Abstract: A wearable mobile electronic device is provided. The device includes: a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a third axis perpendicular to each of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis; a data capture component, a pointing direction of the data capture component extending from the distal end; a touch display, a front surface of the touch display extending along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, the third axis normal to the front surface; and a mounting device configured to mount the housing to a hand such that the pointing direction of the data capture component points away from a wrist and the touch display is accessible to a thumb of the hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic gain control in a frame-aware pulsed ranging system is disclosed. A frame covers a period of time, and locationing pulses are emitted once per frame. The pulses are detected by a mobile unit with a microphone, which is able to trilaterate its physical position. To counteract false positives from reverberations of pulses emitted in prior frames, a noise threshold function declines over the course of the frame. As such, small amplitude locationing pulses received late in a frame are still detected because the small amplitude pulse exceeds the decayed noise threshold function. In this way, the noise threshold function is a filter that may detect high amplitude pulses early in a frame as well as small amplitude pulses late in a frame without detecting reverberation pulses early in a frame as false positives.

Abstract: A barcode scanning apparatus that includes a single printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a head portion and a handle portion. The handle portion extends generally along a handle axis. The single PCB extends along a PCB plane and is positioned at least partially within the housing. The apparatus includes an image sensor having a plurality of photo-sensitive elements that form a substantially flat surface. The single PCB may have a first portion and a second portion, where the image sensor is positioned on the first portion and is further positioned to capture light entering the housing through a window of the head portion. The apparatus includes a frame positioned at least partially within the housing, where the frame includes an oblique angle formed between a front portion and a rear portion, where the PCB is secured by or to the frame's rear portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to trailer loading analytics. In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for detecting a trailer door status. The method includes: capturing a 3D image representative of a 3D formation; analyzing respective depth values of a first sub-plurality of the plurality of points of the 3D image to determine whether the formation is within a first predetermined distance threshold from a location; and when the formation is within the first predetermined distance threshold, analyzing respective depth values of a second sub-plurality of the plurality of points to determine whether the 3D formation is substantially flat, a determination of the three-dimensional formation being substantially flat being indicative of the trailer door being closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching an optical imaging reader between a hands-free mode and a handheld mode using two or more tactile sensors, both of which are actuated by cutaneous contact in order to switch from the hands-free mode to the handheld mode, and which switches from the handheld mode to the hands-free mode if one of the tactile sensors is no longer actuated by cutaneous contact.

Abstract: A method of object detection includes obtaining a set of images depicting overlapping regions of an area containing a plurality of objects. Each image includes input object indicators defined by input bounding boxes, input confidence level values, and object identifiers. The method includes identifying candidate subsets of input object indicators in adjacent images. Each candidate subset has input overlapping bounding boxes in a common frame of reference, and a common object identifier. The method includes adjusting the input confidence levels for each input object indicator in the candidate subsets; selecting clusters of the input object indicators satisfying a minimum input confidence threshold, having a common object identifier, and having a degree of overlap satisfying a predefined threshold; and detecting an object by generating a single output object indicator for each cluster, the output object indicator having an output bounding box, an output confidence level value, and the common object identifier.

Abstract: A window environmentally seals an imaging reader operative for reading a target by image capture. An integrated optical system having one or more optical elements is formed of one-piece construction with the window for optically modifying an aiming light and/or an illuminating light passing through the optical elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV). A housing has an image sensor and a base lens assembly fixedly mounted relative thereto. A moveable lens assembly is movably mounted relative to the housing. The moveable lens, the base lens assembly, and the image sensor are aligned such that light received within the FOV passes through the moveable lens and the base lens assembly and impinges onto the image sensor. The light received from the FOV forms an original image prior to entering the movable lens and the base assembly. Light from the FOV impinging onto the sensor forms an impinging image.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods associated with optical data capture. In some embodiments, the present invention is a barcode reader that includes a first linear imaging assembly, a second linear imaging assembly, and an aiming assembly configured to emit a linear aiming light pattern, where the aiming light pattern is planarly aligned with the fields of view of the first and second imaging assemblies.

Abstract: Wireless local area network (WLAN) field coverage is analyzed in a venue. A mobile data capture device measures coverage data indicative of the WLAN field coverage from a plurality of locations in the venue, and also captures image data indicative of images of the locations in the venue. A controller correlates the measured coverage data and the captured image data at each location. An interface displays the captured image data correlated with the measured coverage data at each location. Impact score value data indicative of the WLAN field coverage may also be determined, correlated, and displayed for each location.

Abstract: A device and method for self-localization of a ceiling-mounted device within an indoor environment includes establishing a floor plan of the environment including a plurality of fixed reference indicia having known locations with respect to an origin point of the environment. A plumb light beam is projecting downward from the device to a floor of the environment to produce a projection on the floor. An imaging of the floor including the projection and at least two reference indicia is captured. A location of the device can then be determined with respect to the origin using the projection and at least two reference indicia.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device and method for improved operating of cameras and light sources of a mobile automation apparatus. Light sources are operated to periodically provide illumination light for a camera operating according to a given exposure time and frequency, with a pulse duration having a respective frequency that is an integer multiple of the camera frequency, and higher than a threshold frequency where successive activations of the light sources are imperceptible. Furthermore, a light source paired with a camera is located at a distance from the paired camera that illuminates an object imaged by the paired camera, and where parasitic reflections from the paired light source are not reflected into the paired camera.

Abstract: A user moves about a venue, and operates a mobile reader to read a product tag in a read zone of the mobile reader. An identifier, such as a user identity badge, is associated with the user to identify the user. A sensing system is deployed in the venue for sensing the location of the identifier. A host server associates the mobile reader with the identifier of the user operating the mobile reader, and determines a location of the product tag in the venue based on the read zone and the location of the identifier.

Abstract: A range finder determines a distance to a target to be read by image capture over a range of working distances. Near and far imagers can capture return light from the target over relatively wider and relatively narrower imaging fields of view, respectively. An illuminating light assembly illuminates the target with illumination light of variable intensity. A controller selects at least one of the imagers and energizes the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light having an intensity that is a function of the distance determined by the range finder.

Abstract: A method of label detection includes: obtaining, by an imaging controller, an image depicting a shelf; increasing an intensity of a foreground subset of image pixels exceeding an upper intensity threshold, and decreasing an intensity of a background subset of pixels below a lower intensity threshold; responsive to the increasing and the decreasing, (i) determining gradients for each of the pixels and (ii) selecting a candidate set of the pixels based on the gradients; overlaying a plurality of shelf candidate lines on the image derived from the candidate set of pixels; identifying a pair of the shelf candidate lines satisfying a predetermined sequence of intensity transitions; and generating and storing a shelf edge bounding box corresponding to the pair of shelf candidate lines.

Abstract: An anti-fraud security tag removal system reads product identifiers on groups of items presented for purchase at a point of sale area. The product identifiers indicate how many of the items include security tags that must be removed. A security tag detacher removes security tags only on items for which the system has detected that the item was present, preventing removal of security tags on items which were not read by the point of sale system. An RF antenna and a security tag detacher are co-located such that the product identifier of the item is highly likely to be read when a sales clerk removes the security tag. The product identifier may be incorporated into the security tag and disabled when the security tag is attached to the item. The product identifier may be shunted by the security tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a moving target in a venue and for capturing a sequenced timeline of target directed images is described. Target sensing stations having a wide-angle video camera, such as a 180° video camera, are positioned within the venue. Each sensing station includes a sensing unit, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver unit, that determines a location and/or direction of travel of the target. The sensing station correlates the RFID transceiver information with the wide-angle video camera to specifically filter and process a video stream from the camera, producing target directed image snapshots from the stream that are assembled at a centralized controller into the sequenced timeline images that may be used in monitoring target movement and to establish location chain for prevention of unauthorized movement.

Abstract: A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an electronic compass that generates compass data corresponding to an orientation of the mobile device relative to true north. A global positioning system (GPS) module receives a GPS signal from multiple satellites. The GPS module determines a heading direction of a vehicle transporting the mobile device relative to true north based on the position data when the vehicle is moving above a threshold velocity. A motion sensor generates motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile device when the mobile device is moved. A processor adjusts the heading direction of the vehicle relative to true north based on the compass data when the vehicle is moving below the threshold velocity.