Zebra Technologies Corporation

Symbol Technologies, LLC

Sonex Research, Inc.

Matthew B Hayes

Charles Burton Swope

Robert E Beach

Andrew A Pouring

Andrea Mirabile

Brad R Bopp

Michael Keller

Manfred Weber

Stanko Jelavic

Chinmay Nanda

Miguel X Gines

Manfred C Weber

Michael I Keller

An effector system includes: a plurality of effector assemblies configured to engage a target object; a base having a plurality of mounting surfaces for movably supporting the effector assemblies; a plurality of actuators coupled to the base, each actuator including: an actuator housing defining a conduit having a first end and a second end; an output member slidable within the conduit; a first shape-memory transducer affixed between the first end and the output member; a second shape-memory transducer affixed between the second end and the output member; an electrical subassembly configured to control each actuator to cause the output member to slide towards a selected one of the first end and the second end; and a plurality of linkages between respective output members and effector assemblies, each linkage configured to move a corresponding effector assembly relative to the base in response to sliding of the respective output member.

Shape-memory effector systems

An effector system comprises: an effector assembly including: a first segment having a conduit between a proximal end and a distal end, an inner surface of the conduit having a conductive portion and a resistive portion; an output member slidable within the conduit, the output member having a conductive exterior contacting the inner surface; a first shape-memory transducer affixed between the proximal end and the output member; and a second shape-memory transducer affixed between the distal end and the output member; and a controller configured to: selectively energize: (i) the first shape-memory transducer to slide the output member in a first direction, (ii) the second shape-memory transducer to slide the output member in a second direction, or (iii) the resistive portion of the inner surface; and in response to energizing the resistive portion, determine a position of the output member.

Shape-memory effector assemblies with integrated position sensing

Systems and methods for calibrating a camera using a calibration system are provided. The calibration system includes a mat, a camera, and a controller. The systems and methods include the controller configuring the mat to operation in an illumination mode in which the mat energizes one or more LEDs to form an illumination pattern. The controller receives image data generated by the camera that features the illumination pattern. The controller analyzes the image data to derive heading data for the camera and sets the camera heading data to be the derived heading data.

Systems and methods for camera calibration via dual-mode mats

A calibration system includes: a reference device including an array of markers at predetermined positions; a camera; and a computing device configured to: store reference data defining the predetermined positions of the markers in a capture volume frame of reference; obtain a calibration image of the reference device captured by the camera; detect image positions of the markers in the calibration image, the image positions defined according to camera frame of reference; based on the image positions of the markers and the reference data, generate calibration data mapping coordinates in the camera frame of reference to coordinates in the capture volume frame of reference.

Calibration system and method for data capture system

Systems and apparatuses for dual-mode pressure-sensing and illumination mats are provided. The systems include a surface that includes a plurality of row wires and a plurality of column wires forming intersection points. At the intersection points, the systems include a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure exerted upon the surface and a light emitting diode (LED) connected in parallel. The systems include a controller coupled to the selector and configured to control operation of the surface, wherein the controller is configured to operate in one of a pressure-sensing mode or an illumination mode. When the controller is configured to operate in the pressure-sensing mode, the controller scans pressure values provided by the pressure sensors. When the controller is configured to operate in the illumination mode, the controller configures the surface to enable the LEDs in accordance with an illumination pattern.

Dual-mode pressure-sensing illumination mat

Methods, systems, and apparatus for initializing a dimensioning system based on a location of a vehicle carrying an object to be dimensioned. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving, from a location system, location data indicating a location of a vehicle carrying an object; responsive to the location data indicating that the vehicle is approaching an imaging area, initializing, using a logic circuit, a sensor to be primed for capturing data representative of the object; receiving, from a motion detector carried by the vehicle, motion data indicating a speed of the vehicle; and triggering, using the logic circuitry, the sensor to capture data representative of the object at a sample rate based on the speed of the vehicle.

Methods and apparatus for initializing object dimensioning systems

A method and apparatus for determining when a shipment undergoes excessive vibration or bouncing is provided herein. During operation, a device such as an accelerometer, Piezoelectric, or vibration sensor, will monitor an acceleration/vibration experienced by a shipment. The device will also monitor an acceleration/vibration experienced by the shipping container housing/holding the shipment. If the acceleration or vibration of the shipment exceeds the acceleration or vibration of the shipping container by a predetermined amount, a warning will be given so that the situation can be mitigated.

Method and apparatus for determining if a shipment undergoes excessive vibration

A method for improving combustion in a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a resulting engine are disclosed. The engine includes a main combustion chamber arranged between a head and a reciprocating piston. A heat retaining element is provided between the head and the main combustion chamber. The heat retaining element is configured to reduce heat transfer from the main combustion chamber into the engine head. A precombustion chamber is provided having a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is configured to be provided with a secondary charge of air/fuel and a first spark igniter.

Method for modifying combustion chamber in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine and resulting engine

A method for improving combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a heat retaining element, and an internal combustion engine are provided. The internal combustion engine includes a main combustion chamber arranged between a head and a reciprocating piston, and a heat retaining element provided between the head and the main combustion chamber. The heat retaining element is a self-supporting structure coupled to the head that is configured to reduce heat transfer from the main combustion chamber into the engine head. The heat retaining element includes a head-facing portion substantially corresponding in shape to a portion of the head facing the main combustion chamber. The heat retaining element is provided such that a gap is provided between the head-facing portion of the heat retaining element and the portion of the head facing the main combustion chamber.

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Wheaton, IL, United States of America

Matthew B Hayes