Abstract: A variety of PC card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots. The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus. Some embodiments use programmed general purpose microprocessors to decode undecoded barcode scan data on the PC card. Other embodiments use custom-programmed, commercially available barcode decoding chips to decode incoming undecoded barcode scan data.

Abstract: An optical element has a coating thereon to reflect energy, such as light, of a first polarization into a first focus zone and to allow energy, such as light, of a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, to reach a second optical element. The second optical element, which may be reflective, diffractive, holographic, aspherical or have other optical characteristics, acts upon the energy to focus it into a second focus zone. A polarization changing element can be placed between the energy source and the optical element or the polarization can be changed by rotating the energy source. The ability to position energy into different focus zones allows for high speed processing and for the generation of useful beam patterns, such as aiming beams.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system for a conveyor system includes a CCD camera that writes data to a memory. Data is stored in the memory as a two-dimensional image at periodic time frames based on scanning by the CCD camera. Data is written out of the memory by a controller, to create a virtual X-scan pattern, that can be read and decoded by a decoder that is configured to decode X-scan patterns. Alternatively, the memory can be configured as a first memory region for receiving even pixel data, and a second memory region for receiving odd pixel data.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system for a conveyor system in which a first conveyor and a second conveyor are disposed apart from each other by a small gap region. A light emitting device is positioned in the gap underneath a top surface of the first and second conveyors, and the light emitting device shines light onto bar code labels on a bottom side of objects as the objects traverse from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A light receiving device is also positioned in the gap, and the light receiving device receives reflected light from the bottom side of the objects due to the light being shined on the objects by the light emitting device. The gap is covered by a glass or plastic plate, so as to allow light to pass substantially therethrough.

Abstract: An optical or symbol reader including CMOS circuitry preferably integrated on a single chip. A CMOS optical reader chip comprises a CMOS imaging array having a plurality of pixels each with a dedicated pixel-site circuit. Charge is accumulated at each pixel location transferred upon demand to a common bus. In a preferred embodiment, exposure time of the imaging array is controlled using a feedback loop. One or more exposure control pixels are positioned adjacent to or within the imaging array and receive light along with the imaging array. The charge of the exposure control pixel or pixels is measured against a threshold level, and the amount of time taken to reach the threshold level determines the time exposure of the pixels of the imaging array. CMOS signal processing circuitry is employed which, in combination with the exposure control circuitry, minimizes time-to-read over a large range of light levels, while performing spatially optimal filtering.

Abstract: An optical or symbol reader including CMOS circuitry preferably integrated on a single chip. A CMOS optical reader chip comprises a CMOS imaging array having a plurality of pixels each with a dedicated pixel-site circuit. Charge is accumulated at each pixel location transferred upon demand to a common bus. In a preferred embodiment, exposure time of the imaging array is controlled using a feedback loop. One or more exposure control pixels are positioned adjacent to or within the imaging array and receive light along with the imaging array. The charge of the exposure control pixel or pixels is measured against a threshold level, and the amount of time taken to reach the threshold level determines the time exposure of the pixels of the imaging array. CMOS signal processing circuitry is employed which, in combination with the exposure control circuitry, minimizes time-to-read over a large range of light levels, while performing spatially optimal filtering.

Abstract: An optical or symbol reader including CMOS circuitry preferably integrated on a single chip. A CMOS optical reader chip comprises a CMOS imaging array having a plurality of pixels each with a dedicated pixel-site circuit. Charge is accumulated at each pixel location transferred upon demand to a common bus. In a preferred embodiment, exposure time of the imaging array is controlled using a feedback loop. One or more exposure control pixels are positioned adjacent to or within the imaging array and receive light along with the imaging array. The charge of the exposure control pixel or pixels is measured against a threshold level, and the amount of time taken to reach the threshold level determines the time exposure of the pixels of the imaging array. CMOS signal processing circuitry is employed which, in combination with the exposure control circuitry, minimizes time-to-read over a large range of light levels, while performing spatially optimal filtering.

Abstract: A variety of PC card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots. The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus. Some embodiments use programmed general purpose microprocessors to decode undecoded barcode scan data on the PC card. Other embodiments use custom-programmed, commercially available barcode decoding chips to decode incoming undecoded barcode scan data.

Abstract: A wireless scanning system for a bar code scanner and a personal computer. The bar code scanner sends raw bar code data via a wireless connection to the personal computer. The personal computer decodes the raw bar code data, and sends the digitized version of the raw bar code data to a keyboard buffer, in order to simulate data from the keyboard at the personal computer based on the raw bar code data.

Abstract: A bar code label scanning system comprises a light source for producing a light beam at a first wavelength which is swept across a bar code. Light from the bar code is passed through a filter for attenuating light scattered from said bar code to approximately a level of light emitted from a fluorescent ink, having an excitation wavelength equal to said first wavelength, in response to irradiation by said light beam. The filtered light is received and a signal representative of the amplitude of the filtered light is generated. The signal is decoded to provide a bit string encoded in said bar code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the length, width, and height of rectangular solid objects moving on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a light curtain, two laser triangulation range finders, and a pulse tachometer mounted on a frame around a conveyor. As an object is conveyed through the frame, measurements from each of the sensors are correlated by a digital computer to estimate the length, width and height of the object. The method and apparatus does not require a break in the surface of the conveyor, and is insensitive to object placement and orientation on the conveyor.

Abstract: A bar code scanning system for a conveyor system in which a first conveyor and a second conveyor are disposed apart from each other by a small gap region. A light emitting device is positioned in the gap underneath a top surface of the first and second conveyors, and the light emitting device shines light onto bar code labels on a bottom side of objects as the objects traverse from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A light receiving device is also positioned in the gap, and the light receiving device receives reflected light from the bottom side of the objects due to the light being shined on the objects by the light emitting device. The gap is covered by a glass or plastic plate, so as to allow light to pass substantially therethrough.

Abstract: A combination range optical scanner includes a short distance laser and a long distance laser. A scan mirror is oscillated by a motor and scans a beam from one of the two lasers across a field of view. A controller turns the two lasers on and off such that both a short distance scan and a long distance scan are automatically performed. The rate at which the controller turns the lasers on and off may be synchronized with the oscillation rate of the scan mirror. A collection mirror may include two facets, integrally formed therewith, where the two lasers are respectively directed toward the two facets.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes aseparate transmitter and receiver, each being able to ultrasonically transmit and receive data, respectively. The receiver transmits an acknowledgement signal when a protocol is received, and sends the acknowledgement signal to the transmitter which, unless it receives the acknowledgement signal, will retransmit the protocol a predetermined number of times. The transmitter includes a receiver which monitors an ultrasonic frequency band for a time period in which transmission by the transmitter is not allowed. The time period corresponds to a time when another ultrasonic signal in the ultrasonic frequency band is detected by the receiver of the transmitter. Transmission by the transmitter is allowed as soon as the another ultrasonic signal is no longer detected by the receiver of the transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the length, width, and height of rectangular solid objects moving on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a light curtain, two laser triangulation range finders, and a pulse tachometer mounted on a frame around a conveyor. As an object is conveyed through the frame, measurements from each of the sensors are correlated by a digital computer to estimate the length, width and height of the object. The method and apparatus does not require a break in the surface of the conveyor, and is insensitive to object placement and orientation on the conveyor.

Abstract: An automated prescription filling system which assists the physician in providing a prescription and/or assists he pharmacist in filling a prescription in which the physician enters prescription information into his/her computer by which a bar coded prescription may be printed out. The prescription printed out includes a bar code containing all pertinent information including drug specification, dose strength, taking instructions, physician identification as well as corresponding human-readable typed information. The patient takes the prescription into the pharmacy and the pharmacist fills the prescription either in the conventional fashion since the prescription contains all the necessary information in typed form, or the pharmacist scans the bar code(s) and the prescription is automatically entered into pharmacy computer. The pharmacist then selects the matching drug from the shelf container and scans the NDC (National Drug Code) bar-code on the container.

Abstract: A digitizer for a barcode scanner includes an amplifier and a comparator. The amplifier receives a feedback signal and a differentiated return signal on a first port, and a reference voltage signal on a second port. Based on a difference between voltages on the first and second ports, the amplifier outputs an output signal, which is limited between a maximum voltage value and a minimum voltage value. The output signal is delayed in phase, and the phase-delayed signal is input to a first port of a comparator, while the undelayed output signal is input to a second port of the comparator. Based on a comparison of the voltages on the first and second ports of the comparator, the feedback signal having one of a first voltage value and a second voltage value is obtained.

Abstract: A light beam, which scans in opposite directions across a bar code, is controlled in velocity and scan angle by monitoring the voltage across a winding of a motor, such as one of the phase windings of a two phase stepper motor, which causes the beam to scan across a field of view where the bar code is located. In order to enable the winding, which carries current for driving the motor, circuitry that inhibits the voltage from inductive generation (the back EMF) into the winding during periods when the drive current is applied to the motor. The drive current is applied in pulses, and preferably in groups of pulses, which groups recur periodically. In one embodiment of the invention, which utilizes a motor with two phase windings, the groups of pulses are applied alternately to different ones of the windings and the voltage due to inductive generation is derived from one of these windings during the time period where the pulses are applied to the other winding.

Abstract: In order to set the output optical power of a laser diode precisely and under digital control without expensive digital to analog conversion devices, a digital controller provides a sequence of pulses. A capacitor is charged by these pulses to produce a control voltage which controls the current through the laser diode via an operational amplifier driver stage. The output power obtained from the laser as detected by a photodetector, which is optically coupled to the laser and may be packaged therewith, is monitored by the computer so as to determine the rate at which laser power changes and indirectly at the rate at which the capacitor charges. This rate may vary depending upon environmental conditions and manufacturing tolerances. Based upon the charging rate, a pulse is generated and used to either provide additional charge or to charge the capacitor to the voltage corresponding to the desired optical power output.

Abstract: A scanner communicates with a microcomputer over a serial communications link utilizing the serial I/O port of the microcomputer. Both signals representing the data which is scanned and signals representing commands to the scanner and commands from the scanner indicative of the status thereof (e.g., scanner trigger actuation) are communicated over a plurality of lines in the communication link. These lines may be of the type utilized for transmission of data and commands in accordance with a communications protocol, such as the RS-232 protocol. Interrupts are generated when the scanner is connected to the serial port via the communication link and the microcomputer is available for decoding. Then appropriate interrupts are generated to actuate the scanner and to respond to the data. The scanner may be a laser or optical beam scanner or a wand which is moved across a bar code symbol. The symbol has bars which are relatively opaque and reflective (black or white).