Abstract: A portable data reader and methods of operation for reading encoded data, such as optical code labels and RFID tags, from an object. The data reader includes a housing adapted for handheld operation and a touch screen display supported on the housing. The data reader further includes one or more reading engines each associated with a set of decoding instructions for configuring the reading engines to read data from the object. The reading engines are each associated with a unique control gesture that may be applied to the touch screen display to configure the data reader with a particular reading engine. The portable data reader includes a processing subsystem communicatively coupled to the touch screen and the reading engines and operable to detect whether a control gesture has been applied to the touch screen display or rocker keys and then to configure the data reader with the selected reading engine.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles to provide robust optical character recognition (OCR) for use in industrial environments. One or more implementations include utilizing Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features with a sliding window approach as a robust and computationally efficient method of OCR. The implementations are relatively simple to use because there are relatively few parameters to adjust, which allows a non-expert user to setup or modify the system and achieve desirable performance. One reason this is possible is because the implementations described herein do not require character segmentation, which can be difficult to optimize.

Abstract: An automated checkout system and method including a conveyor system that automatically transports objects along an item path through a read zone of a data reader (such as a portal data reader, tunnel scanner or other type of automated reader) and to an exit zone, an indicator system disposed in or along the exit zone that provides indication as to whether an item has been identified by the portal data reader. In one example, the indicator system includes lights at an indicator location that are selectively alighted a given color for the duration of the item passing the indicator location depending upon whether the reader successfully read the item (e.g., color green) or unsuccessfully read the item (e.g., color red).

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a machine-readable symbol reader positioned over a “flip-lid” type cash box. The reader may be affixed directly to the lid of the cash box or affixed to a thin cover pivotally attached to a checkout stand that opens with the lid of the cash box. The lid of the cash box or the thin cover may be level with a surrounding surface of the checkout stand. The reader may have a field of view directed away from the operator (e.g., a cashier) so that the operator may scan objects close to his or her body without requiring extended reaching, which provides an ergonomically desirable work environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A data reading system, such as for reading optical codes being passed through a read zone, including one or more imagers, and at least one illumination module, all disposed in a reader housing, the illumination module in one configuration having a reflector housing comprised of a cone-shaped structure of generally rectangular cross-section, with a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface, wherein area of the cross-section of the cone-shaped structure increasing from a rear end to a front end, and an illumination source (such as a plurality of light emitting diodes) disposed at the rear end of the reflector housing and operative to generate illumination out through the reflector housing along an outgoing illumination path, the top inner surface of the reflector housing being a surface of high reflectivity relative to the bottom inner surface of the reflector housing which has a surface of relatively low reflectivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating configuration settings, updating an OS image, and booting an alternate OS on a portable data reader including a reading engine for reading data from an object. Configuration settings of a portable data reader may be updated by detecting whether a storage device having a set of updated configuration settings stored thereon has been coupled to the portable data reader and, if so, updating one or more configuration settings on the portable data reader with one or more of the updated configuration settings from the storage device.

Abstract: A data reading system including one or more imagers and a lower main housing structure with a horizontal surface and a horizontal window, across which items to be read are passed. At least one or more of the imagers in the data reading system is a part of a top-down data reader having a generally downwardly-facing field of view projecting through a scan window and onto the horizontal surface and the horizontal window. The top-down data reader may be freely repositioned at a range of height positions and angular configurations for processing items of various dimensions. The data reading system may further include a calibration system for assisting in adjusting the field of view of the top-down data reader to ensure proper aim and focus of the top-down data reader after adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exception handling in an automated machine-readable symbol reader system having a machine-readable symbol reader that captures machine-readable symbols within a view volume. One or more image capture devices obtain a plurality of images of an exception object in response to an exception generated in the view volume. A processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine one or more descriptive measures indicative of a likelihood that an operator (e.g., store employee) will be able to identify the exception object by viewing the image. The processor displays at least one of the images (e.g., the most descriptive image) on a display device according to the descriptive measure so that an operator can rapidly identify the identity of the exception object and take steps to resolve the exception.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data reading system that includes a housing and a platter window for concealing a data reader configured to read an optical code borne by an item transported through a read zone. The read zone is defined at least in part by the platter window. The data reading system also has a platter supportable on the housing that encompasses the platter window. The platter includes a first integral feature and a second integral feature bordering opposing peripheral sides of the platter window. The first and second integral features cooperatively delineate a preferred data-reading sweep path through the read zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multiple image fields or regions on a single, two-dimensional imaging sensor array of a data reader. A single sensor array may be divided into two or more imaging regions each of which may be used to render a separate view of an overall read volume. An image-side telecentric optical system may be utilized to divide the sensor array into the two or more imaging regions. A thin, high refractive index focal element (e.g., optical glass) may be positioned over at least one of the two or more imaging regions to provide multiple focus positions using a single telecentric optical system and a single sensor array. The multiple imaging regions may be used to capture images from different regions, and/or may be used produce a longer depth of field by combining overlapping depths of field of the multiple imaging regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exception handling in an automated machine-readable symbol reader system having a machine-readable symbol reader that captures machine-readable symbols within a view volume. One or more image capture devices obtain a plurality of images of an exception object in response to an exception generated in the view volume. A processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine one or more descriptive measures indicative of a likelihood that an operator (e.g., store employee) will be able to identify the exception object by viewing the image. The processor displays at least one of the images (e.g., the most descriptive image) on a display device according to the descriptive measure so that an operator can rapidly identify the identity of the exception object and take steps to resolve the exception.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing fraud during retail checkout are described. A system includes: item identifier acquisition devices to acquire identifiers (e.g., barcodes) of items to be transacted; cameras or imagers to acquire images of the items to be transacted; an object recognition component to perform visual recognition of the acquired items through comparison of the acquired images of the items with a database and obtain identifiers of items represented in the database that correspond to an acquired image according to a correspondence criterion; a comparison component to compare a set of identifiers acquired through the item identifier acquisition devices with a set of identifiers obtained through the object recognition component; and an alerting component to provide an alert in case of discrepancies between the two sets.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods generate a sequence of images using a data reader having an imager exposed to multiple fields of view that are alternately illuminated to coincide with exposure periods forming an image capture rate. In one configuration, a first illumination source illuminates a first field of view of the data reader with a first series of illumination pulses at a first pulse repetition rate. The imager captures in an alternating manner a first set of images of the first field of view and a second set of images of a second field of view. The first pulse repetition rate and the image capture rate are set such that the imager captures the first set of images at approximately the same time as the first illumination source illuminates the first field of view with an illumination pulse.

Abstract: Light sources are contained in a data reader housing that also contains an imager. In one embodiment, one light source includes a number of LEDs placed in a number of hollow reflectors located toward the rear of a data scanner, where the hollow reflectors have substantially flat reflective surfaces to project light through a window and into a read volume. Other embodiments include additional light sources located proximate sidewalls of the data scanner and also include a number of LEDs placed in hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into the read volume. In other embodiments, additional LEDs are included outside the hollow reflectors to project light through the window and into a different portion of the read volume than the LEDs located in the hollow reflectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for improved operation of readers of optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. Certain configurations include controlling image exposure and illumination pulse timing so as to avoid or minimize the perception of flicker of the pulsed illumination by a user or bystander while implementing methods for reading optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces.

Abstract: Data reading systems and methods for operating data readers such as optical code readers and RFID readers. Certain preferred embodiments are directed to data readers having improved operation features for switching between various operation modes such as, for example, switching between handheld/portable mode and fixed mode using an on board inertial sensor such as an accelerometer or gyroscopic device capable of sensing various movements, motions, and/or orientations.

Abstract: Self checkout and automated checkout systems and methods for multiple lane checkout stations, the automated checkout lane having a conveyor system that automatically transport objects through a portal data reader, wherein an operator (such as a checkout clerk) is provided with a portable/handheld data input and display device that allows the operator to move between multiple checkout stations for handling reading exceptions at the checkout station by employing the portable device.

Abstract: A data reading system for reading encoded data, such as barcode labels or RFID tags, from an item. The data reading system includes a housing, a data reader disposed within the housing, the data reader configured to read the encoded data from the item through a scan window on the housing. A clamp secures the housing to a receiving post on a base mount, and supports rotational movement of the housing about both a first axis and a second axis. In one configuration, the clamp and receiving post each include through holes that together form a passageway to support a communication/power cable from the base mount through the passageway and into an interior portion of the housing to communicate with and/or provide power to the data reader without limiting rotational movement of the housing.