Abstract: A barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a housing with a window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the housing of the barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A method in a server includes receiving sensor data from an edge computing device, the sensor data generated by a sensor array disposed on a support surface carrying items; detecting, from the sensor data, a set of regions of the sensor array corresponding to respective items carried on the support surface; generating, for each region, a corresponding monitoring definition, each monitoring definition containing: a location of the region within the array, a noise compensation indicator, and an item presence indicator; sending the monitoring definitions to the edge computing device; subsequent to sending the monitoring definitions, receiving item count data from the edge computing device, the item count data derived at the edge computing device from further sensor data generated by the sensor array, based on the monitoring definitions.

Abstract: An edge device using broadcasting is disclosed herein. The edge device may include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. In some implementations, the edge device may receive individual sets of data from a plurality of sensors and compile the individual sets of data into a single dataset to be processed by a backend device. The edge device may generate a plurality of advertisements to include a corresponding plurality of portions of the dataset and a corresponding plurality of sequence identifiers. The edge device may broadcast each advertisement, without receiving an acknowledgement of each preceding advertisement. The edge device may receive, from the backend device, an indication of one or more sequence identifiers that were not received. Accordingly, the edge device may retransmit, based on the indication of the sequence identifier(s), a portion of the plurality of advertisements.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system may activate sensors of a smart shelf based on detected events. The system may include a first sensor array configured to monitor a surface of the smart shelf. The first sensor array may be associated with a first type of sensor. The system may include a second sensor array configured to monitor the surface of the smart shelf. The second sensor array may be associated with a second type of sensor. The system may include a controller. The controller may receive, from a first sensor of the first sensor array, a first sensor value. The controller may detect an occurrence of an event based on the first sensor value, wherein the event is associated with an item of the smart shelf. The controller may activate one or more second sensors of the second sensor array based on the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: An edge device using broadcasting is disclosed herein. The edge device may include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. In some implementations, the edge device may receive individual sets of data from a plurality of sensors and compile the individual sets of data into a single dataset to be processed by a backend device. The edge device may generate a plurality of advertisements to include a corresponding plurality of portions of the dataset and a corresponding plurality of sequence identifiers. The edge device may broadcast each advertisement, without receiving an acknowledgement of each preceding advertisement. The edge device may receive, from the backend device, an indication of one or more sequence identifiers that were not received. Accordingly, the edge device may retransmit, based on the indication of the sequence identifier(s), a portion of the plurality of advertisements.

Abstract: An inventory system is disclosed. The inventory system may include a support frame and a suspension support that is configured to extend from the support frame. The inventory system may include a sensor configuration arranged on the suspension support. The sensor configuration may include a plurality of sensor elements that are configured to sense whether one or more objects are being suspended from the suspension support. The inventory system may include an electrical connector interface that facilitates communication of an inventory status associated with the suspension support.

Abstract: A method in a server includes receiving sensor data from an edge computing device, the sensor data generated by a sensor array disposed on a support surface carrying items; detecting, from the sensor data, a set of regions of the sensor array corresponding to respective items carried on the support surface; generating, for each region, a corresponding monitoring definition, each monitoring definition containing: a location of the region within the array, a noise compensation indicator, and an item presence indicator; sending the monitoring definitions to the edge computing device; subsequent to sending the monitoring definitions, receiving item count data from the edge computing device, the item count data derived at the edge computing device from further sensor data generated by the sensor array, based on the monitoring definitions.

Abstract: Smart shelf systems and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current position of a divider on a smart shelf based on sensor outputs of the smart shelf at the current position responsive to the divider positioned at the current position; comparing the current position of the divider to an intended position of the divider; and providing a first alert when the current position of the divider does not match the intended position of the divider. In some examples, the intended position of the divider is updated to the current or an installed position of the divider.

Abstract: A barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a housing with a window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the housing of the barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing comprising a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower portion extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the tower portion of the bioptic barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: Smart shelf systems and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current position of a divider on a smart shelf based on sensor outputs of the smart shelf at the current position responsive to the divider positioned at the current position; comparing the current position of the divider to an intended position of the divider; and providing a first alert when the current position of the divider does not match the intended position of the divider. In some examples, the intended position of the divider is updated to the current or an installed position of the divider.

Abstract: Systems and methods to co-locate RFID readers with in-band sensor networks, such as LoRa sensor networks, are disclosed herein. An example arrangement is a co-located device that includes a dual-mode transceiver configured to communicate with targets operating in a first protocol (e.g., RFID) and other targets operating in a second protocol (e.g., LoRa). The example arrangement includes a dual-mode controller that operates the dual-mode transceiver to communicate via the first protocol during a first time period while disabling communication via the second protocol and to communicate via the second protocol in a second time period while disabling communication via the first protocol.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing with a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A radio-frequency identification radio is positioned within the lower housing and is communicatively coupled to a feed patch positioned within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, the platter such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled to the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification reader antenna.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing with a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A radio-frequency identification radio is positioned within the lower housing and is communicatively coupled to a feed patch positioned within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, the platter such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled to the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification reader antenna.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing comprising a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower portion extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the tower portion of the bioptic barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: Ultrasonic locationing interleaved with alternate audio functions includes a plurality of transmitters for emitting ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals. A backend controller schedules the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals from each transmitter. The backend controller can characterize an interference effect of defined interference parameters for each alternate audio signal, with respect to the ultrasonic bursts, and modify interleave scheduling of the ultrasonic bursts and alternate audio signals in accordance with the respective interference effect. A mobile device can receive the ultrasonic bursts for locationing of the mobile device, while a user or other device that can act on information in the alternate audio signals. Input from a user to an interface device can trigger the backend controller to schedule an alternate audio signal containing information related to the input.

Abstract: An anti-fraud security tag removal system reads product identifiers on groups of items presented for purchase at a point of sale area. The product identifiers indicate how many of the items include security tags that must be removed. A security tag detacher removes security tags only on items for which the system has detected that the item was present, preventing removal of security tags on items which were not read by the point of sale system. An RF antenna and a security tag detacher are co-located such that the product identifier of the item is highly likely to be read when a sales clerk removes the security tag. The product identifier may be incorporated into the security tag and disabled when the security tag is attached to the item. The product identifier may be shunted by the security tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a moving target in a venue and for capturing a sequenced timeline of target directed images is described. Target sensing stations having a wide-angle video camera, such as a 180° video camera, are positioned within the venue. Each sensing station includes a sensing unit, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver unit, that determines a location and/or direction of travel of the target. The sensing station correlates the RFID transceiver information with the wide-angle video camera to specifically filter and process a video stream from the camera, producing target directed image snapshots from the stream that are assembled at a centralized controller into the sequenced timeline images that may be used in monitoring target movement and to establish location chain for prevention of unauthorized movement.

Abstract: An anti-fraud security tag removal system reads product identifiers on groups of items presented for purchase at a point of sale area. The product identifiers indicate how many of the items include security tags that must be removed. A security tag detacher removes security tags only on items for which the system has detected that the item was present, preventing removal of security tags on items which were not read by the point of sale system. An RF antenna and a security tag detacher are co-located such that the product identifier of the item is highly likely to be read when a sales clerk removes the security tag. The product identifier may be incorporated into the security tag and disabled when the security tag is attached to the item. The product identifier may be shunted by the security tag.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the field of RFID readers and more specifically to the selective operation of those readers. In an embodiment, the present invention is a system that alternates the operation of an RFID reader between a continuous wave (CW) only state and a read state depending on an absence or a presence of an object of interest within a read-zone of the RFID reader.