Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques to deactivate security tags associated with purchased products via a mobile application by using the Near Field Communications (NFC) protocol or other near field wireless capabilities of the mobile device to communicate with a stand-alone deactivator. In some instances, the mobile device may be configured to deactivate either single tag (“single deactivation”) or a plurality of tags (“bulk deactivation”) using an authorization code. Features of the present disclosure provide advantages over conventional systems in terms of convenience for the customer and lower hardware requirements. Specifically, unlike current systems, the stand-alone deactivator of the present disclosure does not need to be part of or connected to the POS network to enable or inhibit the deactivation of security tags. The information needed to enable deactivation may be transferred to the deactivator using the NFC or other near field wireless capabilities of a mobile device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques to deactivate security tags associated with purchased products via a mobile application by using the Near Field Communications (NFC) protocol or other near field wireless capabilities of the mobile device to communicate with a stand-alone deactivator. In some instances, the mobile device may be configured to deactivate either single tag (“single deactivation”) or a plurality of tags (“bulk deactivation”) using an authorization code. Features of the present disclosure provide advantages over conventional systems in terms of convenience for the customer and lower hardware requirements. Specifically, unlike current systems, the stand-alone deactivator of the present disclosure does not need to be part of or connected to the POS network to enable or inhibit the deactivation of security tags. The information needed to enable deactivation may be transferred to the deactivator using the NFC or other near field wireless capabilities of a mobile device.

Abstract: A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model.

Abstract: A portable, cordless hand-held device for locating an active electronic article surveillance (EAS) device, managing the activation/deactivation status of the EAS device and logging information relating to alarm events triggered by the EAS device. The device includes an EAS detector for detecting the presence of an EAS tag or label, a state manipulator for manipulating the activation/deactivation state of the detected active EAS label, at least one data capture device for capturing data related to the alarm event, and a memory for storage of the captured data.

Abstract: A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.

Abstract: A portable, cordless hand-held device for locating an active electronic article surveillance (EAS) device, managing the activation/deactivation status of the EAS device and logging information relating to alarm events triggered by the EAS device. The device includes an EAS detector for detecting the presence of an EAS tag or label, a state manipulator for manipulating the activation/deactivation state of the detected active EAS label, at least one data capture device for capturing data related to the alarm event, and a memory for storage of the captured data.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.

Abstract: A system and an analogous method which automatically configures electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices coupled to a network, includes a server coupled to the network. The server may include software or hardware which (1) listens on a specified port for connection requests from at least one coupled EAS network device; (2) accepts the connection request from at least one coupled EAS network device; (3) queries at least one coupled EAS network device for information relating to at least one EAS network device; and (4) configures at least one coupled EAS network device based upon the information received from at least one EAS network device.

Abstract: A routing system for transferring control commands and/or data from at least one origin and distributing control commands and/or data to at least one destination comprising an input module and an output module. The input module is operatively connected to the at least one origin. The data input module is configured to collect data or receive commands from the at least one origin. The data output module is operatively connected to the input module and to the at least one destination. The collection module is configured to distribute the data and commands received by the input module to the at least one destination.

Abstract: An integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and people counting system including an EAS system, a people counting system, and an alarm management unit. The alarm management unit accepts the EAS data signal from the EAS system and a people count signal from the people counting system for facilitating correlation of EAS and people count data. A method of monitoring a passageway and an alarm management unit associated with an integrated system are also provided. There is also provided a people counting system for determining a direction of travel of people including first and second people detection devices and a controller. The controller provides an output representative of a direction of travel in response to the outputs of the first and second people detection devices.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one selected motion control device selected from a group of supported motion control devices. The system comprises a set of software drivers, a selection component, and a software system. Each software driver in the set of software drivers is associated with one motion control device in the group of supported motion control devices, and a selected software driver is associated with at least one selected motion control device. The selection component identifies at least one selected software driver from the set of software drivers. The software system calls a series of component function calls to control the at least one selected motion control device associated with the at least one selected software driver based on the at least one selected software driver such that the at least one motion control device moves in a desired manner.

Abstract: A people counting system including: a first people counting data collection unit configured to store a first set of people count data; and a second people counting data collection unit configured to store a second set of people count data. The first people counting data collection unit is configured for bi-directional communication with the second people counting data collection unit to facilitate access of people count data from either collection unit. A method monitoring a count of people traversing at least first and second passageways is also provided.

Abstract: A system for communicating with at least one motion control device, comprising a set of software drivers, a motion control component, and a network protocol. At least one software driver is selectable and associated with at least one motion control device. The motion control component exposes component functions for commanding at least one selected motion control device based on at least one selected software driver and the exposed component functions. The component functions exposed by the motion control component may be used through the network protocol.

Abstract: A method in a robot of providing hardware abstraction for robot control software. A plurality of resource drivers for the robot includes resource drivers for which no corresponding hardware is present on the robot. Resources that are available on the robot are automatically detected based a hardware configuration detected for the robot. A request is received from the robot control software to use a type of resource. A resource that corresponds to the type of resource requested by the robot control software is automatically selected. A first information related to use of the selected resource is provided in a unit of measure that is related to a robot. A second information related to the use requested by the robot control software is provided in a unit of measure that is related to a corresponding device. The method converts between the first information and the second information based on the detected configuration of the robot.

Abstract: A system for moving an object comprising a motion control device, an application program, a computer processor, and a data exchange system. The application program identifies a predetermined set of data items associated with the motion control device. The computer processor is in communication with the motion control device and the application program to operate the motion control device by sending control commands to the motion control device. The data exchange system updates the application program when any of the data items in the predetermined set of data items changes.

Abstract: A data routing system for collecting data from at least one data origin and distributing data to at least one data destination. The data routing system comprises a data input module and a data output module. The data input module operatively connected to the at least one data origin. The data input module is configured to collect data from the at least one data origin. The data output module operatively connected to the data input module and to the at least one data destination. The data collection component is configured to distribute the data collected by the data input module to the at least one data destination.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.

Abstract: An integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and people counting system including an EAS system, a people counting system, and an alarm management unit. The alarm management unit accepts the EAS data signal from the EAS system and a people count signal from the people counting system for facilitating correlation of EAS and people count data. A method of monitoring a passageway and an alarm management unit associated with an integrated system are also provided. There is also provided a people counting system for determining a direction of travel of people including first and second people detection devices and a controller. The controller provides an output representative of a direction of travel in response to the outputs of the first and second people detection devices.

Abstract: A people counting system including: a first people counting data collection unit configured to store a first set of people count data; and a second people counting data collection unit configured to store a second set of people count data. The first people counting data collection unit is configured for bi-directional communication with the second people counting data collection unit to facilitate access of people count data from either collection unit. A method monitoring a count of people traversing at least first and second passageways is also provided.