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: Multiple target sensing stations are deployed overhead in a venue. A controller actuates one or more initial stations for locating, tracking, and determining a predicted route for, a mobile target, and then actuates one or more subsequent stations downstream of the predicted route prior to arrival of the mobile target to ready the subsequent stations to continue to locate and track the mobile target upon its subsequent arrival. The controller also deactuates one or more other stations that are remote from the predicted route to optimize the overall locating and tracking performance.

Abstract: Theft of an item from a department of a venue having a department-specific, point-of-sale (POS) station for completing a transaction of the item prior to authorized removal of the item from the department, is deterred by sensing and tracking movement of a target associated with the item from the department by deploying a plurality of sensing units overhead at the venue, and by generating an alert when the sensing units sense and track that the target associated with the item has bypassed the department-specific POS station without the transaction having been completed for the item at the department-specific POS station. Security personnel execute a theft-deterrent action in response to the alert.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transmitters periodically transmit ultrasonic ranging signals, and an ultrasonic receiver receives the ultrasonic ranging signals on a mobile device in order to locate the mobile device in a venue. A controller determines a noise level in the venue, and varies a sound level of the periodically ranging signals based on the determined noise level, thereby optimizing the position of the mobile device.

Abstract: Multiple sensing network units are deployed overhead in a venue. Each unit supports a video system for detecting a level of activity in the venue, and one or more sensing systems, such as an RFID system for reading RFID tags in the venue and/or an ultrasonic locationing system for locating mobile devices in the venue, in response to the activity level detected by the video system. The performance of the sensing systems is adjusted and optimized in response to the detected activity level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a RFID tag. The method includes the following: (1) measuring the position of an active device to an accuracy of better than 1.0 meter using a radio locating system to determine the position of a reference point; (2) detecting a first RF signal from a reference RFID tag near the reference point with an RF receiver in an RFID reading system; (3) detecting a second RF signal from a RFID tag of interest with the RF receiver in the RFID reading system; and (4) processing both the first RF signal and the second RF signal and relying upon at least partially the position of the reference point to determine the position of the RFID tag of interest.

Abstract: Multiple sensing network units are deployed in a venue. Each unit includes an overhead housing, and supports a plurality of electrically-powered sensor modules for sensing targets in the venue, and for generating target data indicative of the targets. Each unit preferably also includes a network communications module. Each module is interchangeably mounted in the housing. A power and data distribution system transmits network control data and electrical power to the sensor modules, and transmits the target data away from the sensor modules.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label. A host system exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication. The host system also identifies a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique. The host system also verifies that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a RFID tag. The method includes the following: (1) measuring the position of an active device to an accuracy of better than 1.0 meter using a radio locating system to determine the position of a reference point; (2) detecting a first RF signal from a reference RFID tag near the reference point with an RF receiver in an RFID reading system; (3) detecting a second RF signal from a RFID tag of interest with the RF receiver in the RFID reading system; and (4) processing both the first RF signal and the second RF signal and relying upon at least partially the position of the reference point to determine the position of the RFID tag of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for orientation of an ultrasonic signal includes at least two emitters in a mobile device that includes an orientation sensor that can determine a device orientation. A receiver at a fixed, known point includes at least two microphones operable to receive an ultrasonic signal from the device. The mobile device can drive the emitters to produce an ultrasonic signal that is oriented towards the receiver. A location engine can establish a location of the mobile device using the time delay of arrival of an ultrasonic burst from the mobile device impinging on each microphone of the receiver. In response to the location and/or the orientation, the mobile device operable to drive the emitters to produce a signal that is oriented towards the receiver.

Abstract: A portable data tag method, device and system for identifying a location of a data tag. The method comprises reading the data tag by a portable data tag reader device; determining, by a processor in operative communication with the reader device, a location of the portable data tag reader device; determining, by the processor, a read zone of the portable data tag reader device, relative to the location of the portable data tag reader device; and determining, by the processor, the location of the data tag using the location of the portable data tag reader device and the read zone of the portable data tag reader device.

Abstract: A technique for operating a Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, reader with motion detection includes detecting a motion in proximity to the RFID reader, and triggering the RFID reader to read any tags in proximity to the RFID reader in response to detecting a motion in proximity to the RFID reader. Detecting a motion can also generate a change in digital signage, or communicate information about read tags to a local area network. Operating this system only when motion is detected saves battery life.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a housing having a plurality of surfaces. A processor is located within the housing. The processor heats a portion of one or more of the surfaces of the housing. A temperature sensor detects a temperature of the portion of the surface. The rate of energy consumption by the processor is adjusted based on the temperature of the portion of the surface of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for orientation of an ultrasonic signal includes at least two emitters in a mobile device that includes an orientation sensor that can determine a device orientation. A receiver at a fixed, known point includes at least two microphones operable to receive an ultrasonic signal from the device. The mobile device can drive the emitters to produce an ultrasonic signal that is oriented towards the receiver. A location engine can establish a location of the mobile device using the time delay of arrival of an ultrasonic burst from the mobile device impinging on each microphone of the receiver. In response to the location and/or the orientation, the mobile device operable to drive the emitters to produce a signal that is oriented towards the receiver.

Abstract: A sending device having a processing device and a plurality of transmitters performs a method for providing spatially selectable communications using deconstructed and delayed data streams. The method includes receiving a data stream, an indication of a target point for the data stream, and a target volume around the target point. The method further includes deconstructing the data stream into a plurality of data substreams and, based on a spatial relationship between a corresponding transmitter and the target point, determining a transmitter delay for each transmitter. Moreover, the method further includes determining, based on the target volume, a data interval spacing to apply between each data substream at transmission. In addition, the method includes sending, from the transmitters, the corresponding data substreams using the corresponding transmitter delays and the data interval spacing that confine reconstruction of the data substreams back into the data stream within the target volume.

Abstract: A portable data tag method, device and system for identifying a location of a data tag. The method comprises reading the data tag by a portable data tag reader device; determining, by a processor in operative communication with the reader device, a location of the portable data tag reader device; determining, by the processor, a read zone of the portable data tag reader device, relative to the location of the portable data tag reader device; and determining, by the processor, the location of the data tag using the location of the portable data tag reader device and the read zone of the portable data tag reader device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining and verifying a location of an electronic label. A host system exchange information with the electronic label via ultrasonic data communication. The host system also identifies a location of the electronic label using an ultrasonic location technique. The host system also verifies that the electronic label is correctly located by comparing a calculated location of the electronic label with a known location of merchandise associated with the electronic label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus updates a central plan for an area based on the location of a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers by identifying the location of each of the RFID readers using an associated location mechanism. A read zone coverage area for each of the RFID readers is identified. The central plan is updated with the position and the read zone coverage area relative to the position for each of the RFID readers. A status of read zone coverage is determined for the area based on the read zone coverage areas on the central plan for all of the RFID readers in the plurality of RFID readers, wherein a report is provided based on the status of read zone coverage for the area.

Abstract: A sending device having a processing device and a plurality of transmitters performs a method for providing spatially selectable communications using deconstructed and delayed data streams. The method includes receiving a data stream, an indication of a target point for the data stream, and a target volume around the target point. The method further includes deconstructing the data stream into a plurality of data substreams and, based on a spatial relationship between a corresponding transmitter and the target point, determining a transmitter delay for each transmitter. Moreover, the method further includes determining, based on the target volume, a data interval spacing to apply between each data substream at transmission. In addition, the method includes sending, from the transmitters, the corresponding data substreams using the corresponding transmitter delays and the data interval spacing that confine reconstruction of the data substreams back into the data stream within the target volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the read zone of an RFID reader. The apparatus includes a supporting sheet, a reader-position mark on the supporting sheet to indicate a recommended location to position an RFID reader, and a zone-boundary mark on the supporting sheet to indicate a read zone of the RFID reader with a predetermined field strength.