Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an adaptive illumination system of an imager are presented. An example method includes causing the system to enter a calibration mode and providing a calibration illumination level from an illumination source to an environment. An imager captures one or more images of the environment. A processor determines, from the one or more images, a first illumination intensity to provide during an object detect mode operation of the system. The first illumination intensity has an illumination sufficient for detecting a presence of an object in the environment during the object detect mode. The processor stores the first illumination intensity in a memory, and configures the illumination source to provide illumination at the first illumination intensity while the adaptive illumination system is in the object detect mode, and (ii) provide illumination at a second illumination intensity while the adaptive illumination system is in a scanning mode.

Abstract: Systems for alternative illumination in global shutter barcode readers are disclosed herein. An example system includes an imaging apparatus configured to capture an image during an image capture period, and an imaging shutter configured to actuate and expose the imaging apparatus to an external environment during the image capture period. The example system also includes an illumination light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit illumination, and an illumination drive circuit configured to cause the illumination LED to emit the illumination (i) during the image capture period and (ii) when the imaging apparatus is shielded from exposure to the external environment by the imaging shutter.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a first joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) detect when unintended joystick motion conditions occur during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when detecting unintended joystick motion conditions, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the first joystick stiffness in a manner reducing susceptibility of the joystick device to unintended joystick motions.

Abstract: An adapter for a portable barcode reader includes a body having a base for selective placement on an external surface, adapter electrical contacts contained within the body and positioned to be in continuous electrical contact with reader electrical contacts of the portable barcode reader in a fastened state, a wireless charging receiver conductor coupled to the adapter electrical contacts, and a wireless controller configured to control charging of the portable barcode reader. The adapter maintains the portable barcode reader in a stationary position when placed on a surface such that the field of view of the portable barcode reader extends from horizontal to as much as 45 degrees below horizontal. The adapter may further include a near-field communication conductor and a microcontroller to wirelessly communicate indicia data captured by the portable barcode reader to an external receiver.

Abstract: The adverse effects associated with high temperatures and warpage of parts of a shot blaster are ameliorated by providing a telescoping sleeve and valve mount and an orifice adaptor to regulate the area of the flow path from a shot reservoir to a metering valve.

Abstract: A method of activating an illumination assembly within a symbology reader is provided, the illumination assembly having a first illumination source and a second illumination source, the symbology reader having an imaging sensor configured to operate at a predetermined framerate where each frame includes an exposure period over which the imaging sensor is active to capture image data and a non-exposure period over which the imaging sensor is not active to capture image data, the method comprising: during a first frame, activating the first illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the second illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period; and during a second frame, activating the second illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the first illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period.

Abstract: Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a first joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) detect when unintended joystick motion conditions occur during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when detecting unintended joystick motion conditions, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the first joystick stiffness in a manner reducing susceptibility of the joystick device to unintended joystick motions.

Abstract: Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Abstract: A method of activating an illumination assembly within a symbology reader is provided, the illumination assembly having a first illumination source and a second illumination source, the symbology reader having an imaging sensor configured to operate at a predetermined framerate where each frame includes an exposure period over which the imaging sensor is active to capture image data and a non-exposure period over which the imaging sensor is not active to capture image data, the method comprising: during a first frame, activating the first illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the second illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period; and during a second frame, activating the second illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the first illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period.

Abstract: The adverse effects associated with high temperatures and warpage of parts of a shot blaster are ameliorated by providing a telescoping sleeve and valve mount and an orifice adaptor to regulate the area of the flow path from a shot reservoir to a metering valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the preset invention include a barcode reader that comprises a housing having a handgrip portion and an upper body portion, a first printed circuit board (PCB) extending into the upper body portion, and an imaging module positioned within the upper body portion. In this instance, the imaging module includes an imaging system having an imager and an imaging lens assembly, the imaging system having a field of view with a central imaging axis passing through a window in the upper body portion and lying on a horizontal plane. The imaging module further includes an aiming light system configured to emit an aiming light pattern, the aiming light system offset from the imaging system along the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the components of the barcode reader are arranged such that the first PCB is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the central imaging axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the preset invention include a barcode reader that comprises a housing having a handgrip portion and an upper body portion, a first printed circuit board (PCB) extending into the upper body portion, and an imaging module positioned within the upper body portion. In this instance, the imaging module includes an imaging system having an imager and an imaging lens assembly, the imaging system having a field of view with a central imaging axis passing through a window in the upper body portion and lying on a horizontal plane. The imaging module further includes an aiming light system configured to emit an aiming light pattern, the aiming light system offset from the imaging system along the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the components of the barcode reader are arranged such that the first PCB is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the central imaging axis.

Abstract: An imaging sensor of an imaging reader senses return light from a target to be read by image capture along an imaging axis over a field of view that extends along mutually orthogonal, horizontal and vertical axes. Two aiming light assemblies are offset from the sensor, and direct an aiming light pattern at the target. The pattern has an aiming mark in a central area of the pattern, and a pair of aiming light lines that are collinear along the horizontal axis. The visibility of the aiming mark is enhanced by optically configuring the aiming mark to be different in brightness and/or color and/or size and/or state of existence relative to a remaining area of the pattern. The aiming mark of enhanced visibility constitutes a prominent visual indicator of a center zone of the field of view.

Abstract: An imaging sensor of an imaging reader senses return light from a target to be read by image capture along an imaging axis over a field of view that extends along mutually orthogonal, horizontal and vertical axes. Two aiming light assemblies are offset from the sensor, and direct an aiming light pattern at the target. The pattern has an aiming mark in a central area of the pattern, and a pair of aiming light lines that are collinear along the horizontal axis. The visibility of the aiming mark is enhanced by optically configuring the aiming mark to be different in brightness and/or color and/or size and/or state of existence relative to a remaining area of the pattern. The aiming mark of enhanced visibility constitutes a prominent visual indicator of a center zone of the field of view.

Abstract: A DEF injector cooling system may include a mechanical pump, an electric pump, and a controller. The mechanical pump may be rotatably coupled to an engine so as to be driven by the engine. The mechanical pump may be fluidly connected to the engine, a DEF injector, and a heat exchanger, and configured to pump coolant through these components. The electric pump may be fluidly connected to the DEF injector and configured to pump coolant through it. The controller may be configured to receive an ambient temperature signal indicative of an ambient temperature and power the electric pump after a shutdown of the engine for a period of time, the duration of the period of time based on the ambient temperature signal.

Abstract: A DEF injector cooling system may include a mechanical pump, an electric pump, and a controller. The mechanical pump may be rotatably coupled to an engine so as to be driven by the engine. The mechanical pump may be fluidly connected to the engine, a DEF injector, and a heat exchanger, and configured to pump coolant through these components. The electric pump may be fluidly connected to the DEF injector and configured to pump coolant through it. The controller may be configured to receive an ambient temperature signal indicative of an ambient temperature and power the electric pump after a shutdown of the engine for a period of time, the duration of the period of time based on the ambient temperature signal.