Abstract: Methods of managing a fleet of devices are provided, as are methods for configuring a standby device for a job in a workflow environment, and methods for performing a job in a workflow environment. Device information is analyzed, such as information pertaining to verification systems. Device instructions are sent to various locations on a device network in response to a deviation from a parameter value having been detected. The deviation from the parameter value may correspond to printed media and/or indicia produced by one or more devices. A workflow device and a standby device are provided, and the workflow device sends configuration data to the standby device. The standby device installs configuration data and is introduced into the workflow environment.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a print quality of a printed document that is printed by a printer is provided. The printer comprises a pre-print image scanner, a post-print image scanner, and a printhead disposed between the pre-print image scanner and the post-print image scanner. The method comprises generating a pre-printing image of a print media, generating the printed document, generating a post-printing image of the printed document, generating a validation image by comparing the post-printing image with the pre-printing image, and comparing the validation image with the source image.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may use a low current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions. A voltage of the intermediate storage unit may be monitored using a voltage monitoring circuit, and a primary storage unit may be charged using current from the intermediate storage unit when the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets a threshold.

Abstract: A method for printing defect detection includes processing and analyzing a difference image obtained by comparing an image scanned with a verifier to a reference image. The detected defects are grouped, and the grouping is refined. Confidence level values are then assigned to the refined groups, and analysis is performed to determine if one or more servicing actions should be taken.

Abstract: A method for printing defect detection includes processing and analyzing a difference image obtained by comparing an image scanned with a verifier to a reference image. The detected defects are grouped, and the grouping is refined. Confidence level values are then assigned to the refined groups, and analysis is performed to determine if one or more servicing actions should be taken.

Abstract: A system and method for error correction for machine-readable symbols having data codewords, and having error correction (EC) codewords derived from the data codewords and redundantly indicating the location and data contents of the data codewords. The symbols use Reed-Solomon (RS) error correction to retrieve damaged codewords. RS error correction normally requires two EC codewords to identify both the location and data contents of a data codeword. The present system and method perform optical contrast analysis on the codewords, identifying those codewords with the lowest contrast levels (that is, the least difference between the reflectance of the black or white cells and the black/white threshold). Codewords with the lowest contrast levels are flagged as optically ambiguous, thereby marking, in the EC equations, the locations of the codewords most like to be in error. As a result, only a single EC codeword is required to retrieve the data for a flagged data codeword.

Abstract: A calibration system for a dimensioner is described. The calibration system uses a reference pattern with multiple optically-perceptible elements. The optically-perceptible elements have a parameter associated with size and are separated from each other by predefined distance. The dimensioner captures an image of an object and calculates physical dimensions of the object. The dimensioner captures an image of the reference pattern. The dimensioner measures the parameter associated with size for a pair of optically-perceptible elements and measures the distance between the pair of optically-perceptible elements from the captured image. The dimensioner then calculates a ratio between measured parameter for the pair of the optically-perceptible elements and of a predefined distance between the pair of the optically-perceptible elements. The calculated ratio is compared with a actual reference ratio to determine if calibration is needed. The dimensioner is calibrated based on the calculated ratio.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method to obtain barcoded information off a computer screen under high ambient lighting conditions, including a direct sunlight environment. The method includes a user prompting a computer to present an active window on all or a portion of its screen. The computer generates a communication sequence, comprising information commonly included on a barcode, and displays the communication sequence on the computer screen. After activating the scanner into an alternative or screen mode, the user places the scanner on the active window of the computer screen and the scanner asynchronously receives the communication sequence. The scanner decodes the received communication sequence and obtains encoded information of the computer. The encoded information may include a unique identifier of the computer, such as a MAC address. With the MAC address, the scanner may wirelessly communicate with the computer to exchange other information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the integrity of metrology systems are provided. A method according to one implementation includes the step of storing, with a computer having a system clock, an initialization time at which a device is connected to the computer. The method also includes receiving, with the computer, information obtained by the device and associating an electronic timestamp to the information. The electronic timestamp is based on the system clock when the computer receives the information obtained by the device. The method also includes counting clock cycles to determine an elapsed time from the initialization time to the time when the computer receives the information obtained by the device. Also, the method determines if the system clock has been altered by comparing the electronic timestamp to the sum of the initialization time and the elapsed time.

Abstract: Techniques for characterizing an optical system (for example, a printer verifier) are provided. In this regard, the optical system may be characterized for scanning a printed image. The characterization of the optical system includes determining an effective aperture size of the optical system, and correspondingly an effective resolution at which the optical system can be configured to scan a portion of the printed image according to verification requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may use a low current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions. A voltage of the intermediate storage unit may be monitored using a voltage monitoring circuit, and a primary storage unit may be charged using current from the intermediate storage unit when the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods illustrated herein disclose error correction of a two-dimensional (2D) symbol. The systems and methods include reading, by a hardware processor, a plurality of codewords in the 2D symbol. Further, the systems and methods include identifying, by the hardware processor of, an optically ambiguous codeword of the plurality of codewords in the 2D symbol. The optically ambiguous codeword corresponds to a codeword with a minimum interior contrast level below a predefined minimum interior contrast level. Further, the systems and methods include correcting, by the hardware processor, errors in the optically ambiguous codeword based on, a location of the optically ambiguous codeword and an erroneous decoded value associated with the optically ambiguous codeword.

Abstract: A method for printing defect detection includes processing and analyzing a difference image obtained by comparing an image scanned with a verifier to a reference image. The detected defects are grouped, and the grouping is refined. Confidence level values are then assigned to the refined groups, and analysis is performed to determine if one or more servicing actions should be taken.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a print quality of a printed document that is printed by a printer is provided. The printer comprises a pre-print image scanner, a post-print image scanner, and a printhead disposed between the pre-print image scanner and the post-print image scanner. The method comprises generating a pre-printing image of a print media, generating the printed document, generating a post-printing image of the printed document, generating a validation image by comparing the post-printing image with the pre-printing image, and comparing the validation image with the source image.

Abstract: Methods of managing a fleet of devices are provided, as are methods for configuring a standby device for a job in a workflow environment, and methods for performing a job in a workflow environment. Device information is analyzed, such as information pertaining to verification systems. Device instructions are sent to various locations on a device network in response to a deviation from a parameter value having been detected. The deviation from the parameter value may correspond to printed media and/or indicia produced by one or more devices. A workflow device and a standby device are provided, and the workflow device sends configuration data to the standby device. The standby device installs configuration data and is introduced into the workflow environment.

Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.

Abstract: Techniques for characterizing an optical system (for example, a printer verifier) are provided. In this regard, the optical system may be characterized for scanning a printed image. The characterization of the optical system includes determining an effective aperture size of the optical system, and correspondingly an effective resolution at which the optical system can be configured to scan a portion of the printed image according to verification requirements.

Abstract: Various corporate, industry, and regulatory guidelines, best practices and standards are used in establishing acceptable levels of accuracy for volume dimensioning systems used in commerce. A volume dimensioning system can determine at least one distortion value that is indicative of an amount of distortion present in the system and responsive to the amount of distortion, autonomously alter or adjust the units of accuracy of information reported by the system. Such alteration or adjustment of units of accuracy may be performed based on an assessment of the distortion relative to a number of distortion thresholds. Responsive to the assessment, the volume dimensioning system can adjust a unit of accuracy in a representation of volume dimensioning related information.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a print quality of a printed document that is printed by a printer is provided. The printer comprises a pre-print image scanner, a post-print image scanner, and a printhead disposed between the pre-print image scanner and the post-print image scanner. The method comprises generating a pre-printing image of a print media, generating the printed document, generating a post-printing image of the printed document, generating a validation image by comparing the post-printing image with the pre-printing image, and comparing the validation image with the source image.