Abstract: Embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly capturing images in an automated identification system to effectively extend one dimension of a field of view of an image system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image system captures and processes multiple images of at least a portion of a surface of a component in the automated identification system in response to a trigger signal communicated from a triggering device configured to sense a location of the component. Various embodiments of the invention include multiple sources for capturing images, and/or multiple user-specified schemas for effectively extending the field of view of the image system along the axis of component travel in the automated identification system.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a base capable of receiving a camera including a lens, and a projector coupled to the base and adapted to project a plurality of beams of light onto a plane positioned at a focus distance from the base, wherein the projections of the beams of light on the plane are geometric shapes, and wherein an intersection of the geometric shapes is at the center of the field of view of the lens when the lens is installed on the base. In addition, an apparatus is disclosed comprising a base capable of receiving a camera including a lens, an image processor capable of being coupled to the camera for processing an image of a target captured by the camera, and a confirmation projector coupled to the image processor, wherein the projector projects a confirmation beam onto the plane of the target when the image processor signals the confirmation projector that it has processed the image.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a movable optical element having an optical axis and including one or more focusing elements, an image sensor positioned along the optical axis and substantially normal thereto, and a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation source directs a beam of radiation onto the sensor at a selected angle relative to the optical axis. A process comprising positioning a sensor along, and normal to, an optical axis of a movable optical element, projecting a radiation beam onto the sensor from a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation beam is at a selected angle relative to the optical axis, and adjusting the position of the movable optical element until the position where the radiation beam falls on the sensor corresponds to the position where the radiation beam is expected to fall on the sensor when the movable optical element is in focus. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

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.

Abstract: A process comprising computing a histogram of pixel intensity data collected from a digital image of an optically readable symbol including light and dark elements, thresholding the histogram to classify individual pixels as light pixels, dark pixels or gray pixels, thresholding only the portion of the histogram corresponding to gray pixels to re-classify the gray pixels into dark pixels, light pixels or unresolved gray pixels, and heuristically analyzing each string of unresolved gray pixels to determine the elements of the optically readable symbol that created the string of unresolved gray pixels. An apparatus and system to implement the process.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly capturing images in an automated identification system to effectively extend one dimension of a field of view of an image system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image system captures and processes multiple images of at least a portion of a surface of a component in the automated identification system in response to a trigger signal communicated from a triggering device configured to sense a location of the component. Various embodiments of the invention include multiple sources for capturing images, and/or multiple user-specified schemes for effectively extending the field of view of the image system along the axis of component travel in the automated identification system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromechanical or microoptomechanical structure produced by a process comprising defining the structure in a single-crystal silicon layer separated by an insulator layer from a substrate layer; selectively etching the single crystal silicon layer; depositing and etching a polysilicon layer on the insulator layer, with remaining polysilicon forming mechanical elements of the structure; metalizing a backside of the structure; and releasing the formed structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromechanical or microoptomechanical structure. The structure is produced by a process comprising defining a structure on a single crystal silicon layer separated by an insulator layer from a substrate layer; depositing and etching a polysilicon layer on the single crystal silicon layer, with remaining polysilcon forming mechanical or optical elements of the structure; exposing a selected area of the single crystal silicon layer; and releasing the formed structure.

Abstract: A laser bar code scanner employing a retroreflector in combination with a rotating polygon reflector to increase scan width and reduce curvature in the scanning beam.

Abstract: A device and method for uniformly illuminating bar codes and two dimensional symbologies. An illumination source is mounted within the device to flood an area congruent with the field of view of the imaging optics with light to be reflected off of a code symbol. The imaging optics collects the reflected illumination received back through the window and images the same on a detector focal plane. An array of solid state light-emitting diodes are disposed adjacent to the imaging optics and a diffuser is placed between the emitters and the device window for illumination source. The emitters and diffusers are spatially arranged so as to cause homogenous distribution of light energy beyond the window and congruent with the field of view of the imaging optics.

Abstract: A laser bar code scanner employing a retroreflector in combination with a rotating polygon reflector to increase scan width and reduce curvature in the scanning beam.

Abstract: In a bar code scanner of the fixed amount type, laser beam reflections from the target location are collected by an object detector that senses predetermined specular reflections and determines whether an object is present or absent, and whether the object has a bar code label or lacks a bar code label.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detachably mounting and balancing a polygon mirror body onto a rotating motor hub to reflect a scanning beam of light used in reading bar codes. A bowed retaining ring engages a grooved stub structure that protrudes through a center aperture of a closed end of a cylindrical mirror support body such that the retaining ring can be removed and the polygon mirror body repositioned by rotation relative to the motor for optimal center of mass balance relative to the motor rotation, and reset the mirror body by the retaining ring at such optional balanced position.

Abstract: A bar code reader having a scanned light and a stationary photodetector is disclosed. The photo detector uses a lens having a pyramidal frusta-like body to concentrate light. The input side has a pair of oppositely angles side planes facing opposite extremities of a scanned label. The faces can be used to mount filters to reject ambient light, and a polarizer can be used to reject specular reflection from the scanning laser.

Abstract: Scanned barcodes represented by an electrical signal are preprocessed in a PLA and delivered to a microprocessor in a form that permits efficient final processing of the data. High speed edge detection produce edge markers for the control logic and counting circuits coupled with a Johnson state counter to logically sequence the processor. Logarithmic conversion compresses the counted time interval to a single data word that can most efficiently be processed by the host microprocessor. Logic between the preprocessor and the microprocessor transfer digital representations of each bar and space to preassigned respective areas in the microprocessor memory. Bar/space margin detection performs a ratiometric comparison of each bar and space to determine every occurrence of 10:1 ratios and both bar/space and space/bar. Pointer signal information is transferred to the microprocessor indicating precisely where in memory each 10:1 margin ratio is located.