Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: establishment a hand held reader configured to read an information bearing medium at an establishment and accepting text message communications from the establishment; reading the information bearing medium at the establishment with the reader; and, sending at least one text message communication to an operator of the reader at the establishment on the reader GUI from the establishment when the establishment recognizes a need for a specific notice requirement after reading the information bearing medium.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: An add-on device for an image scanner for scanning barcodes is provided. The add-on device includes a housing mounted to the standard range lens front on an image scanner, and a lens holder. The lens holder has a first position for holding a first lens, a second position being an aperture, and a third position for holding a second lens. A high-density lens is mounted in the first position. An extended range lens is mounted in the third position. The lens holder is mounted in the housing and is transverse to the optical axis of the standard range lens of the image scanner. Further, the lens holder is movable within the housing in order to alternately position the high-density lens, the aperture, and the extended range lens to be in alignment with the optical axis of the standard range lens of the image scanner.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: An indicia-reading module is capable of integration into the smallest face of thin-profile smart device. The module employs chip-on-board packaging and a customized sensor enclosure to eliminate the stack-up height found in conventional packaging. The module also employs a customized frame to reduce volume by integrating circuit subassembly circuit boards into a unique architecture and by serving as the lenses for the illuminator and the aimer, thereby eliminating the need for any extra lenses or holders.

Abstract: An add-on device for an image scanner for scanning barcodes is provided. The add-on device includes a housing mounted to the standard range lens front on an image scanner, and a lens holder. The lens holder has a first position for holding a first lens, a second position being an aperture, and a third position for holding a second lens. A high-density lens is mounted in the first position. An extended range lens is mounted in the third position. The lens holder is mounted in the housing and is transverse to the optical axis of the standard range lens of the image scanner. Further, the lens holder is movable within the housing in order to alternately position the high-density lens, the aperture, and the extended range lens to be in alignment with the optical axis of the standard range lens of the image scanner.

Abstract: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a mobile device is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of: acquiring a spectral wavelength signature of the surface; comparing the spectral wavelength signature of the surface to RGB triple-peak emission spectra; scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in non-illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra, and scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface not corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra.

Abstract: Indicia readers may be configured with two illumination light sources: a primary light source for illuminating primary indicia (e.g., a barcode) and a secondary ultraviolet (UV) light source for revealing secondary indicia (e.g., UV fluorescent watermarks) that are used to protect against counterfeit and fraud. Ultraviolet light can be harmful. The present invention embraces methods and a device for controlling the secondary UV light source to limit UV exposure. When an exposure risks is detected, the UV light source is deactivated.

Abstract: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a mobile device is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of: acquiring a spectral wavelength signature of the surface; comparing the spectral wavelength signature of the surface to RGB triple-peak emission spectra; scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in non-illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra, and scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface not corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra.

Abstract: Systems for power management of a fleet of devices through information storage sharing are described. According to one embodiment, each one of a group of networked devices offloads information to a substantially powered hub device before entering a low power consumption mode and receives the respective information back from the hub device upon wake. Another embodiment describes a system of networked devices in which each one of the networked devices offloads information to a selected networked device before entering a sleep mode and receives the respective information back from that selected networked device after entering a wake mode. Another embodiment describes a system whereby the original selected networked device then backups to a new selected networked device if the original selected networked device needs to enter a low power consumption mode, and the other networked devices receive the respective information back from the new selected networked device.

Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: establishment a hand held reader configured to read an information bearing medium at an establishment and accepting text message communications from the establishment; reading the information bearing medium at the establishment with the reader; and, sending at least one text message communication to an operator of the reader at the establishment on the reader GUI from the establishment when the establishment recognizes a need for a specific notice requirement after reading the information bearing medium.

Abstract: A digital-imaging based system reads graphical indicia, including code symbols, on objects such as, but not limited to, code symbol menus by the user pointing his or her finger at the particular code symbol on the code symbol menu to be read, while digital images of the code symbol menu and the pointing finger are automatically captured, buffered and processed.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: Point-of sale (POS) devices and checkout devices are provided. An exemplary checkout apparatus includes a plurality of sensing elements arranged in fixed relationship with each other at the mouth of a bag. At least one of the sensing elements senses a code arranged on a product as the product is being placed into the bag.

Abstract: An active process is monitored on the wireless device to obtain state information relating to the active process. Static information about the wireless device is determined. One or more discovery communications (e.g., advertisement) are generated for the wireless device using a wireless communication medium. The one or more discovery communications can include (i) a set of data items that are based on the static information, and (ii) dynamic information that is based on the state information of the active process.

Abstract: One or more discovery communications are received by a user device over a wireless communication medium. The one or more discovery communications can be communicated using a Layer 2 protocol. The one or more discovery communications can be processed to determine information included with the one or more discovery communications. The information can include an identifier of the wireless device and dynamic information about an active process of the wireless device. When the user device is not connected to the discovered wireless device, the user device displays a representation of the wireless device. The representation can include information determined from the one or more discovery communications, including the identifier of the wireless device and content that is based on the dynamic information.

Abstract: An imaging engine for an indicia reader that includes a dual-purposed housing is disclosed. The housing is configured to provide support and alignment for the imaging engine's optical modules. In addition, the housing includes an integrated optical structure to focus or project light to or from the various optical modules.

Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system having (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem for reading bar code symbols on products being purchased at a retail POS station, and (ii) a produce weigh scale having a weigh scale assembly for weighing one or more produce items on a weigh platter during produce weighing operations carried out at the time of checkout at said retail POS station. The system also includes an automatic produce weighing interference detection subsystem, supporting an IR-based light curtain about the weigh platter, automatically detects when any object is overhanging the weigh platter during produce weighing operations, and generates an alert signal when such conditions are automatically detected.

Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: establishment a hand held reader configured to read an information bearing medium at an establishment and accepting text message communications from the establishment; reading the information bearing medium at the establishment with the reader; and, sending at least one text message communication to an operator of the reader at the establishment on the reader GUI from the establishment when the establishment recognizes a need for a specific notice requirement after reading the information bearing medium.