Abstract: Communications where one or more of the participants are at least partially anonymized. For example, various embodiments allow for the hiding of facial features, the distortion of voice characteristics, or both, while still allowing substantive communication.

Abstract: Handheld barcode readers and assemblies are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode reader includes a housing defining a head portion and a base portion, a vision camera positioned in the base portion, a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion, and a controller in communication with the barcode reading module and the vision camera. The vision camera has a first FOV directed through a base window in the base portion and the barcode reading module has a second FOV directed through a scan window in the head portion. The controller is configured to decode barcodes read by the barcode reading module, receive captured images from the vision camera, and synchronize the barcode reading module and the vision camera such that the vision camera does not capture images when the barcode reading module is active.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments directed to a multi-media image system, which includes using a processor for forming a multi-media image product. According to certain embodiments, the system stores an image collection on a digital storage system; associates an identifier with the image collection: provides the identifier for distribution to a plurality of individuals; receives images from the recipients of the identifier; and forming a multi-media image product using the images stored on the digital storage system and received from the recipients of the identifier.

Abstract: Handheld barcode readers and assemblies are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode reader includes a housing defining a head portion and a base portion, a vision camera positioned in the base portion, a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion, and a controller in communication with the barcode reading module and the vision camera. The vision camera has a first FOV directed through a base window in the base portion and the barcode reading module has a second FOV directed through a scan window in the head portion. The controller is configured to decode barcodes read by the barcode reading module, receive captured images from the vision camera, and synchronize the barcode reading module and the vision camera such that the vision camera does not capture images when the barcode reading module is active.

Abstract: Adapters for handheld barcode readers and handheld barcode reader assemblies are disclosed herein. An example adapter is configured to be attached to a handheld barcode reader having a housing defining a head portion and a base portion and a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion and having a second field-of-view (FOV) directed through a scan window in the head portion. The adapter includes an adapter housing, a means for attaching the adapter housing to the base portion of the housing of the handheld barcode reader, and a vision camera having a first FOV directed through a base window formed in the adapter housing.

Abstract: Handheld barcode readers and assemblies are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode reader includes a housing defining a head portion and a base portion, a vision camera positioned in the base portion, a barcode reading module positioned at least partially in the head portion, and a controller in communication with the barcode reading module and the vision camera. The vision camera has a first FOV directed through a base window in the base portion and the barcode reading module has a second FOV directed through a scan window in the head portion. The controller is configured to decode barcodes read by the barcode reading module, receive captured images from the vision camera, and synchronize the barcode reading module and the vision camera such that the vision camera does not capture images when the barcode reading module is active.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each having a subunit coating surrounding at least one optical fiber. The subunit coating is made of a first material. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. Each bond of the plurality of bonds has a unique longitudinal position along a length of the optical fiber ribbon such that no other bond of the plurality of bonds is located at the unique longitudinal position. Further, each bond of the plurality of bonds includes a diffusion zone comprising a mixture of the first material and the second material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an indicator window of a handheld scanner as a trigger are disclosed herein. An example handheld scanner includes: a housing; an image sensor to capture image data through a front-facing opening; an indicia decoder; an indicator window positioned to face generally away from the front-facing opening and toward a user when the handheld scanner is in a handheld position; a light source disposed inside the housing to emit indication light through the window to provide an indication; a light detector disposed inside the housing and positioned to detect a reflection of the indication light received from an object positioned in front of or on the window outside the housing; and a processor configured to control a mode of the handheld scanner and/or a device in communication with the handheld scanner in response to the light detector detecting the reflection of the emitted indication light.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for treating surfaces of a container. The apparatus comprises an openable reaction chamber housing, an exhaust escapement and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises a probe assembly coupled with a power source, the probe assembly comprising an elongate wand body, and a helically configured primary electrode and a helically configured counter electrode disposed about an outer circumferential surface of the wand body in an alternating helical configuration. The elongate wand body has a fluid passageway defined therewithin, and one or more outlet openings that are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wand body and that extend inward through said outer circumferential surface and upto the fluid passageway. One or both of the primary electrode and the counter electrode may be energizable by the power source.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise electric field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, an electric field detector includes a proof mass, a source of concentrated charge coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The electric field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received electric field at the source of concentrated charge. The electric field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the electric field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: Selection criteria updates are described in an asset recovery workflow. In one example, a description of a physical asset that is to be recovered for lack of payment is received. The description is applied to a pre-defined set of criteria to select a recovery agent to recover the physical asset. The candidate recovery agents have values assigned to the criteria, such as location, recovery rate, and time to recover. Recovery status information is received as to whether the asset has been recovered by the selected agent. A recovery rate value for the selected recovery agent is then updated using the recovery status information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for assigning agents using updated criteria tables. In one example, an assignment system maintains an assets table including properties of assets, a recovery agent criteria table including values for a location and a capacity of recovery agents, and a requester criteria preferences table including agent preference factors received from requesters. A requester requests a recovery agent to recover an asset. The agents are scored and weighted using the tables and the asset is assigned to a selected agent. The agent capacity criteria is adjusted in response to the assignment and the agent capacity criteria is adjusted in response to receiving recovery status information about the asset.

Abstract: An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.

Abstract: An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for treating surfaces of a container. The apparatus comprises an openable reaction chamber housing, an exhaust escapement and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises a probe assembly coupled with a power source, the probe assembly comprising an elongate wand body, and a helically configured primary electrode and a helically configured counter electrode disposed about an outer circumferential surface of the wand body in an alternating helical configuration. The elongate wand body has a fluid passageway defined therewithin, and one or more outlet openings that are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wand body and that extend inward through said outer circumferential surface and upto the fluid passageway. One or both of the primary electrode and the counter electrode may be energizable by the power source.

Abstract: An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time location tagging are disclosed. A camera-enabled device presents an image of a physical space currently being captured by the camera-enabled device. Responsive to detecting user input while the image of the physical space is being captured by the camera-enabled device, the camera-enabled device tags a location in a plan of the physical space with information based at least in part on the user input.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise electric field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, an electric field detector includes a proof mass, a source of concentrated charge coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The electric field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received electric field at the source of concentrated charge. The electric field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the electric field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise electric field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, an electric field detector includes a proof mass, a source of concentrated charge coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The electric field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received electric field at the source of concentrated charge. The electric field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the electric field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: A liner for a tank container, wherein the tank container is used for the transportation of cargo such as liquids, gases, and flowable solids. The liner is made of a polymeric material and it is sized to fit within the tank container. The liner is secured to the tank container using flexible gland flanges that are sandwiched between the tank body and the cover of the specific hole.