Abstract: The disclosed bar code reader includes an auto-focusing component for rapidly producing in focus images. An imaging system makes use of an aiming pattern that impinges upon the coded indicia of a target. The imaging system includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The imaging system also includes a movable mirror mounted for movement along a path of travel to reflect light passing through the focusing lens onto the pixel array. A drive motor moves the mirror relative the lens to adjust a focus of an image of the object formed at the pixel array. An automatic focusing component of the imaging system analyzes the aiming pattern reflected from the target object and projected onto the pixel array by the lens.

Abstract: A method and imaging system (10) is disclosed having a lens assembly (40) adapted for reading a target object (18) comprising an anamorphic lens assembly with first (L3) and second (L4) toroidal lenses adapted for positioning between a target object (18) and a sensor array (32) of an imaging system (10) such that an image received from the target object (18) is anamorphically magnified before impinging onto the sensor array along first and second directions by the anamorphic lens assembly (L3, L4). The anamorphic magnification in the first direction differs from the magnification in the second direction such that the image of the target object (18) projected onto the sensor array (32) appears elongated along the first direction relative to the second direction.

Abstract: A two dimensional symbol is decoded by forming a binary image that includes the symbol. The binary is used to generate symbol margins for use in digitization. By using the binary image to determine the symbol margins, margins can be located efficiently and in the presence of symbol contrast variation caused by irregularities in the marked surface or light source angles. Digitization proceeds based on the determined margins.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a wireless switch, a plurality of wired access ports and a plurality of wireless access ports. The plurality of wired access ports are coupled to the wireless switch via a wired connection and are configured to receive data over the wired connection and over a wireless connection. The plurality of wireless access ports are configured to receive data over the wireless connection from the wireless access port and to send data over the wireless connection to the wired access port. The wireless access ports are further configured to receive and encapsulate first wireless data packets in to first wired data packets based on a wired transmission protocol and encapsulate the first wired data packets into second wireless data packets based on a wireless transmission protocol.

Abstract: A system and methods for detecting an operational problem on a mobile device and automatically resolving the problem with a coordinated execution of repair tasks on the mobile device and on the plurality of servers communicatively connected to the mobile device providing for a complex solution to an operational problem. The system can archive a history of corrective actions and their outcome for later analysis and reporting.

Abstract: A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and or methodologies for intelligent and adaptive power management in mobile devices. A peripheral power management component can set peripheral devices to active or inactive based on one or more schemas. The schemas can be predetermined or generated by the peripheral power management component. In addition, an adaptive component can modify the schemas to reflect actual usage or changing trends for each peripheral device.

Abstract: A wireless data communications system includes simplified access points which are connected to ports of an intelligent switching hub. The switching hub relays data packets to the access points in accordance with destination address data in the data communications. In a preferred arrangement the access points are provided with power over the data cable from the switching hub location.

Abstract: An improved portable shopping system with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation components that are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.

Abstract: A system provides a charging and a connection for a mobile unit. The system includes a housing of a mobile unit that couples to a latch. The housing comprises a loop and a panel. The loop is disposed on a top portion of the housing and receives a hook of the latch. The panel is disposed on a back portion of the housing and receives a corresponding panel of the latch. The panel includes a first set of electrical contacts that couple to a second set of electrical contacts of the corresponding panel to establish an electrical connection.

Abstract: A device optimized battery-charging system for extending the useful life of a rechargeable battery. The optimized battery-charging system predicts periods of use and non-use of the device containing the battery and generates a schedule of when to charge the battery so the battery is ready for the next use cycle. During non-use cycles, the optimized battery-charging system reduces the battery charge level to an optimum level for storage based on the battery chemistry. When charging or discharging the battery, the optimized battery-charging system calculates a rate of charge or discharge that assures that the battery temperature does not exceed a preconfigured maximum value.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for providing differentiated service levels to wireless devices in a wireless network. The method comprises receiving, on a first network arrangement connected to a network, an authentication request from a wireless device. The network uses a first access protocol having a plurality of access categories and the wireless device uses a second access protocol. The authentication request including one of the plurality of access categories. The wireless device is verified to ensure that it is authorized to communicate at the one of the plurality of access categories. When the wireless device is verified as authorized, a response is communicated to a second network arrangement that indicates the one of the plurality of access categories is used for communications with the wireless device.

Abstract: In a wireless local area network which includes access point having variable transmitter power levels, transmitter power data is sent from the access points to the mobile units and used by the mobile units in order to provide a corresponding variation in the transmitter power of the mobile unit.

Abstract: Described is a modular access point for wireless communications. The access point includes a housing which has at least one module receiving slot and a first wireless communication radio. The radio communicates with a first wireless device via a first frequency band. The access point also includes a removable module configured for insertion into the module receiving slot. The module includes a second communication radio utilizing a second frequency band so that, when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a second wireless device via at least one of the first and second frequency bands. The access point includes a plurality of antenna connectors which are connected to the first and second radios. The access pint may utilize external antennas or internal antenna modules which interchangeably attachable to the antenna connectors.

Abstract: A convertible checkout terminal includes a housing having a window and a data capture device for capturing through the window data associated with products to be checked out at the terminal, a customer interface supported by the housing for enabling a customer to interact with the terminal in a self-service mode of operation, a clerk interface supported by the housing for enabling a clerk to interact with the terminal in a full-service mode of operation, and a mode selector for selecting either the self-service mode in which the customer interface is operational, or the full-service mode in which the clerk interface is operational.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locationing an object in a communication network. The method includes transmitting by a wireless transceiver fixed to the object of unknown location a plurality of radio frequency (RF) packets to a plurality of locationing receivers (LRs) in the communication network. The method further includes determining by each locationing receiver the local time of arrival of the RF packet and places a time stamp on the received RF packet based on a corresponding local clock, wherein the local clocks of the locationing receivers are synchronized based on a plurality of RF beacon packets transmitted by at least one reference transmitter at a known location.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a bar code reader 10 that can both interpret bar codes and determine a feature of a target object 230 not having a bar code affixed thereto. The bar code reader includes a housing including one or more transparent windows H, V and defining a housing interior region. As a target object is swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows an image of the target object is captured. A camera C1-C6 has an image capture sensor array positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view. An image processing system has a processor for decoding a bar code carried by the target object. If the target object has no bar code, the image processing system determines a feature such as a dimension of the target object from images captured by the imaging system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for assembling and implementing tamper indicating RFID devices are presented. An RFID device includes a substrate, an electrically conductive pattern formed on the substrate configured to operate as an antenna by separating a portion of a first device section from a second device section, and an electrical circuit mounted on the substrate that is electrically coupled to the antenna. The electrical circuit stores an identification code.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for RFID readers forming a reader network are described. In an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of RFID readers are configured to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the readers are configured to communicate with one another by transferring a token, represented by a signal. Possession of the token enables the reader to access a RF communications medium. Readers can be arranged in a ring configuration, and interconnected via wired links. A secondary token may circulate in the ring in addition to the primary token, to ensure redundancy in the system. A reader waits for a predetermined time interval before accessing the RF communications medium.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for establishing a wireless connection between wireless devices. The method comprises obtaining data of a corresponding computing device. The device conducts wireless communications using a predetermined wireless protocol. The obtained data is processed to generate a wireless address of the device and a first message is transmitted to the device for establishing a wireless connection. The first message is addressed to the wireless address. When a first response message is received from the device, a second message is transmitted to the device. The first response message is generated in response to the first message and includes the wireless address. The second message includes synchronization data. When a second response message is received from the device, the wireless connection is established with the device. The second response message is generated in response to the second message.