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 system includes a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a target object; a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object; and a task manager that can determine capability requirements to perform a task on the target object. The task has an associated series of sub-tasks. The task manager can assign a first sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the first robotic machine based on the first set of capabilities and a second sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the second robotic machine based on the second set of capabilities. The first and second robotic machines can coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

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: A method including positioning a modular robotic component proximate an area of interest on a surface of a wind turbine. The modular robotic component including a plurality of modules that perform a plurality of tasks. The method further including inspecting the area of interest with the modular robotic component for an indication requiring at least one of repair or upgrade and operating the modular robotic component to perform the plurality of tasks sequentially as the modular robotic component moves along the surface of the wind turbine. A modular robotic component and system including the modular robotic component are disclosed.

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 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.

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: A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader calibration system for use with a venue includes an RFID reader having a primary identifier and a plurality of secondary identifiers. The primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers having a respective unobstructed line of sight to a point on the floor of the venue. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a data capture device configured to be aimed at the primary identifier and the plurality of secondary identifiers and to capture respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a controller configured to determine: a location of the RFID reader based on the coordinates of the primary identifier; and an orientation of the RFID reader based on the respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers.

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: generate side cutting planes corresponding to sides of the body of the transporter; generate a front cutting plane corresponding to a forward surface of a mast of the holder; and discard points between the side cutting planes and the front cutting plane to obtain a first portion of the point cloud; based on the calibration data, select a second portion of the point cloud from the first portion, excluding a base of the holder; and dimension the object based on the second portion of the point cloud.

Abstract: The present approach relates to streaming data derived from inspection data acquired using one or more robots performing inspections of an asset or assets. Such inspections may be fully or partially automated, such as being controlled by one or more computer-based routines, and may be planned or dynamically altered in response to inputs or requirements associated with an end-user of the inspection data, such as a subscriber to the data in a publication/subscription distribution scheme. Thus, an inspection may be planned or altered based on the data needs or subscription levels of the user or customers.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example method includes receiving messages collected by a badge in an environment, the messages including signal strength and a timestamp. The example method also includes assigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying an asset in a second subset of the messages. The example method also includes updating a current location associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a first time and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and wherein a change in location between the current location and the updated location indicates movement of the asset in the environment.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.