Abstract: Machine vision devices with configurable illumination and aiming pattern generation are disclosed. An example system includes a housing having a cavity; an imaging sub-assembly mounted in the cavity including: an imager configured to capture an image; an aiming light source mounted in the housing configured to generate a collimated beam of light, an illumination light source configured to generate illumination light; and interchangeable first and second cover plates configured for mounting to the housing in front of the imaging sub-assembly to form an external cover for the housing and sealably protect the imager from an environment, wherein the first and second cover plates have respective passive optical elements that modify the collimated beam of light to form respective aiming patterns, and wherein at least one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate has a third optical element that modifies the illumination light.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.

Abstract: Machine vision devices with configurable illumination and aiming pattern generation are disclosed. An example system includes a housing having a cavity; an imaging sub-assembly mounted in the cavity including: an imager configured to capture an image; an aiming light source mounted in the housing configured to generate a collimated beam of light, an illumination light source configured to generate illumination light; and interchangeable first and second cover plates configured for mounting to the housing in front of the imaging sub-assembly to form an external cover for the housing and sealably protect the imager from an environment, wherein the first and second cover plates have respective passive optical elements that modify the collimated beam of light to form respective aiming patterns, and wherein at least one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate has a third optical element that modifies the illumination light.

Abstract: Interchangeable connector panel systems for fixed mount industrial scanners are disclosed herein. An example interchangeable connector panel system for fixed mount industrial scanners includes a housing including a mounting mechanism and a coupling mechanism, an image capture assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, and a first field-interchangeable removable connector module. The image capture assembly includes an optical assembly, a decoder engine, at least one image capture assembly interface, and at least one of a central processing unit or a graphics processing unit. The first field-interchangeable removable connector module couples with the coupling mechanism of the housing and is removable by a user in-field. The first removable connector module includes at least one connector module interface and an input/output (I/O) interface having a first configuration.

Abstract: Machine vision devices with configurable illumination and aiming pattern generation are disclosed. An example system includes a housing having a cavity; an imaging sub-assembly mounted in the cavity including: an imager configured to capture an image; an aiming light source mounted in the housing configured to generate a collimated beam of light, an illumination light source configured to generate illumination light; and interchangeable first and second cover plates configured for mounting to the housing in front of the imaging sub-assembly to form an external cover for the housing and sealably protect the imager from an environment, wherein the first and second cover plates have respective passive optical elements that modify the collimated beam of light to form respective aiming patterns, and wherein at least one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate has a third optical element that modifies the illumination light.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.

Abstract: Systems for adjusting power outputs of isolated electronic devices are described. A first connector including an external power pin and a field power pin connects an electronic device to a power supply. The first connector receives a first current level from the power supply at the external power pin, and a second current level from the power supply at the field power pin. A jumper block is configurable in a first position which electrically isolates the external power pin from the field power pin, and a second position which electrically couples the external power pin to the field power pin. The first position directs the first current level from the external power pin to a second connector, and the second position directs a combination of the first current level and the second current level from the external power pin and the field power pin to the second connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.

Abstract: Systems for adjusting power outputs of isolated electronic devices are described. A first connector including an external power pin and a field power pin connects an electronic device to a power supply. The first connector receives a first current level from the power supply at the external power pin, and a second current level from the power supply at the field power pin. A jumper block is configurable in a first position which electrically isolates the external power pin from the field power pin, and a second position which electrically couples the external power pin to the field power pin. The first position directs the first current level from the external power pin to a second connector, and the second position directs a combination of the first current level and the second current level from the external power pin and the field power pin to the second connector.

Abstract: A multi-plane imager device, such as a bi-optic barcode scanner, includes a color imager for generating color image data on a scanned object and a decode image for decoding an indicia on the object. Upon a decode event, the multi-plane imager, identifies one or more images corresponding to that decode event and sends those images for storage in an training image set for training a neural network. In some examples, imaging characteristics are used to identify only a portion of the images, so that only those portions are stored in the training image set. Example imaging characteristics include the Field of View(s) of the imager.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode and RFID tag reader that includes a head portion housing an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly configured to capture images of an environment appearing with a FOV extending through a window; a base portion housing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the head portion and the base portion. Preferably, the RFID tag reader assembly includes a chassis having a face directed towards the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially contoured around the face of the chassis where the antenna assembly includes: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching an optical imaging reader between a hands-free mode and a handheld mode using two or more tactile sensors, both of which are actuated by cutaneous contact in order to switch from the hands-free mode to the handheld mode, and which switches from the handheld mode to the hands-free mode if one of the tactile sensors is no longer actuated by cutaneous contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching an optical imaging reader between a hands-free mode and a handheld mode using two or more tactile sensors, both of which are actuated by cutaneous contact in order to switch from the hands-free mode to the handheld mode, and which switches from the handheld mode to the hands-free mode if one of the tactile sensors is no longer actuated by cutaneous contact.

Abstract: An imaging reader for electro-optically reading a target by image capture includes a window supported by a housing, a chassis mounted in the housing and having chassis walls bounding an optical compartment, and an imaging module in the optical compartment for capturing return light from the target through the window. A component seals the optical compartment and protects the window from shock forces. The component is mounted between the window and the chassis walls bounding an opening into the optical compartment, and surrounds a periphery of the window. The component is constituted of a compressible material that is compressed between the window and the chassis walls to isolate and seal the optical compartment from the housing.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging reader includes a chassis mounted in a housing, a window spaced from a rear wall of the chassis, an imaging module for capturing return light from a target through the window over an imaging field of view, a controller for operating the reader in a standby state in which no target is read, and for processing the captured return light to read the target during a reading state, and an object sensing assembly supported by the rear chassis wall and spaced from the window. The object sensing assembly senses the presence of an object bearing the target in front of the window by detecting return sensing light from the object through the window over a sensing field of view that at least partially overlaps the imaging field of view, and triggers the controller to change from the standby state to the reading state upon such detection.

Abstract: A workstation for electro-optically reading targets in a reading field of view includes an object sensing system that senses an object entering the workstation by directing object sensing light through a window at the object, and detecting return object sensing light returned from the object along an object detection path through the window over an object detection field of view of an object light sensor. A portion of the object sensing light incident on the window is reflected therefrom into the object detection field of view as a virtual hot spot that degrades object sensor performance. An optical element, e.g., an aperture stop, in the object detection path optically modifies the object detection field of view to prevent the virtual hot spot from being detected by the object light sensor.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging reader includes a chassis mounted in a housing, a window spaced from a rear wall of the chassis, an imaging module for capturing return light from a target through the window over an imaging field of view, a controller for operating the reader in a standby state in which no target is read, and for processing the captured return light to read the target during a reading state, and an object sensing assembly supported by the rear chassis wall and spaced from the window. The object sensing assembly senses the presence of an object bearing the target in front of the window by detecting return sensing light from the object through the window over a sensing field of view that at least partially overlaps the imaging field of view, and triggers the controller to change from the standby state to the reading state upon such detection.