| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080197198 | MEMS-BASED ELECTRO-OPTICAL READER AND METHOD WITH EXTENDED WORKING RANGE - A MEMS-based reader has an extended range of working distances for reading bar code symbols. A digitizer resolves the edges of bar code symbols when located at far-away distances from the reader within the working range. The digitizer includes a differentiator for differentiating the analog signal to generate a first derivative signal, a peak detector for detecting voltage peaks in the first derivative signal, and a comparator for comparing voltage drops after the voltage peaks with a predetermined voltage value, and for determining the presence of each edge when each voltage drop at least equals, and preferably exceeds, the predetermined voltage value. | 08-21-2008 |
| 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 |
| 20080296383 | Range finding in imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia - In an imaging reader for reading a target located in a range of working distances from the reader, a solid-state imager captures light from the target, and an optical assembly visually illuminates the target to aid an operator in aiming the imager at the target, and also visually indicates to the operator the range of working distances from the imager to the target. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080296387 | Point-of transaction workstation for electro-optically reading one-dimensional indicia, including image capture of two-dimensional targets - A solid-state imager and an electro-optical reader are mounted behind respective windows at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of diverse targets useful for customer identification, customer payment validation, and operator surveillance, and for reading coded indicia. Each window allows light to pass therethrough to only one of the reader and the imager. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080296388 | Compact, ergonomic imaging reader and method - A target is illuminated with light for image capture by a solid-state imager of an imaging reader over a tall field of view having an aspect ratio whose vertical dimension is larger than its horizontal dimension during image capture. The reader is pivotably mounted in a stand and has a narrow depth to enable a user to easily grasp the reader. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080297323 | Item finding using radio frequency and optical signaling - A system for, and method of, locating a particular item from among a plurality of items identifiable by radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with the items, includes an interrogator for radio frequency (RF) signaling the tags to detect unique identifiers associated with the tags in a field of view of the interrogator; and an optical signaler for optically signaling one of the tags in the field of view to designate the particular item to be located. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090001166 | Imaging reader with plural solid-state imagers for electro-optically reading indicia - A plurality of solid-state imagers is mounted in a reader, such as a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing images along different fields of view of diverse targets useful for customer identification, customer payment validation, operator surveillance, and coded indicia. The imagers are commonly mounted on a circuit board for joint installation at, and joint removal from, the reader for ease of serviceability. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001171 | Hybrid laser scanning and imaging reader - An imaging module is supported by a housing of a reader for electro-optically reading indicia. The imaging module includes a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the indicia during reading. A laser scanning module is also supported by the housing and includes a scanner for scanning at least one of a laser beam from a laser and a field of view of a light detector in a scan pattern across the indicia during reading. A controller is operatively connected to the modules, and is operative for preventing reading interference between the modules during reading. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001174 | Thermal management in imaging reader - A reader for electro-optically reading indicia, includes a solid-state imager including an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the indicia during reading, and a light source for generating and directing high intensity illumination light to the indicia with concomitant generation of excess heat. Thermal management procedures for dissipating the excess heat are performed to improve reader performance. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090006196 | Handheld communications device in system for and method of enhancing product selection and purchase in retail environments - A system for, and method of, enhancing product selection and purchase in a retail environment, utilizes a handheld device that includes a cellular telephone operative for long-range, mobile, wireless communication over a wide cellular network, a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from a target, and a communications interface operative for short-range, mobile, wireless communication over a local network associated with the retail environment. A controller is operatively connected to the telephone, the imager and the interface, and is operative for automatically pairing the handheld device with the local network by operating the imager to capture the return light from a command target code associated with the retail environment. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090078775 | Electro-optical imaging reader having plural solid-state imagers with shutters to prevent concurrent exposure - A bioptical workstation includes plural image capture modules for capturing images of indicia along different fields of view. Each module includes an illuminator for illuminating the indicia with illumination light, a megapixel imager with a rolling shutter for sequentially capturing the return light, and a shutter element for passing the return light to its imager in an open state, and for blocking the return light from other modules from reaching its imager in an closed state. A controller prevents interference among the modules by controlling the shutter element to assume the open state only during a respective exposure time period during which its imager produces an electrical signal indicative of the indicia, and by controlling the shutter element to assume the closed state at all times other than the respective exposure time period to prevent capture of the return light from the other modules. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090084852 | Aiming pattern indicative of optimum working distance in imaging reader and method - An aiming light assembly supported by a mobile imaging reader projects an aiming light pattern on a symbol prior to reading. The aiming light pattern visually indicates to an operator an optimum distance in a working range at which the symbol is best readable within a field of view. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090084856 | Imaging reader with asymmetrical magnification - A solid-state imager is mounted in a reader, such as a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing light along an optical axis over a field of view from diverse targets useful for customer identification, customer payment validation, operator surveillance, and coded indicia. An optical converter is located within the housing, for optically modifying and asymmetrically magnifying the field of view along mutually orthogonal directions generally perpendicular to the optical axis, and for increasing resolution of the imager along one of these directions. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090108076 | Electro-optical reader switchable between handheld and hands-free modes of operation by non-magnetic, immobile switch - An immobile, non-magnetic mode sensor, preferably an optical sensor, is entirely supported by a housing of a reader for electro-optically reading indicia in a handheld mode, and in a hands-free mode, of operation. The mode sensor is operative for sensing the mode of operation, for example, by detecting whether the housing has been grasped by an operator, or by detecting whether the housing has been removed from a support surface. The mode sensor is actuatable between handheld and hands-free states, which respectively correspond to the handheld and hands-free modes of operation. A controller is operative for selecting the mode of operation, which is sensed by the mode sensor, in which the indicia is to be read. | 04-30-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090236426 | Long range imaging reader - An imaging module or reader for electro-optically reading both far-out and close-in, one-dimensional symbols located at variable working distances from the module or reader, includes a solid-state imager having a linear array of image sensors arranged in a single row for capturing return light from the symbols, and an imaging lens assembly for adjustably focusing the return light onto the linear array of image sensors to enable the symbols to be read. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090272804 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING OPTICAL INDICIA - A method and apparatus for reading optical indicia. The method includes generating calibration light, and measuring an intensity of the calibration light reflected into a detector system. The method also includes determining an optimum exposure level for the imaging system based on the measured intensity of the calibration light reflected into the detector system, and generating an illumination light with an illumination system. In addition, the method includes capturing an image of the optical indicia with the imaging system subjecting to the optimum exposure level. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090321525 | Data capture terminal with multiple readers operable in handheld and hands-free modes of operation - A data capture terminal for, and method of, automatically capturing data in a handheld mode, and in a hands-free mode, of operation, include an actuatable laser scanning reader supported by the terminal for electro-optically reading indicia to obtain data by scanning the indicia, an actuatable imaging reader supported by the terminal for electro-optically reading indicia to obtain data by capturing an image of the indicia, and an actuatable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader supported by the terminal for reading an RFID tag to obtain data. A trigger mechanism is manually actuatable by an operator to initiate actuation of the readers in the handheld mode with different triggering actions unique to the respective readers. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100001075 | MULTI-IMAGING SCANNER FOR READING IMAGES - A multi-camera imaging-based scanner for imaging multiple target objects at substantially the same time and method is provided. The multi-camera imaging-based scanner comprises an image processing system with memory programmed to identify overlapping areas of field-of-views of the multiple cameras with in a scan field, such that if a target object is imaged by more than one camera at substantially the same time in one of the over lapping areas between two or more cameras' field-of-views, the processing system defines that a single target object has been detected and the decoded information therefrom is processed only once. If multiple target objects are imaged by more than one camera at substantially the same time outside of any of the over lapping areas between two or more cameras' field-of-views, the processing system defines that multiple target objects have been detected and the decoded information for each target object is processed. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100019043 | Electro-optical imaging reader having plural solid-state imagers with nonconcurrent exposure - A plurality of solid-state imagers is mounted in a reader, such as a bioptical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing illumination light returning along different fields of view from indicia. A controller controllably activates the imagers over respective exposure time periods during which the indicia are illuminated to produce electrical signals indicative of the indicia being read, processes the electrical signals to read the indicia, and controls the exposure time periods to be nonconcurrent to prevent interference among the imagers. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100074286 | LASER POWER CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS IN ELECTRO-OPTICAL READERS - Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of an over-power condition not conforming to preestablished regulatory standards. In one embodiment, during an operational mode, a difference between laser drive currents at two operating points is compared to a difference between laser drive currents at the same two operating points during a calibration mode. The over-power condition is recognized when the difference during the operational mode exceeds the difference during the calibration mode by a predetermined amount. In another embodiment, the laser is only energized to emit the beam at a reduced power level well below regulatory standards for staring at even if a motor drive failed. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100096460 | Hybrid laser scanning and imaging reader - An imaging module is supported by a housing of a reader for electro-optically reading indicia. The imaging module includes a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the indicia during reading. A laser scanning( module is also supported by the housing and includes a scanner for scanning at least one of a laser beam from a laser and a field of view of a light detector in a scan pattern across the indicia during reading. A controller is operatively connected to the modules, and is operative for distinguishing between types of the indicia, and for enabling the laser scanning module to read one-dimensional symbols by default, and for automatically enabling the imaging module to read two-dimensional symbols upon detection that a symbol being read is a two-dimensional symbol. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100147955 | Rapid focusing during aiming in laser scanner - A laser scanner includes a laser, a variable focusing element, a scanner, a detector, and a controller that controls the scanner to sweep a laser beam over an aiming angle at an aiming rate to form an aiming line on a symbol during aiming, and over a reading angle at a reading rate to form a reading line on the symbol during reading that follows the aiming. The aiming angle is smaller than the reading angle. The aiming rate is higher than the reading rate. The aiming line is shorter than the reading line. The controller determines a depth of modulation of an analog signal generated during aiming, and controls the variable focusing element to focus the laser beam on the symbol during aiming when the depth of modulation is determined to be optimum. The controller also processes the analog signal to data indicative of the symbol during reading. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100219248 | Compact imaging engine for imaging reader - A compact, low-cost, high-performance, imaging engine for an imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a single printed circuit board (PCB), an illumination light assembly supported by the PCB for illuminating a target, a single chassis mounted on the PCB, an imaging lens assembly supported by the chassis for capturing return light from the illuminated target, and a solid-state imager supported by the PCB for detecting the captured return light over a field of view, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the captured light. A controller is mounted on or off the imaging engine, and is operatively connected to, and controls the operation of, the imager and the illumination light assembly, for processing the electrical signal into data indicative of the target being imaged. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100219249 | Imaging reader and method with dual function illumination light assembly - An imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a solid-state imager supported by a housing for capturing return light from a target over a field of view. An illumination light assembly performs both illumination and aiming functions. Illumination light is projected along an optical path through a passage in the housing to illuminate the target. The housing has boundary walls spaced along the optical path away from the imager and the illumination light assembly for clipping the illumination light projected through the passage to form on the target an aiming light distribution that visually indicates a periphery of the field of view to assist in positioning the target entirely within the field of view. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100237150 | POINT-OF-TRANSACTION WORKSTATION FOR ELECTRO-OPTICALLY READING ONE-DIMENSIONAL AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL INDICIA BY IMAGE CAPTURE - A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100320272 | HYBRID LASER SCANNING AND IMAGING READER - An imaging module is supported by a housing of a reader for electro-optically reading indicia. The imaging module includes a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the indicia during reading. A laser scanning module is also supported by the housing and includes a scanner for scanning at least one of a laser beam from a laser and a field of view of a light detector in a scan pattern across the indicia during reading. A controller is operatively connected to the modules, and is operative for preventing reading interference between the modules during reading. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110073652 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTELLIGENTLY CONTROLLING ILLUMINATION PATTERNS PROJECTED FROM BARCODE READERS - A method and apparatus for intelligently controlling illumination patterns projected from barcode readers. The method includes (1) detecting a location of an object of interest with a plurality of object sensors each having a corresponding object field of view; and (2) selecting at least one illumination light source to project one or more illumination patterns in one or more predetermined directions at least based upon the location of the object determined with the plurality of object sensors. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110089244 | ELECTRO-OPTICAL READER WITH VISIBLE INDICATION OF SUCCESSFUL DECODE IN LINE OF SIGHT OF OPERATOR - A coded symbol is electro-optically read by a moving beam reader or an imaging reader that employs a light source for emitting light to the symbol and a detector for detecting return light from the symbol. The light source can be a laser used in a moving beam reader, or an illuminator or an aiming source used in an imaging reader. A controller decodes the symbol by processing the return light, and controls the light emitted from the same light source to generate a visible indication signifying a successful decoding of the symbol on a surface bearing the symbol within a line of sight of an operator. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110108628 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ILLUMINATION PATTERNS FROM BARCODE READERS - A method and apparatus for projecting illumination patterns from barcode readers. The apparatus includes a housing, an invisible illumination light source, and a visible illumination light source. The housing comprises a first window located in a generally horizontal plane and a second window located in a generally upright plane that intersects the generally horizontal plane. The invisible illumination light source is operative to project an invisible illumination pattern that is at least partially incident upon the first window or the second window after the invisible illumination pattern is projected out of the housing. The visible illumination light source operative to project a visible illumination pattern out of the housing, and the visible illumination pattern has a visible center ray propagating in a direction different from the invisible center ray of the invisible illumination pattern. | 05-12-2011 |
| 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 |
