Abstract: A weigh platter assembly includes a weigh platter having a proximal edge and a lateral edge and an off-platter detection assembly. The off-platter detection assembly has an assembly field-of-view (field-of-view) extending from the proximal edge and constrained to have an assembly central field-of-view axis substantially parallel to the lateral edge and at least one lateral boundary substantially adjacent to the lateral edge. A light emission assembly has a light source and emits a light away from the proximal edge. A light detection assembly has a light sensor and detects at least a portion of the light reflected towards the proximal edge. A controller allows the measured weight to be recorded in response to a first value from the light detection assembly and prevents the measured weight from being recorded and/or provides an alert in response to a second value from the light detection assembly.

Abstract: An example object recognition and weighing apparatus for use with a POS terminal includes a weigh platter; a scale configured to measure a weight of the item when placed on the weigh platter; an off-platter detection assembly configured to detect an off-platter condition; an object recognition assembly configured to capture image data associated with the item, and based on the image data that includes non-barcode data, identify the item; a communication interface configured to communicate with the POS terminal; a processor in communication with the scale, the off-platter detection assembly, and the communication interface; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the object recognition and weighing apparatus to, responsive to detecting the off-platter condition, prevent a transmission of the identified item to the POS terminal until the off-platter condition is no longer detected.

Abstract: Object recognition scanning systems and methods for implementing artificial intelligence based item determination are disclosed herein. Example object recognition scanning systems and methods include imaging, by an imager having a field of view (FOV) extending over a scanning area, one or more items within the FOV, and receiving image data of an item imaged by the imager during a scanning session. A trained object recognition model, taking the image data as input, determines a product identification probability for the item. The object recognition scanning systems and methods include executing one of: (a) a first decoding sequence including, (b) a second decoding sequence, or (c) a mismatch detection sequence.

Abstract: A barcode scanner assembly for capturing at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV) is provided that includes a scanner enclosure including a scanner enclosure body, a printed circuit board (PCB) at least partially disposed within the scanner enclosure, an imaging assembly coupled to the PCB, and a decode assembly positioned on the PCB. The scanner enclosure body has a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a front portion, and a rear portion opposite the front portion and further defines an internal cavity. The PCB is positioned substantially parallel to an outbound imaging axis.

Abstract: Handheld barcode readers and assemblies are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode reader includes a housing defining a head portion and a base portion, a vision camera positioned in the base portion, a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion, and a controller in communication with the barcode reading module and the vision camera. The vision camera has a first FOV directed through a base window in the base portion and the barcode reading module has a second FOV directed through a scan window in the head portion. The controller is configured to decode barcodes read by the barcode reading module, receive captured images from the vision camera, and synchronize the barcode reading module and the vision camera such that the vision camera does not capture images when the barcode reading module is active.

Abstract: A workstation captures images of illuminated symbols with a solid-state imager. In an embodiment, the workstation includes a removable camera module in the workstation away from the imager. The camera module captures a secondary image through a window. The captured image of the illuminated symbol and the captured secondary image are independently processed.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a housing having an optically transmissive window, a first imaging assembly, and a second imaging assembly. A second imaging sensor of the second imaging assembly is positioned within a bottom portion of the housing height and a front portion of the housing depth. The second imaging sensor may be positioned in either a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation. A downstream region is defined between a downstream side of a first field of view of the first imaging sensor and a downstream side of a second field of view of the second imaging sensor to allow the imaging device to determine whether an indicia associated with a product captured within the downstream region was previously captured in the first field of view, thereby facilitating detection of scan avoidance or ticket switching.

Abstract: Slot scanners with wakeup systems are disclosed herein. An example slot scanner assembly includes a wakeup system having an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to project IR illumination through a window of the slot scanner and an IR receiver. The IR receiver has a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through the window that overlaps a first FOV of an imaging assembly of the slot scanner by at least 50% at the window and has a second central axis that is non-perpendicular to the window such that the second central axis is tilted downward from horizontal with the slot scanner assembly positioned in a vertical first configuration where the window is in a generally upright orientation. A controller of the slot scanner is configured to activate an illumination system when the IR receiver detects IR illumination reflected from an object in the second FOV of the IR receiver.

Abstract: Adapters for handheld barcode readers and handheld barcode reader assemblies are disclosed herein. An example adapter is configured to be attached to a handheld barcode reader having a housing defining a head portion and a base portion and a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion and having a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through a scan window in the head portion. The adapter includes an adapter housing, a means for attaching the adapter housing to the base portion of the housing of the handheld barcode reader, and a vision camera having a first FOV directed through a base window formed in the adapter housing.

Abstract: Handheld barcode readers and assemblies are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode reader includes a housing defining a head portion and a base portion, a vision camera positioned in the base portion, a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion, and a controller in communication with the barcode reading module and the vision camera. The vision camera has a first FOV directed through a base window in the base portion and the barcode reading module has a second FOV directed through a scan window in the head portion. The controller is configured to decode barcodes read by the barcode reading module, receive captured images from the vision camera, and synchronize the barcode reading module and the vision camera such that the vision camera does not capture images when the barcode reading module is active.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting medically related events at a point of sale are disclosed herein. An example method of detecting droplets associated with a sneeze or cough at a point of sale includes: capturing, by an image sensor associated with a checkout workstation, one or more images; analyzing, by one or more processors, the images captured by the image sensor associated with the checkout workstation, to detect an indication that one or more droplets associated with a sneeze or cough are present upon one or more equipment associated with the checkout workstation; and triggering, by the one or more processors, a disinfection of the checkout workstation responsive to detecting the indication that the one or more droplets associated with the sneeze or cough are present upon the one or more equipment associated with the checkout workstation.

Abstract: A barcode reader having lower and upper housings, a weigh platter in the lower housing, and an off-platter detection assembly. The weigh platter has a proximal edge adjacent the upper housing, a first lateral edge, and a distal edge. The off-platter detection assembly comprises an off-platter indication system having a plurality of linearly aligned light sources, each light source representing a location along the first lateral edge, and controller operatively coupled to the plurality of light sources. The controller is configured to: determine if an object extends over the first lateral edge; determine a location of the object along the first lateral edge; and illuminate a first portion of the light sources representing a distance between the proximal edge of the weigh platter and the object and de-illuminate a second portion of the light sources representing a distance between the object and the distal edge of the weigh platter.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader is disclosed for selective use of illumination color to capture appropriate data. The bioptic barcode reader includes a housing and a primary imager positioned within the housing, configured to scan a target object during a first time period. The bioptic barcode reader further includes a primary illumination source positioned within the housing configured to emit primary illumination in a primary wavelength range during the first time period. The bioptic barcode reader further includes a secondary imager configured to capture one or more images of a target object during a second time period. The bioptic barcode reader further includes a secondary illumination source configured to emit secondary illumination in a secondary wavelength range during the second time period, wherein the second time period and first time period are interleaved and the secondary wavelength range is different from the primary wavelength range.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatuses to mitigate specular reflections and direct illumination interference in bioptic barcode readers are disclosed. An example method includes creating a first sub-field of view passing through a first window, creating a second sub-field of view passing through a second window, while activating a first illumination source to illuminate the first sub-field of view and deactivating a second illumination source associated with the second sub-field of view, capturing first images of the first sub-field of view, while activating the second illumination source to illuminate the second sub-field of view and deactivating the first illumination source, capturing second images of the second sub-field of view, and attempting to decode a barcode within at least one of the first images and the second images.

Abstract: A system and methods for implementing a transflective mirror as a rolling shutter sensor. The method includes. The method includes a controller setting a current state of an obfuscator to a transmissive state at a first point in time, the first point in time being a time when all pixels of an imaging sensor are in an active state. An imaging sensor then obtains an image of an object in a field of view of the imaging sensor. The image is obtained at a time when the obfuscator is in the transmissive state. The controller then sets the current state of the obfuscator to an obfuscative state at a point in time before a single pixel of the plurality of pixels is switched to an inactive state, wherein the active state of a pixel is a state in which a pixel is an active optical detector, and the inactive state is a state in which a pixel is not an active optical detector.

Abstract: An example object recognition and weighing apparatus for use with a POS terminal includes a weigh platter; a scale configured to measure a weight of the item when placed on the weigh platter; an off-platter detection assembly configured to detect an off-platter condition; an object recognition assembly configured to capture image data associated with the item, and based on the image data that includes non-barcode data, identify the item; a communication interface configured to communicate with the POS terminal; a processor in communication with the scale, the off-platter detection assembly, and the communication interface; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the object recognition and weighing apparatus to, responsive to detecting the off-platter condition, prevent a transmission of the identified item to the POS terminal until the off-platter condition is no longer detected.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is an imaging engine assembly that includes a housing with a window, an imaging assembly positioned within the housing, the imaging assembly operable to capture image data over a field of view extending through the window and decode an indicium captured in the image data, and a cover positioned at least partially over the housing. The imaging engine housing and the cover are configured such that the cover is alternatively mountable between a first orientation and a diametrically opposed second orientation relative to the housing.

Abstract: Barcode readers with off-platter detection assemblies are disclosed herein. An example barcode reader includes a weigh platter and an off-platter detection assembly including a light emission assembly, a light detection assembly, and a controller. The light emission assembly emits a light along a first lateral edge of the weigh platter and the light detection assembly detects at least a portion of the light from the light emission assembly. The controller is configured to: receive a light detection signal from the light detection assembly; compare the light detection signal to a first signal threshold and a second signal threshold range; execute a first event if the light detection signal is less than the first signal threshold, indicating an off-platter event; and execute a second event if the light detection signal is within the second signal threshold range for a predetermined period of time, indicating a maintenance event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing indications of shutdown states for handheld barcode scanners are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode scanner includes a power source, a power source monitor, an indicator, and a processor disposed inside a housing. The power source monitor is configured to detect whether the power source has reached a pre-determined amount of discharge at which the internal power source is to be shut down to prevent damage. The processor configured to, when the internal power source has reached the pre-determined amount of discharge: configure the indicator to provide, while the internal power source is in the shutdown state, an indication that the internal power source is shutdown, and configure the internal power source into the shutdown state such that an image sensor, an indicia decoder, and the processor are de-energized.

Abstract: A weigh platter assembly includes a weigh platter and a parallax based off-platter detection assembly having a light emission assembly, a light detection assembly, and a controller. The light emission assembly has a light source to emit a light beam along a lateral edge of the weigh platter. The light detection assembly detects at least a portion of the light beam reflected from an object extending across the light beam and includes a sensor offset from the light source and an aperture positioned in front of the sensor and configured to limit a field of view of the sensor along the lateral edge between proximal and distal edges of the weigh platter. The controller is configured to provide a first signal in response to a first value received from the sensor and to provide a second signal, different from the first signal, in response to a second value.