Abstract: A portable data collection device including an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The device also includes an illumination assembly including an circuit board assembly supporting illumination and targeting light emitting diodes and a lens array or panel positioned adjacent the circuit board assembly for focusing an even pattern of illumination on the target area and generating a crosshair illumination pattern for aiming the device at the target dataform. The device further includes an optic assembly for focusing reflected illumination from the target area onto the two dimensional photosensor array.

Abstract: A portable data collection device including an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The device also includes an illumination assembly including an circuit board assembly supporting illumination and targeting light emitting diodes and a lens array or panel positioned adjacent the circuit board assembly for focusing an even pattern of illumination on the target area and generating a crosshair illumination pattern for aiming the device at the target dataform. The device further includes an optic assembly for focusing reflected illumination from the target area onto the two dimensional photo sensor array.

Abstract: A portable data collection device including an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The device also includes an illumination assembly including an circuit board assembly supporting illumination and targeting light emitting diodes and a lens array or panel positioned adjacent the circuit board assembly for focusing an even pattern of illumination on the target area and generating a crosshair illumination pattern for aiming the device at the target dataform. The device further includes an optic assembly for focusing reflected illumination from the target area onto the two dimensional photosensor array.

Abstract: By providing subpixel accuracy in the detection of the position of an element of a pixel data image, the invention makes possible reductions in scanner and storage resolution of the order of 65 percent or greater for two-dimensional applications. Methods use normalized gray level values to determine the extent of coverage of an image cell by individual pixels. By then applying such gray level values of a plurality of successive pixels to a preconstructed lookup table, ambiguities are resolved to determine the position of cell edges. The cell edge data can be used to determine cell position or used directly in edge-based bar code decoding techniques. Cell position data is used for construction of a virtual image of a bar code or other dataform of interest and virtual image information may then be used for purposes of decoding the bar code or other dataform.

Abstract: A portable data collection device providing for dataform decoding and color imaging. An imaging assembly is provided that includes a board camera having black and white circuitry and generates a composite video signal representing an image of a target area of the imaging assembly when actuated. The imaging assembly includes a two dimensional photosensor array overlaid by a color filter having a repeating pattern of four color filter elements. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. When the device is operated in the dataform reading mode, compensation circuitry is actuated to operate on digital gray scale values extracted from the composite video signal to adjust gray scale value magnitudes to compensate for the transmittivity differences of the color filter elements to improve decodability of the imaged dataform.

Abstract: Prior methods of reading MaxiCode dataforms have been subject to reduced resolution image scaling and processing and speed constraints of Fourier transform computations. Described spatial domain data extraction methods provide bull's eye center location by T-sequence pixel pattern analysis, axis identification by moment analysis of data cell pairs, and integral width square wave analysis of illumination transitions to avoid reading-line cell fragmentation. The center and top of a MaxiCode are identified in high-resolution pixel data, without scaling reduction or Fourier type frequency domain processing. Data is extracted serially from rows of data cells by sampling along lines of pixels aligned by fragmentation analysis so as to traverse complete rows of data cells. Dynamic thresholding accurately defines illumination value transitions between adjacent linear groups of data cells, each group consisting of one or more data cells of the same reflectivity.

Abstract: A portable data collection device is disclosed. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array overlied by a RGB color filter. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target area. In one operating embodiment of the portable data collection device of the present invention, actuating the first trigger results in the imaging assembly capturing an image of the target area including a dataform and an associated image area of interest. The image area of interest is at a predetermined position with respect to the dataform. The imaging assembly decodes the dataform and outputs a compressed, digital representation of the image area of interest along with decoded data from the dataform.

Abstract: A portable data collection device providing for optical character recognition. A housing defines an internal region and includes a user handle that allows a user to position the housing relative to an indicia carrying target. An imaging assembly includes a two dimensional imaging array supported within the internal region of the housing. The imaging assembly includes a capture circuit that generates a video signal representative of an image of a target zone. An optics assembly supported by the housing focuses an image of the target area onto the photosensor array. A character recognition processing circuit receives the video signal and categorizes the indicia on the target into a set of predefined characters. The character recognition processing circuit includes a discriminator for identifying a text region of the target and identifying individual character regions within the text region and a categorizer for identifying a character from a set of possible characters for an individual character region.

Abstract: A portable data collection device having an imaging based dataform reader utilizing a binarization process to identify an imaged dataform or signature area with a target image area. An imaging assembly is provided that includes a board camera having black and white circuitry and generates a composite video signal representing an image of a target area of the imaging assembly when actuated. The imaging assembly includes a two dimensional photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. When the device is operated in a dataform reading mode or in a signature area capture mode, binarization circuitry is provided that binarizes gray scale values generated from the composite video signal and examines the binary values to identify the imaged dataform or signature area.

Abstract: Sub-pixel processing of image data representing a dataform, such as a 2D bar code, enables reading of dataforms including more data/smaller elements, without costly increases in sensor and memory capacity. Whole pixel processing is employed for pixel-per-element resolutions of two or better. Sub-pixel cell edge transition location in image data is enhanced by use of a dynamically implemented noise margin applied with bands of gray scale values designated within the envelope of applicable gray scale maximum and minimum values. Sub-pixel cell edge transition location employs selection of transition segments (subject to the noise margin) and determination of a dynamic threshold for each relevant transition segment. The intersection of the threshold and the transition segment is then indicative of the location of the cell edge transition along a sampling line crossing the dataform.

Abstract: A portable data collection device adapted to read high density bar code and matrix dataforms. The device includes an imaging assembly including a modular camera housing supporting a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The modular camera housing precisely positions an optic assembly such that the sharpest image of the target dataform is focused at a center point of the photosensor array. The optic assembly includes a plurality of lenses supported in a shroud assembly. The shroud assembly is adjustable to permit precise positioning of the lens assembly with respect to the photosensor array along a longitudinal optical axis of the lens assembly.

Abstract: Dataforms, such as bar codes and matrix codes, are recognized by analysis of histogram type data derived for a plurality of window sections of an image area. Typically, an image area 512 pixels high by 480 pixels wide is divided into 240 window areas, each including 1024 pixels in a 32 by 32 pixel square. A histogram for a window section overlying a portion of the dataform may typically exhibit two peaks representing the two principal reflective values (black and white, for example) of the elements and spaces of a dataform. A background (quiet zone) window section histogram exhibits one principal peak representing the background value (white, for example). The background window sections and the dataform window sections are assigned to two different groups. One or both groups are then used for one or more of the following: recognizing the presence of a dataform; determining whether the dataform is darker or lighter than the background; and locating the dataform within the image area.

Abstract: Dataforms, such as bar codes and matrix codes, are recognized by analysis of histogram type data derived for a plurality of window sections of an image area. Typically, an image area 512 pixels high by 480 pixels wide is divided into 240 window areas, each including 1024 pixels in a 32 by 32 pixel square. A histogram for a window section overlying a portion of the dataform may typically exhibit two peaks representing the two principal reflective values (black and white, for example) of the elements and spaces of a dataform. A background (quiet zone) window section histogram exhibits one principal peak representing the background value (white, for example). The background window sections and the dataform window sections are assigned to two different groups. One or both groups are then used for one or more of the following: recognizing the presence of a dataform; determining whether the dataform is darker or lighter than the background; and locating the dataform within the image area.

Abstract: Dataforms, such as bar codes and matrix codes, are recognized by analysis of histogram type data derived for a plurality of window sections of an image area. Typically, an image area 512 pixels high by 480 pixels wide is divided into 240 window areas, each including 1024 pixels in a 32 by 32 pixel square. A histogram for a window section overlying a portion of the dataform may typically exhibit two peaks representing the two principal reflective values (black and white, for example) of the elements and spaces of a dataform. A background (quiet zone) window section histogram exhibits one principal peak representing the background value (white, for example). The background window sections and the dataform window sections are assigned to two different groups. One or both groups are then used for one or more of the following: recognizing the presence of a dataform; determining whether the dataform is darker or lighter than the background; and locating the dataform within the image area.

Abstract: To avoid cost and errors associated with manual data re-entry, methods are provided for transferring data between different business systems (e.g., computer programs). After data for a purchase order is entered using a first purchase order generating program, a data file is prepared including the input data correlated with field identifiers identifying the individual information category of particular data elements. Field identifiers may typically be a sequence of numbers or merely a pre-selected sequence of the data fields. The data file is encoded into a 2-D image code which can be printed out with the purchase order. On decoding of the 2-D image code by a recipient, the data file is recovered. The field identifiers then enable identification of particular categories of information for mapping into the second business system, such as an order acceptance/invoice generating program.

Abstract: A portable data collection device is disclosed. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target object in the target area. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture an image of the target area. The device also includes a viewing assembly to aid an operator in aiming and positioning the device with respect to a target dataform or target object. In one embodiment of the viewing assembly, a liquid crystal display screen is affixed to a pivoting member. When the viewing assembly is actuated an image of the target area is displaced on the display screen.

Abstract: An image sensor array system is addressable to enable readout of randomly selected image data from any one or more individual sensor cells, for any selected image area (13), or for the entire image area (15). The sensor array (16) is accessed by horizontal and vertical readout circuits (22 and 24) under the control of address signals from an address unit (20). Location signals, from a source (12), indicative of a selected image area (13) may be used by the address unit (20) to provide address signals representative of the location of a specific sensor cell or area (13) of the array including image data of interest. Under the control of the address signals, image data from cells at the intersection of array lines and columns are sampled by sampling devices (26-32) and provided as output signals representative of the selected portion of the image area at an output port (34). Simplified readout can be provided for oblique line components of images.

Abstract: A portable ID card verification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining an interior region supporting electrical circuitry including a processor. A two dimensional imaging assembly is at least partially enclosed within the housing. A display screen in electrically coupled to the imaging assembly. An upper surface of the housing supports a glass window on which an ID card is positioned for reading a dataform imprinted thereon. The dataform includes a compressed digitized representation of an attribute of the authorized card holder, such as a photograph of the card holder. The imaging assembly images and decodes the 2D dataform on the ID card and the processor in conjunction with display driver circuitry causes an image of the card holder's photograph to be displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Prior methods of reading MaxiCode dataforms have been subject to reduced resolution image scaling and processing and speed constraints of Fourier transform computations. Described spatial domain data extraction methods provide bull's eye center location by T-sequence pixel pattern analysis, axis identification by moment analysis of data cell pairs, and integral width square wave analysis of illumination transitions to avoid reading-line cell fragmentation. The center and top of a MaxiCode are identified in high-resolution pixel data, without scaling reduction or Fourier type frequency domain processing. Data is extracted serially from rows of data cells by sampling along lines of pixels aligned by fragmentation analysis so as to traverse complete rows of data cells. Dynamic thresholding accurately defines illumination value transitions between adjacent linear groups of data cells, each group consisting of one or more data cells of the same reflectivity.

Abstract: An extended working range dataform reader with reduced power consumption having a camera assembly and a circuit control board including game control circuitry and exposure control circuitry configured to set an initial gain value and an initial exposure period, respectively, resulting from a previous dataform reading session. Subsequent fields of image data are captured by the camera which are used to correct the gain and exposure relative to the initial values for gain and exposure period, thereby reducing the latency period for realizing correct values and reducing power consumption during power up. Furthermore, the gain control system and the exposure control system each utilize an open loop feedback such that successive fields of image data captured by the camera are utilized to calculate correct values, thereby reducing the latency time for realizing a correct value.