Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing presence detection using a scanner
View Patent ↗A method, system, and computer program product for implementing presence detection is provided. The method includes a first mode of a tri-modal application that monitors a field-of-view via a presence detection function of a scanner. The method also includes implementing a second mode of the tri-modal application when a change to the field-of-view is detected and a specified threshold of change is met. The second mode includes activating selected system components of a terminal device, which in turn include a processor and the presence detection function. The second mode also includes fully activating the scanner and monitoring the field-of-view for determining a bar code image. The method further includes initiating a third mode of the tri-modal application when the bar code image is detected at the scanner. The third mode includes activating an illumination component of the scanner, reading the bar code image, and deactivating the illumination component when the bar code image has been read before returning to the second mode.
1. A method for implementing presence detection using a scanner via a tri-modal application, comprising:
implementing a first mode of the tri-modal application, comprising:
monitoring a field-of-view via a presence detection function of a scanner;
implementing a second mode of the tri-modal application when a change to the field-of-view is detected and a specified threshold of change is met, the second mode comprising:
activating selected system components of a terminal device, the selected system components including a processor and the presence detection function, the presence detection function determining the presence of an individual at the terminal device and communicating the presence to the processor; and
activating a bar code sensing function of the scanner; and
monitoring the field-of-view for determining bar code characteristics via ambient light provided to the scanner; and
initiating a third mode of the tri-modal application when the bar code characteristics are detected at the scanner, the third mode comprising:
activating an illumination component of the scanner;
reading a bar code image;
deactivating the illumination component when the bar code image has been read; and
returning to the second mode of the tri-modal application.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining operation of the first mode when at least one of:
a change to the field-of-view is not detected in response to the monitoring; and
a change to the field-of-view is detected in response to the monitoring and the specified threshold of change is not met.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the monitoring a field-of-view via the presence detection function of the scanner includes:
recording image segments of the field-of-view into memory at the terminal device; and
comparing the image segments to detect changes in the field-of-view.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the specified threshold is measured by time transpiring between the image segments in which a change has been detected.
5. A terminal device for implementing presence detection using a scanner, comprising:
a processor; and
a tri-modal application executing on the processor, the tri-modal application implementing a method, comprising:
implementing a first mode of the tri-modal application, comprising:
monitoring a field-of-view via a presence detection function of a scanner;
implementing a second mode of the tri-modal application when a change to the field-of-view is detected and a specified threshold of change is met, the second mode comprising:
activating selected system components of a terminal device, the selected system components including the processor and the presence detection function, the presence detection function determining the presence of an individual at the terminal device and communicating the presence to the processor; and
activating a bar code sensing function of the scanner; and
monitoring the field-of-view for determining bar code characteristics via ambient light provided to the scanner; and
initiating a third mode of the tri-modal application when the bar code characteristics are detected at the scanner, the third mode comprising:
activating an illumination component of the scanner;
reading a bar code image;
deactivating the illumination component when the bar code image has been read; and
returning to the second mode of the tri-modal application.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the tri-modal application further implements:
maintaining operation of the first mode when at least one of:
a change to the field-of-view is not detected in response to the monitoring; and
a change to the field-of-view is detected in response to the monitoring and the specified threshold of change is not met.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the monitoring a field-of-view via the presence detection function of the scanner includes:
recording image segments of the field-of-view into memory at the terminal device; and
comparing the image segments to detect changes in the field-of-view.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the specified threshold is measured by time transpiring between the image segments in which a change has been detected.