The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium

Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved

Planogram extraction based on image processing

A system and method is provided wherein a device can be reprogrammed utilizing one or more programming symbols. A device subject to reprogramming can be a portable device. In one embodiment a device subject to reprogramming can be a portable symbol reading device capable of reading programming symbols.

Reprogramming system and method for devices including programming symbol

Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices, e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s). The encoded authorization file is transmitted to one or more data collection devices. Each data collection device that receives an encoded authorization file attempts to decode of the license using its identifier(s). If the authorization file is successfully decoded, a license key on that device is updated to implement the new configuration.

Methods and apparatus to change a feature set on data collection devices

A mobile communication terminal can comprise a housing, a microprocessor disposed within the housing, a display incorporated into the housing, and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the microprocessor. The mobile communication terminal can be configured, responsive to receiving a byte sequence representing a character string containing one or more alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric characters, to encode the byte sequence into one or more bar code symbols having a minimum dimension of a smallest element equaling or exceeding a readability threshold value. The mobile communication terminal can be further configured to display the bar code symbols.

Mobile communication terminal configured to display multi-symbol decodable indicia

An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a reader on a periodic basis. The tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver. The tag uses sleep modes to conserve power. The tag transmits tag data to a reader in response to an interrogation request, or automatically on a periodic basis. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper, status data (e.g., delivered, displayed), and time and date information. This data is processed by a central server to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.

Advertising compliance monitoring system

In accordance with the teachings described herein, RFID systems are provided that include a distributed RFID antenna array utilizing one or more circular polarized helical antennas. A plurality of RFID tags may be used, with each RFID tag including a linear polarized antenna for communicating RFID tag signals. One or more receiver antennas may be used for receiving the RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. An RFID tag signal reader may be used to process RFID tag signals received by the receiver antennas. In one example, the receiver antennas may include a circular polarized helical antenna element. One or more transmitter antennas may be used for transmitting an RF signal to the plurality of RFID tags, the transmitter antennas including a circular polarized helical antenna element. A transmitter may be used to generate the RF signal for transmission by the transmitter antennas. In one example, the RFID tag signal reader and the transmitter may be included in a single reader/transmitter unit.

Distributed RFID antenna array utilizing circular polarized helical antennas

An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a backscatter tag (10) affixed to a sign (46) or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a backscatter reader (12). The tag includes a memory for storing tag data and a transmitter (26). The tag (12) transmits tag data to a reader (12) automatically on a periodic basis or when interrogated. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper. This data is processed by a computer (16) to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.

Improved advertising compliance monitoring system

Ce systeme de controle de la conformite d'une publicite comporte une etiquette fixee a une enseigne ou a un document de commercialisation ou a la carte d'identification d'un acheteur, cette etiquette communiquant periodiquement avec un lecteur. Cette etiquette possede une memoire permettant de stocker des donnees, un emetteur et un recepteur. Elle utilise un mode sommeil pour preserver l'energie. Elle transmet a un lecteur les donnees qu'elle renferme, en reponse a une interrogation ou automatiquement de facon periodique. Ces donnees comportent un numero d'identification permettant d'identifier l'etiquette associee a une enseigne, un prix, un document de commercialisation ou un acheteur particuliers, des donnees d'etat (par exemple, rendu a destination, affiche) ainsi que des informations relatives au moment et a la date. Ces donnees sont traitees par un serveur central afin d'etablir la conformite avec un programme publicitaire particulier et/ou sa presentation.

Robert W. Mead

Papers

Advertising compliance monitoring system

Distributed RFID antenna array utilizing circular polarized helical antennas

Improved advertising compliance monitoring system

Systeme de controle de la conformite d'une publicite