Patents by Inventor Erik Van Horn
Erik Van Horn 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).
-
Publication number: 20230422380Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and an sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Tao XIAN, Ka Man AU, David M. WILZ, Gennady GERMAINE, Patrick Anthony GIORDANO, Erik VAN HORN, Michael Vincent MIRAGLIA, Benjamin HEJL, Thomas A. SWEET
-
Patent number: 11854333Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Erik Van Horn, Gennady Germaine, Christopher Allen, David J. Ryder, Paul Poloniewicz, Kevin Saber, Sean Philip Kearney, Edward Hatton, Edward C. Bremer, Michael Vincent Miraglia, Robert Pierce, William Ross Rapoport, James Vincent Guiheen, Chirag Patel, Patrick Anthony Giordano, Timothy Good, Gregory M. Rueblinger
-
Publication number: 20230409853Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to calibration for scanning device decoding based on aimer pattern detection. In this regard, a first image frame captured using a scanning device is decoded. The first image frame is related to an object associated with a barcode. Additionally, a second image frame related to the object associated with the barcode is capture using the scanning device. The second image frame comprises an aimer pattern generated by an aimer of the scanning device. A location of the aimer pattern in the second image frame is determined based on a motion transform correlation between the barcode in the first image frame and the aimer pattern in the second image frame. Additionally, an aiming position of the aimer is calibrated based on the location of the aimer pattern determined by the motion transform correlation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Benjamin Hejl, David Wilz, Erik Van Horn
-
Publication number: 20230367985Abstract: Embodiments provide apparatuses, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for generating an augmented aimer and using the augmented aimer to generate an augmented image. The augmented image is usable to aim a device, such as a reader, that captures image(s) for processing to detect and/or decode machine-readable symbologies therein. Some example embodiments include improved reader(s) configured to generate and/or utilize the augmented aimer. Some embodiments include receiving a first image captured by a first imager of at least one imager. Some embodiments further include generating, utilizing the first image, an augmented image comprising an augmented aimer corresponding to an optical center point associated with the first imager. Some embodiments further include causing rendering of the augmented image to at least one user interface. Some embodiments further include processing the first image to attempt reading of at least one machine-readable symbology in the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Shankar BAN, Benjamin HEJL, Xiaofeng XIE, David M. WILZ, Sr., Erik VAN HORN
-
Publication number: 20230345130Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to flicker reduction in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses for producing a near-field illumination using a near-field illuminator, the near-field illumination produced at a defined pulse train. A near-field image sensor may be exposed near the start of a near-field illumination pulse, and a far-field image sensor may be exposed between pulses of the near-field illumination. Some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, are configured for detecting an illuminator switch event, deactivating the near-field illuminator source, and producing, using a far-field illuminator source, a far-field illumination. Upon switching the illuminator source, some such embodiments are configured for exposing a far-field illuminator near the start of the far-field illumination pulse, and exposing a near-field image sensor near the start of the next available far-field illumination pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Benjamin HEJL, Ka Man AU, Erik VAN HORN, David M. WILZ, Michael V. MIRAGLIA, Patrick GIORDANO
-
Publication number: 20230336877Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Gennady GERMAINE, Paul POLONIEWICZ, Michael MIRAGLIA, Benjamin HEJL, Gregory RUEBLINGER, Erik VAN HORN, Tao XIAN, David WILZ, Sr., Chen FENG, Shankar BAN
-
Patent number: 11792904Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and an sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Tao Xian, Ka Man Au, David M. Wilz, Gennady Germaine, Patrick Anthony Giordano, Erik Van Horn, Michael Vincent Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Thomas A. Sweet
-
Patent number: 11736811Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to flicker reduction in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for producing a near-field illumination using a near-field illuminator, the near-field illumination produced at a defined pulse train. A near-field image sensor may be exposed near the start of a near-field illumination pulse, and a far-field image sensor may be exposed between pulses of the near-field illumination. Some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, are configured for detecting an illuminator switch event, deactivating the near-field illuminator source, and producing, using a far-field illuminator source, a far-field illumination. Upon switching the illuminator source, some such embodiments are configured for exposing a far-field illuminator near the start of the far-field illumination pulse, and exposing a near-field image sensor near the start of the next available far-field illumination pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Hejl, Ka Man Au, Erik Van Horn, David M. Wilz, Michael V. Miraglia, Patrick Giordano
-
Patent number: 11665432Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Paul Poloniewicz, Michael Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Gregory Rueblinger, Erik Van Horn, Tao Xian, David Wilz, Sr., Chen Feng, Shankar Ban
-
Publication number: 20230070594Abstract: An imaging assembly including a housing, a lens unit mounted within the housing. The lens unit includes at least one lens positioned along an optical axis and one or more ball bearings attached to the lens unit to slideably displace the lens unit within the housing along the optical axis. A calibration mechanism positioned at one end of housing to calibrate the at least one lens by positioning the lens unit at an optimal focal position, wherein the calibration mechanism is rotated to slidably displace the lens unit and position the lens unit at the optimal focal position, and wherein the optimal focal position is one of a near-field focal position or a far-field focal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Kevin SABER, Erik VAN HORN
-
Publication number: 20230030040Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Erik VAN HORN, Gregory RUEBLINGER
-
Publication number: 20230025596Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Gennady GERMAINE, Paul POLONIEWICZ, Michael MIRAGLIA, Benjamin HEJL, Gregory RUEBLINGER, Erik VAN HORN, Tao XIAN, David WILZ, SR., Chen FENG, Shankar BAN
-
Publication number: 20230018060Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to flicker reduction in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for producing a near-field illumination using a near-field illuminator, the near-field illumination produced at a defined pulse train. A near-field image sensor may be exposed near the start of a near-field illumination pulse, and a far-field image sensor may be exposed between pulses of the near-field illumination. Some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, are configured for detecting an illuminator switch event, deactivating the near-field illuminator source, and producing, using a far-field illuminator source, a far-field illumination. Upon switching the illuminator source, some such embodiments are configured for exposing a far-field illuminator near the start of the far-field illumination pulse, and exposing a near-field image sensor near the start of the next available far-field illumination pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Benjamin HEJL, Ka Man AU, Erik VAN HORN, David M. WILZ, Michael V. MIRAGLIA, Patrick GIORDANO
-
Patent number: 11494576Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Erik Van Horn, Gregory Rueblinger
-
Patent number: 11490030Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to flicker reduction in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for producing a near-field illumination using a near-field illuminator, the near-field illumination produced at a defined pulse train. A near-field image sensor may be exposed near the start of a near-field illumination pulse, and a far-field image sensor may be exposed between pulses of the near-field illumination. Some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, are configured for detecting an illuminator switch event, deactivating the near-field illuminator source, and producing, using a far-field illuminator source, a far-field illumination. Upon switching the illuminator source, some such embodiments are configured for exposing a far-field illuminator near the start of the far-field illumination pulse, and exposing a near-field image sensor near the start of the next available far-field illumination pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Hejl, Ka Man Au, Erik Van Horn, David M. Wilz, Michael V. Miraglia, Patrick Giordano
-
Publication number: 20220321760Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and an sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Tao XIAN, Ka Man AU, David M. WILZ, Gennady GERMAINE, Patrick Anthony GIORDANO, Erik VAN HORN, Michael Vincent MIRAGLIA, Benjamin HEJL, Thomas A. SWEET
-
Patent number: 11451716Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Paul Poloniewicz, Michael Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Gregory Rueblinger, Erik Van Horn, Tao Xian, David Wilz, Sr., Chen Feng, Shankar Ban
-
Publication number: 20220239821Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Paul Poloniewicz, Michael Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Gregory Rueblinger, Erik Van Horn, Tao Xian, David Wilz, SR., Chen Feng, Shankar Ban
-
Patent number: D961593Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chang Xu, Nikhil Banwaskar, Liang Li, Erik Van Horn, Manxia Liu
-
Patent number: D982012Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chang Xu, Nikhil Banwaskar, Liang Li, Erik Van Horn, Manxia Liu