A universal peripheral extender architecture, system, and method is disclosed that addresses the need of communicatively connecting peripheral I/O devices and the smart host devices in legacy, medical, and industrial applications. As disclosed, a universal peripheral extender includes an I/O device translation & management module that has a device-side utility, a host-side I/O device translation & management utility, and a host/device translation & management scheduler utility.

The invention relates to a passive medical identification device 1 to be used for identifying a medical tool such as, for example, a surgical instrument, if the medical tool is equipped with the identification device. The identification device comprises a casing 2, a magnetic object 3 arranged within the casing such that it is rotatable out of an equilibrium orientation by an external magnetic torque, and a restoring torque provider 4 such as, for example, a further magnetic object providing a restoring torque forcing the magnetic object back into the equilibrium orientation. The magnetic object 3 rotationally oscillates upon excitation by an external magnetic torque, thereby generating a response magnetic signal which is transduced into an induction signal that can provide a fingerprint specific for the respective identification device. Accordingly, the identity of the identification device and hence of the medical tool equipped with the identification device can be determined based on the induction signal.

The invention relates to a passive medical identification device 1 to be used for identifying a medical tool such as, for example, a surgical instrument, if the medical tool is equipped with the identification device. The identification device comprises a casing 2, a magnetic object 3 arranged within the casing such that it is rotatable out of an equilibrium orientation by an external magnetic torque, and a restoring torque provider 4 such as, for example, a further magnetic object providing a restoring torque forcing the magnetic object back into the equilibrium orientation. The magnetic object 3 rotationally oscillates upon excitation by an external magnetic torque, thereby generating a response magnetic signal which is transduced into an induction signal that can provide a fingerprint specific for the respective identification device. Accordingly, the identity of the identification device and hence of the medical tool equipped with the identification device can be determined based on the induction signal.

An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones.

An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones.

A CTI mobile device includes a first physical layer of electronic components adapted to fit in a first rectangular housing, the components adapted in aggregate to function as a mobile CTI communications device capable of accessing a wireless mobile network, and a second physical layer of electronic components adapted to fit in a second rectangular housing, the components adapted in aggregate to function as a mobile smart card capable of accessing a financial network to perform transactions and manage accounts, the first and second housings adapted to be coupled, and a plurality of contact pads distributed in like number and geometric pattern to interfacing sides of the first and second housings, the contact pads magnetized to attract opposing contact pads to couple the first and second housings together along the interfacing sides.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a transponder is provided, comprising: a field strength range determination unit configured to determine a field strength range of a radio frequency (RF) field generated by an external reader device; a controller configured to delay processing of a command by the transponder in dependence on the field strength range determined by the field strength range determination unit. In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a transponder is conceived, and a corresponding computer program is provided.

A barcode scanner assembly for capturing at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV) is provided that includes a base defining a curved base surface and a scanner enclosure being mechanically coupled to the base. The scanner enclosure includes a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion. The bottom portion of the scanner enclosure is positioned proximate to the base. The bottom portion of the scanner enclosure includes a curved scanner enclosure surface. The curved base surface and the curved scanner enclosure surface are nested such that a clearance of less than approximately 5 mm is formed between the curved base surface and the curved scanner enclosure surface.

A barcode scanner assembly for capturing at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV) is provided that includes a base defining a curved base surface and a scanner enclosure being mechanically coupled to the base. The scanner enclosure includes a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion. The bottom portion of the scanner enclosure is positioned proximate to the base. The bottom portion of the scanner enclosure includes a curved scanner enclosure surface. The curved base surface and the curved scanner enclosure surface are nested such that a clearance of less than approximately 5 mm is formed between the curved base surface and the curved scanner enclosure surface.

A portable electronic device adapted for connecting to a base is provided. The base has a first connector and an RFID tag. The portable electronic device includes a casing, a second connector, a cover, a control module and an RFID sensor. The second connector is disposed on a lateral surface of the casing and is adapted for connecting to the first connector. The cover is movably disposed on the lateral surface of the casing and corresponds to the second connector, so as to cover or expose the second connector. The RFID sensor is disposed in the casing and is adjacent to the lateral surface. The RFID sensor detects the RFID tag to generate a signal. The control module is disposed in the casing and coupled to the RFID sensor and the cover. The control module controls the cover to move to expose the second connector according to the signal.