Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Klicpera

Christopher P. Klicpera has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12254377
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an improved lamp mode for an imaging device. The imaging device may include an image sensor; an illumination source; and a processing assembly communicatively coupled to the image sensor and the illumination source, and the processing assembly may be configured to: responsive to a scanning event trigger, cause the imaging device to enter a first illumination mode, wherein, in the first illumination mode, a first activation duration of the illumination source is synchronized with an image frame rate of the image sensor to capture image data at the image sensor for indicia decoding; and responsive to sensing an external signal at the imaging device, cause the imaging device to enter or exit a second illumination mode, wherein, in the second illumination mode, a second activation duration of the illumination source is greater than the first activation duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Jason Y. Potter, Mathew G. Locoteta
  • Publication number: 20240361398
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving device locatability are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a beacon mode capacity of a device battery, the beacon mode capacity corresponding to a device operating in a beacon mode while powered by the device battery. The example method further includes calculating a total battery power of the device battery and an aged total battery power of the device battery based on the total battery power and a state of health (SOH) of the device battery. The example method further includes determining a beacon state of charge (SOC) threshold for the device battery based on the beacon mode capacity and the aged total battery power, and causing the device to begin operating in the beacon mode when a remaining charge of the device battery is less than the beacon SOC threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Pavithra Eswaran, Gbenga Olowoyeye, Hasith Balasooriya, Mariya Wright, Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Publication number: 20240311589
    Abstract: An energy storage device and a system having the same are provided. The energy storage device includes a power unit, a gauge, an antenna, and a bridge electrically coupled to the antenna. The bridge is configured to receive information from the gauge and transmit the information through the antenna to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Damien Ramrattan
  • Patent number: 12026574
    Abstract: An energy storage device and a system having the same are provided. The energy storage device includes a power unit, a gauge, an antenna, and a bridge chip electrically coupled to the antenna. The bridge chip is configured to receive information from the gauge and transmit the information through the antenna to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Damien Ramrattan
  • Publication number: 20240210002
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive energy storage in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) obtaining, by one or more processors, data stored at a memory of a illumination unit; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, a temperature value from a temperature sensor; (3) analyzing, by one or more processors, the obtained data and the temperature value to determine a capacitor voltage to operate LEDs in accordance with an illumination cycle; and (4) control, by one or more processors, a voltage controller to convert an input voltage to the voltage controller to the determined capacitor voltage, wherein the voltage controller is configured to apply the determined capacitor voltage to a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Patent number: 12020112
    Abstract: A variety of barcode scanner assemblies for inductive charging include a reader, a stand, a first inductive coil having a first coil axis, and a second inductive coil having a second coil axis. For some assemblies, in the charging position, gravity and a cradle of the stand urge alignment of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil along the first coil axis and the second coil axis and minimize a gap between the first coil axis and the second coil axis. For some assemblies, in the charging position, a torque is exerted upon the reader by gravity, the torque urging proximity between the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil and alignment features of the stand urge alignment of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil along the first and second coil axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Darran Michael Handshaw, Christopher P. Klicpera, Mark Drzymala, Stefanie Handshaw
  • Publication number: 20240195194
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing indications of shutdown states for handheld devices are disclosed herein. An example handheld device includes a power source, a power source monitor, an indicator, and a processor disposed inside a housing. The power source monitor is configured to detect whether the power source has reached a pre-determined amount of discharge at which the internal power source is to be shut down to prevent damage. The processor configured to, when the internal power source has reached the pre-determined amount of discharge: configure the indicator to provide, while the internal power source is in the shutdown state, an indication that the internal power source is shutdown, and configure the internal power source into the shutdown state such that the processor is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Edward Barkan
  • Patent number: 11997394
    Abstract: At least some embodiments are directed to systems and methods to optimize relative signal delays in vision systems having illumination assemblies separate from a host. In an example embodiment there is a system that includes a host device having, an imaging assembly coupled to the host device and operable to capture image data, and an illumination assembly coupled to the host device and operable to provide illumination. The system is configured such that the host transmits, to the imaging assembly, a series of exposure signals causing the imaging assembly to capture a series of frames and transmits, to the illumination assembly, a series of illumination signals causing the illumination assembly to provide the illumination as a series of strobes. Thereafter the host evaluate each frame to identify a peak-brightness frame and from that, based on a corresponding illumination signal, determines an appropriate relative signal delay for future operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Haist, Matthew Lawrence Horner, Christopher P. Klicpera, Thomas J. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11966812
    Abstract: Scanning systems are disclosed herein. An example scanning system includes a cradle and a barcode scanner. The cradle includes a cradle cavity portion, a cradle controller, a force sensor communicatively coupled therewith, and a first securing feature positioned at or near the cradle cavity portion and being communicatively coupled with the cradle controller. The barcode scanner includes a housing having a scanner housing cavity, an imaging assembly adapted to capture an image of an environment appearing in a field of view (FOV) and being at least partially disposed within the scanner housing cavity, a scanner controller adapted to control operation of the imaging assembly, and a second securing feature. In response to the force sensor sensing vibration exceeding a threshold value and/or the cradle being mounted in a predetermined orientation, the first and second securing features selectively interact to retain the barcode scanner within the cradle cavity portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Publication number: 20240121518
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically calibrating external illumination sources are disclosed herein. An example method includes supplying power over Ethernet (PoE) to an imaging assembly. The example method may further include identifying a characteristic corresponding to an external illumination source connected to the imaging assembly. The example method may further include adjusting an output intensity of the external illumination source based upon the characteristic, wherein the imaging assembly supplies the PoE to the external illumination source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Publication number: 20240114237
    Abstract: At least some embodiments are directed to systems and methods to optimize relative signal delays in vision systems having illumination assemblies separate from a host. In an example embodiment there is a system that includes a host device having, an imaging assembly coupled to the host device and operable to capture image data, and an illumination assembly coupled to the host device and operable to provide illumination. The system is configured such that the host transmits, to the imaging assembly, a series of exposure signals causing the imaging assembly to capture a series of frames and transmits, to the illumination assembly, a series of illumination signals causing the illumination assembly to provide the illumination as a series of strobes. Thereafter the host evaluate each frame to identify a peak-brightness frame and from that, based on a corresponding illumination signal, determines an appropriate relative signal delay for future operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Paul D. Haist, Matthew Lawrence Horner, Christopher P. Klicpera, Thomas J. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11920760
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive energy storage in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) obtaining, by one or more processors, data stored at a memory of a illumination unit; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, a temperature value from a temperature sensor; (3) analyzing, by one or more processors, the obtained data and the temperature value to determine a minimum capacitor voltage to operate LEDs in accordance with an illumination cycle; and (4) control, by one or more processors, a voltage controller to convert an input voltage to the voltage controller to the determined minimum capacitor voltage, wherein the voltage controller is configured to apply the determined minimum capacitor voltage to a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Patent number: 11909235
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing indications of shutdown states for handheld barcode scanners are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode scanner includes a power source, a power source monitor, an indicator, and a processor disposed inside a housing. The power source monitor is configured to detect whether the power source has reached a pre-determined amount of discharge at which the internal power source is to be shut down to prevent damage. The processor configured to, when the internal power source has reached the pre-determined amount of discharge: configure the indicator to provide, while the internal power source is in the shutdown state, an indication that the internal power source is shutdown, and configure the internal power source into the shutdown state such that an image sensor, an indicia decoder, and the processor are de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Edward Barkan
  • Publication number: 20240037359
    Abstract: Scanning systems are disclosed herein. An example scanning system includes a cradle and a barcode scanner. The cradle includes a cradle cavity portion, a cradle controller, a force sensor communicatively coupled therewith, and a first securing feature positioned at or near the cradle cavity portion and being communicatively coupled with the cradle controller. The barcode scanner includes a housing having a scanner housing cavity, an imaging assembly adapted to capture an image of an environment appearing in a field of view (FOV) and being at least partially disposed within the scanner housing cavity, a scanner controller adapted to control operation of the imaging assembly, and a second securing feature. In response to the force sensor sensing vibration exceeding a threshold value and/or the cradle being mounted in a predetermined orientation, the first and second securing features selectively interact to retain the barcode scanner within the cradle cavity portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Patent number: 11849222
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically calibrating external illumination sources are disclosed herein. An example method includes supplying power over Ethernet (PoE) to an imaging assembly. The example method may further include identifying a characteristic corresponding to an external illumination source connected to the imaging assembly. The example method may further include adjusting an output intensity of the external illumination source based upon the characteristic, wherein the imaging assembly supplies the PoE to the external illumination source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Publication number: 20230261488
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing indications of shutdown states for handheld barcode scanners are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode scanner includes a power source, a power source monitor, an indicator, and a processor disposed inside a housing. The power source monitor is configured to detect whether the power source has reached a pre-determined amount of discharge at which the internal power source is to be shut down to prevent damage. The processor configured to, when the internal power source has reached the pre-determined amount of discharge: configure the indicator to provide, while the internal power source is in the shutdown state, an indication that the internal power source is shutdown, and configure the internal power source into the shutdown state such that an image sensor, an indicia decoder, and the processor are de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Edward Barkan
  • Publication number: 20220353412
    Abstract: An example method for managing power within an imaging device includes: determining an interface of the imaging device via which the imaging device is receiving power; based on the interface, determining a power budget associated with the interface; determining which fixed load components of the imaging device are enabled; calculating a remaining power budget by subtracting a power consumption of the enabled fixed load components from the power budget; responsive to the remaining power budget being positive, configuring non-fixed load components such that a total power consumption of the non-fixed load components does not exceed the remaining power budget; and responsive to the remaining power budget being negative, providing, via a user interface, a notification of insufficient power budget.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Nina Feinstein, Matthew Lawrence Horner, Thomas Fitzgerald, John P. Evans
  • Publication number: 20220272248
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically calibrating external illumination sources are disclosed herein. An example method includes supplying power over Ethernet (PoE) to an imaging assembly. The example method may further include identifying a characteristic corresponding to an external illumination source connected to the imaging assembly. The example method may further include adjusting an output intensity of the external illumination source based upon the characteristic, wherein the imaging assembly supplies the PoE to the external illumination source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Publication number: 20220252232
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive energy storage in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) obtaining, by one or more processors, data stored at a memory of a illumination unit; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, a temperature value from a temperature sensor; (3) analyzing, by one or more processors, the obtained data and the temperature value to determine a minimum capacitor voltage to operate LEDs in accordance with an illumination cycle; and (4) control, by one or more processors, a voltage controller to convert an input voltage to the voltage controller to the determined minimum capacitor voltage, wherein the voltage controller is configured to apply the determined minimum capacitor voltage to a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
  • Patent number: 11320103
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive energy storage in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) obtaining, by one or more processors, data stored at a memory of a illumination unit; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, a temperature value from a temperature sensor; (3) analyzing, by one or more processors, the obtained data and the temperature value to determine a minimum capacitor voltage to operate LEDs in accordance with an illumination cycle; and (4) control, by one or more processors, a voltage controller to convert an input voltage to the voltage controller to the determined minimum capacitor voltage, wherein the voltage controller is configured to apply the determined minimum capacitor voltage to a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera