Abstract: An imaging module for electro-optically imaging a target, includes an energizable illuminating light source for illuminating the target with illumination light for return from the target, an energizable solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target, and a controller for energizing the imager during an exposure time period to capture the return light at a frame rate, for deenergizing the imager during a non-exposed time period, and for energizing the illuminating light source not only during the exposure time period, but also during the non-exposed time period, to produce a plurality of illumination light pulses at an illumination rate that enables the human eye to perceive the illumination light pulses as substantially continuous. The illumination rate of one or more of the illumination light pulses produced during the non-exposed time period is substantially independent and decoupled from the frame rate.

Abstract: Visibility of a scan laser light pattern or an aiming laser light pattern on a symbol to be read by a hand-held, electro-optical reader is enhanced by directing laser light having a laser wavelength in the laser light pattern to the symbol, configuring an optical element to be transmissive to the laser light of the same laser wavelength, supporting the optical element by the reader, moving the optical element from a stored position to a deployed position, and viewing the laser light pattern on the symbol through the optical element in the deployed position.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A checkout system employs a bi-optical workstation having dual windows and a main reader for electro-optically reading indicia on products to be processed at the workstation through at least one of the windows. The workstation is supported by a countertop and has a raised housing extending upwardly away from the countertop. An auxiliary cordless reader is used for electro-optically reading the indicia in a handheld mode when the main reader is not operated. A cradle bounds a compartment in which the auxiliary cordless reader is removably received when not in the handheld mode. The cradle is supported by the raised housing above and remote from, and out of direct contact with, the countertop to form a zero-footprint therewith.

Abstract: Targets associated with transactions to be processed at a workstation are read by capturing return light from the targets with an array of light sensors of a solid-state imager having a field of view that extends through a workstation window to the targets. A controller controls the imager to operate at a frame rate to acquire images of the targets over successive frames in either a batch mode or a free-running mode. A memory stores the acquired images. The controller processes all of the stored images, and processes at least one of the stored images over an extended time period greater than one of the frames.

Abstract: Targets associated with transactions to be processed at a workstation are read by capturing return light from the targets with an array of light sensors of a solid-state imager having a field of view that extends through a workstation window to the targets. A controller controls the imager to operate at a frame rate to acquire images of the targets over successive frames in either a batch mode or a free-running mode. A memory stores the acquired images. The controller processes all of the stored images, and processes at least one of the stored images over an extended time period greater than one of the frames.

Abstract: An imaging module for electro-optically imaging a target, includes an energizable illuminating light source for illuminating the target with illumination light for return from the target, an energizable solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target, and a controller for energizing the imager during an exposure time period to capture the return light at a frame rate, for deenergizing the imager during a non-exposed time period, and for energizing the illuminating light source not only during the exposure time period, but also during the non-exposed time period, to produce a plurality of illumination light pulses at an illumination rate that enables the human eye to perceive the illumination light pulses as substantially continuous. The illumination rate of one or more of the illumination light pulses produced during the non-exposed time period is substantially independent and decoupled from the frame rate.

Abstract: A cordless reader electro-optically reads indicia on products to be processed in a checkout system in a handheld mode. A base station has a compartment in which the cordless reader is mounted in a hands-free mode. A transceiver communicates data between the cordless reader and the base station. A controller controls operation of the cordless reader and the base station, and also determines the mode of the cordless reader. An alarm generates an advisory alert to advise a return of the cordless reader to the compartment when the controller determines that the cordless reader is in the handheld mode and the cordless reader or the base station does not satisfy an operational condition.

Abstract: Visibility of a scan laser light pattern or an aiming laser light pattern on a symbol to be read by a hand-held, electro-optical reader is enhanced by directing laser light having a laser wavelength in the laser light pattern to the symbol, configuring an optical element to be transmissive to the laser light of the same laser wavelength, supporting the optical element by the reader, moving the optical element from a stored position to a deployed position, and viewing the laser light pattern on the symbol through the optical element in the deployed position.

Abstract: A checkout system employs a bi-optical workstation having dual windows and a main reader for electro-optically reading indicia on products to be processed at the workstation through at least one of the windows. The workstation is supported by a countertop and has a raised housing extending upwardly away from the countertop. An auxiliary cordless reader is used for electro-optically reading the indicia in a handheld mode when the main reader is not operated. A cradle bounds a compartment in which the auxiliary cordless reader is removably received when not in the handheld mode. The cradle is supported by the raised housing above and remote from, and out of direct contact with, the countertop to form a zero-footprint therewith.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A current data capture system has a set of configuration parameters operative for enabling the current data capture system to capture transaction data. A configuration host is operative for pulling the set of configuration parameters from the current data capture system, and for pushing a pulled set of configuration parameters to at least one additional data capture system to enable the at least one additional data capture system to capture the transaction data.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, enhancing performance of an imaging reader for imaging symbols to be read, includes a solid-state imager supported by the reader and having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from a symbol as pixel data over a two-dimensional field of view, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operatively connected to the imager for receiving the pixel data, and a controller operatively connected to the ASIC for mapping the ASIC with at least one virtual scan line, and preferably a plurality of virtual scan lines, each extending over the field of view in an omnidirectional scan pattern. The ASIC is operative for storing the pixel data received by the ASIC that lies on each virtual scan line as stored pixel data. The controller is operative for decoding the stored pixel data on each virtual scan line.

Abstract: A docking station supports a portable electro-optical reader, such as a moving laser beam reader or an imaging reader. The docking station includes a universal serial bus (USB) socket interface supported by the docking station, and a USB extension cable connected to the USB socket interface. The USB cable extends away from the docking station and terminates in a USB plug interface. A radio frequency (RF) peripheral is inserted into the USB socket interface, for wireless RF communication with the reader when the reader is not supported on the docking station. The USB cable is connected to power contacts on the docking station for mating with charging contacts connected to a rechargeable battery in the reader to charge the battery when the reader is supported by the docking station.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.