Datalogic Scanning, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120111944 | ADAPTIVE DATA READER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - Systems and methods for data reading are disclosed wherein one or more images of an item bearing an optical code are captured and the captured images are analyzed to determine whether the item has a reflective surface or not. Based on such a determination, operating parameters of the system, such as one or more of: the amount of time dedicated to 1D code decoding and the amount of time dedicated to 2D code decoding, the order in which 1D code and 2D code decoding are performed, termination of a decoding operation, restarting an image capture and decoding operation, and image preprocessing may be automatically adjusted by the system to decode an optical code. | 05-10-2012 |
20120074338 | ILLUMINATION ARRANGEMENT FOR DATA READERS - Light sources are contained in a data reader housing that also contains an imager. In one embodiment, one light source includes a number of LEDs placed in a number of hollow reflectors located toward the rear of a data scanner, where the hollow reflectors have substantially flat reflective surfaces to project light through a window and into a read volume. Other embodiments include additional light sources located proximate sidewalls of the data scanner and also include a number of LEDs placed in hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into the read volume. In other embodiments, additional LEDs are included outside the hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into a different portion of the read volume than the LEDs located in the hollow reflectors. | 03-29-2012 |
20120067956 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR READING OPTICAL CODES ON REFLECTIVE SURFACES WHILE MINIMIZING FLICKER PERCEPTION OF PULSED ILLUMINATION - Methods and systems are disclosed for improved operation of readers of optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. Certain configurations include controlling image exposure and illumination pulse timing so as to avoid or minimize the perception of flicker of the pulsed illumination by a user or bystander while implementing methods for reading optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. | 03-22-2012 |
20120038480 | INTEGRATED DATA READER AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS) SYSTEM - An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes. | 02-16-2012 |
20120018516 | DATA READER HAVING COMPACT ARRANGEMENT - A data reader including one or more imagers or imager assemblies that capture two-dimensional images of an object disposed in a view volume, the data reader having fold minors and other component arrangement that enable compact and efficient component configuration. | 01-26-2012 |
20120000982 | ADAPTIVE DATA READER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - Disclosed systems and methods preferably capture one or more images of an item bearing an optical code and analyze such images to determine whether the item has a highly, or relatively highly, reflective surface or not. Based on such a determination, operating parameters of the system, such as the gain, exposure time, and amount of illumination, are preferably automatically adjusted by the system to capture a subsequent image of the item where the subsequent image has sufficient contrast to decode the optical code. The subsequent image may include a plurality of images, and different operating parameters may be used to capture several, or each, of the plurality of images based on the determination of whether the item has a highly, or relatively highly, reflective surface or not. | 01-05-2012 |
20110290889 | DATA READER WITH MULTIPLE MODES OF OPERATION - Data reading systems and methods for operating data readers such as optical code readers and RFID readers. Certain preferred embodiments are directed to data readers having improved operation features for switching between various operation modes such as, for example, switching between handheld/portable mode and fixed mode using an on board inertial sensor such as an accelerometer or gyroscopic device capable of sensing various movements, motions, and/or orientations. | 12-01-2011 |
20110232972 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WEIGH SCALE PERIMETER MONITORING FOR SCANNER-SCALES - Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described. | 09-29-2011 |
20110172943 | ZERO-POINT SETTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC SCALES - An exemplary apparatus/system or method for establishing initial zero-points and current zero-points includes an initial zero device programmed to establish an initial zero-point and a semi-automatic zero device programmed to either establish a current zero-point or to reset or power cycle a scale when a current zero-point cannot be established. | 07-14-2011 |
20110168780 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA READING WITH LOW PROFILE ARRANGEMENT - A data reader, such as an optical code reader, including one or more imagers, the data reader having a generally horizontal central section with an upward extension on a first end and a depression on a second end opposite the upward extension, the depression being configured to provide a better angle of view of an object in the view volume above the central section from the second end from a position below the surface of the horizontal central section. In one configuration, an image from the view volume along and over the depression is directed by one or more fold mirrors and focused by a lens system onto an imager or sensor array, these optics components, along with the window through which they view, are all disposed below the surface of the central section. Preferably, where the horizontal central section is a weigh platter for a scanner-scale, the optics of the data reader such as the fold mirror(s), lens system and imager are unsupported by the weigh platter and thus are off the scale. | 07-14-2011 |
20110132985 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WEIGH SCALE PERIMETER MONITORING FOR SCANNER-SCALES - Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described. | 06-09-2011 |
20100308114 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPTICAL READING EMPLOYING VIRTUAL SCAN LINES - Optical reading system and methods having multiple modes of operation, for example: omnidirectional and single-code picking; fixed and handheld reading; 1D and 2D code reading. In one configuration, an image-based system obtains input data via an area sensor (e.g., a 2D CCD array) with only data corresponding to a pattern of virtual scan lines being stored and processed. A user may implement different operating modes such as a first mode reading codes in any location or orientation and a second mode reading only a code oriented along a particular virtual scan line or group thereof. Alternately, the data reader is operable to switch between handheld mode selecting a first pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode and a fixed mode selecting a second pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode. Virtual scan patterns in either mode can change within or between frames. | 12-09-2010 |
20100282850 | IMAGING SCANNER-SCALE WITH LOW VERTICAL PROFILE - An integrated scanner and scale is provided having a thin profile and incorporating imaging technology to scan and read optical codes. The scanner-scale is sufficiently thin to allow a cash drawer to fit beneath the scanner-scale in a check stand. Side imagers are positioned and configured to scan multiple sides of an item. The field of view (FOV) of each imager defines at least a portion of a scan volume, wherein scanning is nearest to optimal. One or more imagers can be positioned on the checker side and the customer side, such that an optical path (or a portion thereof) from the scan volume to the one or more imagers is positioned entirely above a platter of the scanner. Mirrors fold and direct the optical path to direct the FOV of a bottom imager such that the bottom imager is positioned sufficiently close to the platter to allow the scanner-scale to have a thin profile. | 11-11-2010 |
20100270376 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-VIEW IMAGING OF OPTICAL CODES USING CHROMATIC PATH SPLITTING - An optical code or data imaging system and method for forming image data from an item bearing an optical code present in a read volume, including an image splitter, such as a dichroic mirror, operative to transmit light of a first wavelength range from a first field of view of the item toward the imager and reflect light of a second wavelength range from a second field of view of the item toward the imager. The incoming images from both the first and second fields of view are focused, at least primarily, by the same focusing optics and are detected by the same detecting portions or preferably at least some overlapping portions of the imager. | 10-28-2010 |
20100237149 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPENSATING FOR FIXED PATTERN NOISE - This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for estimating and, at least partially, compensating for fixed pattern noise (FPN) in an image sensor. In one configuration, an estimate of the FPN of an image sensor may be obtained by capturing a dark image (either a linear or an area image, depending on the sensor type) using a first exposure time, an illuminated image may be captured using a second exposure time, the second exposure time is greater than the first exposure time, and the dark image may be subtracted from the illuminated image to compensate, at least partially, for FPN. Certain configurations may utilize virtual scan lines. Two or more dark images may also be utilized to estimate FPN in an image sensor. | 09-23-2010 |
20100213259 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPTICAL CODE READING USING A COLOR IMAGER - Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having wavelengths within, respectively, first and second wavelength bands, reflected light is focused by an optical system to form an image of an optical code on the color image sensor array, first and second sets of image data representing light intensity levels sensed by, respectively, the first and second sets of sensor pixels are produced, and the first set of image data is processed to determine whether the second set of image data is to be used in combination with the first set of image data to decode the optical code. | 08-26-2010 |
20100200658 | HIGH-RESOLUTION OPTICAL CODE IMAGING USING A COLOR IMAGER - An optical code or other data reading device includes a color image sensor array positioned to sense light reflected from an object, and to produce image data. In one configuration, the color image sensor array has multiple sets (e.g., first and second sets) of sensor elements that are sensitive to corresponding visible wavelength bands of light (e.g., first and second wavelength bands), the sets also being sensitive to light within an infrared wavelength band. An artificial illumination source is positioned to illuminate the field of view with light that is reflected off an object in the field of view toward the image sensor array, the illumination source being operable to produce infrared light having wavelengths within the infrared wavelength band so that, upon illumination, at least some sensor elements of each of the sets are sensitive to the infrared light and contribute to production of the image data. | 08-12-2010 |
20100193588 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY MASKING A SCAN VOLUME OF A DATA READER - Systems and methods are provided for selectively reading and accepting optical codes within a scan volume of the data reader. A method of processing an optical code within the scan volume comprises acquiring, via the data reader, scan data including an image or scan of an optical code located within the scan volume of the data reader, processing the scan data for decodable data corresponding to the optical code, and determining whether to accept or reject the optical code based on a position within the scan volume of the optical code relative to a configurable exclusion zone. The determination of whether to accept or reject the optical code may be based on other conditions of the optical code, such as a position of the optical code within the depth of field of the data reader, a symbology type of the optical code, and data encoded in the optical code. | 08-05-2010 |
20100177363 | PRIORITIZED VIRTUAL SCAN LINE PROCESSING - Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing an order in which to process a plurality of sub-regions of an acquired image of an optical code. A method of processing an optical code in a data reader comprises the steps of receiving data corresponding to a plurality of sub-regions of an acquired image of an optical code, processing according to a processing order the plurality of sub-regions for decodable data corresponding to the optical code, determining based on the step of processing the plurality of sub-regions whether one or more of the plurality of sub-regions contains decodable data, and if it is determined that a sub-region contains decodable data, increasing the processing priority associated with said sub-region. If one or more of the sub-regions having the highest processing priority contains decodable data, the remaining sub-regions do not need to be processed, which may save processing resources and increase the read throughput. | 07-15-2010 |
20100165160 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGING - A data reader preferably includes an imaging device that operates on a rolling reset basis to capture images of a moving target. Images of moving targets are preferably analyzed to determine the ambient light intensity, and a processor in the data reader preferably adjusts operation of the imager and of a light source based on the intensity of the ambient light. Other data readers may use an imager with a mechanical shutter that is designed for rapid, frequent operation. | 07-01-2010 |
20100163628 | TWO-PLANE OPTICAL CODE READER FOR ACQUISITION OF MULTIPLE VIEWS AN OBJECT - An optical code reader forms images of an optical code on an object. The reader comprises first and second viewing surfaces generally transverse to one another. The surfaces bound a viewing volume in which the object may be imaged. The reader also comprises a set of one or more imagers positioned on an opposite side of one or more of the first and second viewing surfaces relative to the viewing volume, and oriented and configured to capture images of the object from at least three different views. Each of the views passes through one of said first and second viewing surfaces. At least one of said views passes through the first viewing surface, and at least one of said views passes through the second viewing surface. The reader also comprises at least one mirror, off which is reflected at least one of the views. | 07-01-2010 |
20100163627 | IMAGE-BASED CODE READER FOR ACQUISITION OF MULTIPLE VIEWS OF AN OBJECT AND METHODS FOR EMPLOYING SAME - Fold mirrors permit the imagers to be closer to each other and permit an optical code reader, such as a tunnel scanner, to confine them to a smaller housing volume or capacity. A plurality of sets of fold mirrors can also be employed to convey at least a portion of at least two different perspectives or two different depths of field of a composite view volume to different regions of an image field of a common imager. The sets of fold mirrors may also include split mirrors that have mirror components that reflect images from different view volumes to different imagers or different regions of an image field of a single imager. | 07-01-2010 |
20100163626 | DATA READER HAVING COMPACT ARRANGEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF MULTIPLE VIEWS OF AN OBJECT - A data reader including one or more imagers, the data reader having fold mirrors ( | 07-01-2010 |
20100163622 | MONOLITHIC MIRROR STRUCTURE FOR USE IN A MULTI-PERSPECTIVE OPTICAL CODE READER - A monolithic compound mirror structure is used in an optical code reader employing an imager that captures images of items bearing optical codes in a viewing volume of the optical code reader. The monolithic compound mirror structure comprises a plurality of highly reflective surfaces positioned on the structure so that the structure can be positioned in a field of view of the imager in the optical code reader and oriented so that two or more of the plurality of highly reflective surfaces appear in the field of view of the imager, to thereby split the field of view of the imager into two or more different views into the viewing volume. The different views into the viewing volume may be direct off of the monolithic compound mirror structure or indirect off of one or more intermediate mirrors. | 07-01-2010 |
20100158310 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING AND TALLYING OBJECTS - An system and method for tallying objects presented for purchase preferably images the objects with a machine vision system while the objects are still, or substantially still. Images of the objects may be used to recognize the objects and to collect information about each object, such as the price. A pre-tally list may be generated and displayed to a customer showing the customer the cost of the recognized objects. A prompt on a customer display may be given to urge a customer to re-orient unrecognized objects to assist the machine vision system with recognizing such unrecognized objects. A tallying event, such as removing a recognized object from the machine vision system's field of view, preferably automatically tallies recognized objects so it is not necessary for a cashier to scan or otherwise input object information into a point of sale system. | 06-24-2010 |
20100148967 | INTEGRATED DATA READER AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS) SYSTEM - An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes. | 06-17-2010 |
20100139989 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING WEIGHING ERRORS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTIALLY OFF-SCALE ITEMS - Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof. | 06-10-2010 |
20100123009 | HIGH-RESOLUTION INTERPOLATION FOR COLOR-IMAGER-BASED OPTICAL CODE READERS - An optical code reader includes a color image sensor array having first and second sets of pixels arranged along multiple parallel axes of a first axes group and multiple parallel axes of a second axes group transverse to the first axes group. The pixels of the first set produce data representing sensed light intensity values. In one configuration, the optical code reader includes a single-axis interpolator to produce interpolated intensity values that correspond to selected locations of pixels of the second set. The single-axis interpolator is operable to produce an interpolated intensity value for a selected location by using only intensity values sensed by pixels of the first set that share an axis of the first axes group with the selected location. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123005 | METHOD OF PREVENTING MULTIPLE READS WHEN SCANNING GROUPS OF OPTICAL CODES - State-of-the-art optical scanning systems feature digital imaging of multiple symbolic labels such as optical bar codes. An imaging scanner reads a label | 05-20-2010 |
20090306924 | AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION SYSTEM FOR SCANNER-SCALE OR OTHER SCALE SYSTEM - A system and method for automatically calibrating a scale, particularly a scanner-scale of a POS system, in which the scale is calibrated via an on-board calibration system including an accelerometer that actually measures the acceleration due to gravity factor for a given location/time and then uses this measured factor to perform a calibration sequence. An example calibration method may include the steps of (a) performing an initial calibration on the scanner-scale during assembly; (b) providing the scanner-scale with an on-board accelerometer operable to measure gravity acceleration constants for the current location; and (c) running a calibration routine using the specific calibration data obtained from the measurement in step (b) to calibrate the scale. In one configuration, the system may also use other sensors, including temperature and humidity sensors, to provide further calibration constants for use in calibrating the accelerometer and the scale strain gage. | 12-10-2009 |
20090206161 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORMING A COMPOSITE IMAGE OF MULTIPLE PORTIONS OF AN OBJECT FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES - Various improved imager-based optical code readers and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an imager-based method reads an optical code (which may be, for example, a linear optical code such as a bar code) on an object in a viewing volume. The method comprises dividing an image plane into a plurality of strip-shaped sections, viewing the object in the viewing volume from a plurality of perspectives, forming a plurality of strip-shaped images corresponding to the plurality of perspectives, respectively, thereby creating a composite image containing data from a plurality of perspectives, and processing at least a portion of the composite image so as to ascertain the information encoded in the optical code on the object in the viewing volume. Certain embodiments can mimic the performance of a laser-based scanner without a laser or moving parts but instead utilizing an electronic imaging device such as an imager. | 08-20-2009 |
20090188980 | MULTIPLE PLANE SCANNING SYSTEM FOR DATA READING APPLICATIONS - An optical system and method for data reading. In one system, a scanner includes a laser diode and a beam splitter for generating first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third mirror arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan five sides of a six-sided item (e.g., the bottom and all lateral sides of an object) being passed through the scan volume. | 07-30-2009 |
20090153718 | ROLLING-RESET IMAGER - An imaging system comprises a rolling-reset imager that forms an electronic image of an object, a light source illuminating the object with pulsed light, and a bandpass optical filter disposed between the object and the rolling-reset imager. The pulsed light has an illumination frequency spectrum and an illumination pulse width defining an effective exposure time for forming the image of the object. The bandpass optical filter has a frequency pass band permitting transmission of a significant portion of the illumination frequency spectrum while at least approximately inhibiting transmission of at least some light having frequencies outside the illumination frequency band. An imaging method illuminates an object with light in a given frequency range, so that the illumination light reflects from the object along with background light. The method filters the reflected light so as to attenuate at least some of the background light by a greater attenuation factor than the illumination light. The method forms a pixelized electronic image based on the filtered light on a rolling-reset basis. | 06-18-2009 |
20090127326 | ENHANCED VIRTUAL SCAN LINE PROCESSING - Systems and methods for decoding a barcode or other optical code include identifying one or more sub-regions of image data that contain promising data based on a first set of edge detection parameters, transferring the promising data from a first memory location to a new memory location for further processing, and decoding the promising data based on a different set of edge detection parameters. | 05-21-2009 |
20090067731 | COMPENSATED VIRTUAL SCAN LINES - Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for providing virtual scan lines in an imaging system that compensate for the optical distortion associated with the system. In some embodiments, the virtual scan lines may be curved or angled according to their position in the Field of View (FOV) of the imaging system to compensate for the distortion. Some embodiments may provide for virtual scan lines that are preconfigured to compensate for a typical or pre-selected level and type of optical distortion. Other embodiments may be configured to measure or otherwise ascertain the actual distortion of the optical lens and/or other components of the system and generate a virtual scan line pattern that compensates for the measured distortion. | 03-12-2009 |
20080223933 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FORMING IMAGES OF MOVING OPTICAL CODES - A method aligns a second image of an object taken at a second time with a first image taken at a first time, wherein the object experiences motion relative to an imager between the first and second times. The images are formed of sets of pixels arranged horizontally and vertically in a pattern. The method operates on the pixels of the second image by performing a series of operations to affect an affine transformation without performing matrix arithmetic, preferably by table look-up. The method shifts the pixels of the second image vertically by a constant vertical offset, shifts the pixels of the second image horizontally by a constant horizontal offset, shears the second image horizontally by a skew factor, shears the second image vertically by a skew factor, scales the second image horizontally by a horizontal scale factor; and scale the second image vertically by a vertical scale factor. | 09-18-2008 |