Patents Assigned to Datalogic S.p.A.
-
Patent number: 6631846Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reading an optical code. The apparatus having a casing with a reading window; the casing having an illuminator acting through the reading window on an optical code to be read, a detector responsive to light scattered from the illuminated optical code into the casing through the reading window, and an objective lens interposed between the reading window and the detector, in a position to pick up the light scattered from the illuminated optical code and project this light onto the detector. The detector having a plurality of light-sensitive elements effective to convert the light to electric signals representing the light image. The apparatus is characterized in that the illuminator has a first array of light sources active in a first illumination configuration, and at least a second array of light sources active in at least a second illumination configuration different from the first one.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Piva, Maurizio Bianchi
-
Patent number: 6629639Abstract: A method and machine for reading and assigning optical codes to a succession of moving articles, each having at least one respective optical code, and the method including the steps of feeding the succession of articles, by a conveyor, through a read area; reading the optical codes within the read area by at least one optical reader, and determining, as each optical code is being read, the position in space of the optical code with respect to a given space reference; and assigning each optical code to the corresponding article by matching the position in space of the optical code with the position in space of the corresponding article.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Moreno Bengala
-
Patent number: 6616039Abstract: The method for automatic regulation comprises the steps of: acquiring an image; attempting reading of at least one optical code in the acquired image; detecting characteristic quantities of the acquired image only if the reading has been successful; and carrying out a large number of acquisitions of different images, obtaining a significant statistical datum of the characteristic quantities. The controlled parameters of the optical system are modified on the basis of this statistical datum detected, to optimise the reading. If the relationship between each controlled parameter and the respective characteristic quantities is not monotonic, the current valve of the controlled parameter is modified by at least one small positive deviation and one small negative deviation with respect to the current value; the value of the controlled parameter providing the best reading then becomes the central value for the successive readings.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Claudio Saporetti, Stefano Amorosi
-
Patent number: 6607131Abstract: Reading method for an optical code using a reader which comprises photoemitters, photoreceivers and a processor circuit, in which the following steps are carried out: emitting radiation toward the exterior of the reader; detecting the presence of at least one operating condition of the reader; activating a first operating mode in the absence of the operating condition of the reader; and activating a second operating mode on detection of the operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1999Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Massimo Maurizzi, Maurizio De Girolami
-
Patent number: 6527184Abstract: An optical code scanning reader comprising laser beam generating elements focused at different distances from an optical receiver element having an optical axis and a photoreceiver element having a preselected photosensitive area; the laser beams travel along a minimum of two different optical paths in the reader and at least one of the two optical paths is offset in respect to the optical axis; the value of the offset (Ho) is preselected in such a way that the quantity of light diffused by the code which reaches the photosensitive area for each beam attains a preselected value.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Guido Maurizio Oliva
-
Patent number: 6517003Abstract: An optical code reader comprises a casing (1) consisting of at least two portions (2, 3) connected together, a first portion (2) defining the main reader body and the second portion (3) defining a closure element for that part (5) of the body supporting at least the reader optical members; at least a part (10) of the said casing (1) has a coloration which depends on at least one control signal, this coloration being chosen on the basis of the type of use for which the reader is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Stefano Vassura, Rinaldo Zocca
-
Patent number: 6512575Abstract: A method and device (1) are proposed for accurately measuring in a reliable manner the distance of an object (99). The method comprises the steps of emitting a signal (such as a laser light beam), directing the signal to an object (99), detecting the signal diffused by the object (99), and comparing the detected signal with the emitted signal to obtain a comparison signal representing the distances travelled by the emitted signal and the signal diffused by the object (99) (for example, by sending modulated laser light and then measuring the phase difference between the emitted and received signals). The method of the invention is characterized by a step of setting the measuring device in order to define a reference operational configuration within the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Paolo Marchi
-
Patent number: 6512218Abstract: The device for the acquisition and automatic processing of data obtained from optical codes comprises a CMOS optical sensor; an analog processing unit connected to the optical sensor; an analog/digital conversion unit connected to the analog processing unity; a logic control unit connected to the CMOS optical sensor, the analog processing unit and the analog/digital conversion unit; and a data-processing unit connected to the logic control unit and the analog/digital conversion unit. The CMOS optical sensor and at least one of the analog processing, analog/digital conversion, logic control and data processing units are integrated in a single chip. The data processing unit processes the digital signals corresponding to the image acquired by the CMOS sensor and extracts the optically coded data.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Federico Canini, Marco Piva, Rinaldo Zocca
-
Patent number: 6478226Abstract: A coded information reader (101) including a device (1) for controlling a plurality of distinct actions, as well as a method for controlling said coded information reader (101) are described. The coded information reader (101) includes a control device (1) comprising a plurality of actuators (2, 3) arranged in sequence downstream of a driving device (4) mobile between an inactive position (A) and a plurality of positions (B, C) active, respectively, on the status of said plurality of actuators (2, 3), said actuators (2, 3) being driven by said driving device (4). Advantageously, the coded information reader (101) of the invention has small size, reliability and flexibility of use.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Federico Canini, Marco Storto
-
Publication number: 20020121551Abstract: A method of reconstructing successive scans of bar codes having a plurality of dark elements separated from light elements, comprising the steps of: performing a first scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the first scan with respect to an absolute reference position; calculating the position which the elements in the first scan will take with respect to the absolute reference position in a subsequent scan; making a second scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the second scan with respect to the absolute reference position; carrying out a correspondence search step for finding at least one reference element for the first scan and one reference element for the second scan, which have substantially the same position with respect to the absolute reference position and substantially the same width; and combining the elements in the first scan with the elements in the second scan, generating a reconstructed scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Antonio De Renzis
-
Patent number: 6443360Abstract: There are described a method and a device for focusing an analogue electrical signal representative of an optical code, which selectively emphasize the highest frequencies of the electrical signal. The emphasis is performed with linear phase, so that the relative positions of the peaks and valleys of the focused analogue electrical signal substantially remain unchanged. The focusing can comprise low-pass, high-pass and band-pass filtering. The focusing can be variable, and in particular, automatically variable.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Paolo Marchi, Marco Piva
-
Patent number: 6442180Abstract: A portable electro-optical device comprises an optical/electronic module (1), an external casing (25) designed to contain the module (1) and a supporting structure (10) arranged between the module (1) and the external casing (25); the supporting structure (10) is capable of ensuring that the module (1) is kept substantially protected from impact stresses which are due to accidental dropping during use of the device by an operator and act on the casing (25) in any direction. (FIG.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Claudio Gurrieri, Stefano Vassura
-
Patent number: 6442503Abstract: For measuring the volume, the process utilizes the same means as are used for reading an optical code, such as a laser scanner or CCD reader. A choice of different measuring procedures are proposed which suit different situations and are all based on scannings and readings performed on the object. Where required, the process can accommodate the inclination angles of the scan planes. The volume measurement is accompanied by the reading of an optical code provided on the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Moreno Bengala
-
Patent number: 6394352Abstract: A method of reconstructing successive scans of bar codes having a plurality of dark elements separated from light elements, comprising the steps of: performing a first scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the first scan with respect to an absolute reference position; calculating the position which the elements in the first scan will take with respect to the absolute reference position in a subsequent scan; making a second scan of the bar code thereby determining the position and the width of the elements in the second scan with respect to the absolute reference position; carrying out a correspondence search step for finding at least one reference element for the first scan and one reference element for the second scan, which have substantially the same position with respect to the absolute reference position and substantially the same width; and combining the elements in the first scan with the elements in the second scan, generating a reconstructed scan.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Antonio De Renzis
-
Patent number: 6386449Abstract: An automatic terminal distributor for reading and memorizing product data in sales outlets in general, characterized by comprising: a container (2) provided internally with a plurality of compartments (8) for a corresponding plurality of terminals (38) for reading the bar code printed on product packages, the terminals being provided with units for memorizing the data; moving means (12) for the compartments (8) within the container (2); means (24) for identifying the users of the sales outlets; a control unit (20) which controls the compartment moving means (12) in such a manner as to cause a selected one of the compartments (8) to face at least one door (18) provided on the container, the control unit causing the door to open when the significant user data have been recognized.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Roberto Signoretto
-
Patent number: 6377698Abstract: A method of locating highly variable brightness or color regions in an image having at least one specifically ordered region corresponding, for example, to the image of an optical code defined by different-colored elements with a predetermined orientation and at least one highly variable brightness or color region of an order level other than that of the specifically ordered region. A first intermediate binary image is generated representing the acquired image divided into a number of contiguous first subimages, each having a first logic value if corresponding to a specifically ordered region and a second logic value otherwise. A second intermediate binary image is generated representing the acquired image divided into a number of contiguous second subimages, each having a first logic value if corresponding to a specifically ordered region and/or to a highly variable brightness or color region and a second logic value otherwise.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Cumoli, Claudio Saporetti, Stefano Amorosi
-
Patent number: 6347740Abstract: A method and machine for reading and assigning optical codes to a succession of moving articles, each having at least one respective optical code, and the method including the steps of feeding the succession of articles, by means of a conveyor, through a read area; reading the optical codes within the read area by means of at least one optical reader, and determining, as each optical code is being read, the position in space of the optical code with respect to a given space reference; and assigning each optical code to the corresponding article by matching the position in space of the optical code with the position in space of the corresponding article.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Moreno Bengala
-
Patent number: 6339504Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for focusing a substantially elliptical laser beam comprising: means for collimating a substantially elliptical laser beam so to generate a collimated beam of substantially elliptical profile; means for circularizing the collimated beam so to generate a beam of substantially circularized profile; and means for focusing the circularized beam. The device according to the invention allows on one side to achieve better results in terms of increasing the depth of focus and overall efficiency of the system, and on the other side to allow reading of optical codes also when these are tilted with respect to the scan direction of an angle up to 45° (tilt angle).Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Guido Maurizio Oliva
-
Patent number: 6325289Abstract: An optical reader which enables optical codes to be read on objects carried on a supporting plane which is provided with a conveyor for moving the objects along a feeding direction. The apparatus comprises a laser beam scanner, a data processing unit connected to the scanner, a first scanner for generating at least a first scan in a first scan plane, so as to measure the instantaneous distance of at least one point on the surface of each of said objects from the scanner, a second scanner for generating a plurality of second scans in a second scan plane, different from the first, so as to read the optical code on the object; and a data processing unit for adjusting the laser beam focal setting according to the distance measured with the first scan.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventor: Claudio Mazzone
-
Patent number: 6305606Abstract: The invention relates to a process for scanning a bar code which includes acquiring a first bar code scanning along a scanning line, identifying the family of the bar code, determining the width of at least one of the synchronism characters, calculating the estimated width of each character of the code being examined, based an the width of the synchronism character considered, determining a character following one of the synchronism characters by counting a number of m elements equal to the number of elements that make up each character in the family identified, determining the width of the following characters, checking whether the width of such following character differs from the estimated width of a lower quantity with respect to a prefixed tolerance. If the check gives a positive result, identifying the character and reiterating the steps until the other synchronism character has been reached. If the check gives a negative result, label the following character as an “undecodable character”.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.Inventors: Elena Brunelli, Marco Bottazzi, Rinaldo Zocca