Patents Assigned to Microscan Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8011583
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise causing a report to be automatically generated. The report can be indicative of a result of a read of a mark. The result can be automatically determined to pass a verification test. The verification test can be performed on an image obtained via an imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Lei, Jason J Lee, Richard G. Long
  • Patent number: 8000594
    Abstract: An apparatus including a curved light-reflecting surface including a pair of opposing curved edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges that extend between corresponding endpoints of the opposing curved edges; a pair of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface being attached to a corresponding one of the curved edges; at least one flange coupled to one of the pair of longitudinal edges and projecting toward the opposing longitudinal edge; and at least one light source mounted on the at least one flange. Other embodiments and aspects are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Messina
  • Patent number: 7978970
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 7976184
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an illumination source such as an array of LED's over which is provided a diffuser. The illumination source provides light which, because of light refraction, radiates generally uniformly from edge to edge of the diffuser. The diffuser may be a planar flat piece of may include a hollow, cup like structure formed by a frame with a cover. The illumination system may be scaled up to provide multiple such illumination devices side by side to provide a greater area or strength of illumination. Multiple systems may utilize multiple diffusers or a single diffuser covering multiple illumination sources. The illumination source may be mounted to a backplate or heatsink which is larger than the illumination source to facilitate the addition of further electronic circuitry and or mounting capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Sheila Bergeron Dunn
  • Patent number: 7889930
    Abstract: An 2-D symbol orientation guide with parallel and spaced right angle guidelines with chevron-like spaces provided therebetween is selectively displayed in plural selected dispositions on a monitor screen as an overlay for the display on the same monitor screen of a 2-D Data Matrix symbol. Manual rotation of the symbol is viewed on the monitor screen as the symbols solid line border is moved into alignment with a guide line at which time the symbol is imaged and its quality graded. Display of the orientation guide in at least five selected rotational dispositions, alignment of the symbol solid line border therewith and imaging and grading of the symbol quality in each such position provides multiple grade scores for averaging into an overall grade score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Long
  • Patent number: 7886979
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise obtaining an image of a barcode. The image can be obtained via a barcode reader. The barcode reader can comprise a camera. The camera can define a camera axis. The barcode reader can comprise a lighting module that comprises set of lighting elements that emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Patent number: 7877003
    Abstract: An illumination and/or imaging system including a dome, a crown, and multiple light sources for illuminating an object. The multiple light sources can include dome lights, diffuse on-axis sources, diffuse off-axis sources, medium-angle direct light sources and low-angle direct light source. The medium- and low-angle sources can illuminate the object from one direction or from multiple directions simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila Bergeron Dunn, Michael C. Messina
  • Publication number: 20110013297
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus comprising a base including a proximal end, a distal end, and a receptacle in the distal end that is adapted to interchangeably receive a lens adapter; a set of base optics positioned in the proximal end of the base; and adjustable-focus optics positioned in the base and optically coupled to the base optics and, when the lens adapter is present, to the lens adapter. Embodiments of a process including forming a base including a proximal end, a distal end, and a receptacle in the distal end that is adapted to interchangeably receive any one of a plurality of lens adapters; positioning a set of base optics in the proximal end of the base; and positioning adjustable-focus optics positioned in the base such that they are optically coupled to the base optics and, when the lens adapter is present, to the lens adapter. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSCAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny S. Barnes, Erik R. Stockinger, David P. Bajorins, Chace H. Fadlovich
  • Publication number: 20110008035
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a curved reflector having an interior and an open end; a light module positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector; and a light pipe coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the light pipe. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Thomas J. Driscoll, Kyle M. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110002682
    Abstract: An apparatus including a curved light-reflecting surface including a pair of opposing curved edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges that extend between corresponding endpoints of the opposing curved edges; a pair of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface being attached to a corresponding one of the curved edges; at least one flange coupled to one of the pair of longitudinal edges and projecting toward the opposing longitudinal edge; and at least one light source mounted on the at least one flange. Other embodiments and aspects are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSCAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael C. Messina
  • Patent number: 7857224
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system, which can comprise a barcode reader adapted to obtain an image of a barcode. The barcode reader can comprise a camera. The camera can define a camera axis. The barcode reader can comprise a lighting module that comprises set of lighting elements that emit light. The barcode reader can be adapted to automatically obtain and/or decode a sequential set of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Patent number: 7852564
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system, which can comprise a beamsplitter. The beamsplitter can comprise at least three distinct light reflection zones. Each zone of the three distinct light reflection zones can be adapted to cause light from one or more light sources to be reflected at a different angle relative to an axis of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Messina
  • Patent number: 7850338
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise controlling illumination of a set of illumination sources. The set of illumination sources can comprise a first subset of illumination sources and a second subset of illumination sources. Light from the set of illumination sources can be adapted to pass through a diffuser comprising a first zone and a second zone. The first zone can be physically and/or optically segregated from the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Sheila Bergeron Dunn, Brian Thompson
  • Patent number: 7835634
    Abstract: Embodiments of a dust-proof and water-proof enclosure for a camera. The enclosure includes first and second housings joined along a diagonal plane with a sealing element positioned on the diagonal plane between the two housings. An optical assembly is secured to at least one optoelectronic housing, and the optoelectronic housing is secured to a sidewall of the first housing. At least one electrical connector is secured to the sidewall of the second housing that is opposite the sidewall of the first housing to which the optoelectronic housing is secured when the first and second housing are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia Berend, Michael Philip Greenberg, Thomas J. Driscoll
  • Patent number: 7832644
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a barcode scanner platform is provided in which the gain of an analog signal representative of a barcode is controlled using a control loop. In embodiments, an MTF detector generates a value (e.g., DC) representative of a low frequency portion (wide or out of optical focus elements) of the analog signal and a second value (e.g., DC) representative of a high frequency portion (narrow elements or in optical focus elements) of the analog signal. The processor uses the first and the second values and a reference amplitude to determine a gain signal. The processor provides the gain signal to an AGC circuit that provides a linear response to the gain signal using matched JFETs. A noise filter can be enabled or disabled based on the first value, the second value, and/or the barcode scanner platform read rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kolstad, Bryan L. Davis
  • Patent number: 7822335
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising covering a camera lens with a light pipe adapted to: substantially encircle at least a portion of a camera lens that is adapted to focus an image representing an object of photographic interest; extend from a proximal region of said light pipe located substantially adjacent a plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest, the plurality of lighting elements located, relative to the object of photographic interest, substantially adjacent a base of the camera lens and substantially behind a face of the camera lens; and convey light from the plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Publication number: 20100232157
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an illumination source such as an array of LED's over which is provided a diffuser. The illumination source provides light which, because of light refraction, radiates generally uniformly from edge to edge of the diffuser. The diffuser may be a planar flat piece of may include a hollow, cup like structure formed by a frame with a cover. The illumination system may be scaled up to provide multiple such illumination devices side by side to provide a greater area or strength of illumination. Multiple systems may utilize multiple diffusers or a single diffuser covering multiple illumination sources. The illumination source may be mounted to a backplate or heatsink which is larger than the illumination source to facilitate the addition of further electronic circuitry and or mounting capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSCAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Sheila Bergeron Dunn
  • Patent number: 7792419
    Abstract: A plurality of LED's, or electro luminescent strips, are disposed to project illumination to and thru, or towards, a diffuser; resulting in at least a portion of generated diffuse illumination being directed towards and upon the cylindrical surface of an article or part when disposed at an article illumination location. The article illumination location is established so that a centerline through the article is co-linear with a center line of the diffuse illumination projecting from, or reflected from, the diffusers. A housing may be provided for the LED's, electro luminescent strips and diffusers; or they may be otherwise arranged to coact to provide diffuse illumination directed towards the cylindrical surface of the part or other article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila Bergeron Dunn, Joseph Marcel La Flamme, Michael C. Messina, Michael Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7743993
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a barcode scanner platform is provided in which the gain of an analog signal representative of a barcode is controlled using a control loop. In embodiments, an MTF detector generates a value (e.g., DC) representative of a low frequency portion (wide or out of optical focus elements) of the analog signal and a second value (e.g., DC) representative of a high frequency portion (narrow elements or in optical focus elements) of the analog signal. The processor uses the first and the second values and a reference amplitude to determine a gain signal. The processor provides the gain signal to an AGC circuit that provides a linear response to the gain signal using matched JFETs. A noise filter can be enabled or disabled based on the first value, the second value, and/or the barcode scanner platform read rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kolstad, Bryan L. Davis
  • Patent number: 7731391
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an illumination source such as an array of LED's over which is provided a diffuser. The illumination source provides light which, because of light refraction, radiates generally uniformly from edge to edge of the diffuser. The diffuser may be a planar flat piece of may include a hollow, cup like structure formed by a frame with a cover. The illumination system may be scaled up to provide multiple such illumination devices side by side to provide a greater area or strength of illumination. Multiple systems may utilize multiple diffusers or a single diffuser covering multiple illumination sources. The illumination source may be mounted to a backplate or heatsink which is larger than the illumination source to facilitate the addition of further electronic circuitry and or mounting capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Sheila Bergeron Dunn