Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for characterizing an attached antenna to an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. One exemplary embodiment is related to a method comprising outputting a low amplitude modulation (“AM”) index radio frequency (“RF”) waveform, the waveform simulating tag data timing and bandwidth, removing a direct current (“DC”) component from the waveform to create a chopped portion of the waveform, applying at least one vector analyzer technique on the chopped portion of the waveform, characterizing at least one antenna impedance vector of the waveform.

Abstract: A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.

Abstract: A device may include a battery and a plurality of components receiving power from the battery. A voltage of the battery is maintained above a threshold voltage by decreasing a current drawn by one of the components when the battery voltage approaches the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A graphical user interface based method of configuring automatic failover from a primary database system to a standby database system that is coupled to the primary database system by a network. Also coupled to the network is an observer process that is independent of the database systems and that initiates the failover process. The observer periodically pings the database systems to determine whether a failover is necessary. The graphical user interface permits a user to specify the primary and secondary database systems, configure the observer, and specify conditions under which a failover may occur and to enable automatic failover. A failover context is created from the inputs to the GUI and stored in persistent storage belonging to the database systems. If the Observer's context is stale, the Observer fetches the database system's context.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an audio signal as an improved waveform includes a processor for determining samples of the audio signal which represent a waveform based on positions of pixels in the waveform and a time scale of the waveform, calculating minimum and maximum amplitudes of the samples for each pixel on a time axis and calculating intensities of frequency components of the samples which cannot be represented at the time scale of the waveform. The apparatus includes a display coupled to be in communication with the processor for displaying the samples as an improved waveform of amplitude versus time wherein the intensities of the frequency components are represented in the new waveform by shades of a single colour.

Abstract: A graphical user interface based method of configuring automatic failover from a primary database system to a standby database system that is coupled to the primary database system by a network. Also coupled to the network is an observer process that is independent of the database systems and that initiates the failover process. The observer periodically pings the database systems to determine whether a failover is necessary. The graphical user interface permits a user to specify the primary and secondary database systems, configure the observer, and specify conditions under which a failover may occur and to enable automatic failover. A failover context is created from the inputs to the GUI and stored in persistent storage belonging to the database systems. If the Observer's context is stale, the Observer fetches the database system's context.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for frequency coordination among two different wireless network protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth protocols, operating in proximity with one another. Coordination is accomplished by the use of a first radio transceiver operating in accordance with a first communication protocol (which may be the 802.11 protocol) and using a frequency band (which may be the 2.4 GHz band), a base station connected to a wired network and operating in accordance with the first communication protocol, a second radio transceiver operating in accordance with a second communication protocol (which may be the Bluetooth protocol) and using the frequency band, and a coordinator associated with the base station for, in turn, activating the first radio transceiver, deactivating the first radio transceiver, activating the second radio transceiver, and deactivating the second radio transceiver.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: Battery power consumption and data transfer latency of an electro-optical reader in a wireless network are minimized by turning a radio off in a default state, and by turning the radio on only after the reader has generated data to be transferred along the network.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: An article, such as a power tool, that includes a housing, a motor, and an anti-theft device is provide. The anti-theft device may be disposed within the housing or within a cavity located in the housing and may be enclosed by a covering, such as an adhesive label. Alternatively, the anti-theft device may be affixed to or contained within a cord strap. For example, the anti-theft device may be housed within a clip that attaches the cord strap to the power cord of the article. The anti-theft device may be located on a component of the article remote from the motor to decrease the likelihood that the anti-theft device will be deactivated by a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the motor. In addition, a method is provided for deterring the theft of electronic articles. The method includes placing an anti-theft device inside an article that contains a motor and activating the anti-theft device by passing the article through a magnetic field with the device having an appropriate polarity.

Abstract: A signaling arrangement and method for use in a wireless local area network managed by a system manager include a reader for electro-optically reading bar code symbols. The system manager verifies that a symbol has been successfully read and sends an acknowledgment signal by wireless, radio frequency transmission to a remote indicator operative for generating an alert signal noticeable to a user.

Abstract: A device (e.g., a bar code scanner) includes a communication arrangement and a housing enclosing the communication arrangement. The housing may be composed of an electrically conductive material and has an opening formed therein. In addition, the device includes a cover mounted over the opening in the housing. The cover includes an electrically conductive contact member mounted thereto. The contact member contacts a portion of the housing adjacent to the opening and is electrically coupled to the communication arrangement so that a perimeter of the opening in the housing acts as a part of an antenna to receive and/or transmit signals for the communication arrangement.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: Battery power consumption and data transfer latency of an electro-optical reader in a wireless network are minimized by turning a radio off in a default state, and by turning the radio on only after the reader has generated data to be transferred along the network.

Abstract: A device (e.g., a bar code scanner) includes a communication arrangement and a housing enclosing the communication arrangement. The housing may be composed of an electrically conductive material and has an opening formed therein. In addition, the device includes a cover mounted over the opening in the housing. The cover includes an electrically conductive contact member mounted thereto. The contact member contacts a portion of the housing adjacent to the opening and is electrically coupled to the communication arrangement so that a perimeter of the opening in the housing acts as a part of an antenna to receive and/or transmit signals for the communication arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method described for tracking portable devices. The system may include a transmitter which transmits wireless inquiries to a plurality of portable devices and a receiver receiving replies to the inquiries from the portable devices. In addition, the system may include a memory storing identifier data corresponding to the portable devices and a processor coupled to the memory and to the receiver, the processor retrieving from each reply, identifier data uniquely identifying a particular one of the portable devices which generated the reply and comparing the identifier data to the stored identifier data. Furthermore, the system may include an alarm system coupled to the processor and controlled based on the comparison of stored identifier data to the identifier data retrieved from the replies.

Abstract: A signaling arrangement and method for use in a wireless local area network managed by a system manager include a reader for electro-optically reading bar code symbols. The system manager verifies that a symbol has been successfully read and sends an acknowledgment signal by wireless, radio frequency transmission to a remote indicator operative for generating an alert signal noticeable to a user.