Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: Ultrasonic locationing interleaved with alternate audio functions includes a plurality of transmitters for emitting ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals. A backend controller schedules the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals from each transmitter. The backend controller can characterize an interference effect of defined interference parameters for each alternate audio signal, with respect to the ultrasonic bursts, and modify interleave scheduling of the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals in accordance with the respective interference effect. A mobile device can receive the ultrasonic bursts for locationing of the mobile device, while a user or other device that can act on information in the alternate audio signals. Input from a user to an interface device can trigger the backend controller to schedule an alternate audio signal containing information related to the input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for product reader control are described. In various aspects, the product reader control is enhanced with image sensor(s) for steering product reader(s) to determine product attributes associated with scanned products. The product reader control system and methods may capture, with the image sensor(s), one or more images associated with a product. The product may have a product identifier and the product may be located within an onsite venue. Based on the detection of the product identifier in the image(s), a first product reader may be steered in a direction of the product, where the first product reader is located within the onsite venue with the product. The first product reader may scan the product such that the scanning determines at least one attribute associated with the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying new radio frequency identification (RFID) tag events within a particular vicinity of an RFID reader are described. In various aspects, a processor causes image sensors to capture a first set and a second set of video images, where the first set depicts a first RFID tag environment and the second set depicts a second RFID tag environment. The first RFID tag environment is static without a person moving within the first RFID tag environment and the second RFID tag environment is active with at least one person moving within the second RFID tag environment. An environment database may be generated and updated with static analytic information and active analytic information based on the first set and second set of video images, respectively. The processor may determine a RFID tag event based upon the static analytic information and the active analytic information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively optimizing RFID-based POS performance are described. In various aspects, one or more processors and one or more image sensors are configured to aggregate images, where the images are captured by the image sensor(s) and where the image sensor(s) are associated with an RFID reader. A first density value and a second density value may be determined based on the image(s), where each of the first density value and the second density value is associated with a respective a first or second set of individuals, or a first or second set of products, located within a respective first and second POS lane. The second POS lane is positioned adjacent to the first POS lane. The first density value and the second density value are used to update a reader parameter associated with the RFID reader to optimize the RFID reader.

Abstract: A workstation has a metallic housing for supporting an electro-optical reader for reading bar code symbols. A radio frequency (RF) antenna of an RF identification (RFID) reader for reading RFID tags is mounted in a metallic container that is connected to the housing. The RF antenna radiates RF energy at a frequency greater than 900 MHz through RF excitation slots formed between the container and the housing.

Abstract: A workstation has a metallic housing for supporting an electro-optical reader for reading bar code symbols. A radio frequency (RF) antenna of an RF identification (RFID) reader for reading RFID tags is mounted in a metallic container that is connected to the housing. The RF antenna radiates RF energy at a frequency greater than 900 MHz through RF excitation slots formed between the container and the housing.

Abstract: Acoustic transducer aging compensation is effective for an acoustic transducer that is driven with an adjustable drive power to output a signal. A microphone can measure the amplitude of the transmitted signal corresponding to a transmitted sound pressure level (SPL). A controller can periodically compare the transmitted SPL to the drive power or a previous SPL, and determine if the received SPL has declined with respect to the input drive power over time, whereupon the controller can direct an increase in drive power to the SPL-declined acoustic transducer to compensate for the decline in received SPL. If drive power is at a maximum, the controller can further instruct a mobile device receiver to lower its receiver detection threshold for the signal from the SPL-declined acoustic transducer to further compensate for the decline in SPL from that acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a co-located Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and ultrasonic device includes an RFID reader loop antenna element oriented parallel to a reflector panel. An ultrasonic emitter is disposed through an aperture in the reflector panel with a horn that extends through the loop element. The horn can serve as a mounting structure for the antenna element. A diameter of the aperture is less than one-quarter wavelength of an operating frequency of the RFID reader loop antenna element. The aperture is located in the reflector panel near a minimum E-field area of the RFID reader loop antenna element.

Abstract: Ultrasonic locationing interleaved with alternate audio functions includes a plurality of transmitters for emitting ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals. A backend controller schedules the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals from each transmitter. The backend controller can characterize an interference effect of defined interference parameters for each alternate audio signal, with respect to the ultrasonic bursts, and modify interleave scheduling of the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals in accordance with the respective interference effect. A mobile device can receive the ultrasonic bursts for locationing of the mobile device, while a user or other device that can act on information in the alternate audio signals. Input from a user to an interface device can trigger the backend controller to schedule an alternate audio signal containing information related to the input.

Abstract: Acoustic transducer aging compensation is effective for an acoustic transducer that is driven with an adjustable drive power to output a signal. A microphone can measure the amplitude of the transmitted signal corresponding to a transmitted sound pressure level (SPL). A controller can periodically compare the transmitted SPL to the drive power or a previous SPL, and determine if the received SPL has declined with respect to the input drive power over time, whereupon the controller can direct an increase in drive power to the SPL-declined acoustic transducer to compensate for the decline in received SPL. If drive power is at a maximum, the controller can further instruct a mobile device receiver to lower its receiver detection threshold for the signal from the SPL-declined acoustic transducer to further compensate for the decline in SPL from that acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a clerk-operated, bi-optical workstation through which products associated with targets having target data to be electro-optically captured are passed, and a customer-operated, accessory reader having an accessory window and a data capture assembly for capturing additional target data of additional targets associated with transaction-related items. The accessory reader is supported by the workstation for movement relative to the workstation to enable the customer to readily position and aim the accessory window at the additional targets.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a clerk-operated, bi-optical workstation through which products associated with targets having target data to be electro-optically captured are passed, and a customer-operated, accessory reader having an accessory window and a data capture assembly for capturing additional target data of additional targets associated with transaction-related items. The accessory reader is supported by the workstation for movement relative to the workstation to enable the customer to readily position and aim the accessory window at the additional targets.