Abstract: Logistical operations (e.g., warehouses) may use a voice-enabled workflow to facilitate the work tasks of a staff (i.e., population) of workers. Typically, it is necessary for a worker to travel from location-to-location to complete assigned work tasks. As such, a worker's time spent travelling often correlates with the worker's overall work performance. Understanding the worker's travel performance is highly desirable, but computing a fair and accurate travel-performance metric is difficult. One reason for this is that the distance a worker travels is often unknown. The present invention embraces a system and method for accurately and fairly assessing a worker's travel performance by analyzing the worker's voice dialog.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method of detecting a media jam in a printer. The method includes causing a sensor unit of the printer to generate a sensor signal indicative of a reflectance characteristic associated with a surface of a roller of the printer. Further, the method includes receiving the sensor signal from the sensor unit of the printer and comparing the reflectance characteristic to a threshold reflectance characteristic associated with the roller. Furthermore, in response to the comparison, the method includes generating an output signal to indicate whether the media jam has occurred. For example, a first output signal indicates unsuccessful passage of a media along a media path of the printer, when the reflectance characteristic exceeds the threshold reflectance characteristic and a second output signal indicates successful passage of the media along the media path, when the reflectance characteristic is equal to or below the threshold reflectance characteristic.

Abstract: An exemplary method of decoding a barcode uses a barcode template of known fixed fields in the barcode to enhance error correction in decoding of the barcode. A barcode having encoded data is scanned with an exemplary electronic device including a barcode scanner, a memory, and a barcode template stored in the memory. The barcode template includes fixed data fields and variable data fields. The barcode's encoded data are sampled into a codeword array, and a barcode template that matches the format of the scanned barcode is selected. Typically, error correction is then performed on the codeword array, and the error-corrected codeword array is then outputted.

Abstract: Images of items are evaluated. A first image of the item, having a view of two or more of its surfaces, is captured at a first time. A measurement of at least one dimension of one or more of the surfaces is computed and stored. A second image of the item, having a view of at least one of the two or more surfaces, is captured at a second time, subsequent to the first time. A measurement of the dimension is then computed and compared to the stored first measurement. The computed measurement is evaluated based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an attachment device comprising a first subassembly, comprising a mounting component, a retainer component, coupled to a second subassembly comprising a first rotatable component, a second rotatable component, and a trigger assembly. The mounting component comprises an opening defining at least one slot. The retainer component is coupled to the mounting component defining a first cavity. The spring component, housed in the first cavity, is coupled to the retainer component. The first rotatable component is coupled to the second rotatable component to define a second cavity extending from a first surface of the first rotatable component to a second surface of the second rotatable component. A trigger actuator of the trigger assembly is housed in the second cavity. The first rotatable component defines at least one tab defined to be received within the at least one slot of the mounting component.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a variable focus lens assembly. Some embodiments are designed to enable repositioning of one or more components, such as a lens barrel assembly, to adjust the focus of the variable focus lens assembly. Some example variable focus lens assemblies include a module base housing a lens barrel assembly having a pair of positioning magnets, a pair of positioning coil assemblies associated with the positioning magnets, and at least one pair of bearing balls movably supporting the lens barrel assembly. The positioning coil assemblies together with the positioning magnets are configured to exert various magnetic fields to reposition the lens barrel assembly. Further embodiments are provided for imaging apparatus including at least one variable focus lens assembly described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and an sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to automatic focus selection in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured for capturing by a first image sensor, a first image of a visual object with a background associated with a subject. A characteristic difference between the visual object in the first image and the background in the first image is determined and a distance determination mode is selected based on the determined characteristic difference. Accordingly, a distance to the subject is calculated based on the selected distance determination mode and a second image sensor is controlled to capture a second image of the subject, based on the calculated distance to the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to automatic focus selection in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured for capturing by a first image sensor, a first image of a visual object with a background associated with a subject. A characteristic difference between the visual object in the first image and the background in the first image is determined and a distance determination mode is selected based on the determined characteristic difference. Accordingly, a distance to the subject is calculated based on the selected distance determination mode and a second image sensor is controlled to capture a second image of the subject, based on the calculated distance to the subject.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating an estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed with a remaining battery capacity of a battery in a device. A workflow cycle comprising a predefined series of tasks of a work application executed during a defined timeframe is defined. Beginning battery capacity is determined at start of work application execution. End battery capacity at completion of work application execution is determined. Battery usage estimate associated with work application is calculated from difference between beginning battery capacity and end battery capacity. The estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed is based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate.

Abstract: An indicia reader can include an indicia-capturing system, an indicia-decoding module, and an audio indicator system having a sound source. An indicia-reader housing can support these components, and the housing includes two adjacent mounting surfaces and a sound port opening formed within a portion of the common edge of the two adjacent surfaces. The indicia reader can be operatively mounted in at least two different positions by attaching one of the two adjacent surfaces to a support structure. The reader's sound port opening is in acoustic communication with the sound source of the audio indicator for transmitting audible indications emitted via the audio indicator system when the indicia reader is mounted in either of the at least two different mounting positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.

Abstract: A mobile dimensioning device, i.e. a mobile dimensioner, is described that uses a dynamic accuracy while still being compatible with the NIST standard. Even if the accuracy division is dynamic and not predetermined, a mobile dimensioning device of the present invention reports the actual dimensioning prior to measurement capture and can therefore be certified and used in commercial transactions.

Abstract: A multi-functional optical illuminator comprises: a light pipe (302) with an open frame structure for visual aiming of the illuminator to facilitate an alignment of a barcode; and a circuit board (304), attached to a back opening of the light pipe (302), comprising six dark field LEDs (308) for generating six dark field illuminations and two bright field LEDs (306) for generating bright field illuminations; wherein, the two bright field LEDs (306) produce two alternating point sources for providing bright field illuminations in different directions to minimize a specular reflection hot spot without using any diffuser during the bright field illuminations; wherein, chamfered inner edges of the light pipe (302) emit the dark field illuminations in different orientations from the light pipe (302). The illuminator is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination.

Abstract: A method of product location identification includes receiving an indication of a product to be located in a retail environment; identifying a product location using the product as a key; determining associated visual symbols from the product location; and communicating the associated visual symbols to a worker to guide the worker to the product location.

Abstract: The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.