Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for a scanning device to tell its user how to best orient the scanning device to scan a target location. The user approaches the target location and initiates a scan. The results of the scan are analyzed and compared to information about the target location. Based on the analysis, the user is told how to re-orient the scanning device, if that is necessary to achieve an acceptable re-scan of the target location. In a preferred embodiment, a screen on the scanning device presents a two-dimensional map based on the scan results and on the known relative locations of the target location and of nearby non-target locations. Locations on the map are highlighted to tell the user the results of the scan and to direct him to re-orient the scanning device if necessary.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining a range within a wireless communication system is provided herein. The range information can then be used to locate a node (e.g., an asset tag). During operation, the minimum transmission power of a source transceiver (e.g., an RFID reader) that enables a tag to be detected will be used to indicate distance. Changes in transmit power will be used to indicate relative changes in distance to a particular node. The reader will be configured to always operate at a transmission power that will result in a certain percentage (e.g., 50%) detection rate for a target transceiver (e.g., an RFID asset tag). As the reader moves closer to the tag, the minimum detection power will decrease; as it moves farther from the tag, the minimum detection power will increase. This information is displayed to give a general change in range information between the RFID reader and the asset tag (e.g., increasing range or decreasing range). An individual will be able to easily locate the asset tag by using the displayed information.
Abstract:
Disclosed are techniques that allow users (102, 104, 106) to collaborate in a search. Each user (102, 104, 106) can contribute (300, 400) to an original search and to refining (304, 410) the results of the search. Preferences of all of the users (102, 104, 106) are considered (308, 402) in the search even while those preferences can be kept private. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least two users (102, 104, 106) each submit (300, 304) a search query. The multiple search queries are logically combined (306) to produce (310) one set of search results. The results can be reviewed by the users (102, 104, 106) and refined (304) if necessary. In some embodiments, a search query can be specified (400) by a single user (102, 104, 106), but the search engine takes into consideration (402) the stored preferences of multiple users (102, 104, 106) (in addition to the search query itself, of course).
Abstract:
One facilitates determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations (Fig 1, Bl 101). in an optional though preferred embodiment these specific locations comprise locations where a given functional ink will preferably be printed using a continuous printing spray. Also in an optional though preferred embodiment this path will also avoid at least one predetermined area (Fig 1. Bl 102) where such a functional ink should not be printed. In a preferred approach this process generally provides for identifying these specific locations and further identifying, when applicable, the one or more predetermined areas to be avoided. This process then preferably uses a processor to effect at least one (and preferably both) of using a genetic algorithm to identify a preferred path that includes the plurality of specific locations and using an A* algorithm to process a candidate path to provide a selected path that includes the plurality of specific locations while also avoiding the at least one predetermined area (Fig 1, Bl 104).
Abstract:
In an interactive system and method for navigating a person from a starting point to a destination, using a wireless location determining device and a wireless navigating device the person sends a request for navigational directions 320 via the wireless location determining device. Using a database 100 that contains the geographic location and a corresponding name of the starting point and the destination, the request is answered 330 and navigational information is sent to the wireless navigating device. The database was previously established by recording the movement of subjects, using a wireless location determining device, as the subjects moved from place to place in their environment. When the number of occurrences of subjects passing by any individual location reached a predetermined threshold, the subjects were prompted to enter a name that describes and corresponds to that location.
Abstract:
An energizable design image portion (203) of a provided design pattern is printed on a provided substrate (201) using a functional ink comprised of at least one energy emissive material. A passive design image portion (202) of that design pattern is then also printed on that substrate using at least one graphic arts ink. In a preferred embodiment this apparatus may further comprise electrically conductive electrodes (204) on the substrate to permit selective energization of the energy emissive material to thereby induce illumination of the energizable design image portion of the design pattern.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for a scanning device to tell its user how to best orient the scanning device to scan a target location. The user approaches the target location and initiates a scan. The results of the scan are analyzed and compared to information about the target location. Based on the analysis, the user is told how to re-orient the scanning device, if that is necessary to achieve an acceptable re-scan of the target location. In a preferred embodiment, a screen on the scanning device presents a two-dimensional map based on the scan results and on the known relative locations of the target location and of nearby non-target locations. Locations on the map are highlighted to tell the user the results of the scan and to direct him to re-orient the scanning device if necessary.
Abstract:
Disclosed are techniques that allow users (102, 104, 106) to collaborate in a search. Each user (102, 104, 106) can contribute (300, 400) to an original search and to refining (304, 410) the results of the search. Preferences of all of the users (102, 104, 106) are considered (308, 402) in the search even while those preferences can be kept private. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least two users (102, 104, 106) each submit (300, 304) a search query. The multiple search queries are logically combined (306) to produce (310) one set of search results. The results can be reviewed by the users (102, 104, 106) and refined (304) if necessary. In some embodiments, a search query can be specified (400) by a single user (102, 104, 106), but the search engine takes into consideration (402) the stored preferences of multiple users (102, 104, 106) (in addition to the search query itself, of course).
Abstract:
An energizable design image portion (203) of a provided design pattern is printed on a provided substrate (201) using a functional ink comprised of at least one energy emissive material. A passive design image portion (202) of that design pattern is then also printed on that substrate using at least one graphic arts ink. In a preferred embodiment this apparatus may further comprise electrically conductive electrodes (204) on the substrate to permit selective energization of the energy emissive material to thereby induce illumination of the energizable design image portion of the design pattern.
Abstract:
A method for resource management in a supply chain is provided. The method is used by a pallet device (106) that can be associated with a pallet (104) in the supply chain. The pallet is associated with one or more resources. Further, the supply chain includes a decentralized control system (100) that has at least one system server, a plurality of pallets, a plurality of pallet devices, and a plurality of resources. The method includes detecting (302) an event and acquiring (304) status information of at least one of the plurality of pallets in response to the event. Further, the method includes determining (306) a reporting condition of at least one of the plurality of resources, based on the status information. The method includes reporting (308) the status information to one of at least one system server and at least one of the plurality of pallet devices, based on a positive reporting condition.