Abstract: There is described a compact laser module (1) for reading optical codes, comprising: a scanning illumination section having at least one source (8) for generating a laser beam, and a scanner (9, 10) for scanning the optical code (C) to be read with a laser spot, and a receiving section (20-24) for collecting at least a portion of the light diffused by the code (C) and detecting the collected light, the receiving section and the scanning illumination section being spatially distinct.

Abstract: For reading bar and stacked codes, transitions between code elements are determined by crossing points between a sampled video signal, representative of the intensity of light diffused by a code along a scan line thereof, and a low-pass filtered version thereof, or between two low-pass filtered versions thereof. The method is suitable to be implemented through analog or digital hardware, and via software.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for acquiring and reading optical codes, the indication of the reading result is carried out projecting a luminous figure onto the optical code, that is to say in the position on which the attention of the operator is focused. The luminous figure can have an information content also more complex than the simple indication of the end of the reading.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reading an optical code has a casing with a reading window. The casing includes an illumination device acting through the reading window on an optical code to be read, a detection device 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 detection device, in a position to pick up the light scattered from the illuminated optical code and project this light onto the detection device. The detection device has a plurality of light-sensitive elements effective to convert the light to electric signals representing the light image, wherein the illumination device 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.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for acquiring and reading optical codes, the indication of the reading result is carried out projecting a luminous figure onto the optical code, that is to say in the position on which the attention of the operator is focused. The luminous figure can have an information content also more complex than the simple indication of the end of the reading.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of determining initially the structure of the code being read, to identify the number of rows and columns of the code; generating an ideal rectangular grid formed by rows and columns unambiguously defining the coordinates of notable points corresponding to the central point of each code element; determining, on the basis of reference points of known position, the homographic transformation linking notable points of the rectangular grid and characteristic points on the deformed image; calculating the coordinates of the characteristic points; and generating a transformed image to be decoded, the pixels of transformed image having the coordinates of the grid notable points and a value equal to the binarized brightness value of the corresponding characteristic points.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reading coded information, comprising illumination means, means for picking-up a luminous signal diffused by an illuminated support containing coded information, means for detecting the luminous signal intended to generate an electrical signal that is proportional to said luminous signal (for example, an electrical signal with an amplitude variable, along at least one reading direction, between at least one maximum value Vmax and at least one minimum value Vmin), and means for processing said electrical signal, intended to extract the information content from it. The device further comprises means for varying, preferably point by point, the amplitude pattern of said electrical signal along said at least one reading direction so as to generate an electrical signal having a predetermined amplitude pattern, for example, substantially constant.

Abstract: The method for reconstructing a bar code through consecutive scans comprises the following steps: a) carrying out at least one scan of the bar code; b) determining a reconstructed wave form representative of the at least one scan; c) carrying out an actual scan of the bar code; d) determining an actual wave form representative of the actual scan; e) aligning the reconstructed and actual wave forms; and f) combining the aligned wave forms by updating the reconstructed wave form with the actual wave form. The method can directly operate on the photo-sensor signal before carrying out any digitization of it.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.