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).
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Patent number: 11966812Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
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Publication number: 20240121518Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
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Publication number: 20240114237Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Paul D. Haist, Matthew Lawrence Horner, Christopher P. Klicpera, Thomas J. Stevenson
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Patent number: 11920760Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11909235Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Edward Barkan
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Publication number: 20240037359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11849222Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
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Publication number: 20230261488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Edward Barkan
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Publication number: 20220353412Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Nina Feinstein, Matthew Lawrence Horner, Thomas Fitzgerald, John P. Evans
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Publication number: 20220272248Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventor: Christopher P. Klicpera
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Publication number: 20220252232Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11320103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11306887Abstract: Systems and methods for an adaptive power drive in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) analyzing, by one or more processors data in a memory to determine a configuration of one or more LEDs; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, illumination control instructions for operating the one or more LEDs during one or more illumination cycles; (3) controlling, by one or more processors, one or more switches of an illumination unit in accordance with illumination control instructions; (4) determining, by one or more processors, a current requirement for operating the one or more LEDs in accordance with the illumination control instructions; and (5) setting, by one or more processors, a current control set point of an LED driver to the current requirement.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11133631Abstract: Systems for adjusting power outputs of isolated electronic devices are described. A first connector including an external power pin and a field power pin connects an electronic device to a power supply. The first connector receives a first current level from the power supply at the external power pin, and a second current level from the power supply at the field power pin. A jumper block is configurable in a first position which electrically isolates the external power pin from the field power pin, and a second position which electrically couples the external power pin to the field power pin. The first position directs the first current level from the external power pin to a second connector, and the second position directs a combination of the first current level and the second current level from the external power pin and the field power pin to the second connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Eric Trongone
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Publication number: 20210270434Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Publication number: 20210270433Abstract: Systems and methods for an adaptive power drive in an illumination system are disclosed herein. An example method includes (1) analyzing, by one or more processors data in a memory to determine a configuration of one or more LEDs; (2) obtaining, by one or more processors, illumination control instructions for operating the one or more LEDs during one or more illumination cycles; (3) controlling, by one or more processors, one or more switches of an illumination unit in accordance with illumination control instructions; (4) determining, by one or more processors, a current requirement for operating the one or more LEDs in accordance with the illumination control instructions; and (5) setting, by one or more processors, a current control set point of an LED driver to the current requirement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Joseph S. Slowik, Christopher P. Klicpera
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Patent number: 11063448Abstract: Methods and a system for dynamically modifying charging settings for a battery assembly are described. A first usage value and a second usage value for the battery assembly are received. A usage difference value for the battery assembly is determined by comparing the first usage value to the second usage value. The usage difference value is compared to a plurality of battery usage ranges. Each battery usage range is associated with a bin count, a different voltage offset, and a different current offset. The bin count of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges is updated based on the comparison. The bin counts of the plurality of battery usage ranges are analyzed to determine a largest bin count and a respective battery usage range. The battery assembly is charged with a voltage offset and a current offset corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest bin count.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Michael Robustelli
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Publication number: 20210119395Abstract: Systems for adjusting power outputs of isolated electronic devices are described. A first connector including an external power pin and a field power pin connects an electronic device to a power supply. The first connector receives a first current level from the power supply at the external power pin, and a second current level from the power supply at the field power pin. A jumper block is configurable in a first position which electrically isolates the external power pin from the field power pin, and a second position which electrically couples the external power pin to the field power pin. The first position directs the first current level from the external power pin to a second connector, and the second position directs a combination of the first current level and the second current level from the external power pin and the field power pin to the second connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Eric Trongone
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Publication number: 20210111580Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Edward Barkan, Darran Michael Handshaw, Christopher P. Klicpera, Mark Drzymala
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Publication number: 20210083486Abstract: Methods and a system for dynamically modifying charging settings for a battery assembly are described. A first usage value and a second usage value for the battery assembly are received. A usage difference value for the battery assembly is determined by comparing the first usage value to the second usage value. The usage difference value is compared to a plurality of battery usage ranges. Each battery usage range is associated with a bin count, a different voltage offset, and a different current offset. The bin count of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges is updated based on the comparison. The bin counts of the plurality of battery usage ranges are analyzed to determine a largest bin count and a respective battery usage range. The battery assembly is charged with a voltage offset and a current offset corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest bin count.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Christopher P. Klicpera, Michael Robustelli