Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner includes a data reader. The data reader includes a main board including a system processor disposed within the data reader, and one or more camera modules disposed within the data reader and operably coupled with the system processor. Each camera module may include a local on-board imager AI engine configured to perform AI tasks according to a loaded trained AI model. A system artificial intelligence (AI) engine may be disposed within the data reader and configured to perform AI tasks according to a loaded trained AI model. The system processor is operably coupled to each of the imager AI engines and the system AI engine for scheduling and dispatching AI tasks across a distributed network of AI resources including the imager AI engines and the system AI engine.

Abstract: A decoding device includes an aiming component and a scanning component of a scanning engine; a display component and tactile components of a touch screen; and a processor configured to operate the display component to display an initial icon, monitor the tactile components to detect a commencement of a digit tip press on the touch screen at the initial icon, and in response to the digit tip press having a pressure between predetermined lower and higher pressure levels, perform operations including: operate the aiming component to project the visual guide; monitor the tactile components to detect a pressure increase of the digit tip press to higher than the predetermined higher pressure level; and in response to the increase in pressure, operate the scanning component to attempt to scan an encoded data marking, and operate the tactile components to provide a haptic indication of the attempt to the digit tip.

Abstract: A camera device for an optical imaging system, such as a scanner system for imaging machine-readable indicia may include at least one printed circuit board (PCB), an image sensor, and a first lens device. The PCB(s) may define a recessed area having a mounting surface therein. The image sensor may be disposed within the recessed area and may be coupled to the mounting surface of the PCB. The first lens device may be coupled to the PCB(s) and may extend into the recessed area. The first lens device may be disposed in optical alignment with the image sensor. A second lens device, which may be adjustable (e.g., adjustable focal length), may be disposed between the first lens device and image sensor. The second lens may be positioned in the recessed area and/or coupled to the first lens device.

Abstract: A hand wearable includes a flexible body, a barcode scanner attachment device, a trigger device, and a nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device stores hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information including one or more data indicative of the life of the hand wearable, the life of a scanner operatively coupled to the barcode scanner attachment device, or both. The nonvolatile memory device holds the stored hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information when power to the nonvolatile memory device is turned off. The nonvolatile memory device makes the stored hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information available when the power to the nonvolatile memory device is turned on. A system, method of using, and method of manufacturing the hand wearable is also disclosed.

Abstract: Passive autofocusing is used in image acquisition devices (e.g., machine-readable symbol readers, cameras), and can be employed with shutter and/or event-based image sensors. An aimer pointer is easily detected in images, and one or more characteristics characterized at various focus positions of the optics. A size of a characteristic dimension and/or shape of the aimer pointer and/or a measure of sharpness of the aimer pointer is used to determine which image, and hence focus position, results in an optimized or even optimum (i.e., best) focus. The image acquisition system is then configured accordingly. Measuring aimer pointer size is typically less computationally intensive than conventional approaches. Use of a laser beam to produce the aimer pointer usually requires lower exposure time than other approaches. Image data can advantageously be windowed using a relatively small region of interest (ROI) based on a known aimer pointer position.

Abstract: A distance measuring device is disclosed that includes a controller operably coupled with a receiver to receive different amplification channels. The controller includes a time of flight core configured to determine time of flight information for the light pulse; and a decider block configured to determine a measurement correction value for the device based on a determination of a presence of a reflective background that is different than a measurement correction value selected for the device when there exists a diffuse background or an absence of a background into a reading field.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor includes an emitter that emits a plurality of light beams. Fractions thereof pass through transparent portions of a first body and a second body in series before intersecting an optically powered surface, which directs the fractions to a target focusing an image that passes through a perimeter of the first body in one direction and focusing an image that passes through a perimeter of the second body in a perpendicular direction. The emitter, first and second bodies, and the optically powered surface are positioned so as to form a light spot on the target within which the fractions of the plurality of light beams substantially overlap. The fractions of the plurality of light beams reflect off of the target and are received by a receiver, which detects changes in the light to determine whether a mark is present on the target.

Abstract: An emitter and a receiver in a light barrier system are aligned by placing one or more retroreflective elements in a vicinity of the receiver such that a beam of visible light emitted by an optical alignment element impinges on a retroreflective element when the light beam emitted by the emitter impinges on the receiver. The optical alignment element is activated to emit a beam of visible light, and optical components of the system are adjusted so that the visible beam emitted by the optical alignment element impinges on, and is reflected by, the retroreflective element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for verifying robot data that is used by a safety system monitoring a workspace shared by a human and robot. One or more sensors monitoring the workspace are arranged to obtain a three-dimensional view of the workspace. Raw data from each of the sensors is acquired and analyzed to determine the positioning and spatial relationship between the human and robot as both move throughout the workspace. This captured data is compared to the positional data obtained from the robot to assess whether discrepancies exist between the data sets. If the information from the sensors does not sufficiently match the data from the robot, then a signal from the system may be sent to deactivate the robot and prevent potential injury to the human.

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: A code reader includes a color imager and a processor operably coupled to the color imager. The processor is configured to: set an RGB imager pixel color gain; capture at least one image with active or ambient illumination using the color imager with a calibration target in view; calculate a mean value of R, G, B pixels for the at least one image; use a color plane as a reference, determining a color gain to set calibration parameters; capture at least one additional image using the calibration parameters; and save the calibration parameters if mean values of the R, G, B, pixels for the at least one additional image are within a predetermined range to be used by the camera for subsequent image capture, and apply to each pixel of the image a corresponding color correction matrix from among a plurality of stored color correction matrices.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) system is operative to dynamically make power-transfer efficiency optimizations based on supply power, load characteristics, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, optimizations include power-level-specific path selection, loading-based WPT voltage adjustments, and other techniques in various combinations.

Abstract: A predictive system and process that predicts safety system activation in industrial environments when collaborative robots (COBOTs), automated guidance vehicles (AGVs), and other robots (individual or collectively “robots”) are interacting (i) between one another or (ii) between a robot and human. As provided herein, the predictive system is not meant to substitute traditional safety systems, but rather to detect and classify robot-to-robot and robot-to-human interactions and potential interactions thereof so as to limit or avoid those interactions altogether, thereby increasing safety and efficiency of the robots.

Abstract: A hand wearable includes a flexible body, a barcode scanner attachment device, a trigger device, and a nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device stores hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information including one or more data indicative of the life of the hand wearable, the life of a scanner operatively coupled to the barcode scanner attachment device, or both. The nonvolatile memory device holds the stored hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information when power to the nonvolatile memory device is turned off. The nonvolatile memory device makes the stored hand wearable, barcode scanner, or both specific information available when the power to the nonvolatile memory device is turned on. A system, method of using, and method of manufacturing the hand wearable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing a three-dimensional 3D point cloud registration with multiple two-dimensional (2D) images may include estimating a mathematical relationship between 3D roto-translations of dominant planes of objects in a 3D point cloud and bi-dimensional homographies in a 2D image plane, thereby resulting in a 3D point cloud registration using multiple 2D images. A trained classifier may be used to determine correspondence between homography matrices and inferred motion of the dominant plane(s) on a 3D point cloud for paired image frames. A homography matrix between the paired images of the dominant plane(s) on the 2D image plane may be selected based on the correspondence between the inferred motions and measured motion of the dominant plane(s) on the 3D point cloud for the paired image frames. The process may be less computationally intensive than conventional 2D-3D registration approaches.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting an image of a template object in a captured image may include comparing, by a processor, an image model of an imaged template object to multiple locations, rotations, and scales in the captured image. The image model may be defined by multiple model base point sets derived from contours of the imaged template object, where each model base point set inclusive of a plurality of model base points that are positioned at corresponding locations associated with distinctive features of the imaged template object. Each corresponding model base point of the model base point sets may (i) be associated with respective layers and (ii) have an associated gradient vector. A determination may be made as to whether and where the image of the object described by the image model is located in the captured image.

Abstract: A code reader comprises a first imager and a second imager configured to capture an image with different field of views, a first illuminator and a second illuminator configured to project a different illumination pattern, and a processor operably coupled to the imagers and the illuminators. The processor configured to activate the first imager and the first illuminator as a receiver pair responsive to detecting a first condition, activate the second imager and the second illuminator as a receiver pair responsive to detecting a second condition, and decode an optical code using an image captured by the selected receiver pair.

Abstract: A scanning device includes: a motion sensor to detect motion imparted to the scanning device; a distance detector to determine a distance between the scanning device and a surface; an infrared detector to capture a temperature of the surface; an image sensor to capture an image of an indicia encoding data on the surface; and a processor configured to store the captured image and temperature, configured to operate the motion sensor to detect motion being imparted to the scanning device when in a low power state, and configured to transition the scanning device out of the low power state in response to such imparted motion by: operating the distance detector to determine the distance to the surface; and determining whether to operate the infrared detector to capture the temperature of the surface and whether to operate the image sensor to capture the image of the indicia, based on the distance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and process of producing a metric quality grade profile for use during inspection of DPM symbol marked on parts may include storing average metrics measured in a controlled environment for a “golden” sample. Measurements of the DPM symbol of the “golden” sample may be performed. Measurements of the metrics of the “golden” sample in an uncontrolled environment may be performed. Average metrics from the uncontrolled environment may be calculated. The averaged metrics from the controlled and uncontrolled environment may be compared. The user may be enabled to set an acceptable grade for the individual metrics. The acceptable grades for the individual metrics as a profile of the DPM symbol in memory.

Abstract: A device for focusing a light beam comprises a optical assembly comprising at least one focusing lens and/or mirror, a support structure which supports the optical assembly, a magnetic actuator configured to move the optical assembly with respect to the support structure along a moving direction substantially parallel to an optical axis (X) of the optical assembly and at least one position sensor configured to provide an indication of the position of the optical assembly with respect to the support structure. The magnetic actuator comprises at least one permanent magnet integrally associated with the optical assembly and at least one first electrical winding integrally associated with the support structure and configured to cause flowing of an electric current within it, wherein the electrical current interacts with said at least one permanent magnet and causes the movement of the optical assembly along said moving direction until the optical assembly is brought to a desired focusing position.