Abstract: An example disclosed method includes generating a composite image by merging unblocked portions of first and second images, each of the first and second images being representative of an environment; identifying a blocked portion of the first and second images; determining, by the processor, whether the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than a threshold amount of time; and in response to determining that the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than the threshold amount of time, including the blocked portion in the composite image.

Abstract: An example disclosed method includes generating a composite image by merging unblocked portions of first and second images, each of the first and second images being representative of an environment; identifying a blocked portion of the first and second images; determining, by the processor, whether the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than a threshold amount of time; and in response to determining that the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than the threshold amount of time, including the blocked portion in the composite image.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers are integrated with individual RFID tags to form integrated RFID units that are initially deployed to cover a controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage. A controller determines whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling at least one of the integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the RFID tag integrated with at least another of the integrated RFID units. An interface reports when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and responsively guides a redeployment of at least one of initially deployed integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting an image for inventory monitoring is provided herein. During operation, a camera may take a series of images of a particular area to be monitored. Each image will be broken into a plurality of regions and a determination will be made if a region is at least partially blocked. Those regions deemed unblocked will be utilized to generate a composite image. The camera continues acquiring images, using unblocked regions until a complete composite image is formed without obstructions. The composite image will then be transmitted and used for inventory monitoring.

Abstract: A technique for modifying radio frequency identification (RFID) system operation using movement detection includes an RFID scanner disposed within an environment and operable to obtain RFID data from RFID tags located within the environment. An imaging device captures video of the environment, and a processor analyzes the captured video from the imaging device to detect and locate movement within the environment. If movement is detected within the environment, the processor modifies operation of the RFID scanner that is proximal to the location of the movement, increasing or decreasing interrogation rate, for example.

Abstract: A technique for modifying radio frequency identification (RFID) system operation using movement detection includes an RFID scanner disposed within an environment and operable to obtain RFID data from RFID tags located within the environment. An imaging device captures video of the environment, and a processor analyzes the captured video from the imaging device to detect and locate movement within the environment. If movement is detected within the environment, the processor modifies operation of the RFID scanner that is proximal to the location of the movement, increasing or decreasing interrogation rate, for example.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for, and method of, reading an RFID tag to obtain data, includes an RFID module supported by a housing and including an antenna for propagating an electromagnetic field over a field of view, as well as an illuminator supported by the housing for visibly illuminating the field of view to enable an operator to see the illuminated field of view and whether the RFID tag is within the illuminated field of view.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for sweeping a composite laser beam as a pattern of linear scan lines on a planar projection surface and for causing selected pixels arranged along each linear scan line to be illuminated to produce an image of high quality and in color.

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.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers are integrated with individual RFID tags to form integrated RFID units that are initially deployed to cover a controlled area with radio frequency (RF) coverage. A controller determines whether the RF coverage optimally covers the controlled area by controlling at least one of the integrated RFID units in the initial deployment to read the RFID tag integrated with at least another of the integrated RFID units. An interface reports when the RF coverage does not optimally cover the controlled area, and responsively guides a redeployment of at least one of initially deployed integrated RFID units to a subsequent deployment in which the RF coverage provided by the integrated RFID units optimally covers the controlled area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting an image for inventory monitoring is provided herein. During operation, a camera may take a series of images of a particular area to be monitored. Each image will be broken into a plurality of regions and a determination will be made if a region is at least partially blocked. Those regions deemed unblocked will be utilized to generate a composite image. The camera continues acquiring images, using unblocked regions until a complete composite image is formed without obstructions. The composite image will then be transmitted and used for inventory monitoring.

Abstract: A technique for operating a Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, reader with motion detection includes detecting a motion in proximity to the RFID reader, and triggering the RFID reader to read any tags in proximity to the RFID reader in response to detecting a motion in proximity to the RFID reader. Detecting a motion can also generate a change in digital signage, or communicate information about read tags to a local area network. Operating this system only when motion is detected saves battery life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective transmission of color information to a remote recognition system is provided herein. During operation, a central server may determine that at least one region in an image is ambiguously recognized, or unrecognized. In response, the central server will send a request for the image/video to be provided in color, or alternatively for a portion of the image/video to be provided in color. Because only selective images, or portions of images will be transmitted in color, the above transmission scheme enables reduction of bandwidth, and hence cost, required for transmitting images to the analytics server, without compromising the accuracy of the analytics.

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 radio frequency identification (RFID) system used to perform electronic article surveillance comprises a RFID tag and a RFID reader. The RFID tag is affixed to an object, and the RFID reader, having a plurality of antennas, is in radio frequency (RF) communication with the RFID tag. The plurality of antennas are arranged to have a spatial relationship with one another to monitor and communicate with the RFID tag such that a likelihood of a security breach of the RFID tag is determined. Determining the likelihood of the security breach is based, at least in part, on a signal strength of a read of the RFID tag at each antenna relative to the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: A method of providing assistance for locating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device is provided. The RFID device preferably comprises a power source having a power level and a feedback device. The method comprises determining the power level of the power source is below a first predetermined power level, and transmitting a first signal that indicates the power level of the power source is below the first predetermined power level. Thereafter, the method comprises receiving a second signal that instructs the RFID device to activate the feedback device, and operating the feedback device in response to receiving the second signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for displaying read range of a nomadic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader based on feedback from fixed RFID beacon tags. For instance, the nomadic RFID reader can transmit an interrogation signal within a space that includes a plurality of fixed RFID beacon tags at known locations, and can receive response signals from a group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. Based on known locations of the group of fixed RFID beacon tags, a read range of the RFID reader can be determined. The read range is defined by the group of the fixed RFID beacon tags. The read range of the nomadic RFID reader can then be displayed on a display along with other information about the fixed RFID beacon tags and/or RFID item tags that are within the read range of the nomadic RFID reader.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system used to perform electronic article surveillance comprises a RFID tag and a RFID reader. The RFID tag is affixed to an object, and the RFID reader, having a plurality of antennas, is in radio frequency (RF) communication with the RFID tag. The plurality of antennas are arranged to have a spatial relationship with one another to monitor and communicate with the RFID tag such that a likelihood of a security breach of the RFID tag is determined. Determining the likelihood of the security breach is based, at least in part, on a signal strength of a read of the RFID tag at each antenna relative to the plurality of antennas.

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: The present disclosure describes a system, methods and apparatus for determining location of an item within a space. Each particular item is associated with a particular Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) item tag that uniquely identifies the particular item. A plurality of fixed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers are provided in the space, and each of the fixed RFID readers is fixed at a particular known location within the space. Each of the fixed RFID readers can transmit an interrogation signal. Upon receiving a first interrogation signal from one of the fixed RFID readers, a first RFID item tag transmits a response signal. The first fixed RFID reader receives the response signal transmitted by the first RFID item tag, and can therefore determine that the first RFID item tag is located within a read range of the first fixed RFID reader.