Patents Assigned to Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9342827
    Abstract: A fleet management system for managing a fleet of encoded information reading (EIR) terminals can comprise one or more computers, a fleet management software module, and a payment processing software module in communication with the fleet management software module. The fleet management software module can be configured, responsive to receiving a customer initiated request, to generate an unlocking message upon processing a payment by the payment processing software module. The unlocking message can be provided by a bar code to be read by an EIR terminal, or by a bit stream to be transferred to an EIR terminal via network. Each EIR terminal can be configured to perform not more than a pre-defined number of EIR operations responsive to receiving the unlocking message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Taylor Smith
  • Patent number: 9305201
    Abstract: A symbol-reading system includes a system housing having a horizontal housing portion and a vertical housing portion, the vertical housing portion being configured substantially orthogonal to the horizontal housing portion. The symbol-reading system also includes a symbol reading subsystem, disposed in the system housing, for reading symbols on objects and producing data representative of the read symbols. Additionally, the symbol-reading system includes a weigh scale subsystem including at least one load cell that supports the entirety of the system housing, the weigh scale subsystem being configured for measuring the weight of objects on the system housing and producing data representative of measured weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Henri Jozef Maria Barten
  • Patent number: 9288372
    Abstract: An illumination control process for use in a digital image capture and processing system includes illuminating an object in the field of view with different pulses of illumination over a pair of image frames, detecting digital images of the illuminated object over these image frames, and decode processing the digital images. In an embodiment, upon failure to read a symbol in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the exposure time is adjusted during subsequent image frames. In another embodiment, upon failure to read a symbol in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the energy level of the illumination is adjusted during subsequent image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9261398
    Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system having (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem for reading bar code symbols on products being purchased at a retail POS station, and (ii) a produce weigh scale having a weigh scale assembly for weighing one or more produce items on a weigh platter during produce weighing operations carried out at the time of checkout at said retail POS station. The system also includes an automatic produce weighing interference detection subsystem, supporting an IR-based light curtain about the weigh platter, automatically detects when any object is overhanging the weigh platter during produce weighing operations, and generates an alert signal when such conditions are automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Amundsen, Sean Philip Kearney, Shane Michael Edmonds, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Timothy Good, Michael Miraglia, Charles Joseph Cunningham, IV, Xiaoxun Zhu, Patrick Anthony Giordano
  • Patent number: 9251387
    Abstract: A decodable indicia reading terminal can comprise a multiple pixel image sensor, an imaging lens configured to focus an image of decodable indicia on the image sensor, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert an analog signal read out of the image sensor into a digital signal, a communication interface, and a microprocessor configured to output decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia by processing the digital signal. The decodable indicia reading terminal can be configured, responsive to a triggering event, to transmit via the communication interface a decoding result and an indicia readability rating. The triggering event can be provided by a failure to detect decodable indicia, the indicia readability rating being less than a pre-defined threshold, exceeding a pre-defined time period to decode decodable indicia, a user interface action, and a command received via said communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: James Nahill, Mark Hernandez, Sergio DiVentura
  • Patent number: 9245219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for managing and redeeming bar-coded coupons that are displayed from a light emitting display surface of an information storage and display device, such as a cell-phone, a smart-phone, or a data communication device. The linear (1D) bar code symbols, associated with bar-coded store coupons, are displayed on the light emitting display surface using in a pulse code modulation (PCM) format, wherein a substantial portion of the pixels on the light emitting display surface are energized and de-energized to emit red-wavelengths of light energy, at a rate which temporally corresponds to the spatial frequency of the bars and spaces of the linear bar code symbol, so that a laser scanning bar code symbol reading device is capable of reading the PCM formatted bar code symbol displayed from the light emitting display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Van Horn, Daniel James Olson
  • Patent number: 9224551
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism includes soft stops and an associated method activates a switch in a device or apparatus. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger receptacle, a trigger disposed in the trigger receptacle and movable between an un-actuated and an actuated position by a user depressing the trigger, and a soft stop comprised of at least one projection positioned to engage a resilient elastomeric insert. Moving the trigger from the un-actuated to actuated position compresses the elastomeric insert with the projection and activates the switch to provide a tactile sensation of the switch activation to the user. The switch may be an electric switch disposed in a hand held device, such as a barcode scanner in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mark Rueblinger, Kai Wang, Daniel J. Olson, Mikhail L. Veksland
  • Patent number: 9208366
    Abstract: A securable indicia encoding system with a lock receiving portion is disclosed herein. In one illustrative embodiment, a securable indicia decoding device may include an imaging subsystem, a memory, a processor, and a housing. The imaging subsystem may include an image sensor array and an imaging optics assembly operative for focusing an image onto the image sensor array. The memory may be capable of storing frames of image data comprising data communicated through the read-out portion of at least some of the pixels during the imaging operation. The processor may be operative for receiving one or more of the frames of image data from the data storage element and performing a decode operation for attempting to decode a decodable feature represented in at least one of the frames of image data. The housing may encapsulate the illumination subsystem and the imaging subsystem. The housing may include a lock receiving portion for receiving a security lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Pengfei Liu
  • Patent number: 9189669
    Abstract: An indicia reader is adapted for hand held operation to read information bearing indicia (IBI) at a point of transaction (POT) and is operated by: configuring the indicia reader in a store to provide at least one store specific indicia read notice; reading an IBI at a POT with the indicia reader and providing the at least one store specific indicia read notice to a customer when each IBI is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Qian Mao
  • Patent number: 9158951
    Abstract: A laser scanning module employs a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly supported by a stationary stator structure. The scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly includes: a silicone frame having a pair of silicone torsional hinges (i.e. posts) aligned along a scan axis and a supported by a pair of support elements associated with the stator structure, to support the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly. When the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly is rotated about its scan axis, by forces generated by an electromagnetic coil structure acting on the permanent magnet mounted on silicone frame, the silicone torsional hinges are elastically distorted and generate linear restoring forces which return the rotor subassembly back to its home position about the scan axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Gregory Rueblinger, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9154927
    Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: establishment a hand held reader configured to read an information bearing medium at an establishment and accepting text message communications from the establishment; reading the information bearing medium at the establishment with the reader; and, sending at least one text message communication to an operator of the reader at the establishment on the reader GUI from the establishment when the establishment recognizes a need for a specific notice requirement after reading the information bearing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Philip Kearney
  • Patent number: 9135483
    Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading terminal having data format conversion capabilities. The indicia reading terminal includes an image sensor integrated circuit with an image sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels. The image sensor integrated circuit is configured to output image data in a first data format to a data formatting circuit for conversion to image data in a second data format. The data formatting circuit is configured to provide the image data in the second data format to the at least one data interface of a microprocessor integrated circuit, which is operative to transfer image data received by the at least one data interface into memory of the indicia reading terminal. A CPU of the microprocessor integrated circuit is operative for executing a decoding algorithm for processing image data in the memory for attempting to decode at least one symbol represented in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Liu, Xiaoxun Zhu, Xi Tao, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9129172
    Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Ren, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Yong Liu, Timothy Meier, Stephen Patrick Deloge
  • Patent number: 9111166
    Abstract: A reading system including: a primary reader for reading an information bearing device (IBD) having encoded IBD data provided therein for packetizing the encoded data and processing a first data packet of the packetized encoded data and transmitting a second data packet of the packetized encoded data; at least one auxiliary reader for receiving and processing the second data packet and the transmitting the processed second data packet; and wherein the processed first and second data packets are combined to produce decoded IBD data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Joseph Cunningham, IV
  • Patent number: 9111159
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in decoding a bar code symbol may include an image sensor integrated circuit having a plurality of pixels, timing and control circuitry for controlling an image sensor, gain circuitry for controlling gain, and analog to digital conversion circuitry for conversion of an analog signal to a digital signal. The apparatus may also include a printed circuit board for receiving the image sensor integrated circuit. The connection between the image sensor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board characterized by a plurality of conductive adhesive connectors disposed between a plurality of electrode pads and a plurality of contact pads, where the conductive adhesive connectors provide electrical input/output and mechanical connections between the image sensor integrated circuit and the printed circuit board. The apparatus may be operative for processing image signals generated by the image sensor integrated circuit for attempting to decode the bar code symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Liu, Xi Tao, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9104930
    Abstract: An optical code symbol reading system includes a housing having a light transmission aperture, and at least one sound port formed in the housing. The system includes an optical code symbol reading subsystem for optically reading a code symbol in the field external to the light transmission aperture, and generating symbol character data representative of the read code symbol. An electro-acoustic transducer is disposed in the housing for producing sonic energy. Also, an acoustic-waveguide structure is disposed in the housing, for coupling the sonic energy produced from the electro-acoustic transducer, to the at least sound wave port formed the housing, to audibly signal the reading of a code symbol to the operator of the optical code symbol reading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu, Mikhail Veksland, Ka Man Au, Patrick Giordano, Weizhen Yan, Jie Ren, Taylor Smith, Michael Miraglia, C. Harry Knowles, Sudhin Mandal, Shawn De Foney, Christopher Allen, David M. Wilz, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9092682
    Abstract: A method and system for reading code symbols using a code symbol reading system having a programmable decode time-window filter mode of operation. During this mode of operation, only decoded code symbols that have been scanned within a selected (e.g. central) portion of the laser scan line field are processed according to a special decode time-window filtering function. In particular, if the decoded bar code symbol is a programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller applies the function represented by the programming-type bar code symbol; and if the decoded bar code symbol is a non-programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller either transmits symbol character data associated therewith to the host system or stores the symbol character data within memory aboard the bar code symbol reading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Wilz, Sr., Sergio Movsessian, Hong Ji, Thomas Haggerty
  • Patent number: 9064167
    Abstract: A scanning code symbol reading system includes an analog scan data signal processor for producing digitized data signals, wherein during each laser beam scanning cycle, a light collection and photo-detection module generates an analog scan data signal corresponding to a laser scanned code symbol, an analog scan data signal processor/digitizer processes the analog scan data signal to generate digital data signals corresponding thereto, and a synchronized digital gain control module automatically processes the digitized data signals in response to start of scan (SOS) signals generated by a SOS detector. The synchronized digital gain control module generates digital control data which is transmitted to the analog scan data signal processor for use in controlling the gain of a signal processing stage in the light collection and photo-detection module and/or analog scan data signal processor, during the corresponding laser beam scanning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Xian, Gennady Germaine, Xiaoxun Zhu, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9064165
    Abstract: A laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having a scanning window, from which blue/red beam-waist-extended laser scanning planes are projected and intersect within an extended depth of field (DOF) defined adjacent the scanning window. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scanning bar code symbol reading system includes a laser scanning subsystem having: a dual laser sources for producing a laser beams having blue and red spectral components; a collimating lens for collimating the laser beams; an aperture stop for shaping the cross-sectional dimensions of the collimated the laser beams; and beam-waist extending optics (e.g. axicon-lens) for extending the waist of the laser beam having a red characteristic wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: William Havens, Sean Philip Kearney
  • Patent number: 9057641
    Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system having (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem for reading bar code symbols on products being purchased at a retail POS station, and (ii) a produce weigh scale having a weigh scale assembly for weighing one or more produce items on a weigh platter during produce weighing operations carried out at the time of checkout at said retail POS station. The system also includes an automatic produce weighing interference detection subsystem, supporting an IR-based light curtain about the weigh platter, automatically detects when any object is overhanging the weigh platter during produce weighing operations, and generates an alert signal when such conditions are automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Amundsen, Sean Philip Kearney, Shane Michael Edmonds, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Timothy Good, Michael Miraglia, Charles Joseph Cunningham, IV, Xiaoxun Zhu, Patrick Anthony Giordano