An example method for charging a barcode reader that can be implemented by a charging cradle includes: detecting that the barcode reader is coupled to a first interface of the charging cradle for the barcode reader; detecting that a spare battery of the barcode reader is coupled to a second interface of the charging cradle; receiving, via a connection between the charging cradle and a port of a host power source, an indication of a magnitude of an input current that the host power source is capable of delivering to the charging cradle over the connection; comparing the magnitude of the input current to a threshold magnitude; responsive to the comparing, determining a charging order in which to charge the barcode reader and the spare battery using the input current from the host power source; and charging the barcode reader and the spare battery in accordance with the charging order.

A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (RFID) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFID readers and RFID tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries.

A reader apparatus detects a communication object by radiating radio waves and receiving a response, determines a change in a state based on at least one of a position and an inclination of the reader apparatus, and controls power consumed in the reader apparatus by setting a length of a first period, in which a reduction of power consumed in the detection is not performed, and a length of a second period, in which a reduction of the power is performed, based on the change in the state.

An electromagnetic coupling reader may include: an antenna, a management module, and a supervision unit, the supervision unit comprising a sleep mode configured to limit energy consumption, a first wake-up signal enabling the supervision unit to be extracted from the sleep mode, the management module comprising an energy saving mode consisting of measuring, at regular intervals, an impedance of the antenna in order to detect a presence of a peripheral authorizing an electromagnetic coupling, the wake-up signal being activated by the management module when a peripheral is detected, the electromagnetic coupling reader comprising a second wake-up signal controlled by a clock configured to extract the supervision unit from the sleep mode at regular intervals.

A tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to locate the tag and any asset associated with the tag in an area. The tag incorporates a motion sensor responsive to movements of the tag above a predetermined rate and a predetermined magnitude. In response to the movements above the predetermined rate and magnitude, the motion sensor generates a voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold. An energy-saving process exploits the tag's microcontroller's transitions between a sleep state and an awake state. While asleep, the microcontroller maintains a clock and data in memory, and monitors an input from the motion sensor. In response to voltages at the input over the predetermine threshold, the microcontroller receives signals from one or more nearby beacon nodes in a network operating in the area, process the signals and transmit information based on the processed signals, for a position determination.

An apparatus for transmitting power wirelessly includes a transmission coil circuit including a single coil including a plurality of turns; a high power transmitter configured to transmit a high power transmission signal for transmitting first power through the transmission coil circuit; a low power transmitter configured to transmit a low power transmission signal for transmitting second power lower than the first power through the transmission coil circuit; and a switching circuit configured to electrically connect either the high power transmitter or the low power transmitter to the transmission coil circuit in response to operations of the high power transmitter and the low power transmitter.

An example method for charging a first and a second battery that can be implemented by a charging apparatus includes: detecting that the first battery is coupled to a first interface of the charging apparatus for the first battery; detecting that a second battery of the first battery is coupled to a second interface of the charging apparatus; receiving, via a connection between the charging apparatus and a port of a host power source, an indication of a magnitude of an input current that the host power source is capable of delivering to the charging apparatus over the connection; comparing the magnitude of the input current to a threshold magnitude; responsive to the comparing, determining a charging order in which to charge the first battery and the second battery using the input current from the host power source; and charging the first battery and the second battery in accordance with the charging order.

System and method for scheduling and coordinating transmission signals in a wireless data communications network, comprising a master node and at least one tag node. In some embodiments, the network may also include a slave node. The master node divides time into repeating time division blocks comprising a configuration window and at least one transaction window. During the configuration window, the master node provides operating parameters to the tag or slave nodes, including a time slot within the transaction window that is reserved for the tag or slave nodes to broadcast data to the master node. The transaction window is subdivided into multiple reserved time slots, and each slot is assigned to a specific tag or slave node. When a reserved time slot arrives, the tag or slave node will broadcast data signals to the master node. The master periodically adjusts the transmission schedule for each tag or slave node, as needed, to ensure that every tag or slave node continues to broadcast only during its reserved time slot, thereby reducing communication data collisions and optimizing the overall performance and throughput of the data communications network.

System and method for scheduling and coordinating transmission signals in a wireless data communications network, comprising a master node and at least one tag node. In some embodiments, the network may also include a slave node. The master node divides time into repeating time division blocks comprising a configuration window and at least one transaction window. During the configuration window, the master node provides operating parameters to the tag or slave nodes, including a time slot within the transaction window that is reserved for the tag or slave nodes to broadcast data to the master node. The transaction window is subdivided into multiple reserved time slots, and each slot is assigned to a specific tag or slave node. When a reserved time slot arrives, the tag or slave node will broadcast data signals to the master node. The master periodically adjusts the transmission schedule for each tag or slave node, as needed, to ensure that every tag or slave node continues to broadcast only during its reserved time slot, thereby reducing communication data collisions and optimizing the overall performance and throughput of the data communications network.

A method and system for performing inventory in a retail environment. The method and system can include a plurality of child smart signs disposed proximate a plurality of products, the smart signs having an RFID reader and having at least one other short distance communication device associated therewith, and the products having an RFID tag disposed thereon; one or more parent smart signs disposed proximate the plurality of child smart signs, the plurality of parent smart signs, each of the one or more parent smart signs receiving RFID data from a predetermined group of the plurality of child smart signs; a Wi-Fi node communicatively coupled to the one or more parent smart signs; and a server communicatively coupled to the Wi-Fi node for performing inventory using product data obtained from the plurality of products.