Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for dual-mode pressure-sensing and illumination mats are provided. The systems include a surface that includes a plurality of row wires and a plurality of column wires forming intersection points. At the intersection points, the systems include a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted upon the surface and a light emitting diode (LED) connected in parallel. The systems include a controller coupled to the selector and configured to control operation of the surface, wherein the controller is configured to operate in one of a pressure-sensing mode or an illumination mode. When the controller is configured to operate in the pressure-sensing mode, the controller scans pressure values provided by the pressure sensors. When the controller is configured to operate in the illumination mode, the controller configures the surface to enable the LEDs in accordance with an illumination pattern.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.

Abstract: A server includes a communications interface; and a processor connected with the communications interface, the processor configured to: receive, from each of a plurality of capture nodes: (i) an initial point cloud depicting a portion of a capture volume, and (ii) boundary values corresponding to the initial point cloud; generate a bounding box from the boundary values received from the capture nodes; select respective portions of each initial point cloud based on the bounding box; and combine the selected portions to generate a combined point cloud.

Abstract: A calibration system includes: a reference device including an array of markers at predetermined positions; a camera; and a computing device configured to: store reference data defining the predetermined positions of the markers in a capture volume frame of reference; obtain a calibration image of the reference device captured by the camera; detect image positions of the markers in the calibration image, the image positions defined according to camera frame of reference; based on the image positions of the markers and the reference data, generate calibration data mapping coordinates in the camera frame of reference to coordinates in the capture volume frame of reference.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to RFID reader systems configured to estimate a directional bearing of an RFID tag. In an embodiment, the present invention is an RFID system configured in a way that upon a detection of a variance in the direction of a maximum RSSI value for a given RFID tag in response to a plurality of interrogation signals transmitted by an RFID reader over a respective plurality of different directions, the RFID reader retransmits the plurality of interrogation signals over the respective plurality of different directions with successively lower power levels until the only response(s) being received no longer exhibit the previously detected variance.

Abstract: In some implementations, a monitoring device associated with a lanyard device may detect that a portion of a strap of the lanyard device has extended from a strap core of the lanyard device. The monitoring device may generate a notification that the portion of the strap has extended from the strap core, wherein the lanyard device is configured to anchor the user to a support structure via the strap, and wherein a sensor within the monitoring device is configured to monitor a position of the strap relative to the strap core. The monitoring device may transmit, to a management device, the notification that the portion of the strap has extended from the strap core, wherein the notification includes an identifier associated with the lanyard device to alert the management device of a hazardous event involving the user.

Abstract: A system for unloading items from a container includes: a movable chassis configured for deployment into an open end of the container, to a selectable depth within the container; a conveyor supported by the movable chassis, the conveyor configured to extend from an input end positioned within the container according to the selectable depth to a output end external to the container; and a bulk transfer assembly supported by the movable chassis at the selectable depth and an adjustable height, the bulk transfer assembly including: (i) a feeder configured to engage with the items and displace a portion of the items towards the conveyor, and (ii) a collector configured to receive and direct the displaced items to the input end of the conveyor for transport to the output end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for initializing a dimensioning system based on a location of a vehicle carrying an object to be dimensioned. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving, from a location system, location data indicating a location of a vehicle carrying an object; responsive to the location data indicating that the vehicle is approaching an imaging area, initializing, using a logic circuit, a sensor to be primed for capturing data representative of the object; receiving, from a motion detector carried by the vehicle, motion data indicating a speed of the vehicle; and triggering, using the logic circuitry, the sensor to capture data representative of the object at a sample rate based on the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A data capture system for object dimensioning includes: a projector to project a structured light pattern onto a capture volume to illuminate an object in the capture volume; a depth sensor; a set of image sensors; and a processor configured to: responsive to detection of the object, control the depth sensor to obtain a depth scan of the object; based on the depth scan, determine an attribute of the object; select projection parameters based on the attribute; control the projector to illuminate the object according to the projection parameters; and control the set of image sensors to capture respective images of the object.

Abstract: An adhesive label application system is disclosed. The adhesive label application system may detect that a label has been received within an adhesive application zone of a robotic device. The adhesive label application system may remove, via a first mechanism, a portion of the label from the adhesive application zone. The adhesive label application system may convey, via a second mechanism, an adhesive, of an adhesive-carrying tape, to the adhesive application zone. The adhesive label application system may position, via the first mechanism, the portion of the label within the adhesive application zone after the adhesive is positioned within the adhesive application zone. The adhesive label application system may press, via a third mechanism, the portion of the label to the adhesive to apply the adhesive to the label. The adhesive label application system may configure the label to be adhered to a receiving surface via the adhesive.

Abstract: A data capture system includes: a first capture node including: a first set of image sensors, and a first computing device connected with the first set of image sensors and configured to: control the first set of image sensors to capture respective images of an object within a capture volume; generate a first point cloud based on the images; and transmit the first point cloud to a data capture server for dimensioning of the object; and a second capture node including: a second set of image sensors, and a second computing device connected with the second set of image sensors and configured to: control the second set of image sensors to capture respective images of the object; generate a second point cloud based on the images; and transmit the second point cloud to the data capture server.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using barcodes to determine item dimensions are disclosed herein. An example method includes a scanner identifying a barcode in an image of an object, and determining a datum associated with the barcode. A physical feature of the object located outside of the barcode is identified. A comparison of the datum associated with the barcode to the physical feature is made; and, in response, at least one dimension of the object is determined.

Abstract: A server includes: a memory storing calibration data; and a processor connected with the memory, the processor configured to: obtain a point cloud depicting a capture volume containing a transporter having a body and a holder carrying an object to be dimensioned; obtain a set of positions associated with the transporter; based on the set of positions and the calibration data, select a first portion of the point cloud excluding the body of the transporter and a mast of the holder; based on the calibration data, select a second portion of the point cloud from the first portion, excluding a base of the holder; and dimensioning the object based on the second portion of the point cloud.

Abstract: Radio-Frequency identification (RFID) locationing systems and methods for locating one or more items positioned within a defined space are disclosed herein. An example embodiment includes energizing, by an RFID reader having an RFID antenna, an RFID tag corresponding to an item positioned within a defined space. Each of a first signal strength and a second signal strength of the RFID tag is detected, respectively, by a first RFID receiver node of a first node channel and a second RFID receiver node of a second node channel. A controller alternates a multiplexor to receive at the multiplexor each of first signal strength data from the first RFID receiver node and second signal strength data from the second RFID receiver node. The first signal strength data and the second signal strength data is provided to the RFID reader and combined to determine a location of the item positioned within the defined space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using barcodes to determine item dimensions are disclosed herein. An example method includes a scanner identifying a barcode in an image of an object, and determining a datum associated with the barcode. A physical feature of the object located outside of the barcode is identified. A comparison of the datum associated with the barcode to the physical feature is made; and, in response, at least one dimension of the object is determined.

Abstract: Radio-Frequency identification (RFID) locationing systems and methods for locating one or more items positioned within a defined space are disclosed herein. An example embodiment includes energizing, by an RFID reader having an RFID antenna, an RFID tag corresponding to an item positioned within a defined space. Each of a first signal strength and a second signal strength of the RFID tag is detected, respectively, by a first RFID receiver node of a first node channel and a second RFID receiver node of a second node channel. A controller alternates a multiplexor to receive at the multiplexor each of first signal strength data from the first RFID receiver node and second signal strength data from the second RFID receiver node. The first signal strength data and the second signal strength data is provided to the RFID reader and combined to determine a location of the item positioned within the defined space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dimensioning an object by enlisting proximate devices to obtain image data representative of the object from multiple perspectives are provided. An example method includes capturing, by a first image capture device, first image data representative of an object from a first perspective; determining whether a second image capture device is within proximity of the first image capture device; and when the second image capture device is within proximity of the first image capture device, sending a request to the second image capture device for second image data representative of the object from a second perspective, wherein the first image data and the second image data are combinable to form a composite representative of the object.

Abstract: A server includes a communications interface; and a processor connected with the communications interface, the processor configured to: receive, from each of a plurality of capture nodes: (i) an initial point cloud depicting a portion of a capture volume, and (ii) boundary values corresponding to the initial point cloud; generate a bounding box from the boundary values received from the capture nodes; select respective portions of each initial point cloud based on the bounding box; and combine the selected portions to generate a combined point cloud.

Abstract: A server includes: a memory storing calibration data; and a processor connected with the memory, the processor configured to: obtain a point cloud depicting a capture volume containing a transporter having a body and a holder carrying an object to be dimensioned; obtain a set of positions associated with the transporter; based on the set of positions and the calibration data, select a first portion of the point cloud excluding the body of the transporter and a mast of the holder; based on the calibration data, select a second portion of the point cloud from the first portion, excluding a base of the holder; and dimensioning the object based on the second portion of the point cloud.