Abstract: A scanner or other data reader is equipped with means for determining characteristics of an operator's scanning technique. In a preferred configuration, the scanner is integrated with a weigh scale for obtaining a dynamic weight of an item as the item is moved across the weigh scale. Weight data produced by the scanning/weighing process includes information about the amount of lifting the operator performs on scanned items, the rate of scanning by the operator, and rescanning information. The scanner may be connected to a PC-based training system which uses the scanning technique information to provide feedback to the operator indicating the effectiveness of the operator's scanning technique, and may also provide information to management for analysis. The technique information may be collected by a store controller or other suitable collection device for later analysis and reporting.

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.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for triggering a source of visible light in connection with a data reader in response to a sensed proximity of an item. In one configuration, a data reader includes a imaging reader, such as a CMOS imager, that is sensitive to both infrared illumination and visible light. The imaging reader may be operable to read a symbol, such as a barcode or other optical code, via reflected infrared illumination, reflected visible light, or both. When characteristics of reflected illumination received by the imaging reader indicate that presence or movement of an item in the visible scan zone, the visible light source may be triggered to illuminate the item and thereby facilitate reading of the symbol using the same imagine reader as is used to sense the presence of the item. The visible light source may also be triggered to provide visual feedback.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selectively reading a barcode, symbol, or other indicia by either scanning the barcode with a flying-spot scanner, or by imaging the barcode, thereby improving reading performance by tailoring the reading method to the particular item that is being read. Both a flying-spot laser scanning front end and an imaging front end are incorporated in a single device. Data obtained by the selected reading method is decoded and output. A common decoder or separate decoders may be used to decode the data from the two front ends. A single image sensor may be shared between the flying-spot front end and the imaging front-end, with a limited readout area utilized for laser scanning. The size of the readout area may be adjusted based on detected target proximity. Selection of the reading mode may be based on criteria including manual input, the range of the target, or previous failed attempts to read the barcode using either reading method.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring operation and performance of electronic tags such as article surveillance (EAS) tags or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags such as by monitoring and reporting electronic tag readability and operator/system performance levels. The system includes an optical symbol reader and/or electronic tag sensor/deactivator that measures and reports values of reading, detection, or deactivation events during operation which may be indicative of electronic tag operability. The apparatus may further comprise a data accumulation device including memory storage to accumulate the measurement values for each set of electronic tags, and a programmed computing system to analyze the measured values and report on the results of the analysis.

Abstract: Methods and systems better detect edges in a binary optical code, such as a bar code. One method constructs a threshold signal to be used for comparison with an equalized undifferentiated scan line signal imperfectly representing a binary optical code. The method comprises detecting peaks in the equalized undifferentiated scan line signal; determining midpoints between successive detected peaks; and generating a smooth signal based on the midpoints. The generated signal is the threshold signal. In one version of the method, the generating step comprises interpolating between successive midpoints so as to result in a signal passing through the midpoints and low-pass filtering the signal passing through the midpoints so as to result in a filtered signal, which is the threshold signal. In another version of the method, the generating step comprises performing regression using the midpoints so as to generate a signal curve that fits the midpoints according to a criterion.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for providing virtual scan lines in an imaging system that compensate for the optical distortion associated with the system. In some embodiments, the virtual scan lines may be curved or angled according to their position in the Field of View (FOV) of the imaging system to compensate for the distortion. Some embodiments may provide for virtual scan lines that are preconfigured to compensate for a typical or pre-selected level and type of optical distortion. Other embodiments may be configured to measure or otherwise ascertain the actual distortion of the optical lens and/or other components of the system and generate a virtual scan line pattern that compensates for the measured distortion.

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.

Abstract: Methods of operation of a data reader and security tag deactivation system whereby a data reader such as a barcode scanner is equipped with EAS deactivation coils or modules disposed in the vicinity of the read volume or generally proximate thereto and the system is operable to permit reading of the ID tag (such as the barcode label) on an item, and upon a successful read, the deactivation unit is operable to (1) sense the presence of an EAS tag; (2) if presence of an EAS tag is sensed, energize the deactivation coil/module to deactivate the EAS tag; and (3) sense if the EAS tag is deactivated. If the EAS tag is sensed to have been deactivated, the system signals as such and a next item may be scanned. If the EAS tag is sensed to have not been deactivated, the system proceeds to alternate operational steps to handle the exception.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods of data reading with collection systems having improved depth of field. One configuration is directed to an image-based optical reading system with a plurality of sensor arrays, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) arranged in a compact configuration to minimize the overall package size while providing extended read range. In an example configuration, two CCD arrays are placed back to back to minimize height and overall package size with fold mirrors providing the optical path to a backward facing array.

Abstract: A data reader such as for example an imaging reader with a CCD or CMOS imager or the like, that acquires an image of an item to be read. A certain type of sensor has been found to exhibit different outputs depending upon the light intensity level: (1) standard output whereby the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the image collected and (2) inverted output whereby the sensor outputs an inverted signal when the light intensity highly saturates the sensor. Taking advantage of this inverted output, systems and methods are then employed by the data reader to convert or otherwise re-invert this inverted signal in order to read an optical code that, for example, might otherwise have been above the upper exposure limit of the sensor/reader and thus not decodable.

Abstract: A method aligns a second image of an object taken at a second time with a first image taken at a first time, wherein the object experiences motion relative to an imager between the first and second times. The images are formed of sets of pixels arranged horizontally and vertically in a pattern. The method operates on the pixels of the second image by performing a series of operations to affect an affine transformation without performing matrix arithmetic, preferably by table look-up. The method shifts the pixels of the second image vertically by a constant vertical offset, shifts the pixels of the second image horizontally by a constant horizontal offset, shears the second image horizontally by a skew factor, shears the second image vertically by a skew factor, scales the second image horizontally by a horizontal scale factor; and scale the second image vertically by a vertical scale factor.

Abstract: A scanner or other data reader is equipped with means for determining characteristics of an operator's scanning technique. In a preferred configuration, the scanner is integrated with a weigh scale for obtaining a dynamic weight of an item as the item is moved across the weigh scale. Weight data produced by the scanning/weighing process includes information about the amount of lifting the operator performs on scanned items, the rate of scanning by the operator, and rescanning information. The scanner may be connected to a PC-based training system which uses the scanning technique information to provide feedback to the operator indicating the effectiveness of the operator's scanning technique, and may also provide information to management for analysis. The technique information may be collected by a store controller or other suitable collection device for later analysis and reporting.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for processing of 2-D images of optical code symbols having information bearing characteristics in predominantly a single dimension (such as a linear barcode). In a preferred system, pixel summing or averaging is used to generate virtual scan lines for imaging of encoded symbols to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the resulting virtual scan lines. For example, pixel summing or averaging of an imaging array may be performed in a direction orthogonal to the virtual scan line direction in order to increase the SNR of the virtual scan line signal over what can be achieved with virtual scan lines created using a single image pixel for each virtual scan line pixel. The increased SNR offered by this technique of pixel summing or averaging of an imaging array may allow capture of images with reduced exposure time, enabling capture of images of objects moving at high speed without the necessity of high intensity light sources.

Abstract: A data reader such as for example an imaging reader with a CCD or CMOS imager or the like, having multiple images of a target item illuminated or acquired from different directions in which the image signals are combined into a complete image of the item or selected portions of the item being read such that specular reflection (over-saturated regions of the sensor array) are minimized or eliminated. In one example data reader configuration, multiple illumination sources such as first and second rows of light emitting diodes (LED's) are aimed at the item being scanned from different directions. The illumination sources are alternately pulsed and return signals are collected at one or more sensor arrays. A selected non-saturated return signal from one of the illumination sources, or selected non-saturated portions of return signal from both of the illumination sources are processed to generate a complete non-saturated image of the target.

Abstract: A scanner or other data reader is equipped with means for determining characteristics of an operator's scanning technique. In a preferred configuration, the scanner is integrated with a weigh scale for obtaining a dynamic weight of an item as the item is moved across the weigh scale. Weight data produced by the scanning/weighing process includes information about the amount of lifting the operator performs on scanned items, the rate of scanning by the operator, and rescanning information. The scanner may be connected to a PC-based training system which uses the scanning technique information to provide feedback to the operator indicating the effectiveness of the operator's scanning technique, and may also provide information to management for analysis. The technique information may be collected by a store controller or other suitable collection device for later analysis and reporting.

Abstract: A system and method for providing operational feedback of systems using electronic tags such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for inventory monitoring, including reference tags, that provide feedback to check if all inventory items have been identified. In one configuration, the RFID reader actuates by a single trigger pull, with the reader continuing to read multiple RFID tags in the read zone until a terminating event occurs.

Abstract: Methods and systems form a decodable composite image of an optical code that experiences motion. A method according to one embodiment forms a first image of at least a first portion of the optical code at a first time and a second image of at least a second portion of the optical code at a second time, whereby the optical code may undergo relative motion between the first and second times. The method determines one or more of the following parameters of an affine transformation relating the second image to the first image: vertical offset, horizontal offset, horizontal skew factor, vertical skew factor, horizontal scale factor, and vertical scale factor. The method aligns one of the first and second images to the other by utilizing the determined parameters to implement the affine transformation, thereby forming an aligned image. Finally, the method combines elements of the aligned imaged and the other image to form the decodable composite image of the optical code.

Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.

Abstract: A system and method for reading multiple items bearing electronic tags, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, disposed in a read zone wherein a correlation scheme/system, separate (e.g. non-RF) from the electronic reader, is provided for verifying that all the items in the read zone have been successfully read. Typically, the user operator is then notified whether or not all the items that have detected verification system have been successfully read by the electronic reader.