Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting potential shrink events via RFID technology are provided. The systems include a point of sale (POS) system that includes an optical scanner, an RFID transceiver arrangement, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to perform example methods disclosed herein. For example, the controller may detect that the optical scanner has decoded a barcode, trigger the RFID transceiver arrangement to write a data string to an RFID tag located within the object scanning area, conduct a detection operation to detect the RFID tag with the data string in the bagging area. Responsive to detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a first operation. Responsive to not detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a second operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting potential shrink events via RFID technology are provided. The systems include a point of sale (POS) system that includes an optical scanner, an RFID transceiver arrangement, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to perform example methods disclosed herein. For example, the controller may detect that the optical scanner has decoded a barcode, trigger the RFID transceiver arrangement to write a data string to an RFID tag located within the object scanning area, conduct a detection operation to detect the RFID tag with the data string in the bagging area. Responsive to detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a first operation. Responsive to not detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a second operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting potential shrink events via RFID technology are provided. The systems include a point of sale (POS) system that includes an optical scanner, an RFID transceiver arrangement, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to perform example methods disclosed herein. For example, the controller may detect that the optical scanner has decoded a barcode, trigger the RFID transceiver arrangement to write a data string to an RFID tag located within the object scanning area, conduct a detection operation to detect the RFID tag with the data string in the bagging area. Responsive to detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a first operation. Responsive to not detecting the RFID tag with the data string, the method involves the user interface performing a second operation.

Abstract: An elevated system for providing support and control of a network of mobile robotic apparatus contains a system of tracks attached to an elevated structure with means to connect one or more adjacent tracks for the mobile robotic apparatus to traverse the track system. The mobile robotic apparatus contains one or more mobile robotic units with means to actuate and process sensor input and provide multimedia and communication signal monitoring and tracking capabilities. A remote controller not attached to the track system nor robotic apparatus provides command and control to the robotic units, and provides electronic storage of data generated by the robotic units and/or remote controller.

Abstract: An elevated system for providing support and control of a network of mobile robotic apparatus contains a system of tracks attached to an elevated structure with means to connect one or more adjacent tracks for the mobile robotic apparatus to traverse the track system. The mobile robotic apparatus contains one or more mobile robotic units with means to actuate and process sensor input and provide multimedia and communication signal monitoring and tracking capabilities. A remote controller not attached to the track system nor robotic apparatus provides command and control to the robotic units, and provides electronic storage of data generated by the robotic units and/or remote controller.

Abstract: A method and system for resynchronizing an embedded multimedia system using bytes consumed in an audio decoder. The bytes consumed provides a mechanism to compensate for bit error handling and correction in a system that does not require re-transmission. The audio decoder keeps track of the bytes consumed and periodically reports the bytes consumed. A host microprocessor indexes the actual bytes consumed since bit errors may have been handled or corrected to a predetermined byte count to determine whether resynchronization is necessary.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a secure environment for mobile telephones and other devices are disclosed. The system and method may utilize trust zoning, layered memory, and a secure matrix model having, for example, a memory protection module for protecting memory; a secure debug module for ensuring security of the debug module; a secure file system module for protecting the secure file system; and a trusted time source module for protecting components. Embodiments of the present invention may protect against security attacks on a variety of hardware and software components while permitting suitable levels of accessibility for developmental and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Motion estimation in video compressions systems. A programmable motion estimator may be used to estimate a motion vector for a macroblock in a current frame by searching for a matching macroblock in a previous frame. A controller may be used to program the motion estimator to perform a particular search.

Abstract: An imaging system with in-field image quality testing and reporting features, includes a housing, and a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors supported by the housing for capturing return light from a target located in a range of working distances from the housing in an image capture mode of operation, and for capturing return light from a test pattern positioned at a predetermined position in the range of working distances in a test mode of operation different from the image capture mode. An electrical signal indicative of the captured return light is generated in each mode. A memory is supported by the housing for storing a test program for testing image quality.

Abstract: This disclosure describes video encoding techniques capable of reducing the number of processing cycles and memory transfers necessary to encode a video sequence. In this manner, the disclosed video encoding techniques may increase video encoding speed and reduce power consumption. In general, the video encoding techniques make use of a candidate memory that stores video blocks in columns corresponding to a search space for a motion estimation routine. A memory control unit addresses the candidate memory to retrieve multiple pixels in parallel for simultaneous comparison to pixels in a video block to be encoded, e.g., using Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) or Sum of Squared Difference (SSD) techniques. A difference processor performs the parallel calculations. In addition, for subsequent video blocks to be encoded, the candidate memory can be incrementally updated by loading a new column of video blocks, rather than reloading the entire search space.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a secure environment for mobile telephones and other devices are disclosed. The system and method may utilize trust zoning, layered memory, and a secure matrix model having, for example, a memory protection module for protecting memory; a secure debug module for ensuring security of the debug module; a secure file system module for protecting the secure file system; and a trusted time source module for protecting components. Embodiments of the present invention may protect against security attacks on a variety of hardware and software components while permitting suitable levels of accessibility for developmental and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes video encoding techniques capable of reducing the number of processing cycles and memory transfers necessary to encode a video sequence. In this manner, the disclosed video encoding techniques may increase video encoding speed and reduce power consumption. In general, the video encoding techniques make use of a candidate memory that stores video blocks in columns corresponding to a search space for a motion estimation routine. A memory control unit addresses the candidate memory to retrieve multiple pixels in parallel for simultaneous comparison to pixels in a video block to be encoded, e.g., using Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) or Sum of Squared Difference (SSD) techniques. A difference processor performs the parallel calculations. In addition, for subsequent video blocks to be encoded, the candidate memory can be incrementally updated by loading a new column of video blocks, rather than reloading the entire search space.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a secure environment for mobile telephones and other devices are disclosed. The system and method may utilize trust zoning, layered memory, and a secure matrix model having, for example, a memory protection module for protecting memory; a secure debug module for ensuring security of the debug module; a secure file system module for protecting the secure file system; and a trusted time source module for protecting components. Embodiments of the present invention may protect against security attacks on a variety of hardware and software components while permitting suitable levels of accessibility for developmental and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast generation of a cryptographic key. A processor within a wireless communication device generates a public key upon termination of wireless communication. When a user of the wireless communication device desires to initiate a secure communication subsequent to the previous communication, the public key that was generated upon termination of the previous communication is used to engage in secure communications with a second communication device.

Abstract: An imaging reader for, and a method of, processing a plurality of data, such as one or more symbols having the same or different symbologies, a receipt acknowledgment, and an alphanumeric address arranged at spaced-apart locations on a target, such as at parcel delivery label, employ a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the data on the target over a field of view, an actuator for actuating the images: to capture the return light from the data on the target in a single actuation, and a controller automatically configured for detecting all the data and the spaced-apart locations at which the data is arranged over the field of view, and for processing the return light captured by the imager from all the data only when all the data is of a predetermined type and is at predetermined locations on the target, in response to the single actuation.

Abstract: An imaging system with in-field image quality testing and reporting features, includes a housing, and a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors supported by the housing for capturing return light from a target located in a range of working distances from the housing in an image capture mode of operation, and for capturing return light from a test pattern positioned at a predetermined position in the range of working distances in a test mode of operation different from the image capture mode. An electrical signal indicative of the captured return light is generated in each mode. A memory is supported by the housing for storing a test program for testing image quality.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to encoding techniques that can be used to improve encoding of digital video data. The techniques can be implemented by an encoder of a digital video device in order to reduce the number of computations and possibly reduce power consumption during video encoding. More specifically, video encoding techniques are described which utilize one or more programmable thresholds in order to terminate the execution of various computations when the computations would be unlikely to improve the encoding. By terminating computations prematurely, the amount of processing required for video encoding can be reduced, and power can be conserved.

Abstract: A method and system for resynchronizing an embedded multimedia system using bytes consumed in an audio decoder. The bytes consumed provides a mechanism to compensate for bit error handling and correction in a system that does not require re-transmission. The audio decoder keeps track of the bytes consumed and periodically reports the bytes consumed. A host microprocessor indexes the actual bytes consumed since bit errors may have been handled or corrected to a predetermined byte count to determine whether resynchronization is necessary.

Abstract: A system for sensor network applications comprising a microcontroller for handling irregular events, at least one hardware accelerator for handling regular events, an event processor for interrupt handling and power management in the system, and a system bus. The microcontroller, hardware accelerator, and event processor each are connected to the system bus. The event processor gates power to the microcontroller to provide power to the microcontroller only for processing related to irregular events requiring processing by the microcontroller. The event processor further may gate power to the hardware accelerator. The system may further include a message processor and a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing configurable functionality in a communication device. A memory stores a plurality of software modules, each module for performing a specific functionality for the communication device. A host processor receives a command to provide a desired communication type, and based on the communication type, selects one or more of the software modules and loads them into a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor then executes the one or more software modules to provide the desired communication type.