Apparatus, system and method for establishing a bi-directional link between devices

Abstract

Techniques are provided for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two otherwise separable devices when physically joined together for use as a physically joined device. An example method includes receiving, by a mobile computing device, a short-range wireless signal from an RFID reader device; monitoring, by the mobile computing device, a RSSI associated with the signal from the RFID reader device; and establishing, by the mobile computing device, a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device based on the measured RSSI associated with the signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value, wherein the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on the RSSI value measured by the mobile computing device associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically joined to the RFID reader device for use as a joined device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and more specifically to devices, systems, and methods for establishing a bidirectional link between devices. BACKGROUND

[0002] In various environments, such as retail, inventory, or factory environments, a user can communicatively connect a mobile computing device to a "sled" accessory RFID reader device using a short-range communication protocol, such as via a Bluetooth protocol. Typically, a mechanical adapter is used to attach the mobile computing device on top of the sled. The sled accessory can detect RFID tags within range and can send an indication of the detected RFID tags to the mobile computing device via a short-range communication link (e.g., a Bluetooth communication link).

[0003] However, currently, the process for pairing and connecting a mobile computing device and a sled accessory so that they can communicate with each other is cumbersome and inconvenient for the user. The user must press a button (e.g., hold the button down for a particular time period) to activate a "discoverable" mode of the sled accessory, and then open an application on the mobile computing device to discover a list of devices, select the sled accessory from the list of discovered devices to initiate pairing of the mobile computing device with the sled accessory, and press a button of the sled accessory to accept the pairing request from the mobile computing device in order to create a short-range communication link between the two devices.

[0004] This is particularly frustrating for users who must frequently switch between devices. That is, to switch a given mobile computing device to communicate with a different sled accessory or to switch a given sled accessory to communicate with a different mobile computing device, the user must first disconnect the initial connection and then perform the connection process discussed above for the two devices to be connected. To disconnect the initial connection, the user must open the mobile computing device application and select the sled accessory to disconnect, or press a button of the sled accessory to disconnect.

[0005] One previous attempt to address this issue involved installing a near field communication (NFC) tag on the sled accessory that is programmed with pairing information on the sled accessory. In this previous solution, a mobile computing device equipped with an NFC reader can read the NFC tag installed on the sled accessory and use the pairing information from the NFC tag to complete the pairing and connection. However, this previous solution requires the NFC tag to be installed on the sled accessory and further requires the NFC reader application of the mobile computing device to be activated at the time of connection.

[0006] Another previous attempt to address this issue involves electrically connecting a mobile computing device and a dock accessory to initiate a communication connection. However, due to the added mechanical and electrical complexity, such existing solutions can be limiting and can make a given dock accessory difficult to pair with various mobile computing device models. SUMMARY

[0007] In one embodiment, the invention is a method comprising: receiving, by a mobile computing device, a short-range wireless signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader device; monitoring, by the mobile computing device, a received signal strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; and establishing, by the mobile computing device, a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device based on a measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value, wherein the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on RSSI values measured by the mobile computing device associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically joined to the RFID reader device for use as a joined device.

[0008] In another embodiment, the invention is a system comprising: a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader device configured to transmit a short-range wireless signal; and a mobile computing device configured to: receive the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; monitor a received signal strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; and establish a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device based on a measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value, wherein the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on RSSI values measured by the mobile computing device associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically joined to the RFID reader device for use as a joined device.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the invention is a mobile computing device configured to: receive a short-range wireless signal from a RFID reader device; monitor a received signal strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; and establish a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device based on a measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value, wherein the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on RSSI values measured by the mobile computing device associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically joined to the RFID reader device for use as a joined device.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the present application is a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader device configured to: receive a short-range wireless signal from a mobile computing device; monitor a received signal strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the mobile computing device; and establish a wireless communication connection with the mobile computing device based on the measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the mobile computing device being greater than a threshold RSSI value, wherein the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on RSSI values measured by the RFID reader device associated with the short-range wireless signal from the mobile computing device when the RFID reader device is physically attached to the mobile computing device for use as an attached device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the various figures, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application by example, and which, together with the detailed description below, serve to further explain various principles and advantages of the present application, including its claimed embodiments.

[0012] Figure 1 An example wireless mobile computing device physically attached to an RFID reader device is shown in accordance with some examples.

[0013] Figure 2A An example back view of an example wireless mobile computing device is shown in accordance with some examples.

[0014] Figure 2B An example top view of an RFID reader dock accessory is shown in accordance with some examples.

[0015] Figure 3A An example of RSSI changes that occur when a mobile computing device is detached from an RFID reader device is shown, and Figure 3B An example of RSSI changes that occur when a mobile computing device is physically attached to an RFID reader device is shown.

[0016] Figure 4 A block diagram of an example system including logic circuitry for implementing the example methods and / or operations described herein is shown, including a method for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two devices that are otherwise separable when physically attached together for use as a physically attached device.

[0017] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example process that can be implemented by Figure 4 a system described herein for implementing the example methods and / or operations described herein, including a method for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two devices that are otherwise separable when physically attached together for use as a physically attached device.

[0018] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the

[0019] Apparatuses and methods have been described in the preceding detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by reference to certain terminology used for the description and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Such terminology includes names of components and the like that are used for clarity and ease of communication and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two devices that are otherwise separable when physically joined together for use as a physically joined device. For example, these techniques can be used to establish a bidirectional wireless communication link between a mobile computing device and a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader (e.g., such as a "dock" accessory RFID reader), or to reconfigure the operational state of either device (or both devices) in the event that the mobile computing device is identified as being physically joined to another device. For example, when a mobile computing device is determined to be physically joined to an RFID reader device, the mobile computing device can automatically launch an application that receives and analyzes RFID data. Similarly, when a mobile computing device is determined to no longer be physically joined to an RFID reader device, these applications can close or exit. As another example, when a mobile computing device is determined to be physically joined to an RFID reader device, the mobile computing device can be configured to use its front-facing camera as the default camera (i.e., this is because the rear-facing camera can be blocked by the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically joined to the RFID reader device).

[0021] Figure 1An example RFID reader device 102 and an example mobile computing device 104 are shown attached via a mechanical "shim" adapter 105. The technology provided by the present disclosure involves detecting the proximity of the mobile computing device 104 to the RFID reader 102 based on the received signal strength (RSSI) of a short-range wireless signal (e.g., a Bluetooth signal) received by the mobile computing device 104 from the RFID reader 102 and / or based on the signal strength of a short-range wireless signal received by the RFID reader 102 from the mobile computing device 104. The RFID reader 102 and / or the mobile computing device 104 can each periodically signal broadcast at a very low power level (e.g., -30 dBm) as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon. Both the RFID reader 102 and / or the mobile computing device 104 can listen for the other device's beacon. The beacons received by each device can be analyzed to assess the highest power received. When the received signal strength is greater than a threshold signal strength for connection, this can be an indication that the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a physically joined device. For example, when the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together, the threshold signal strength for connection can be calibrated based on the signal strength of a short-range wireless signal received by the mobile computing device 104 from the RFID reader 102 (and / or based on the signal strength of a short-range signal received by the RFID reader 102 from the mobile computing device 104 when the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a physically joined device). In some examples, the threshold received signal strength for connection for each of the RFID reader 102 and / or the mobile computing device 104 can be calibrated based on the known power level of the signal transmitted by the other device. Further, in some examples, the signal itself can include an indication of the power level at which the signal was transmitted. That is, the information provided by a signal transmitted at -30 dBm can include an indication that the signal was transmitted at -30 dBm, and the threshold received signal strength for connection can be calculated based on the indication of signal strength provided by the signal. For example, in some examples, if the difference between the received signal strength and the known transmitted signal strength is below a threshold difference in signal strength (e.g., 3 dBm), the devices can automatically connect. It should be understood that references to the two devices 102, 104 being in "physical contact," "mechanically attached," etc., can include the devices 102 and 104 being joined together for use as a physically joined device via (or otherwise having an intermediate component between the devices 102 and 104 such as, for example, the adapter 105, a housing on one or both of the devices 102, 104, etc.).

[0022] Turning to FIG. 2, a back view of an example mobile computing device 104 is shown with its back cover removed, Figure 2BAn example top view of an RFID reader dock accessory 102 with some portions of the top cover removed. Typically, each time the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a joined device (e.g., via installation of the gasket adapter 105 shown), the wireless communication interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth antennas / receivers) 106, 108 of the respective devices 102, 104 will be at a fixed distance from one another, and thus the strength of the signals transmitted / received via the wireless communication interfaces 106, 108 of the respective devices 102, 104 should also typically be the same (or within the same typical range of signal strength, e.g., within 3 dBm) each time the devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a joined device. Figure 1 The gasket adapter 105 shown. Typically, each time the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a joined device (e.g., via installation of the gasket adapter 105 shown), the wireless communication interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth antennas / receivers) 106, 108 of the respective devices 102, 104 will be at a fixed distance from one another, and thus the strength of the signals transmitted / received via the wireless communication interfaces 106, 108 of the respective devices 102, 104 should also typically be the same (or within the same typical range of signal strength, e.g., within 3 dBm) each time the devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a joined device.

[0023] For example, Figure 3A An example is shown of the RSSI change that occurs when the mobile computing device 104 is detached from the RFID reader device 102, and Figure 3B An example is shown of the RSSI change that occurs when the mobile computing device 104 is attached to (e.g., physically joined to) the RFID reader device 102 after the mobile computing device 104 was detached. As Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, there is a clear RSSI change when the devices 102, 104 are detached and reattached to one another. Accordingly, in some examples, for a given RFID reader 102 and mobile computing device 104, when these devices are physically joined together and detached from one another, an RSSI threshold indicating attachment (i.e., an RSSI threshold for connection) and an RSSI threshold indicating detachment (i.e., an RSSI threshold for disconnection) or a single RSSI threshold (above which the devices 102, 104 can be physically joined to one another and below which the devices 102, 104 can be detached from one another) can be calibrated based on measured RSSI values.

[0024] Based on the received signal strength being greater than the threshold RSSI value for connection, the mobile computing device 104 can consider the RFID reader 102 to be attached and can automatically initiate a wireless pairing with the RFID reader 102. The RFID reader 102 in turn can automatically accept the pairing request and establish a wireless communication connection between the two devices 102, 104. During the pairing process, the mobile computing device 104 and the RFID reader 102 can exchange an indication of the intent to associate, which can include a Bluetooth address of the transmitting device and a varying pairing key. For example, the mobile computing device 104 can transmit its Bluetooth address and a varying pairing key in a low-power beacon. The RFID reader device 102 can receive the Bluetooth address and pairing key, and can in turn transmit a matching pairing key to the mobile computing device 104. Accordingly, the mobile computing device 104 can verify that the RFID reader device 102 is in the vicinity of the mobile computing device 104 (i.e., because the RFID reader device 102 must have received the low-power beacon signal including the pairing key in order to send the matching pairing key). Similarly, the RFID reader device 102 can transmit its Bluetooth address and a varying pairing key in a low-power beacon, and the mobile computing device 104 can in turn receive the pairing key and send a matching pairing key back to the RFID reader device 102, which can verify that the mobile computing device 104 is in the vicinity of the RFID reader device 102.

[0025] Furthermore, when the received signal strength is below the low threshold RSSI value (i.e., indicating that the two devices 102, 104 are no longer physically joined together), the wireless communication connection between the mobile computing device 104 and the RFID reader 102 can automatically disconnect.

[0026] Advantageously, the techniques provided herein allow for a wireless communication connection to be automatically established between the mobile computing device 104 and the RFID reader 102 when the two devices 102, 104 are physically joined together for use as a physically joined device (e.g., mechanically attached via the mat adapter 105 or other mechanical adapter), without requiring user intervention or an electronic connection between the two devices 102, 104. Because the wireless communication connection is automatically established when the mobile computing device 104 and the RFID reader 102 are physically joined for use as a joined device, the user does not need to press a button, open an application, or make a selection in order to establish the wireless communication connection between the two devices 102, 104, advantageously reducing the amount of time the user must spend learning what must be done to establish the wireless communication connection between the two devices 102, 104, and the amount of time the user must spend establishing the wireless communication connection between the two devices 102, 104.

[0027] Additionally, the techniques provided herein allow the wireless communication connection to automatically disconnect without user intervention when the two devices 102, 104 are no longer physically joined together, thereby allowing a user to easily switch RFID reader devices 102 (and easily switch mobile computing devices 104 for a given RFID reader device 102) for a given mobile computing device 104. Advantageously, because the wireless communication connection between the RFID reader 102 and the mobile computing device 104 automatically disconnects when the received signal strength falls below a threshold signal strength for disconnecting, the RFID reader 102 can automatically enter a low power mode immediately upon the disconnection occurring, rather than waiting for the wireless connection to be explicitly disconnected based on input from a user, or waiting for one of the devices 102, 104 to be removed from the signal range of the other device to enter a low power mode. For example, in some examples, the RFID reader device 102 can not detect (or can detect less frequently) RFID signals in the low power mode in order to conserve power.

[0028] Additionally, advantageously, the techniques provided herein can be implemented using any existing RFID reader 102 and mobile computing device 104 that supports sending and / or receiving short range communication signals, such as Bluetooth signals. Moreover, the techniques provided herein allow for a "tap-to-pair" equivalent user experience without the need for additional NFC tags or the ability of one or both devices 102, 104 to read NFC tags. Additionally, the beacons typically occur around 6ms with a current of less than 2mA at the lowest transmission power level. Accordingly, over a period of 1 second between periodic beacons, the battery drain of the techniques provided herein is less than 1% for a typical 4800mAh battery. Moreover, because the low power beacons are transmitted over a substantial period, the techniques provided herein generally do not cause interference with other wireless devices.

[0029] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating an example system 400 including logic circuitry for implementing the example methods and / or operations described herein, including a method for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two devices that are otherwise separable when physically joined together for use as a physically joined device, is shown. The system 400 can include an RFID reader device (e.g., an RFID reader dock accessory device as discussed above) and a mobile computing device 104 configured for communication with each other via respective short range communication interfaces 106, 108. The short range communication interface 106 of the RFID reader device 102 can include a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, etc., and can be configured to transmit and / or receive short range wireless communication signals (e.g., signals, The signals (e.g., Bluetooth® signals, infrared signals, etc.) to and from the short-range communication interface 108 of the mobile computing device 104, and the short-range communication interface 108 of the mobile computing device 104 can include a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, etc., and can be configured to transmit and / or receive short-range wireless communication signals to and / or from the short-range communication interface 106 of the RFID reader device 102.

[0030] The RFID reader device 102 can further include an RFID reader component 110 configured to detect an indication of an RFID tag 112 attached to an item 114 within a range 115 (e.g., in a retail or inventory environment). In addition, the RFID reader device 102 can include one or more processors 116 and memory 118 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory) accessible by the one or more processors 116 (e.g., via a memory controller). The one or more processors 116 can interact with the memory 118 to obtain, for example, computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 118. The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 118 can cause the one or more processors 116 to measure a strength of a signal received from the mobile computing device 104 via the short-range communication interface 106 and compare the strength to a threshold signal strength to determine whether the mobile computing device 104 is physically attached to the RFID reader device 102 for use as an attached device, and if so, establish a wireless communication link with the mobile computing device 104 and send an indication of data associated with the detected RFID tag 112 to the mobile computing device 104 via the wireless communication link. The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 118 can further cause the one or more processors 116 to monitor (e.g., periodically) the strength of the signal received from the mobile computing device 104 via the short-range communication interface 106 and, if the strength of the received signal is below a threshold signal strength for disconnection (i.e., indicating that the mobile computing device 104 is no longer physically attached to the RFID reader device 102), disconnect the established wireless communication link. In addition, the computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 118 can cause the one or more processors 116 to activate a low-power mode of the RFID reader device 102 when there is no connected wireless communication link. In some examples, the RFID reader device 102 can not detect the RFID tag 112 in the low-power mode. In addition, the computer-readable instructions stored on the memory 118 can include instructions for performing any of the steps of the method 500 described in more detail below. Figure 5

[0031] ​The mobile computing device 104 can include a user interface 120 via which the mobile computing device 104 can display information to a user and / or receive input from a user, e.g., input regarding the item 114 and / or the RFID tag 112. Further, the mobile computing device 104 can include one or more processors 122 and memory 124 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory) accessible by the one or more processors 122, e.g., via a memory controller. The one or more processors 122 can interact with the memory 124 to obtain, e.g., computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 124. The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 124 can cause the one or more processors 122 to measure a strength of a signal received from the RFID reader device 104 via the short-range communication interface 108, and compare the strength to a threshold signal strength to determine whether the RFID reader device 102 is physically joined to the mobile computing device 102 for use as a joined device, and if so, establish a wireless communication link with the RFID reader device 102, and receive an indication of data associated with the RFID tag 112 detected by the RFID reader device 102 from the RFID reader device 102 via the wireless communication link. The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 124 can further cause the one or more processors 122 to monitor (e.g., periodically) the strength of the signal received from the RFID reader device 102 via the short-range communication interface 108, and if the strength of the received signal is below a threshold signal strength for disconnection (i.e., indicating that the RFID reader device 102 is no longer physically joined to the mobile computing device 104), then disconnect the established wireless communication link. Further, the computer-readable instructions stored on the memory 124 can include instructions for performing any of the steps of the method 500 described in more detail below. Figure 5 The computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 124 can further cause the one or more processors 122 to monitor (e.g., periodically) the strength of the signal received from the RFID reader device 102 via the short-range communication interface 108, and if the strength of the received signal is below a threshold signal strength for disconnection (i.e., indicating that the RFID reader device 102 is no longer physically joined to the mobile computing device 104), then disconnect the established wireless communication link. Further, the computer-readable instructions stored on the memory 124 can include instructions for performing any of the steps of the method 500 described in more detail below.

[0032] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example process that can be implemented by the system of Figure 4 is shown for implementing the example methods and / or operations described herein, including a method for establishing a bidirectional wireless communication link between two devices that are otherwise separable when physically joined together for use as a physically joined device. One or more steps of the method 500 can be implemented as a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable memory (e.g., the memory 118 of the RFID reader device 102 and / or the memory 124 of the mobile computing device 104), and executable on one or more processors (e.g., the processor 116 of the RFID reader device 102 and / or the processor 122 of the mobile computing device 104).

[0033] At block 502, for example, a short-range wireless signal can be received by the mobile computing device from the RFID reader device. For example, in some examples, the short-range wireless signal can be a BLE signal. The signal can identify a Bluetooth address of the transmitting device. In some examples, the signal can also include additional device information associated with the transmitting device, such as a model number of the device or a list of services provided by the device. Additionally, in some examples, the signal can include a unique pairing key. The unique pairing key can expire after a certain period of time, and can be refreshed periodically. For example, the signal can include a first pairing key for 10 seconds (or 5 seconds, 1 minute, or any other suitable period of time), and then the first pairing key can expire, and the signal can include a second pairing key for 10 seconds, and then can expire, and so on. Additionally, in some examples, the signal can include an indication of the transmitting strength of the signal.

[0034] At block 504, the RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal is monitored, for example, by the mobile computing device.

[0035] At block 506, a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device is established, for example, by the mobile computing device, based on the measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value. The threshold RSSI value can be calibrated based on the RSSI values measured by the mobile computing device in association with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is mechanically attached to the RFID reader device, physically contacts the RFID reader device, or is otherwise within a range that is close enough to the RFID reader device, for example, as discussed above with respect to Figure 3A and Figure 3B For example, the calibration can be part of a factory setting for the device, or can be performed in the field. In some examples, the received signal strength can be measured for various different models of mobile computing devices when the mobile computing devices are each physically coupled to the RFID reader device, and when the mobile computing devices are decoupled from the RFID reader device. For each model of mobile computing device, the measured received signal strength can be used to calculate a threshold received signal strength for connecting and disconnecting with the RFID reader device.

[0036] Further, in some examples, the threshold RSSI value is further calibrated based on a known transmit power level of the short-range wireless signals from the RFID reader device (e.g., -30 dbm). In some examples, the signal itself can include an indication of the transmit power of the signal, while in some examples, the transmit power of the signal can be determined based on a model of the RFID reader device. That is, the information provided by a signal transmitted at -30 dBm can include an indication that the signal was transmitted at -30 dBm, and the threshold received signal strength for connection can be calculated based on the indication of signal strength provided by the signal. In some examples, the device can automatically connect if the difference between the received signal strength and the known transmitted signal strength is below a threshold difference in signal strength (e.g., 3 dBm difference).

[0037] In particular, a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device can be automatically established upon detecting a signal strength greater than the threshold RSSI value (and, in some examples, receiving the correct pairing key) without input from a user of the mobile computing device and / or without input from a user of the RFID reader device. Further, in some examples, RFID data captured by the RFID reader device can be received, e.g., by the mobile computing device, via the wireless communication connection to the RFID reader device. The RFID data can include an indication of RFID tags associated with items in a retail or inventory environment.

[0038] At block 508, optionally, the wireless communication connection can be disconnected based on the measured received signal strength associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being less than the threshold received signal strength value, e.g., at a second time after a time at which the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device was greater than the threshold received signal strength value. In particular, the wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device can be automatically disconnected without input from a user of the mobile computing device and / or without input from a user of the RFID reader device.

[0039] The above description relates to block diagrams of the figures. Alternative implementations of the examples represented by the block diagrams include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes, and / or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the example blocks in the figures can be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. The components represented by the blocks of the figures are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by the blocks is implemented by a logic circuit. As used herein, the term“logic circuit” is expressly defined as a physical device that includes at least one hardware component configured (e.g., via operation according to a predetermined configuration and / or via execution of stored machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and / or perform operations of one or more machines. Examples of logic circuits include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices. Some example logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are specially configured hardware to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations represented by the flowcharts described herein). Some example logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations represented by the flowcharts of the present disclosure, if any). Some example logic circuits include a combination of specially configured hardware and hardware that executes machine-readable instructions. The above description relates to flowcharts of the various operations described herein and the flows that can be appended herein to illustrate those operations. Any such flowcharts represent example methods disclosed herein. In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams. Alternative implementations of the example methods disclosed herein can include additional or alternative operations. Additionally or alternatively, the operations of alternative implementations of the methods disclosed herein can be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., a processor(s)). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specially designed logic circuits (e.g., ASIC(s)). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of specially designed logic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by the logic circuit(s).

[0040] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a disc of a digital versatile disc, an optical disc, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of software and / or firmware) are stored for any suitable period of time (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is executing), and / or for a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and / or in a buffer)). Further, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined to exclude propagating signals. That is, as used in any of the claims, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is to be interpreted as being a propagating signal.

[0041] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present application as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner and not a restrictive one, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings. Additionally, the described embodiments / examples / implementations should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive, but rather as potentially combinable, if such combinations are in any way permissible. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the foregoing embodiments / examples / implementations can be included in any of the other foregoing embodiments / examples / implementations.

[0042] These benefits, advantages, problem solutions, and any element(s) that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The application claimed herein is defined by the claims and their equivalents, including any modifications made during the pendency of this application and any equivalents of the claims as issued.

[0043] Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "first," "second," "top," "bottom," and the like can be used in this document to describe various elements, these terms are used interchangably unless otherwise stated. The terms "including," "containing," "having," "possessing," "including a," "having a," "containing a," "cover" and "coverings," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, includes, has, or contains a list of elements can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises a," "has a," "includes a," or "cover a" with no additional material between such element and a comma does not, without a further aggregating element, deliberately exclude other, additional materials. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10% of the value as a lower limit and 90% of the value as an upper limit, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured at least to that is way, but can also be configured in other ways.

[0044] The Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein is for the convenience of the reader only and should not be used to construe the scope or meaning of the appended claims. Also, in the above detailed description, various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, where each claim can stand on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a bidirectional link between devices, comprising: The mobile computing device receives short-range wireless signals from the RFID reader device. The mobile computing device monitors the received signal strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device. as well as The mobile computing device establishes a wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device based on a measured RSSI value associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value. When the mobile computing device is physically connected to the RFID reader device for use as a connection device, the threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on the RSSI value measured by the mobile computing device and associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured RSSI is a first measured RSSI measured at a first time, the method further comprising: The mobile computing device disconnects the wireless communication connection based on a second measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device at a second time after the first time being less than the threshold RSSI value.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication connection is disconnected from the RFID reader device without requiring input from the user of the mobile computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device is established without requiring input from the user of the mobile computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The threshold RSSI value is -30dBm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold RSSI value is further calibrated based on the transmit power level of the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the short-range wireless signal includes an indication of the transmit power level of the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless signal is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The mobile computing device receives RFID data captured by the RFID reader device via the wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device, the RFID data including indications of RFID tags associated with the item.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a second short-range wireless signal, including a pairing key, from the mobile computing device to the RFID reader device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device further includes a matching pairing key that matches the pairing key sent by the mobile computing device, and the establishment of the wireless connection with the RFID reader device is further based on the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device including the matching pairing key.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pairing key expires after a specific duration, and the method further comprises the mobile computing device sending a third short-range wireless signal to the RFID reader device, the third short-range wireless signal including a new pairing key after the specific duration.

13. A system for establishing a bidirectional link between devices, comprising: An RFID reader device configured to transmit short-range wireless signals; as well as Mobile computing device, the mobile computing device being configured to: Receive the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; Monitor the Received Signal Strength (RSSI) associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device; and A wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device is established based on a measured RSSI value associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device being greater than a threshold RSSI value. The threshold RSSI value is calibrated based on the RSSI value measured by the mobile computing device and associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device when the mobile computing device is physically connected to the RFID reader device for use as a connection device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the short-range wireless signal is transmitted by the RFID reader device using a transmit power of -30dBm.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the short-range wireless signal is transmitted by the RFID reader device using a transmit power of -20dBm to -40dBm.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the measured RSSI is a first measured RSSI measured at a first time, and wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to disconnect the wireless communication connection based on a second measured RSSI associated with the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device at a second time after the first time being less than the threshold RSSI value.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the RFID reader device is further configured to: when the wireless communication connection is disconnected, switch from a first mode in which the RFID reader device operates at a first power level to a second mode in which the RFID reader device operates at a second power level, the second power level being a power level lower than the first power level.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to: disconnect the wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device when no input from a user of the mobile computing device is required.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to: establish the wireless communication connection with the RFID reader device without requiring input from a user of the mobile computing device.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the threshold RSSI value is -30 dBm.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the threshold RSSI value is further calibrated based on the transmit power level of the short-range wireless signal transmitted by the RFID reader device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device includes an indication of the transmit power level of the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the short-range wireless signal is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the RFID reader device is further configured to capture RFID data, the RFID data including indications of RFID tags associated with an item, and to transmit the captured RFID data to the mobile computing device via the wireless communication connection.

25. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to capture RFID data, the RFID data including indications of RFID tags associated with an article captured by the RFID reader device via the wireless communication connection.

26. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to send a second short-range wireless signal, including a pairing key, to the RFID reader device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein, The short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device further includes a matching pairing key that matches the pairing key sent by the mobile computing device, and the establishment of the wireless connection with the RFID reader device is further based on the short-range wireless signal from the RFID reader device including the matching pairing key.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the pairing key expires after a specific duration, and wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to send a third short-range wireless signal to the RFID reader device, the third short-range wireless signal including a new pairing key after the specific duration.

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