Abstract: An image reading device includes an illumination system and a processor that causes the illumination system to produce illumination according to an illumination period having a continuous or substantially continuous, illumination sub-period and at least one pulsed, illumination sub-period. The illumination period allows the image reading device to determine a proper exposure for imaged indicia by sectioning a single frame into individual exposures.

Abstract: A scanning system and method are disclosed which may include a bar code scanner module incorporated within a housing; and a wireless network transceiver coupled to the bar code scanner module and operable to communicate with at least one other communication device, the bar code scanner and the transceiver forming a scanning device. The transceiver may communicate employing Zigbee network protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for reading a bar code are disclosed which may include transmitting light pulsed at a selected frequency to illuminate the bar code; converting light received at the bar code reader from the bar code into an electrical signal; transmitting the electrical signal through a signal conditioning circuit to filter and amplify the electrical signal, to thereby provide a conditioned electrical signal; sampling the conditioned electrical signal at the selected frequency; removing energy due to light scattering within a housing of the bar code reader from the sampled, conditioned electrical signal; generating one of a logical “1” and a logical “0” output based on a value of the signal generated by the step of removing; and resolving output from the step of generating into data indicative of information on the bar code.

Abstract: An image reading device includes an illumination system and a processor that causes the illumination system to produce illumination according to an illumination period having a continuous or substantially continuous, illumination sub-period and at least one pulsed, illumination sub-period. The illumination period allows the image reading device to determine a proper exposure for imaged indicia by sectioning a single frame into individual exposures.

Abstract: A method and system for disassociating an electronic shelf label (ESL) from one node in a network and re-associating the ESL with another node in the network so as to establish a more reliable wireless link for the ESL to receive commands for updating goods-related information display by the ESL.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an amplifier in a bar code reader are disclosed, wherein the method may include receiving light at a photodiode within the bar code reader from a bar code being scanned by a scan mirror powered by a scan motor; converting the received light into an initial electrical signal; determining whether the scan motor is undergoing a change in direction; establishing a gain value for the amplifier based on an outcome of the determining step; and amplifying the initial electrical signal into an amplified signal using the established gain value.

Abstract: A power management system is disclosed in which ESL labels communicate with a server through a base station. The frequency and times at which each ESL label communicates with the server is optimized for the minimum communication necessary to provide up to date pricing and related information, and to simultaneously minimize consumed battery power for the ESL labels. The base stations and servers for the system are preferably operated from hard wired power.

Abstract: An imaging module for an image scanning and/or reading device, contains a camera module, a decoder module, and a chassis module for mounting the camera and decoder modules. The camera module includes a module body having a surface for receiving a circuit board, the surface including one or more recessed portions for preventing damage to the body when the one or more contacts of the circuit board are soldered. The decoder module includes a folded circuit board arrangement including parallel first and second circuit boards. The chassis module includes a main chassis having a portion that engages a processor of the decoder module to transfer heat from the processor into the main chassis.

Abstract: A portable scanning apparatus is disclosed, which may include a bar code scanner module incorporated within a housing; a portable computer memory assembled to the bar code scanner and incorporated within said housing, wherein the computer memory is operable to receive and store data obtained by the bar code scanner, and wherein the assembly of the bar code scanner and the portable computer memory within said housing forms a compact and portable package.

Abstract: An imaging device preferably for use in a 2-D CCD or CMOS sensor is disclosed. The illumination means uses a plurality of illumination sources, some of which are coupled to lenses in an offset manner to promote far field illumination, and some of which are not so coupled and are arranged to provide near field illumination.

Abstract: An electronic display system for use, for example, in a retail outlet comprises a plurality of small display module commonly known as electronic shelf labels. The system also comprises a plurality of base stations for transmitting, to the display modules, representations of images to be displayed. This disclosure teaches an electronic display system wherein base stations are connected directly to the Internet. A single processor can transmit data, metadata and commands to base stations located in different retail outlets. Thus, a single processor can remotely manage display modules in a plurality of different retail outlets that are located at different geographical locations.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label (ESL) is constructed to display a bar code, or the like, and inventory information, in addition to the typical product identification and price. A stock person carrying a handheld communicator with a bar code scanner can conveniently scan the ESL and then enter the number of items removed from or placed on the shelf. Assuming he is using a wireless communicator, the information is sent immediately to the ESL server via the ESL system, and the ESL display is then updated as well as the establishment's inventory database.

Abstract: A system and method for reading a bar code are disclosed which may include transmitting light pulsed at a selected frequency to illuminate the bar code; converting light received at the bar code reader from the bar code into an electrical signal; transmitting the electrical signal through a signal conditioning circuit to filter and amplify the electrical signal, to thereby provide a conditioned electrical signal; sampling the conditioned electrical signal at the selected frequency; removing energy due to light scattering within a housing of the bar code reader from the sampled, conditioned electrical signal; generating one of a logical “1” and a logical “0” output based on a value of the signal generated by the step of removing; and resolving output from the step of generating into data indicative of information on the bar code.

Abstract: In an optical code detection system and method, infrared pulses are utilized to detect the presence of an object within the range of an optical imaging device, but the image of an infrared pulse reflected from the object is also analyzed to determine the distance between the object and the imaging device. An illumination pulse is then produced to illuminate the optical code on the object, and the characteristic of that pulse, such as duration, are controlled to provide appropriate exposure for an object at the detected distance.

Abstract: An optical aberration is intentionally introduced into the optical system which produces the scanning beam of an optical code scanner, in order to produce a scanning beam which has plural focal points or waists at different distances from the scanner. The operating range of the scanner can thereby be increased by taking advantage of different beam waist locations when the optical code is at different distances from the scanner. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, coma is intentionally introduced to an optical system providing a light beam for an optical code scanner. This provides a scanning beam with plural beam waists at different distances from the scanner. This may be accomplished by orienting the light source and focusing optical system so that their optical axes intersect or by introducing an optical member, such as a prism, between the original light source and the focusing optical system.

Abstract: An imaging device preferably for use in a 2-D CCD or CMOS sensor is disclosed. The illumination means uses a plurality of illumination sources, some of which are coupled to lenses in an offset manner to promote far field illumination, and some of which are not so coupled and are arranged to provide near field illumination.

Abstract: There is provided a bearing constituent member capable of achieving a long life of a rolling bearing and securing sufficient static loading capacity and dimensional stability and a production process thereof as well as a rolling bearing having a long life and exhibiting sufficient static loading capacity and dimensional stability. A workpiece obtained from a steel containing 3.2 to 5.0% by mass of Cr and 0.05% by mass or more to less than 0.5% by mass of V is subjected to a heat treatment such as a carbonitriding treatment. Thereby, the following are achieved: the content of C in the surface layer ranging from the surface of the bearing constituent member of the rolling bearing to 10 ?m is 1.1 to 1.6% by mass, Vickers hardness at the position of a depth of 50 ?m from the surface is 740 to 900 (Rockwell C hardness is 62 to 67), the ? amount at the position of a depth of 10 ?m from the surface is 20 to 55% by volume, particles composed of vanadium nitride having a particle diameter of 0.

Abstract: An optical assembly is disclosed which may include a lens having first and second electrodes; and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) configured for placement in proximity to the lens, wherein the FPC may include a bottom insulating layer; a top insulating layer; and an FPC electrode configured to contact the second electrode of the lens, wherein the FPC electrode may include a center portion disposed between the bottom and top insulating layers of the FPC; a post connected to the center portion and extending through the top insulating layer of the FPC; and a contact layer connected to the post and configured to provide the contact with the second electrode of the lens.

Abstract: A modular barcode scanner for identifying various types of barcodes or the like is provided. The scanner has a housing that has a light source mounted therein and a plurality of walls with one wall at least partially disposed to allow a light path originating from the light source to pass out of the housing to reach the bar codes. The scanner further has a top module mounted on the top of the housing comprising a flat member having light receiving and processing optics as well as subsequent electronic processing devices mounted thereon; and a bottom module mounted on the bottom of the housing having an inner surface with a rotating mirror mounted thereon for directing the light path.

Abstract: A liquid lens is mounted in a lens opening provided in a photographic instrument by making use of a mounting member made of a material which transmits light of predetermined wavelength and includes an inner wall shaped and dimensioned to receive the periphery of the lens in spaced, opposed relationship. The mounting member includes a portion mounted or to be mounted to the optical instrument. A bonding material is provided between the lens periphery and the mounting member wall, and the bonding material is activated by exposure to light of the predetermined wavelength, which is injected from outside, through the mounting member. Preferably, the light is injected with a guide member having an opening with an interior wall shaped and dimensioned to conform to an exterior wall of the guide member. The light may be injected from an edge of the guide member remote from the opening, through the guide member, and into the mounting member.