Cognex Corporation

Socket Communications, Inc.

Sandisk Corporation

Socket Mobile, Inc.

Michael Gifford

Kevin J Mills

David James Stein

John Bryan Boatner

Steven Kearns

Bobby Dale Gifford

Robert F Wallace

Robert C Miller

Yoram Cedar

Leonard L Ott

Wesley G Brewer

John E Brandon

An attachment for use with a mobile device with an imaging device and a mobile-device light source can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to secure the attachment body to the mobile device via a case for the mobile device. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the imaging device, and an optical sensor to receive optical control signals from the mobile-device light source.

Optical accessory for attachment to mobile device

An attachment for use with a mobile device with an imaging device or with a case for the mobile device can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to be secured to at least one of the mobile device and the case. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the imaging device and can be configured to be secured to the attachment base. The attachment base can removably secure the attachment body to the mobile device or the case when the attachment body is secured to the attachment base.

An aimer module for a mobile device and method of use can assist in capturing a barcode image. The aimer module can receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode, including through the use of a grating, a configuration of mirrors, light pipes, or other methods for bending or controlling the lamp source of the mobile device. Registration of the light pattern and the barcode in or near the scan area can enable a camera of the mobile device to capture and decode the barcode.

System for capturing a coded image

An attachment assembly for use with a mobile device with a camera or a case for the mobile device can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to be secured to at least one of the mobile device and the case. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the camera and can be configured to be removably secured to the attachment base. The attachment base can removably secure the attachment body to the mobile device or the case when the attachment body is removably secured to the attachment base.

A wireless adapter combined with a conventional hand scanner, forms a wireless hand scanner combination. The wireless adapter captures the hand scanner via a retention mechanism. A plug is mounted within the wireless adapter, such that the plug mates with a receptacle of the hand scanner at the same time that the hand scanner is captured by the wireless adapter. The wireless adapter further includes Control, I/O, and Power Circuitry, a Wireless Module, a Battery, and one or more indicator(s). The Control, I/O, and Power Circuitry is adapted to communicate with the scan electronics of the hand scanner via a conventional industry standard I/O interface. These communications are conveyed to a computing host via the Wireless Module, which is adapted to be compatible with at least one wireless industry standard, including such wireless standards as Bluetooth, WiFi, UWB, and Zigbee. The indicator(s) is (are) adapted to provide scan feedback to the operator via at least one of auditory or visual means.

Hand scanner cordless adapter

Very small non-volatile memory cards are modified to include a connector to which a connector on a separate data input-output card electrically and mechanically mates when pushed together. The input-output card transfers data directly between an external device and the non-volatile memory, without having to go through the host to which the memory card is connected. The input-output card communicates with the external device through a wired or a wireless communication channel.

Cooperative interconnection and operation of a non-volatile memory card and an input-output card

The utility and operation of portable hosts, such as PDAs and other portable computers, is enhanced by methods and devices employing a first-level removable module adapted to receive a second-level removable module with subscriber services information. The first-level removable module processes received messages and services based at least in part on the contents of the subscriber services module.

Removable wireless expansion card having a removable subscriber information module

The functionality provided to electronic devices by application specific removable modules is enhanced by viewing the removable modules as first-level removable modules and providing them with at least one second-level removable slot for selectively nesting second-level removable modules having particular external I/O capabilities. The functionality provided to the electronic devices by such a first-level removable module can thus be provided in part by the application specific circuitry within the removable module and further in part by the type of external I/O of the second-level removable module.

Removable modules with external I/O flexibility via an integral second-level removable slot

Methods and apparatus for closed-case removable expansion cards having a removable memory enhance the utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs. In both a first and second embodiments the closed-case removable expansion cards preferably use a Type II CompactFlash form factor. In the first embodiment the removable memory is in combination with an external-I/O connector or attached external-I/O device, providing both I/O and memory functions in a single closed-case removable expansion card. This increases the expansion functional density for portable computer hosts, such as PDAs. That is, it increases the amount of functionality that can be accommodated within a given volume allocation for expansion devices. In the second embodiment the removable memory is a private memory for application specific circuitry within the closed-case-removable expansion card. This enhances the utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs, as universal chassises for application specific uses. The standard CompactFlash physical and electrical interface couples the application specific card to the host, which provides user interface functions for the application. The cards include a top located slot and an internal connector for accepting a MultiMediaCard as the private removable memory. In addition, the application specific card will generally have some manner of I/O to required external devices, such as scanning devices, sensors, or transducers. Otherwise, all functionality for the application specific function is self-contained within the application specific card.

Nested removable-removable expansion modules

The utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs (or handhelds), is enhanced by methods and apparatus for removable expansion modules () having application specific circuitry, a second-level-removable memory (), and optional I/O (), in a number of illustrative embodiments. In addition to providing greater expansion utility in a compact and low profile industrial design, the present invention permits memory configuration versatility for application specific expansion modules, permitting easy user field selection and upgrades of the memory used in conjunction with the expansion module. Finally, from a system perspective, the present invention enables increased parallelism and functionality previously not available to portable computer devices.

High-density removable expansion module having I/O and second-level removable expansion memory

The utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs (or handhelds), is enhanced by methods and apparatus for removable expansion cards having application specific circuitry, a second-level-removable memory, and optional I/O, in a number of illustrative embodiments. In addition to providing greater expansion utility in a compact and low profile industrial design, the present invention permits memory configuration versatility for application specific expansion cards, permitting easy user field selection and upgrades of the memory used in conjunction with the expansion card. Finally, from a system perspective, the present invention enables increased parallelism and functionality previously not available to portable computer devices.

Growing community of inventors

San Leandro, CA, United States of America

Michael Gifford