Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080290169 | COMPACT AUTOFOCUS BAR CODE READER WITH MOVING MIRROR - The disclosed bar code reader includes an auto-focusing component for rapidly producing in focus images. An imaging system makes use of an aiming pattern that impinges upon the coded indicia of a target. The imaging system includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The imaging system also includes a movable mirror mounted for movement along a path of travel to reflect light passing through the focusing lens onto the pixel array. A drive motor moves the mirror relative the lens to adjust a focus of an image of the object formed at the pixel array. An automatic focusing component of the imaging system analyzes the aiming pattern reflected from the target object and projected onto the pixel array by the lens. The automatic focusing component issues commands to the drive motor causing the mirror to move along its path of travel to a suitable position for properly focusing the target object onto the pixel array. | 11-27-2008 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20090084853 | Method and System for Optimizing System Settings of a Laser Scanner Control System - A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089691 | Device and Method for Tagging Connecting Components - A method tags connecting components. The method comprises capturing an image of a plurality of grid sections. The image of each of the grid sections includes at least one connector disposed therein. The at least one connector has a first end in a first one of the grid sections and a second end in a second one of the grid sections. The method comprises displaying a first virtual identifier in the image of the first grid section for the first end of the connector. The method comprises displaying a second virtual identifier in the image of the second grid section for the second end of the connector. | 04-02-2009 |
20090108070 | Enhanced monitoring of laser output power in electro-optical readers - Laser power monitoring arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of operating conditions not conforming to preestablished standards. An auxiliary light detector independently monitors the output power of a laser beam, and directly receives a portion of the laser beam reflected from an optical assembly operative for optically modifying the laser beam. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109534 | Multi-Segmented Aiming Diffractive Optical Elements - A system having a light source generating a light beam, a collimating lens collimating the light beam into a collimated light beam and a pattern generating element comprising a diffractive optical element portion and a refractive optical element portion, the pattern generating element creating a target pattern from the collimated light beam incident on the pattern generating element. | 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 |
20100065641 | SYSTEM FOR INCREASING IMAGING QUALITY - A method and apparatus for improving the image quality obtained by an imaging-based scanner comprising a housing supporting one or more protective windows. The apparatus further comprises at least one scanning arrangement, the scanning arrangement comprising illumination and imaging optics. The illumination and imaging optics form a respective field of view for imaging a target object. A light baffle is attached to the scanning arrangement. The light baffle has an aperture corresponding to each of the illumination and imaging optics such that stray light reflected from the protective windows is absorbed by the light baffle, improving the image quality of the imaging-based scanner. | 03-18-2010 |
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 |
20100078481 | Imaging reader and method with enhanced aiming pattern detection - An image capture system for, and a method of, reading an optical code during a reading mode, comprise an aiming assembly including a laser for emitting a laser beam having a variable intensity, and for generating an aiming pattern from the laser beam during an aiming mode prior to the reading mode, and an imager for detecting and capturing an image of the aiming pattern and the code over a field of view by exposure over an exposure time period during the aiming mode, and for detecting and capturing an image of the code over the field of view during the reading mode. A controller is operative for controlling the intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode by increasing the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period to enhance detection and capture of the aiming pattern by the imager, and by decreasing the intensity of the laser beam frame outside the exposure time period for user safety. | 04-01-2010 |
20100096459 | Electro-optical reader with extended working range - A reader for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a symbol in a range of working distances include a housing, a data capture assembly supported by the housing for directing light at a variable power level at the symbol in a plurality of successive scans, and for detecting return light from the symbol, and a controller for controlling the data capture assembly by increasing the power level of the light during at least one of the successive scans to enable detection of the symbol located at an increased working distance from the reader, and by decreasing the power level of the light during at least another of the successive scans to maintain an output power level within safety limits. Preferably, the increased power level alternates with the decreased power level during successive scans. | 04-22-2010 |
20100155485 | TWO POSITION ZOOM LENS ASSEMBLY FOR AN IMAGING-BASED BAR CODE READER - An imaging-based bar code reader including: an imaging system for imaging a target bar code within a field of view of the imaging system and projecting light from the field of view onto a sensor array, the imaging system generating image frames of the field of view of the imaging system; the imaging systems including an imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens and a selection drive mechanism to select between a first optical zoom position defining a first focal length and a first field of view for imaging a target bar code at a close range and a second optical zoom position defining a second focal length and a second field of view for imaging a target bar code at a far range, the second focal length being greater than the first focal length. | 06-24-2010 |
20100213258 | Arrangement for and method of generating uniform distributed line pattern for imaging reader - A module and an arrangement for, as well as a method of, generating a generally uniform distributed line pattern of light on a symbol to be read by image capture, include a light source for generating light along an optical axis in a distribution having different extents along intersecting directions generally perpendicular to the axis, and an optical component for receiving, and for optically modifying, the light from the light source to generate the gene rally uniform distributed line pattern of light on the symbol. The optical component includes a plurality of compound conic elements spaced apart from one another along one of the directions. Each compound conic element has a pair of conic segments for modifying the light along the one direction. A collimating lens modifies the light along the other of the directions. A solid-state imager has an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the symbol over a field of view having different extents along the intersecting directions. | 08-26-2010 |
20100301121 | SPECKLE NOISE REDUCING FOR LASER BASED BARCODE READERS - A method and apparatus for reducing speckle noise in laser based barcode readers. The apparatus includes a semiconductor laser diode for producing a laser beam. The apparatus also includes electronic circuitry operative to alternate the current passing through the semiconductor laser diode between a current above the threshold current and a current below the threshold current. The current passing through the semiconductor laser diode is alternated with a sufficiently high transition rate for reducing the coherence length of the laser beam. | 12-02-2010 |
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 |
20130128084 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF IMAGING TARGETS WITH WIDE ANGLE, ATHERMALIZED, ACHROMATIC, HYBRID IMAGING LENS ASSEMBLY - A wide angle, athermalized, achromatic, hybrid imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target over a field of view, and projects the captured return light onto an array of image sensors of a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. The assembly includes a plastic lens group for optical aberration compensation, a glass lens group spaced away from the plastic lens group along an optical axis, and an aperture stop between the lens groups and having an aperture through which the optical axis extends. The glass lens group has substantially all the optical power of the imaging lens assembly for thermal stability, and the plastic lens group has substantially no optical power. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in front of the array. | 05-23-2013 |
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 |
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 |
20140126594 | KILLSWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR AND METHOD OF REGULATING LASER OUTPUT POWER IN ELECTRO-OPTICAL READERS - Output power of a laser beam emitted by a laser in an electro-optical reader is regulated by storing a killswitch byte in non-volatile memory, and by checking whether the killswitch byte is in a default state or a kill state prior to performing reading. A controller detects a fault condition and responsively changes the killswitch byte to the kill state, in order to permanently deenergize the laser and to maintain the laser permanently deenergized after the killswitch byte has been changed to the kill state. | 05-08-2014 |
20140332592 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING SYSTEM SETTINGS OF A LASER SCANNER CONTROL SYSTEM - A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate. | 11-13-2014 |
20140346230 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF IMAGING TARGETS WITH A HYBRID IMAGING LENS ASSEMBLY - An imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target, and projects the captured light onto a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. One plastic lens and one glass lens, together having a relatively low negative optical power, are situated at one side of an aperture stop. Another plastic lens and another glass lens, together having a relatively high positive optical power, are situated at the opposite side of the aperture stop. An aperture extends along an optical axis through the opposite sides. Each plastic lens is configured with opposite aspheric nearly concentric surfaces to widen and flatten the field of view of the imager, and to reduce sensitivity to manufacturing and assembly tolerances. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in spaced relation along the optical axis relative to the imager. | 11-27-2014 |