Abstract: A system and method for illuminating a volume with an illumination system generating an illumination intensity pattern that maintains irradiance at sufficient on and off axis irradiance levels to allow for accurate identification and measure of objects within a volume, such as within a vehicle trailer or shipping container, is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to estimating capacity usage of a container. In an embodiment, the present invention is a method of estimating a fullness of a container. The method includes: mounting an image capture apparatus proximate a container-loading area, the image capture apparatus operable to capture three-dimensional images; capturing, via the image capture apparatus, a three-dimensional image representative of a three-dimensional formation, the three-dimensional image having a plurality of points with three-dimensional point data including depth data; generating a histogram of the depth data from the three-dimensional image; and estimating the fullness of the container based at least in part on the histogram.

Abstract: An RFID reader configures each of a plurality of antennas operating in the RFID reader to operate in one of a first state and a second state, configures each of the plurality of antennas to operate in a first session and a second session and to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session, and configures adjacent antennas or adjacent groups of antennas to operate in opposite states in the first session and the second session. During operation, each of the plurality of antennas is configured to read an RFID tag within a range of the antenna when a state of the RFID tag for the session in which the antenna is configured to operate matches the state in which the antenna is configured to operate and to switch the state of the RFID tag to the opposite state for each session.

Abstract: A method for power management of a mobile device includes detecting whether a removable power source has been removed from the mobile device. In response to detecting that the power source has been removed, entering a hot swap mode for a first time period by deactivating a first component of the mobile device and maintaining, via a backup power source in the mobile device, a powered state of a second component of the mobile device and an application state of the mobile device. The method further includes, after the first time period, entering a suspend mode for a second time period by deactivating the second component and continuing to maintain the application state of the mobile device for the second time period.

Abstract: A device and method for merging lidar data is provided. Point cloud data is combined, via a lidar imaging controller, into a common point cloud data set, each set of point cloud data representing respective angular lidar scans of a region as at least two lidar devices are moved relative to the region of a shelf. The respective angular lidar scans from each lidar device occur at a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle to a movement direction. Common point cloud data set points are binned into a plane perpendicular to the movement direction of a mobile automation apparatus and extending from a virtual lidar position. The lidar imaging controller combines points among multiple planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning an object carried by an automated pallet mover is disclosed. An example includes an image sensor configured to capture image data representative of a dimensioning area. A dimensioning coordinator is remotely located from an automated transportation system capable of moving the automated pallet mover. The dimensioning coordinator detects a dimensioning trigger condition associated with the pallet mover and sends first instructions to the automated transportation system to move the vehicle to the dimensioning area, and second instructions to coordinate movement of the vehicle and image capture operation to perform dimensioning on the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging system is provided for use in commercial trailer loading applications. A 3D-depth camera may be configured and oriented to capture 3D image data of a vehicle storage area. A depth-detection application executing on one or more processors may determine, based on the 3D image data, at least a wall data region and a non-wall data region. Based on the determination of the wall data and the non-wall data region, the depth-detection application generates a wall indicator that indicates a wall is situated at a discrete depth within the vehicle storage area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shelf having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge, a display screen, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuit and the display screen. The controller monitors the period of a waveform of a charging voltage of a storage capacitor of the solar cell circuit, displays an image on the display screen in response to a change in the waveform timing. A system includes a plurality of shelves each having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge of each of the plurality of shelves, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuits. The controller monitors the frequency at which a power transfer of each solar cell circuit occurs, and signals a device in response to a change in the frequency at which the power transfer occurs.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems and methods for segmenting and tracking package walls in commercial trailer loading are described. A 3D-depth camera is oriented in a direction to capture 3D image data of a vehicle storage area. A first portion of the 3D image data is captured by the 3D-depth camera during a first time period and a second portion of the 3D image data is captured by the 3D-depth camera during a second time period. A segmentation application (app) determines, based on the 3D image data, a first data wall slice corresponding to a first package wall and a second data wall slice corresponding to a second package wall, where each of the first package wall and the second package wall is defined by a plurality of packages each having a respective similar depth dimension and each packed within the vehicle storage area during a respective time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for task-based modification of visual media in a heads-up display. An example system includes a heads-up display assembly configured to be worn by a user, the heads-up display assembly including a head mount and a presentation generator configured to display visual media to the user. The example system further includes a memory, and a processor configured to interface with the presentation generator and the memory. The processor identifies a current task associated with the user, and obtains a focal distance at which the visual media is to be displayed to the user during the performance of the current task. The processor causes the presentation to display the visual media at the obtained focal distance during performance of the current task.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging system for use in commercial trailer loading is disclosed. The method and apparatus may be configured to determine a load-efficiency score for a trailer in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus may determine the score by receiving a set of point cloud data based on 3D image data, analyzing the set of point cloud data, generating a set of data slices based on the set of point cloud data each data slice corresponding to a portion of the 3D image data, estimating a set of missing data points in each data slice in the set of data slices, and calculating a load-efficiency score based on the generated set of data slices and estimated set of missing data points.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapidly dimensioning an object are provided. An example method includes capturing, by a plurality of cameras, image data representative of an object; analyzing, by a processor, the image data to identify a plurality of candidate corners of the object; detecting, by the processor, a proximity of an appendage to each of the candidate corners; confirming, by the processor, based on respective proximities of the appendage to the candidate corners of the object, that a first one of the candidate corners is a corner of the object; and calculating, by the processor, based on the confirmed corner of the object, a dimension of the object.

Abstract: Fixed segmented lattice planning for a mobile automation apparatus is provided. A mobile automation apparatus is provisioned with a plurality of segments for a plurality of paths through an environment, each of the plurality of segments being fixed in a reference frame, the plurality of segments arranged in a lattice configuration, with adjacent segments defining fixed nodes in the lattice configuration. The apparatus navigates through the environment on a segment-by-segment basis, storing control inputs and error signals for each segment and then later, when again navigating a segment using stored control inputs and error signals to generate current control inputs, along with current error signals, and storing the current control inputs and the current error signals. Indeed, each time the apparatus navigates a segment in the lattice configuration, the control inputs and the error signals are updated to refine navigation through the environment at each navigation through a segment.

Abstract: A device and method of dimensioning using digital images and depth data is provided. The device includes a camera and a depth sensing device whose fields of view generally overlap. Segments of shapes belonging to an object identified in a digital image from the camera are identified. Based on respective depth data, from the depth sensing device, associated with each of the segments of the shapes belonging to the object, it is determined whether each of the segments is associated with a same shape belonging to the object. Once all the segments are processed to determine their respective associations with the shapes of the object in the digital image, dimensions of the object are computed based on the respective depth data and the respective associations of the shapes.

Abstract: A method of detecting an edge of a support surface by an imaging controller includes: obtaining a plurality of depth measurements captured by a depth sensor and corresponding to an area containing the support surface; selecting, by the imaging controller, a candidate set of the depth measurements based on at least one of (i) an expected proximity of the edge of the support surface to the depth sensor, and (ii) an expected orientation of the edge of the support surface relative to the depth sensor; fitting, by the imaging controller, a guide element to the candidate set of depth measurements; and detecting, by the imaging controller, an output set of the depth measurements corresponding to the edge from the candidate set of depth measurements according to a proximity between each candidate depth measurement and the guide element.

Abstract: Energy efficient roaming of a mobile device is described. The mobile device can include a sensor for sensing a motion of the mobile device to generate a sensor signal. A radio is capable of communicating with a wireless network. A processor activates the radio in the mobile device. The processor generates an environmental profile of the mobile device based at least on the sensor signal. A memory is coupled to the processor for storing the environmental profile. The processor deactivates the radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold for a first period of time. The processor reactivates the deactivated radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold for a second period of time.