Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method acquires dimensions of an item. The dimensions and speed of the item are used to determine the item's location on a conveyor (i.e., to track the item on the conveyor). The location of the item is used to determine which switch RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas is the most suitable RFID reader antenna to communicate with a transponder located on the item. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: A scanner flipper integrity checking method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the method powers a motor for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined time has expired a wave is received indicative of the frequency of the oscillation of the flipper. Thereafter, the method uses the wave signal to determine whether there are two consecutive transitions indicative of movement by said flipper. In another embodiment, an apparatus is also provided which performs the similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: An automated tunnel-type scanning system arranged about a conveyor belt structure, including: a tunnel structure arranged about a conveyor belt structure for transporting packages; an omni-directional bar code symbol scanning subsystem; a package detection and dimensioning subsystem; and a data management subsystem. The package detection and dimensioning subsystem captures package measurement information about each detected package prior to the package being scanned by the omni-directional bar code symbol reading subsystem, and producing package measurement data representative of the captured package measurement information.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for determining if an optical scanner is moving. In one embodiment the method for sensing movement of an optical scanner comprises the steps of providing an oscillating system comprising a flexible member, a magnet coupled to the flexible member, a coil disposed within a magnetically effective distance from the magnet, and sense circuitry coupled to the coil; generating a first electrical signal from the oscillations of the flexible member; amplifying the generated electrical signal; analyzing the first electrical signal to determine if the generated signal is indicative of movement of the optical scanner.

Abstract: A scanner flipper oscillation frequency analyzing method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the method turns a laser off if the laser is on and receives a signal indicative of a flipper oscillation frequency. The method then compares the signal with stored parameters. Based on the comparison, the method adjusts the flipper oscillation frequency when a percentage variation between the signal and the parameters is above a predetermined value. If the flipper oscillation frequency is adjusted a Digital-to-Analog Conversion value associated with the adjustment is stored in memory. The signal received can be transition signals. In other embodiments, an apparatus and computer-readable medium is also provided which performs the similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: An automatically-activated code symbol reading system includes a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture through which a field of view (FOV) passes; and an automatically-activated bar code symbol reading mechanism for repeatedly reading code symbols on an object in the FOV, within a predetermined time period, and in response to each new successful reading of the code symbols, producing a new symbol character data string representative of the read code symbol. A system control subsystem (i) automatically activates the automatically-activated bar code symbol reading mechanism in response to the detection of the object in at least a portion of the FOV, and (ii) automatically activates the data transmission circuit in response to the generation of the data transmission control activation signal so that a symbol character data string, produced currently with or immediately subsequent to the activation of the manually-activatable data transmission switch, is transmitted to a host system.

Abstract: A method of waking up an in-counter bar code scanner from its standby mode comprises providing a sensor assembly attached to a touch plate. The sensor assembly comprises an oscillating magnet member affixed at one end and a permanent magnet attached at an opposite free end at the end of a flexible member. When a user touches the touch plate, the impact force exerted on the touch plate is transmitted to the oscillating magnet member causing the magnet to oscillate inducing an electrical signal in a pick-up coil provided near the magnet and wakes up the bar code scanner.

Abstract: An automated package dimensioning subsystem comprising a Laser Detecting and Ranging (LADAR-based) scanning apparatus for capturing two-dimensional range data maps of the space above a conveyor structure, along which packages are transported, and an image contour tracing apparatus for extracting package dimension data from the two-dimensional range data maps.

Abstract: A drive for oscillating a reflector in a beam scanner, and for other similar oscillating devices, forms a feedback loop synchronized to the natural resonance of a resiliently movable flipper strip carrying the reflector. A magnet on the free end of the flipper generates a current in a sensing coil coupled to an amplifier upon passage of the magnet. The triggering signal is phase delayed by one or more integrators or timers, whereupon a driving current is generated, for example in a different winding on the same spool as the sensing coil. The driving current is applied at a phase delay that maintains oscillation up to a high operational frequency in a range. Synchronizing the drive to the natural frequency and phase of the flipper substantially reduces power consumption compared to forcing oscillation to a different reference.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for determining if an optical scanner is moving. In one embodiment the method for sensing movement of an optical scanner comprises the steps of providing an oscillating system comprising a flexible member, a magnet coupled to the flexible member, a coil disposed within a magnetically effective distance from the magnet, and sense circuitry coupled to the coil; generating a first electrical signal from the oscillations of the flexible member; amplifying the generated electrical signal; analyzing the first electrical signal to determine if the generated signal is indicative of movement of the optical scanner.

Abstract: A method of waking up an in-counter bar code scanner from its standby mode comprises providing a sensor assembly attached to a touch plate. The sensor assembly comprises an oscillating magnet member affixed at one end and a permanent magnet attached at an opposite free end at the end of a flexible member. When a user touches the touch plate, the impact force exerted on the touch plate is transmitted to the oscillating magnet member causing the magnet to oscillate inducing an electrical signal in a pick-up coil provided near the magnet and wakes up the bar code scanner.

Abstract: An automated tunnel-type scanning system arranged about a conveyor belt structure, including: a tunnel structure arranged about a conveyor belt structure for transporting packages; an omni-directional bar code symbol scanning subsystem; a package detection and dimensioning subsystem; and a data management subsystem. The package detection and dimensioning subsystem captures package measurement information about each detected package prior to the package being scanned by the omni-directional bar code symbol reading subsystem, and producing package measurement data representative of the captured package measurement information.

Abstract: A method for confirming information using multiple information gathering subsystems is provided. In one embodiment, the method attempts to gather primary information using a first information gathering subsystem. The method also attempts to gather secondary information using a second information gathering subsystem. Thereafter, the method compares the primary information when gathered by the first information gathering subsystem with the secondary information when gathered by the secondary information gathering subsystem. In various embodiments, information gathered from one information gathering subsystem can be used to derive information not retrieved (due to a failed gathering attempt) from the other information gathering subsystem. In still other embodiments, a third information gathering subsystem can be used to gather tertiary information. The tertiary information can be used when needed to confirm or derive primary or secondary information.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and system are provided. In one embodiment, the method uses at least one light sensor to detect an item and to provide peripheral information of the item. Thereafter, the method determines the item's location, on a conveyor, from the peripheral information and a speed of the conveyor; and switches to an RFID reader antenna in a plurality of RFID reader antennas in accordance with the item location. In other embodiments, the apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above method.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: Apparatus for deflecting a light beam, comprising: a scanning element having a base portion, a light beam deflecting portion, and a gap region disposed therebetween. The base portion is anchored with respect to an optical bench to permit the light beam deflecting portion to pivot about a fixed pivot point defined between the base portion and the gap region. The light beam deflecting portion has a natural resonant frequency of oscillation about the fixed pivot point and is mechanically-damped at the gap region. A permanent magnet and right beam deflating portion are mounted on the light beam deflecting portion. A magnetic-field producing coil produces a force field that interacts with the permanent magnet and forces the light beam deflecting portion to oscillate about the fixed pivot point at a controlled frequency of oscillation that is substantially different from the natural resonant frequency of oscillation of the light beam deflecting portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatically-activated code symbol reading system comprising a bar code symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-supportable housing having a manually-activatable data transmission switch. During symbol reading operations, the bar code symbol reading mechanism automatically generates a visible laser scanning pattern for repeatedly reading one or more bar code symbols on an object during a bar code symbol reading cycle, and automatically generating a new symbol character data string in response to each bar code symbol read thereby. During system operation, the user visually aligns the visible laser scanning pattern with a particular bar code symbol on an object (e.g. product, bar code menu, etc.) so that the bar code symbol is scanned, detected and decoded in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: An automatically-activated bar code symbol reading system for carrying out bar code symbol reading operations, comprising a hand-supportable housing; a manually-actuatable data transmission activation switch integrated with the hand-supportable housing; and an automatically-activated laser scanning bar code symbol reading engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, and having (i) a preprogrammed set of operational states wherethrough the system automatically passes during each bar code symbol reading operation, and (ii) a preprogrammed symbol character data transmission state of operation into which the system is automatically induced in response to the manually-actuation of the symbol character data transmission activation switch.