Abstract: A multi-camera system and method may include a first camera including a first lens and a first image sensor, and a second camera including a second lens in a second image sensor. The first image sensor may be communicatively coupled with the second image sensor, where the first image sensor is configured to communicate image data to the second image sensor. A camera controller may be configured to cause the first and second image sensors to capture and generate respective first and second image data. The first image data may be communicated from the first image sensor to the second image sensor, and the second image sensor may be configured to output a data stream inclusive of the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader having a multi-port network switch disposed within a housing of the data reader. The multi-port network switch is configured to be configurable to provide security features to the network, including method for locking ports of the switch to specific scanner accessories and other devices, creating virtual local area networks for the devices of the date reading system, and other locating features over the network.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data reading system operable for obtaining and decoding data from items processed by a customer in a retail transaction, where the data reading system is further operable to identify an occurrence of a performance anomaly impacting operation of the data reading system and to communicate the performance anomaly to a user together with instructions for resolving the anomaly. The communication is presented to the user via a display and may include any of a video, audio, or text format to clearly communicate the details of the issue and the instructions for resolution.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader, comprising a main board including one or more processors including a system processor, one or more camera modules, and an artificial intelligence (AI). The system processor is configured to transmit image data received from the one or more camera modules responsive to one or more event triggers detected by the system processor, and wherein the AI accelerator is configured to perform analysis based on an AI engine local to the AI accelerator in response to the event trigger. A remote server may also be operably coupled to the fixed retail scanner through the multi-port network switch, the remote server having a remote AI engine stored therein, wherein the local AI engine within the fixed retail scanner is a simplified AI model relative to the remote AI engine within the remote server.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a scanning system and related method for operating a document validation assist mode, such as for detecting counterfeit currency or other documents using a data reader such as a barcode reader. The data reader includes a camera, a visible illumination source, a non-visible illumination source, and a camera configured to capture a first image under a first illumination condition using the at least one visible light source, a second image under a second illumination condition using the at least one non-visible light source during a document validation assist mode. The electronic display is operably coupled to the data reader to receive the images from the data reader during the document validation assist mode. The electronic display is configured to display the first and second images in an alternating fashion at a frequency slower than a minimum flicker fusion frequency for human vision.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack may include at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one phase change material (PCM) pouch in contact with the at least one rechargeable battery cell within a housing. The battery pack may include electrical conductors electrically connected to the at least one rechargeable battery cell to enable electrical power to be conducted to and from the at least one rechargeable battery cell. A compressible element, such as a foam element, may be positioned between a PCM pouch and an inside wall of the housing, thereby absorbing swelling of the rechargeable battery cell(s) to reduce risk of damage to the battery cells and battery pack. The electrical conductors may be formed on a rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for ensuring human safety in a workspace shared with a robot or other dangerous machinery. The system includes one or more sensors arranged to monitor the workspace. Data from each of the sensors is acquired and analyzed to determine the positioning and spatial relationship between the human and machine, along with any respective objects that either or both may be carrying as they each move throughout the workspace. The captured data is analyzed to mitigate potential collisions between the human and the machine in the workspace, including potential collisions that may be caused by the respective objects carried by the human or machine.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data reading system and related methods of operation designed for efficiently calibrating a scale associated with the data reading system. Prior to powering the scale, the data reading system initially determines whether an item is present on the scale via images obtained by one or more data readers of the data reading system. Upon confirmation that the scale is clear of any items that may impact an initial zero weight, the data reading system powers on the scale to complete the initialization process and configure the data reading system for operation.

Abstract: A mobile barcode reader may include a housing having a defined exit window, a scan engine, a primary NFC antenna, and a secondary NFC antenna. The scan engine may be configured to read barcodes and positioned within a front portion of the housing with one or more imagers having a field-of-view extending out of the exit window. The primary NFC antenna may be disposed in a first plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the primary NFC antenna operably coupled with electronics of the mobile barcode reader to facilitate NFC reading. The secondary NFC antenna may be disposed proximate the front portion and extending in a second plane transverse to the longitudinal of the housing, and configured as a boosting antenna for the primary NFC antenna without being electrically coupled with the electronics of the mobile barcode reader. Related methods of operating and manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a security system for a fulfillment center environment that is correlated with output scan data from a scanner operated by an attendant fulfilling an order request. The security video camera may capture video data within its field-of-view, and a security video server may be configured to: receive output scan data from the scanner for an order fulfillment session; generate a video clip from the video data corresponding to the order fulfillment session; and present the video clip for review in response to a request to review the order fulfillment session. Related scanners and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are described herein for providing one or more visualizations corresponding to one or more tasks executed by a core processor on image data from one or more imaging devices (e.g., a camera). For example, an inspection cycle of the core processor can be initiated for determining or identifying unexpected events associated with the tasks of the core processor. Each inspection cycle may correspond to a particular imaging device. In some embodiments, an inspection cycle includes inspections of a grabbing task, a pre-processing task, a processing task, an idle period, another type of task, or one or more combinations thereof. A visualization that includes the unexpected event and the inspection cycle is provided for display on a user interface. In some embodiments, the visualization includes a standard error bar for the pre-processing task, processing task, idle period, or one or more combinations thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a scanner base unit comprising one or more imagers to view a read zone, and a top-down reader having a head and an elongate stand operably coupled to the scanner base unit. The top-down reader includes a printed circuit board including one or more processors and optical components disposed within the head of the top-down reader, and a heat management system including a heat pipe having a first end disposed within the head and extending into a sealed air chamber within the stand to dissipate heat from the one or more processors into the sealed air chamber. Related methods for heat management of a top-down reader are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for combining images captured by at least two image sensors of a multi-sensor image system into a single image frame for analysis, where the combined image frame includes the image data captured by each sensor. The captured images may include image data for an optical code on an item being processed. The multi-sensor system includes a decoding unit operable to analyze the combined image frame and decode the optical codes from one or both images contained within the combined image frame.

Abstract: A system and method of securing data, such as images, may include receiving, by an edge server operating on a local area network (LAN) and communicatively coupled to a cloud-based server, encrypted data captured and/or generated by a first device operating on the LAN. The edge server may store the encrypted data in a data repository, the encrypted data being stored as encrypted data. Responsive to a second device operating on the LAN requesting the encrypted data, the edge server may communicate the encrypted data to the second device executing a customer application configured to decrypt and display the encrypted data.

Abstract: An optical imaging system, such as a scanner system for imaging machine-readable indicia may include a lens device, an adapter ring, and a PCB piezoelectric motor. The lens device may include an adjustable optical component operably coupled to a rotatable feature. The adapter ring may be engaged to the rotatable feature of the lens device so as to control movement of the rotatable feature. The PCB piezoelectric motor may include a stator mounted thereto, and a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor may be coupled to the adapter ring so that applying rotational energy to the stator causes the adapter ring to rotate, thereby causing the adjustable optical component to be adjusted.

Abstract: A control device includes a processor to: receive encoded data from an optical and/or RF scan of a security token of a user; use a user data set to authenticate the encoded data; in response to successful authentication, use the user data set to identify a scanning device that supports a subset of functionality that the user is authorized to use from among a larger set of functionality that includes access to application routines, access to data and/or access to communication features; and transmit and indication of the subset of functionality to the identified scanning device to cause the identified scanning device to transition to an allocated state in which the identified scanning device is allocated to the user, and restrict the user to using the subset of functionality on the identified scanning device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading machine-readable indicia (e.g., barcodes) can include emitting, by a code reading device, a light to illuminate a surface including a machine-readable indicia. The code reading device can capture an image of the machine-readable indicia, and determine whether an image quality parameter of the image of the machine-readable indicia captured by the image sensor satisfies a predefined condition (e.g., no reflections on the machine-readable indicia). Based on a determination that the image quality parameter of the image of the machine-readable indicia does not satisfy the predefined condition, the voltage being applied to the electrochromic component may be adjusted to cause an opacity level of the electrochromic component to be altered. Otherwise, the voltage being applied to the electrochromic component may remain unchanged.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader, comprising a main board including one or more processors including a system processor, one or more camera modules, and an artificial intelligence (AI). The system processor is configured to transmit image data received from the one or more camera modules responsive to one or more event triggers detected by the system processor, and wherein the AI accelerator is configured to perform analysis based on an AI engine local to the AI accelerator in response to the event trigger. A remote server may also be operably coupled to the fixed retail scanner through the multi-port network switch, the remote server having a remote AI engine stored therein, wherein the local AI engine within the fixed retail scanner is a simplified AI model relative to the remote AI engine within the remote server.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a handheld scanning device and associated methods and media. The handheld scanning device has an optical sensor positioned under at least a portion of a back side of a handle, such that a wavelength can pass through at least the portion of the handle. For example, this portion of the handle can be translucent or transparent. In some embodiments, one or more processors of the handheld scanning device can determine, using the optical sensor, that the handheld scanning device is to transition to an operating or idle state. In embodiments, the handheld scanning device may have a battery and a battery indicator capable of emitting a visible light through a portion of the handle to indicate a state of the battery.

Abstract: An optical symbol detector has an input operative to receive a captured image frame. The detector includes a feature extractor engine coupled to the input to produce a downscaled descriptor map based on the captured image frame, the descriptor map including a convolutional map of blocks of the captured image frame. The detector further includes a coarse estimator engine coupled to an output of the feature extractor engine to produce a detection indication and localization information of an optical pattern indicative of a machine-readable symbol based on the downscaled descriptor map.