Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reading an optical code. The apparatus comprises a casing with a reading window; the casing comprises an illumination means acting through the reading window on an optical code to be read, a detection means 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 means, in a position to pick up the light scattered from the illuminated optical code and project this light onto the detection means. The detection means comprises 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 illumination means comprises 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 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.

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 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.

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 optical device for focusing a substantially elliptical laser beam comprising:

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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”.

Abstract: A mirror mount for a rotor provided with a preselected number of external faces suitable for covering with mirrors and an internal structure for connection to an electric motor, in which at least one external face of said mirror mount is provided with projections for supporting a mirror and recesses suitable for holding an adhesive compound for fixing said mirror to said face.

Abstract: The detecting method described is conceived for use in a bar code decoding system based on digital processing of signals. it functions to process in real time a signal from an A/D converter and determined the portions of this signal which contain a likely bar code and rejecting the portions that surely do not contain a code. Only the former are signaled to a subsequent decoding process. The method steps are essentially the following: determining local maxima and minima of the digitalized analog signal; determining valid transitions; calculating the side of constant brightness zones located between two successive valid transitions; determining likely codes; if appropriate, repositioning the code starting zone; and if appropriate, analyzing detected potential codes for congruence, and signaling the likely codes.

Abstract: The process uses information from the scan sweeps of a laser scanner to obtain a set of stipulated areas which correspond to successive cross-sections of the object and are reckoned by moving the object relative to the scanner. The volume is obtained by multiplying each of these areas by the feed distance of the object. The angles of inclination of the scan plan can selectively be taken into account, or ignored when sufficiently small. The volume measurement may be taken at the same time as an optical code provided on the object is read.

Abstract: A method of locating an optical code of the maxicode type wherein a central target element comprises three concentric black rings separated by two white annular spaces and a white circular central space defining the center of the target element. The method includes the steps of: acquiring and binary-coding an image of the optical code; examining rows and columns of the binary-coded image, each row or column having black elements, each defined by at least one elementary representation unit of a first binary value, and white elements, each defined by at least one elementary representation unit of a second binary value; performing a sequence control step to locate, in each examined row or column of the image, at least one predetermined sequence of white and black elements; and performing an assigning step in which the rows or columns in the image containing a sequence of white and black elements corresponding to the predetermined sequence are recognized as intersecting the center of the target element.

Abstract: A portable optical code reader, in particular for bar codes, having at least one supply battery; an electronic circuit with a microprocessor; and optoelectronic lighting and receiving devices cooperating with the microprocessor to read an optical code, in particular a bar code. The microprocessor also estimates the charge of the battery on the basis of the maximum charge storable in the battery, of measured recharge units supplied when recharging the battery, and of charge units estimated to have been consumed during operation of the reader.

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: A mirror mount for a rotor provided with a preselected number of external faces suitable for covering with mirrors and an internal structure for connection to an electric motor, in which at least one external face of the mirror mount is provided with projections for supporting a mirror and recesses suitable for holding an adhesive compound for fixing the mirror to the face.

Abstract: Bar code reader including two sources which are enabled to emit respective laser beams with a cyclic alternation; the laser beams are focused by optical elements on two different regions of a read area. Reflected rays from the read area are processed by a decoding unit operatively connected to the laser-beam sources so that when the presence of a code in the read area is detected, only the laser beam which is focused on the region in which the bar code is present remains enabled.