mobile unit is within one of the spatial regions for which NAT is allowed, and is not allowed for wireless data communication from the mobile unit if the mobile unit is within one of the spatial regions for which NAT is not allowed. The systems and methods are applicable, for example, to networks operating in accordance with 802.11, RFID, WiMax, WAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, UWB, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method to track a status an item, or steps in a process, via one or more mechanical modifications to an RFID tag. In one embodiment, a plurality of tearable strips are attached to the tag, each strip having an electrical conductor. Each tearable strip may receive a visual or tactile indicia, such as text, a color code, a graphic symbol, or a tactile indicator (such as Braille) to assign a meaning to the strip, where the meaning is associated with the status or condition of the item, or the stage, step, or status or the process. By tearing some strips or all strips, a desired bit pattern may be programmed into a register of the RFID tag. The bit pattern may reflect the status or condition of the item, or the stage, step, or status of a process.

Abstract: A detachable trigger unit for a wearable device (e.g., a wearable data acquisition device) includes (i) a trigger housing having a triggering mechanism for engaging a housing unit of the device; (ii) a strap housing detachably coupled to the trigger housing; and (iii) a protective membrane coupled to the strap housing and protecting a body part of a user. The trigger housing includes a first connector for receiving a corresponding second connector of the housing unit. The housing unit is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A dual mode mobile unit is arranged to communicate in either a first or second data communications standard, such as combined Bluetooth and 802.11 operation. An interface unit converts received Bluetooth or 802.11 format signals into 802.11 frame format data signals to be provided to a digital signal processor which is programmed to process signals in either standard. The dual mode mobile unit can operate in the 802.11 standard to reserve a time interval for Bluetooth activity during which other 802.11 units will avoid transmissions to avoid interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for opportunistically charging a rechargeable power source of a portable electronic unit are provided. The system includes a primary inductance assembly energized by a main power source for inducing an electro-magnetic flux in a secondary coil assembly associated with a power source of the portable unit. Such electro-magnetic flux creates an electric current that is subsequently employed for charging the power source of the portable unit. A controller of the charging system can monitor state of charge, and notify a user when a recharge is required. Scavenging modes may also be employed for recharging the main power source and the rechargeable source of the portable unit.