Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inventory management system including one or more imagers mounted to shelving or other structures displaying items for sale, where the imagers are designed to capture images of the items and relay information to a database for purposes of tracking the items and managing inventory. The imagers are compact, low power devices incorporating wireless means for communicating with the database and may include solar cell arrays for charging purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data reader and method of data reading for an imager with multiple fields of view, including directing a first field of view of the imager along a first path, directing a second field of view of the imager along a second path, and alternately selecting one of the first view or the second view via a view splitting/combining system comprising a rotating mechanism (e.g., a disk), disposed in the view path of the imager, the disk having reflective and transmissive/open portions. The system may include synchronization between rotation of the rotating disk and the imager, one synchronization comprises using a magnet on the rotating disk and a Hall sensor on a printed circuit board beside the rotating disk, the Hall sensor output then being used to synchronize image capture to motor position. Other synchronization methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inventory management system including one or more imagers mounted to shelving or other structures displaying items for sale, where the imagers are designed to capture images of the items and relay information to a database for purposes of tracking the items and managing inventory. The imagers are compact, low power devices incorporating wireless means for communicating with the database and may include solar cell arrays for charging purposes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data reading system including a platter having a generally horizontal surface and a bonnet extending perpendicularly from the platter. The platter and bonnet each include a scan window positioned thereon, through which an imager projects a field-of-view to capture encoded data from an item. The fields-of-view of the imagers are non-segmented and are not otherwise redirected by mirrors, prisms, or other optics components. The fields-of-view of the imagers may have sufficiently wide angles to ensure that the collective fields-of-view capture all side surfaces of the item as it passes across the read region of the data reading system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data reading system including a platter having a generally horizontal surface and a bonnet extending perpendicularly from the platter. The platter and bonnet each include a scan window positioned thereon, through which an imager projects a field-of-view to capture encoded data from an item. The fields-of-view of the imagers are non-segmented and are not otherwise redirected by mirrors, prisms, or other optics components. The fields-of-view of the imagers may have sufficiently wide angles to ensure that the collective fields-of-view capture all side surfaces of the item as it passes across the read region of the data reading system.

Abstract: An automated package-handling support solution receives video observation of a target area in a package-handling facility that includes packages. A display device is configured to produce video images visible from the target area. An operator support system processes the motion-video observation to detect the packages in the target area and retrieve a package-specific routing-related attribute and a package-specific property for each of the packages. The system generates the video output to include a first portion representing the video observation of the packages, and a second portion that includes a package-specific dynamic informational overlay corresponding to each of the packages.

Abstract: An optical code reader includes centralized decoding circuitry communicatively couplable to an expandable set of camera modules placed at spaced-apart locations of the optical code reader. A number of and locations for members of the expandable set of camera modules establish application-specific and scalable read zone coverage formed from multiple fields of view of the members.

Abstract: An optical code reader includes centralized decoding circuitry communicatively couplable to an expandable set of camera modules placed at spaced-apart locations of the optical code reader. A number of and locations for members of the expandable set of camera modules establish application-specific and scalable read zone coverage formed from multiple fields of view of the members.

Abstract: An automated checkout system for data reading, and related methods of use, the checkout system including a portal scanner and a conveyor for transporting items, the portal scanner housing a data reader with a view volume directed at a steerable mirror. In one example, the steerable mirror moves between various positions to augment the effective view volume of the data reader for capturing data from various surfaces of the item being transported on the conveyor. The portal scanner may include one or more mirrors arranged in an angular configuration to redirect the view volume of the data reader to capture data from the various surfaces of the item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data reader and method of data reading for an imager with multiple fields of view, including directing a first field of view of the imager along a first path, directing a second field of view of the imager along a second path, and alternately selecting one of the first view or the second view via a view splitting/combining system comprising a rotating mechanism (e.g., a disk), disposed in the view path of the imager, the disk having reflective and transmissive/open portions. The system may include synchronization between rotation of the rotating disk and the imager, one synchronization comprises using a magnet on the rotating disk and a Hall sensor on a printed circuit board beside the rotating disk, the Hall sensor output then being used to synchronize image capture to motor position. Other synchronization methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining object dimensions of objects passed through a read zone of an automated data reader are disclosed. A system can include a data reader to read an optical code disposed on the objects, a transport mechanism, an object measurement system to measure dimensions of objects that are transported by the transport mechanism, a light plane generator to project a light plane that produces a light stripe on an object, and a camera to capture image data of objects and a light stripe thereon that can be processed to determine a deviation of a light stripe relative to an optical center within the image data. A deviation from the optical center is used to determine one or more dimensions of the object.

Abstract: An automated checkout system and method of operation for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap therebetween, where the item is transported across the gap as it moves between the conveyors. A first and second reading device are each positioned beneath the conveyor sections, where each reading device has a field of view projecting through the gap. The first reading device is configured to acquire a first set of scan data and the second reading device is configured to acquire a second set of scan data different from the first. In some embodiments, the first set of scan data may include two-dimensional area views of the encoded data, and the second set of scan data may include linescans of the encoded data.

Abstract: A data reading system, such as for reading optical codes being passed through a read zone, including one or more imagers, and at least one illumination module, all disposed in a reader housing, the illumination module in one configuration having a reflector housing comprised of a cone-shaped structure of generally rectangular cross-section, with a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface, wherein area of the cross-section of the cone-shaped structure increasing from a rear end to a front end, and an illumination source (such as a plurality of light emitting diodes) disposed at the rear end of the reflector housing and operative to generate illumination out through the reflector housing along an outgoing illumination path, the top inner surface of the reflector housing being a surface of high reflectivity relative to the bottom inner surface of the reflector housing which has a surface of relatively low reflectivity.

Abstract: A data reading system including one or more imagers and a lower main housing structure with a horizontal surface and a horizontal window, across which items to be read are passed. At least one or more of the imagers in the data reading system is a part of a top-down data reader having a generally downwardly-facing field of view projecting through a scan window and onto the horizontal surface and the horizontal window. The top-down data reader may be freely repositioned at a range of height positions and angular configurations for processing items of various dimensions. The data reading system may further include a calibration system for assisting in adjusting the field of view of the top-down data reader to ensure proper aim and focus of the top-down data reader after adjustment.

Abstract: Light sources are contained in a data reader housing that also contains an imager. In one embodiment, one light source includes a number of LEDs placed in a number of hollow reflectors located toward the rear of a data scanner, where the hollow reflectors have substantially flat reflective surfaces to project light through a window and into a read volume. Other embodiments include additional light sources located proximate sidewalls of the data scanner and also include a number of LEDs placed in hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into the read volume. In other embodiments, additional LEDs are included outside the hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into a different portion of the read volume than the LEDs located in the hollow reflectors.

Abstract: A checkout station includes an optional scale for weighing items; a composite cover or weigh platter supported by the scale, wherein the cover has a lower surface with a lower window having a horizontal perimeter, an upper surface including an upper window positioned transversely to the lower surface, a metallic plate surrounding a portion of the horizontal perimeter of the lower window, the metallic plate spaced apart proximal end sections, and a nonmetallic bezel positioned between the lower window and the upper surface and positioned between the spaced apart proximal end sections of the metallic plate; one or more imagers for obtaining views of an item within a viewing volume bounded by the lower and upper surfaces; and a surveillance tag deactivation system for deactivating an electronic surveillance tag in proximity to the viewing volume.

Abstract: A scanning system for data reading, and related methods of use, the scanning system including a portal scanner and a conveyor for transporting items. The scanner includes a generally U-shaped scanner housing and a plurality of data readers arranged within the scanner housing for reading data on various surfaces of an item being transported through the portal scanner. The scanning system may also include a bottom scanner positioned beneath the conveyor, the bottom scanner having a view volume directed through a gap in the conveyor for reading a bottom surface of the item through the gap as the item passes over the gap. In some embodiments, the scanning system may further include one or more light curtains configured for determining a height dimension of the item and/or a position of the item.

Abstract: An automated checkout system for data reading, and related methods of use, the checkout system including a portal scanner and a conveyor for transporting items, the portal scanner housing a data reader with a view volume directed at a steerable mirror. In one example, the steerable mirror moves between various positions to augment the effective view volume of the data reader for capturing data from various surfaces of the item being transported on the conveyor. The portal scanner may include one or more mirrors arranged in an angular configuration to redirect the view volume of the data reader to capture data from the various surfaces of the item.

Abstract: A data reading system including one or more imagers, the data reading system having a lower main housing structure with a horizontal surface, across which items to be read are passed, and an upper reader module, such as pole-mounted top down reader (TDR) including an imager configured to provide a top down viewing angle from above the horizontal surface of the item in a read region. In one configuration, the pole-mounted upper reader module includes a one-piece post housing section mounted to the main housing structure and extending therefrom and containing imaging electronics and optics of the upper reader.

Abstract: A scanning system for data reading, and related methods of use, the scanning system including a portal scanner and a conveyor for transporting items. The scanner includes a generally U-shaped scanner housing and a plurality of data readers arranged within the scanner housing for reading data on various surfaces of an item being transported through the portal scanner. The scanning system may also include a bottom scanner positioned beneath the conveyor, the bottom scanner having a view volume directed through a gap in the conveyor for reading a bottom surface of the item through the gap as the item passes over the gap. In some embodiments, the scanning system may further include one or more light curtains configured for determining a height dimension of the item and/or a position of the item.