Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080237351 | Image enhancement in imaging system - Image enhancement of symbol targets and non-symbol targets is performed based on the distance to the target, and optionally on the type of target being imaged, by an imaging system to improve reader performance. An axicon and other lenses are preferred to capture light from the target. | 10-02-2008 |
20080297767 | Reducing exposure risk in ultraviolet light-based electro-optical systems - In an electro-optical system for reading ultraviolet (UV) light-responsive indicia illuminated by a UV light beam having a wavelength shorter than visible light, safety techniques are described for reducing exposure to the UV light beam to within safe limits. | 12-04-2008 |
20090001175 | Control of specular reflection in imaging reader - Electro-optical reading failure to read indicia due to specular reflection in the return light captured by a solid-state imager is prevented. An illuminator illuminates the indicia during reading with illumination light directed from an illuminating light source. In one embodiment, a controller is operative for detecting saturation in a captured image, and for reducing an intensity of the illumination light upon detection of the saturation. In another embodiment, the controller captures the return light in successive frames, and causes the illumination light to illuminate the indicia only during some of the frames. In yet another embodiment, the controller turns the illumination light on and off at a flash rate, and signals a user by changing the flash rate upon detection of the saturation to move a housing that supports the imager, illuminator and controller. | 01-01-2009 |
20090047975 | Method for Tracking Location of a Mobile Unit - Location of a mobile unit is determined by a combined probability, derived from a first probability for possible locations based on a current sample of radio signal characteristics and a second probability that a unit has moved from a prior location or probable location to each possible location. | 02-19-2009 |
20090166426 | Imaging reader with adaptive focusing for electro-optically reading symbols - An imaging assembly in an imaging reader for electro-optically reading indicia includes a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors, and a focus control element, such as a liquid imaging lens, having a variable transfer function characteristics for capturing, optically modifying and directing return light from the indicia over a field of view onto the imager for processing into an electrical signal indicative of the indicia during a reading mode of operation; and a controller for controlling the imaging assembly to optically modify the return light in accordance with a known transfer function stored in a memory accessible to the controller during a calibration mode of operation prior to the reading mode. | 07-02-2009 |
20100127078 | Integrated image quality test for imaging system - An imaging system with in-field image quality testing and reporting features, includes a housing, and a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors supported by the housing for capturing return light from a target located in a range of working distances from the housing in an image capture mode of operation, and for capturing return light from a test pattern positioned at a predetermined position in the range of working distances in a test mode of operation different from the image capture mode. An electrical signal indicative of the captured return light is generated in each mode. A memory is supported by the housing for storing a test program for testing image quality. A controller is supported by the housing for processing the electrical signal in the image capture mode, and for accessing the memory to enable the controller to execute the test program in the test mode to test the image quality of the test pattern imaged by the imaging system, and for reporting test results of the image quality of the test pattern. | 05-27-2010 |
20100187315 | Imaging reader and method with combined image data and system data - An imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a solid-state imager supported by the reader and having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from a target over a field of view, and for generating image data corresponding to the target; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operatively connected to the imager via an image data bus over which the image data is transmitted from the imager to the ASIC, and via a system bus over which system data for controlling operation of the reader is transmitted, the ASIC being operative for combining the image data and the system data to form combined data; and a controller operatively connected to the ASIC, for receiving and processing the combined data from the ASIC. | 07-29-2010 |
20110147459 | AIMING SIGHT FOR A BARCODE READER - An apparatus, system, and method for aiming and reading a target object. The apparatus includes a barcode reader for reading the target object. The apparatus also includes an aiming sight coupled to the barcode reader. The aiming sight is used for aiming the target object and thereby directing the barcode reader to read the target object. The aiming sight can either be used independently or can be used along with an aiming pattern generator present in the barcode reader, in order to read the target object. | 06-23-2011 |
20120074226 | AIMING SIGHT FOR A BARCODE READER - An apparatus, system, and method for aiming and reading a target object. The apparatus includes a barcode reader for reading the target object. The apparatus also includes an aiming sight coupled to the barcode reader. The aiming sight is used for aiming the target object and thereby directing the barcode reader to read the target object. The aiming sight can either be used independently or can be used along with an aiming pattern generator present in the barcode reader, in order to read the target object. | 03-29-2012 |
20120091206 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING IMAGES WITH VARIABLE SIZES - A method and apparatus for imaging targets with an imaging reader. The method includes: operatively connecting an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to the solid-state imager to receive the image data from the solid-state imager and generating a stream of combined data frames by the ASIC. A combined data frame in the stream generated by the ASIC including an image frame from the image data and a header. The method also includes receiving and processing the stream of combined data frames from the ASIC at a controller operatively connected to the ASIC. | 04-19-2012 |
20130032692 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OUTPUT OF THE SOLID-STATE IMAGER IN A BARCODE READER - A method and apparatus for imaging targets with an imaging reader. The method includes: (1) capturing return light from a target over a field of view of the solid-state imager and generating image data corresponding to the target; (2) transmitting the image data from the solid-state imager to the host when the gate circuit is set to the transmitting mode; and (3) preventing the image data from transmitting to the host when the gate circuit is set to the blocking mode. | 02-07-2013 |
20130161392 | AIMING METHOD FOR ROLLING SHUTTER IMAGE SENSORS - A method includes capturing an image of a target object within a field of view through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor during a frame exposure time period in rolling shutter mode. The method further includes activating an aiming light source to generate a visible aiming light pattern towards the target object during a part of the frame exposure time period and to substantially deactivate the aiming light source during the remaining part of the frame exposure time period. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161399 | IMAGING DEVICE HAVING LIGHT FIELD SENSOR - A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens. | 06-27-2013 |
20140097252 | IMAGING DEVICE HAVING LIGHT FIELD IMAGE SENSOR - A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens. | 04-10-2014 |
20140151452 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATION - A method includes transmitting from at least one of the imaging sensors to a controller a short frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a first illumination level. The method further includes transmitting subsequently from the at least one of the imaging sensors to the controller a regular frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a second illumination level that is determined based upon the short frame data. The size of the regular frame data being at least 50 times larger than the size of the short frame data. | 06-05-2014 |
20140166758 | METHOD OF DRIVING FOCUSING ELEMENT IN BARCODE IMAGING SCANNER - A method includes the following: (1) detecting light from a target object to capture multiple images of the target object while substantially maintaining the distance between the target object and the imaging lens arrangement that is configured to have a focus position thereof changed with a lens-driving-parameter; (2) processing the at least one of the multiple images to determine a feature-size in an aiming pattern; (3) processing at least two of the multiple images to find an optimal lens-driving-parameter that results in the maximum image sharpness; and (4) storing both the feature-size and the optimal lens-driving-parameter into a memory. | 06-19-2014 |
20140339310 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ELECTRO-OPTICALLY READING A TARGET IN THE PRESENCE OF AMBIENT LIGHT BY SUPPRESSING THE AMBIENT LIGHT - A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be suppressed, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam across the target, a photodetector for detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and for concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal, for processing both the information signal and the ambient light signal in one mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal is below a threshold, and for suppressing the ambient light signal and for processing only the information signal in another mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal at least equals the threshold. | 11-20-2014 |
20140339311 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ELECTRO-OPTICALLY READING A TARGET IN THE PRESENCE OF AMBIENT LIGHT BY REJECTING THE AMBIENT LIGHT - A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be rejected, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam over a scan angle across the target, a photodetector for generating an output signal by detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and by concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal to determine a threshold, for processing the output signal by passing the output signal through a filter having a bandwidth, and for rejecting the ambient light signal from the output signal by adjusting the scan angle and/or the bandwidth when the ambient light signal exceeds the threshold. | 11-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090195416 | INPUT ASSEMBLY AND TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVED DATA ENTRY - An input assembly and associated technique for dialing mobile phones or otherwise providing input to a device. The device is configured for use with one hand and includes an input assembly for providing input. The input assembly includes a plurality of input controls, each (or a subset thereof) having a neutral position, a primary position and a secondary position; the neutral, primary and secondary positions corresponding to and engaging contacts to input data. When an input control is moved from a neutral position, the input control engages with a contact corresponding to the input control and that position to which the input control has been moved is detected by the device. In response to detecting the primary position, a primary datum corresponding with the input control is entered. In response to detecting the secondary position, a secondary datum corresponding with the input control is entered. | 08-06-2009 |
20090295732 | DEVICES HAVING INPUT CONTROLS FOR EFFICIENT INPUT OF DATA - Embodiments of the subject invention relate to systems, methods, and devices providing a reduced number of selectable inputs that enable efficient communication. One aspect of what is disclosed are embodiments of a systematic code, which systematic code enables efficient communication. Another aspect of the invention is the implementation of embodiments of a systematic code on interactive devices, thereby enabling efficient communication using such interactive devices. | 12-03-2009 |
20100285432 | INTUITIVELY ORDERED TACTILE CHARACTERS READABLE BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS - A reduced number of selectable inputs that enable efficient communication. Simplified tactile and optically machine readable code of raised embossments, particularly for unsighted and visually impaired persons is provided, in which each character is represented by a cell of indicia of an intuitive systematic code. For the alphabet, the cells are configured in ordered positions, which correspond to the order of the alphabet, and thereby, assist in tactile perception so that a person may easily identify the character by touch. Also, optical machines are enabled to easily read the characters; and a keyboard is provided for producing the same. | 11-11-2010 |