Reader Processing Circuitry Patents (Class 235/462.25)
  • Patent number: 8251292
    Abstract: A processing method of detecting a barcode from an original image includes: an edge processing process, a barcode positioning process and a projection modification process. The edge processing process is for converting an original image into a binarized input image. The barcode positioning process is for deriving position information of the barcode, and includes: deriving a plurality of luminance groups according to luminance values of all pixels of the input image; utilizing a determining circuit to determine whether each luminance group complies with an identification bar and to derive position information of the identification bars; and deriving position information of the barcode according to the position information of the identification bars. The projection modification process converts the original image into a modified image according to the position information of the barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8245937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating an optimized exposure time for an imaging-based barcode scanner. The method includes (1) determining a SNR decodability function that enables a decodability value be determined from a signal-to-noise ratio; (2) determining a blur decodability function that enables a decodability value be determined from a blur value; (3) measuring a blur and a signal-to-noise ratio for an image captured with a first exposure time; and (4) determining an optimized exposure time based on the measured blur, the measured signal-to-noise ratio, and a combined decodability function that depends upon both the SNR decodability function and the blur decodability function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Adithya Krishnamurthy, Miroslav Trajkovic
  • Patent number: 8247018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for quality control of surface coated objects used independently or in conjunction with product authentication; methods for assuring proper product handling; methods for assuring that product contents' match product's label, comprising the use of microparticulate taggants having different detectable physical properties, wherein each combination of properties is used as an encoding bit to create codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Authentiform Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Mercolino
  • Patent number: 8240571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a barcode image recognition system and associated method for hand-held device including an image processing module and a barcode recognition module for recognizing characters corresponding to a one-dimensional barcode image. The image processing module converts an image to a gray level distribution of the image or, to a black-and-white image, and retrieves a barcode region containing the one-dimensional barcode from the image. The barcode recognition module segments the barcode region into a plurality of code regions and identifies each of the characters corresponding to each of the barcode regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Chieh Wu, Chun Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8226007
    Abstract: A method for reading and using partial data from a portable data carrier includes reading data from a portable data carrier, determining if any data is missing, and if any data is missing, restructuring the data for use, such as for running an audio decoder and expander. A method for writing data to a portable data carrier having limited capacity includes receiving a data file and optimizing at least one encoding parameter to fit at least a portion of the data file into the portable data carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LTT, Ltd
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Berkun
  • Publication number: 20120181329
    Abstract: A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Max Stephen Gratton, David S. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8215555
    Abstract: There is provided a barcode data management device including: a conversion unit that converts print data including barcode data into electronic format data for viewing; an extraction unit that extracts barcode data included in the print data, the barcode data including a start position, a range, a type and actual encoded data from the barcode image rendered into a viewable state; and an attachment unit that attaches the barcode data extracted by the extraction unit to a non-viewing region provided in the electronic format data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichirou Hotokeishi
  • Patent number: 8215557
    Abstract: A low profile, color-based counting system. A housing has a light source, such as a matrix of LEDs, preferably disposed in the housing for generating electromagnetic radiation upwardly. A removable, translucent tray is disposed above the light source. A second light source can be added above the tray, directing light downwardly thereto. A color camera is mounted on the housing and above the removable translucent tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Innovation Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Reno, Doyle M. Jensen, Joseph H. Boyer, William Bennett, James G. McGonigal, Mark D. Jones, Todd E. Bower, Alecia K. Lashier, Fletcher Chapin, Jr., Yan L. Liang, John P. Boyer
  • Patent number: 8196837
    Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 8196833
    Abstract: A management system utilizes compact, reliable, adaptable, and cost effective article identifying synthetic barcode modules, which obviate printed barcodes. The modules are programmable, detect the presence of a conventional laser barcode scanner and communicate information optically in a form readable by a detected conventional laser barcode scanner. The system is compatible with network communication, allowing real-time monitoring and updating. Additionally, the system optionally includes radio frequency identification capability. An exemplary synthetic barcode module employs a single LED as a photodiode to sense the presence of a barcode scanner and as a light source to emit light that emulates light reflected from a scanned barcode. The LED enables bidirectional half-duplex optical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Randy McGill, Percy F. Shadwell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8196836
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first detecting unit and a second detecting unit. The first detecting unit detects a leading end portion of an information image based on a first criterion and a ratio of a width of a certain white image area in the information image to a width of a black image area being detected prior to the certain white image area. The second detecting unit takes one of the black image areas and white image areas as an image area of interest and detects a portion, other than the leading end portion, of the information image based on a second criterion and at least one of ratios of a width of the image area of interest to widths of black and white image areas being detected prior to the image area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoko Usuba
  • Patent number: 8186597
    Abstract: An indicia reading system including: a hand held indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia; a cradle having a first magnetic attachment device disposed in the cradle arm for removably holding the indicia reader; a second attachment device disposed on the indicia reader to removably attach the indicia reader to the first magnetic attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Donna M. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8162223
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for decoding a bar code. Decoding the bar code includes segmenting the bar code into black tokens, white tokens and gray boundary pixels. Decoding the bar code also includes calculating a boundary position of each token with sub-pixel positional accuracy using intensity values of pixels in a boundary region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Jia Li, Seungsik Kwak, Mikhail Brusnitsyn
  • Patent number: 8162225
    Abstract: There is described a data collection device that can incorporate an encoded information reading unit that can operate within a system including an access point that is wireline connected to a server. The encoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar code reading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card reading unit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamic access module. The dynamic access communication module enables the data collection device to participate in a self organized network that supports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collection devices and which further enables the device to transmit data received from a peer device to the system access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120085821
    Abstract: A barcode evaluation method for receiving an input image, performing an evaluation along a scanning direction upon the input image, and generating a barcode evaluation data includes: deriving at least one first luminance group in the input image according to a luminance threshold; documenting a plurality of characteristic values corresponding to the at least one luminance group, respectively; referring to a plurality of characteristic values of at least one specific first luminance group within the first luminance group to determine a distribution direction, and determining whether the specific first luminance group belongs to a barcode; and utilizing a processing element to generate the barcode evaluation data according to the input image, the distribution direction and the scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Ting-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8141781
    Abstract: A laser light beam scanning device for reading coded information includes an emission source of a laser light beam, an optical element for scanning the laser light beam on a support containing coded information, an optical element for collecting the light coming from the support and photodetector means sensitive to the light collected by the collecting optical element so as to generate a representative signal of the information contained in the support. The collecting optical element is spatially distinct from, and integrally oscillating with, the scanning optical element and includes at least one transmissive input surface of the light coming from the support. In particular, the scanning optical element and the collecting optical element are part of a single scanning and light collecting optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Group S.r.l.
    Inventors: Guido Maurizio Oliva, Donato Vincenzi, Paolo Quattrini
  • Patent number: 8141784
    Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, an encoded information reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communication interface. The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. The EIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message data containing an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The wireless communication interface can comprise a radio frequency front end configured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/or transmitting a second radio signal. The radio frequency front end can be electrically coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which can be electrically coupled to the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) which can be electrically coupled to the system bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Huyu Qu, James T. Sauerwein
  • Publication number: 20120067960
    Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LUMIDIGM, INC.
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20120067959
    Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LUMIDIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Alex Litz, Ryan Martin
  • Patent number: 8140036
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus having a plurality of antennas for short range wireless communication, cooperating with a detected terminal apparatus when each of the antennas detects the terminal apparatus as a counter communication party, and performing a process associated in advance with the antenna that detects the terminal apparatus, including a scanner, wherein if a first antenna among the antennas detects a first terminal apparatus, the image data read by the scanner is transmitted to the first terminal apparatus through the first antenna so as to be stored in the first terminal apparatus, wherein the scanner includes: a platen; a carriage in which a scanner head is provided, wherein a first antenna among the antennas is provided to the carriage, and wherein, every time when the second antenna is moved together with the carriage to sequentially detect the terminal apparatuses mounted on the platen, the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatuses cooperate with each ot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Minami
  • Patent number: 8134621
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a rolling-reset imager that forms an electronic image of an object, a light source illuminating the object with pulsed light, and a bandpass optical filter disposed between the object and the rolling-reset imager. The pulsed light has an illumination frequency spectrum and an illumination pulse width defining an effective exposure time for forming the image of the object. The bandpass optical filter has a frequency pass band permitting transmission of a significant portion of the illumination frequency spectrum while at least approximately inhibiting transmission of at least some light having frequencies outside the illumination frequency band. An imaging method illuminates an object with light in a given frequency range, so that the illumination light reflects from the object along with background light. The method filters the reflected light so as to attenuate at least some of the background light by a greater attenuation factor than the illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Olmstead, Alan Shearin
  • Publication number: 20120048937
    Abstract: Barcode detection method and systems are typically configured for reading each barcode individually. However, it is often advantageous to read a plurality of barcodes (or a batch of barcodes) in a single scanning operation. Provided is a barcode detection method and system which is capable of scanning an area including one or more barcodes, detecting and decoding the barcodes in the scanned area and generating a batch of barcodes all in a single scanning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: METAFORM LTD.
    Inventor: Ronen Dahari
  • Publication number: 20120054048
    Abstract: A bar code reading terminal includes a cordless optical reader. The optical reader includes a microprocessor, a scan engine coupled to the microprocessor, a hand held housing supporting the scan engine, program memory coupled to the microprocessor, a decode processor circuit coupled to the microprocessor, and a short-cycle energy storage device coupled to the microprocessor. The energy storage device has high power density and low energy density. In one embodiment, the short-cycle energy storage device comprises a power density greater than 1 kW/kg. The bar code reading terminal further includes a base unit having a housing that includes a socket for receiving the hand held housing. The socket has a connector to facilitate transfer of bar code data messages from the hand held optical reader to the base unit. The connector also transfer powers from the base unit to the short-cycle energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Richardson
  • Publication number: 20120048938
    Abstract: A data capture device is described. The data capture device includes an imager simultaneously capturing a barcode and an image associated with the barcode. A memory is coupled to the imager for storing the barcode and the image. A processor is coupled to the memory for decoding the barcode and processing the image. A notification system notifies a user that the image is being processed prior to the processor completing the processing of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Duanfeng HE
  • Publication number: 20120048939
    Abstract: An exemplary method of operating a hand held optical indicia reader includes: capturing in a setup mode a plurality of images of setup symbologies; displaying symbology representations of the symbologies on a graphic user interface (GUI); sorting at least two of the symbology images into a sequencing order utilizing the GUI; storing the sequencing order; capturing in a use mode an image of a target having at least one use symbologies provided thereon, the at least one use symbologies correlating with at least one of the setup symbologies; decoding at least two of the use symbologies; and, outputting the decoded use symbologies in the sequencing order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Fiutak, Thomas Bianconi
  • Publication number: 20120043384
    Abstract: Techniques for decoding a multi-modal barcode are provided. The techniques include scanning a multi-modal barcode into a grayscale image, applying a threshold to quantize the grayscale image into a monochrome image, passing the monochrome image to 1D barcode recovery to reconstruct a primary barcode, applying a horizontally-oriented edge detector to the grayscale image to quantize grayscale into monochrome, passing the monochrome image to a 1D barcode recovery process to reconstruct a secondary barcode to decode the multi-modal barcode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Peter Kuyper-Hammond, Michael Charles Osborne, Tamas Visegrady
  • Publication number: 20120037705
    Abstract: A system includes a time of flight (TOF) camera or similar device, a processor coupled to the TOF camera, and a sensor. The processor receives TOF data from the sensor. The TOF data is related to an object within range of the TOF device. The processor calculates dimensions of the object using the time of flight data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Ibrahim Mohideen, Isaac Cohen
  • Patent number: 8107108
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing user feedback for image translation operations in a handheld device are described herein. Progress of the image translation may be displayed to the user of the device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick A. McKinley, James D. Bledsoe, Asher Simmons
  • Publication number: 20120012656
    Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment an indicia reading apparatus having an integrated circuit that includes an image sensor array. The integrated circuit can output a pixel value output to represent an average of light incident on an adjacent set of pixels of the image sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL SCANNING AND MOBILITY
    Inventor: Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120012657
    Abstract: A method for decoding information from a physical image having a plurality of payload patches includes generating a digital representation of the physical image. A plurality of regions are mapped to the plurality of payload patches in the digital representation. A scramble pattern is identified and the plurality of mapped regions of the digital representation are reordered according to the identified scramble pattern. Information is decoded from the payload patches of the reordered plurality of mapped regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Guy Adams
  • Patent number: 8096473
    Abstract: An optical reader comprises a housing, at least one light source inside the housing and an image sensor whose terminus is inside the housing. The housing has a longitudinal axis and a disc-receiving portion for receiving an optical disc so that the optical disc is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The at least one light source is positioned on the longitudinal axis to illuminate the identification code on the optical disc and be reflected therefrom. The terminus of the image sensor is also positioned on the longitudinal axis, further from the disc-receiving portion than the at least one light source, and oriented to capture the identification code within its field of view. The image sensor and the at least one light source are cooperatively configured so that the terminus of the image sensor receives light reflected from the identification code and thereby readably detects the identification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Xiris Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Chpakovski
  • Patent number: 8091789
    Abstract: A barcode imaging apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and an image acquisition device. The acquisition device is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source of electromagnetic radiation. In use, a bar code to be read is illuminated by the source of electromagnetic radiation and an image of the barcode is captured by the image acquisition device at the wavelength of that radiation. The source of electromagnetic radiation includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Current Source, a Driver for the current source, a Clock Pulse Generator, and a Monostable. The LED is powered by the Current source which is in turn driven by the Driver which is controlled by the Clock Pulse Generator through the Monostable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Grant McNicoll
  • Patent number: 8087590
    Abstract: There is described an indicia reading terminal that can be operative to capture a succession of frames of image data and that can be operative so that a certain frame of the succession of frames is subject to quality evaluation processing where a result of the quality evaluation processing is responsive to one or more of an incidence and sharpness of edge representations of the frame of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Shulan Deng
  • Publication number: 20110315772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using in an imaging scanner. The apparatus includes a solid-state imager, an imaging lens assembly comprising a base lens and a MEMS lens, and an electric circuitry operative to transfer the image captured by the solid-state imager to a decoding circuitry. The imaging lens assembly is configured to focus light reflected from the target object onto the array of photosensitive elements in the solid-state imager by passing the light reflected from the target object through the base lens followed by the MEMS lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Shi
  • Patent number: 8083146
    Abstract: An optical code reading system includes an imaging engine having an illuminating assembly for illuminating a potential target area; an imaging assembly including an imaging sensor for acquiring a native image of a potential target area; and circuitry for converting the native image of a potential target area to a data signal and outputting the data signal. The data signal includes potential target area data indicative of low and high resolution representations of the native image; and at least one processor that includes means for receiving the data signal and separating the potential target area data included within the data signal into at least first and second groups of pixels indicative of the low and high resolution representations. The processor may also receive intermediate resolution representations. A corresponding imaging engine and processors capable of implementing the method of separating the high, low and intermediate resolution representations are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Carlson, Eugene Joseph
  • Publication number: 20110309138
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a barcode image recognition system and associated method for hand-held device including an image processing module and a barcode recognition module for recognizing characters corresponding to a one-dimensional barcode image. The image processing module converts an image to a gray level distribution of the image or, to a black-and-white image, and retrieves a barcode region containing the one-dimensional barcode from the image. The barcode recognition module segments the barcode region into a plurality of code regions and identifies each of the characters corresponding to each of the barcode regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Yu Chieh Wu, Chun Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20110309150
    Abstract: Operating an indicia reader configured for hand held operation by a user is performed by controlling the indicia reader according to a plurality of configuration setting to: scan information bearing indicia (IBI); provide output scan signals representative of the IBI; attempt to decode IBIs from the output scan signals; tracking a plurality of decoding attempts and the at least one configuration setting used during the decoding attempts; and changing at least one of the plurality of configuration settings in response to the tracking without user intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Jovanovski, Daniel Van Volkinburg, Alexey Chernyakov
  • Patent number: 8074887
    Abstract: The invention in one embodiment is an optical reader having a plurality of imaging modules. In one method for operating a multiple imaging module reader of the invention, a second frame of image data captured via actuation of a second imaging module is automatically captured and subjected to decoding in the case an attempt to decode using a frame of image data captured via actuation of a first imaging module fails. In another embodiment, a frame of image data captured via actuation of an image sensor of a first module and actuation of illumination of a second imaging module is subjected to decoding. In another embodiment, frames of image data captured via actuation of image sensors of spaced apart modules are combined. The various modules of a multiple imaging module reader can be adapted to have different best focus positions so that a field depth of the reader is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Charles P. Barber, Colleen Gannon, Robert C. Gardiner, Robert J. Hennick, John A. Pettinelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110297748
    Abstract: A method for optical recording of a linear barcode pattern and determination of a symbol sequence as defined by the barcode pattern from a blurred raw image and includes the following steps: taking a raw image of the barcode pattern, preprocessing the raw image to generate a series of output patterns, comparing the output pattern with stored reference patterns, wherein the reference patterns correspond to blurred images of sharp nominal patterns and each reference pattern is provided with at least one symbol, determining for each of the output patterns the reference pattern which most closely resembles the output pattern outputting, transmitting or storing the symbols corresponding to the determined reference pattern and following the sequence of output patterns, as a symbol sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ETH ZURICH
    Inventor: Robert Adelmann
  • Publication number: 20110290883
    Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system supporting a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The digital image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20110290884
    Abstract: An exemplary bar code decoding unit includes an interface unit. The bar code image is input into the bar code decoding unit via the interface unit, and the bar code decoding unit decodes the bar code image and outputs decoded information via its interface unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIAN NEWLAND COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiang Cai, Jianhua Lin, Jun Wu, Chunshui Cai, Feng Liu, Yijin Zhang, Xiaodan Cai, Zhiyu Wu, Minghui Wu, Yongchang Chen
  • Patent number: 8056806
    Abstract: An optoelectronic reader for reading machine-readable symbol such as barcode symbols employs a detection subsystem having an RX concentrator. The detection subsystem may include an N-tuple RX concentrator. The RX concentrator may define an optical path for light to illuminate the machine-readable symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Alain Gillet, Jean-Louis Massieu
  • Patent number: 8056809
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Goren, Edward Barkan, Igor Vinogradov
  • Patent number: 8054093
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor threshold circuit that makes available a hysteresis width that is not dependent on the change in a threshold point. Since a bias current IB is generated by a threshold current IT and a threshold adjusting current ICONT, the threshold point is given by a coefficient A and a coefficient K and the hysteresis width |BH| is given by the coefficient K. Accordingly, when the coefficient K is determined, the hysteresis width |BH| is not dependent on the coefficient A and keeps a constant value. In addition, since the coefficient A depends on the resistance ratio, the threshold point is variable by changing a single resistor. Further, when the coefficient K is determined, the hysteresis width |BH| is also determined to be a single value with no variations in its value, no changes according to temperature, and no changes over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventor: Sayaka Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8047440
    Abstract: Described is a method and system for obtaining a digitized representation of a bar code, estimating a set of parameters from the digitized representation and acquiring a waveform representation of the bar code based on at least one parameter in the set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dariusz Madej
  • Patent number: 8038065
    Abstract: An encode information reading terminal can have a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, and a wireless communication interface. The EIR can be selected from the group including a bar code reader, an RFID reader, and a card reader. The EIR can be configured to perform outputting raw message data containing an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The wireless communication interface can comprise a radio frequency front end configured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/or transmitting a second radio signal. The radio frequency front end can be electrically coupled to an analog-to-digital converter which can be electrically coupled to the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analog converter which can be electrically coupled to the system bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hand Held Products,Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Huyu Qu, James T. Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8033468
    Abstract: An image scanner apparatus, method and system to scan a bar code or other optical code using an image capture device where the blurring associated with the movement of the bar code pass the image scanner is reduced or eliminated by using differential panning of the bar code. An image of the bar code is panned or moved across the image capture device in a direction that negates at least some of the apparent movement of the bar code past the image scanner. The apparent motion of the bar code to the image capture device is reduced thus reducing the blurring of the bar code in the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Sik Piu Kwan
  • Patent number: 8028915
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Pang, Kenneth S. Bhella, Viraj Jeevan Thameera Amarasekera, Christopher Warren Brock
  • Publication number: 20110215152
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for decoding a bar code. Decoding the bar code includes segmenting the bar code into black tokens, white tokens and gray boundary pixels. Decoding the bar code also includes calculating a boundary position of each token with sub-pixel positional accuracy using intensity values of pixels in a boundary region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Jia Li, Seungsik Kwak, Mikhail Brusnitsyn
  • Patent number: RE43511
    Abstract: A device for individually processing each color component of a serial analog signal from a color scanner. The device includes a multiple-channel-image-capture circuit comprising an analog front end/digitizer having a plurality of channels operable to process an analog-color signal with one channel for each color component of the analog-color signal, a register, and an analog-to-digital converter operable to output a digital signal responsive to the analog-color signal, and a controller operable to control the color component processing by the plurality of input channels such that each color component of a serial analog-color signal is individually processed. Each input channel of the analog front end/digitizer may include a programmable circuit operable to modify a color component of the color signal in response to a value stored in the register related to the color component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Gene Keithley