Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a vertical spark gap device includes a substrate having a horizontal main surface and a plurality of pairs of conductive layers over the horizontal main surface. Different ones of the pairs are separated by different vertical distances such that each pair serves as an arcing electrode pair and different ones of the arcing electrode pairs are configured to arc discharge at different voltages.

Abstract: A checkstand system including a counter surface within which a plurality of induction charge transmission coils are embedded in or disposed below the counter at selected charge positions about the countertop whereby a cordless peripheral, such as a data reader, is positionable and movable between multiple positions about the counter surface, the peripheral including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral is placed in proximity of a selected one of the charge positions on the checkstand. In one configuration, the system includes a temperature sensing component disposed proximal to an induction charge transmission coil and a controller operative for receiving a temperature signal from the temperature sensing component and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A checkstand system including a counter surface within which a plurality of induction charge transmission coils are embedded in or disposed below the counter at selected charge positions about the countertop whereby a cordless peripheral, such as a data reader, is positionable and movable between multiple positions about the counter surface, the peripheral including an induction charge receiving coil operative to receive a charge current from one of the induction charge transmission coils when the peripheral is placed in proximity of a selected one of the charge positions on the checkstand. In one configuration, the system includes a temperature sensing component disposed proximal to an induction charge transmission coil and a controller operative for receiving a temperature signal from the temperature sensing component and adjusting the charge current delivered to the induction charge transmission coil in response to the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems better detect transitions in a binary optical code signal and thus better detect edges in binary optical codes, such as bar codes. The optical code signal imperfectly indicates perceived regions of relatively dark and light areas arranged in an alternating pattern as part of an optical code. That signal is differentiated to form a first derivative. Due to various non-ideal conditions, the first derivative may have a series of successive local peaks of the same polarity. Peaks in the series having a peak value less than a previous peak value in the series are ignored, thereby resulting in a set of unignored peaks. From the unignored peaks in the series is chosen the one peak occurring last in order. According to the chosen peak, there is generated a signal more reliably indicating the true edge position between light and dark areas in the pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the accuracy of edge detection under high Inter-Symbol Interference, or ISI, conditions is disclosed. The amplified and filtered first derivative signal is offset by equal amounts in both directions to generate positive and negative offsets which serve as inputs to negative and positive peak detectors, respectively. The offset is determined by a fast adaptive peak detector provided by attenuating and AC-coupling the first derivative signal to the positive supply to drive a peak detector with a fairly short attack time, such that its output is nearly settled on the first peak of the first derivative signal, but having a decay time long enough to keep the threshold level approximately constant across the label. Peaks are qualified if the peak in question differs in amplitude from the previously qualified peak by the offset amount.

Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.

Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.

Abstract: A compact scan module including a resonantly driven dithering assembly employing feedback and/or travel stops for scanning an illumination beam of a barcode scanner. In one construction the dithering assembly includes one or more travel stops to limit the motion of the mirror assembly with the two travel stop(s) fabricated from damped resilient material to absorb excess energy imparted on the dithering assembly. A first preferred feedback embodiment employs a Hall effect sensor wherein a feedback magnet is connected to the dithering assembly with a Hall effect sensor positioned to sense the varying magnetic field resulting from the varying position of the feedback magnet. A second feedback embodiment incorporates piezoelectric feedback wherein one or more piezoelectric strain sensors are attached to the bending member to provide the position sensing.

Abstract: An electronic edge detection system for use in a barcode scanning system utilizing second derivative signal processing wherein the temporal offset between the first and second derivative signals is eliminated so as to enable edge detection for signal levels down to the noise level of an input signal. In a preferred embodiment, an overall filter network receives an input signal and comprises two real poles as the last elements of two parallel output channels. The first output channel terminates with a low pass filter and produces the first derivative of the input signal. The second output channel terminates with a high pass filter and produces the second derivative of the input signal. Implementing the second differentiator as one real pole of the overall edge detection system filter polynomial and placing the poles of the two output filters at the same frequency eliminates the temporal offset.

Abstract: Cyclobutarenes are prepared by pyrolyzing a suitable benzene, naphthalene, or pyridine derivative in the presence of an amount of steam effective to substantially reduce the partial pressure of the pyrolyzing compound.