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.

Abstract: Hand wearable support for a bar code scanner comprises back and front sides. The front side includes a V-member, first and second harness straps attached thereto extending away from each other at an angle, and means along the V-member for releasably attaching the front to the back side of the support which further comprises a back of the hand portion, a thumb portion, a trigger attachment portion, and first and second strap attachment portions each including a buckle. The first and second harness straps of the front side include a tongue portion for threading through the first and second buckle and folding back to releasably attach to itself. Releasable attachment of a trigger device, bar code scanner attachment, and bar code scanner to trigger attachment portion, bar code scanner attachment portion, and bar code scanner attachment portion, respectively, forms a bar code scanner assembly in the form factor of a support wearable by a user to perform scanning operations.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: A retail store self-checkout area may include a scanner configured to enable a shopper to scan items being purchased. A bagging area may be positioned at the scanner. A top-down facing camera positioned and oriented to image a shopping cart or basket at the self-checkout area and to generate image signals of the shopping cart or basket. A projector may be configured to project dynamically alterable illumination signals onto a surface visible to the shopper when at the self-checkout area to provide visual guidance information to the shopper. The projector may be a smart projector, and may be configured to be a top-down facing projector to illuminate a floor at the self-checkout area. A system controller may be configured to drive the projector (e.g., smart projector) and to process images captured by camera to identify errors or fraudulent behavior during a self-checkout process.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting coherent light with reduced diffraction pattern may include a coherent illumination source, structure with an aperture, and focusing lens. The focusing lens may have an object plane defined between the illumination source and structure, such that an illumination signal, such as an indication signal (e.g., green spot, aiming signal, etc.) that is projected through the aperture and onto an image plane does not exhibit a noticeable diffraction pattern, thereby having sharper edges and more perceptible to a user of a system that performs the projection of coherent light. The focusing lens may be in front of, at, integrated with, or behind the structure with the aperture, but the object plane remains between the coherent illumination source and structure with the aperture.

Abstract: A scanner that reads optical luminance at a field of view (FoV) includes an illuminator that provides light beams to a surface that may be located from a near field to a far field of the FoV. The illuminator can provide optical luminance that has an irradiance, which is uniform or within a certain range from the near field FoV to the far field FoV. The irradiance is achieved by adjusting the location of light emitting components and adjusting the power.

Abstract: The disclosure includes imaging systems employing event-based sensors in various applications for analyzing a scene, such as those involved in conveyor systems, mass flow detection systems, portals, machine vision systems, retail settings including checkout stations, and the like. Event-based sensors may be operated in conjunction with frame-based cameras to select frames or subparts of frames or otherwise trigger actions related to the imaging system based on analysis of the events generated by the event-based sensors.