Patents Assigned to The Code Corporation
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Patent number: 9710685Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode reading application for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises a camera, which comprises an image sensor array and an output module coupled to the image sensor array. The image sensor array includes a plurality of pixels and the output module is capable of providing output in both: i) a primary color format wherein each pixel is represented by an intensity of each of three primary colors; and ii) a color space format wherein each pixel is represented by an intensity value and a plurality of chromatic values. The barcode reading application is configured to perform one of: i) confirming that the output module is set to provide output in the color space format; and ii) setting the output module to provide output in the color space format.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, Ryan Hoobler, Garrett Russell, George Powell, Mark Ashby
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Patent number: 9704008Abstract: A computer includes an application that expects to receive data via a unidirectional communication interface. The computer also includes a background service having a first thread and a second thread. The computer additionally includes device management client software. A barcode reader scans one or more barcodes to generate scanned data. The scanned data is sent to the computer via the unidirectional interface. The first thread of the background service reads the scanned data from the unidirectional interface and sends the scanned data to the application. The second thread of the background service enables the device management client software to perform management operations on the barcode reader via a bidirectional communication interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: George Powell, Ryan Hoobler, Mark Ashby
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Patent number: 9699004Abstract: The present disclosure provides a relay application configured to send decoded barcode image data to an intermediary device as text via a TCP/IP connection. The relay application is executed by a processor of a mobile device that is in communication with the barcode sled reader. The barcode sled reader includes a barcode reader that generates image data of a barcode and a decoding processor that decodes the image data.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Steve Pierce, Jonathan Bosley
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Patent number: 9697400Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device includes a camera and a white illumination source on the backside of the mobile device. The system includes a barcode reading accessory with at least one reflective surface folding both the field of view of the camera and the field of illumination of the mobile device towards a target area beyond the top side of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Phil Utykanski, George Powell, Ryan Hoobler
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Patent number: 9679175Abstract: A barcode reader comprising a targeting illumination system, a plurality of illumination systems, and a lens assembly may also comprise feature offset data. The feature offset data may be offsets between locations of a plurality of features projected by the targeting illumination system within a plurality of calibration image frames captured at different calibration distances. The barcode reader may (i) select two features projected by the targeting illumination system that are present in a barcode image captured via the first lens, (ii) determine a feature offset that indicates an offset between the two features, and (iii) estimate a barcode distance based on the feature offset and the feature offset data.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventor: Ming Lei
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Patent number: 9679177Abstract: A barcode reader and an accessory are disclosed. A barcode reader may include an interface for communication with a host computer via a wireless or wired link and an authentication system to establish mutual authentication with the host computer. The barcode reader may include a connector for connecting the barcode reader to the external power source or the host computer. The connector may be a combined power and data connector. An accessory may provide operating power to a barcode reader and provide decoded data of an image of a barcode received from the barcode reader to a host computer. The accessory may include connectors and an interface system. The interface system may include a processor configured to send the decoded data to the host computer, an authentication system, and a power interface. The accessory may include RF circuits for communicating with the host computer via a wireless link.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: John Deal, Ryan Hoobler, Garrett Russell
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Patent number: 9672399Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a barcode reader that includes a bright field illumination system, a dark field illumination system, and an additional illumination system that is better able to illuminate an area of the reader's field of view between the far zone (where bright field illumination is optimal) and the close zone (where dark field illumination is optimal). In this “center zone,” the dark field illumination may not be bright enough and the bright field illumination may not be diffuse enough for reading a barcode.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, George Powell
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Patent number: 9665760Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device include an image sensor array for generating a color image of a target area. The color image includes sub-images each captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to different bands of illumination. The barcode reading system may include an optic system configured to produce a targeting illumination pattern of a particular band of illumination passed by an optical filter within the target area. An image processing function of a barcode-reading application may create a grayscale composite image of a barcode by combining the sub-images. In combining the sub-images, a contribution from a sub-image captured by a portion of the image sensor array most sensitive to the particular band for the targeting illumination may be smaller than a contribution from the other two sub-images captured by other portions of the image sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, George Powell, Ryan Hoobler
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Patent number: 9639727Abstract: A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The graphical code reader includes an optic system, a plurality of light sources, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine that glare is present in an image captured by the optic system by identifying reflection from at least one of the plurality of light sources. The control system may take a corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images. The control system may be configured to take a first corrective action if a diffraction pattern is present at a periphery of the glare, and take a second corrective action if a diffraction pattern is not present at the periphery of the glare.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, Jason J. Lee, Ryan Hoobler
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Patent number: 9576170Abstract: A host device is configured to (i) establish a point-to-point connection with a barcode reader via a point-to-point communication interface, (ii) determine that the barcode reader is in a state wherein executable instructions necessary for providing decoded data to the host device are not present within memory of the barcode reader, (iii) use the network interface to connect to a configuration server and to receive, from the configuration server, executable instructions required for the barcode reader to be capable of providing the decoded data to the host device, (iv) provide the executable instructions to the barcode reader via the point-to-point connection, and (v) receive from the barcode reader, via the point-to-point communication interface, the decoded data only after the executable instructions have been loaded to volatile memory of the barcode reader.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Mark Ashby, George Powell, Ryan Hoobler, Ming Lei, Steve Pierce
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Patent number: 9552505Abstract: A barcode reader and a barcode reading system having an age verification capability are disclosed. The barcode reader may capture a barcode pattern on an identification (ID) card of an individual presented within a field of view of the barcode reader, extract date of birth information from the barcode, and verify an age of the individual. The barcode reader may provide an approve signal if it is verified that the age of the individual is greater than a high threshold or a deny signal if it is verified that the age is less than a low threshold. The low threshold is distinct from the high threshold. The age may be verified by a host computer. The barcode reader may extract a product ID and send the product ID to the host computer. The host computer may then prompt age verification operation if the product is an age-restricted product.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: The Code CorporationInventor: George Powell
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Patent number: 9430687Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a barcode reader that includes a bright field illumination system, a dark field illumination system, and an additional illumination system that is better able to illuminate an area of the reader's field of view between the far zone (where bright field illumination is optimal) and the close zone (where dark field illumination is optimal). In this “center zone,” the dark field illumination may not be bright enough and the bright field illumination may not be diffuse enough for reading a barcode.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, George Powell
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Patent number: 9418268Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for setting the time for an internal clock function of a barcode reader and enabling the barcode reader to associate time, as determined by the internal clock function, with production barcodes read during operator use of the barcode reader and delivery of the combination of production barcodes and the associated time to a host system.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Michiel Lexmond, George Powell
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Patent number: 9411998Abstract: A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The method may include illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources. The method may also include capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor. The method may also include determining that glare is present in at least one captured image. The method may also include determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the glare. The method may further include taking corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: George Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler
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Patent number: 9411999Abstract: The present disclosure provides a barcode reader including a second set of imaging optics having a larger effective depth of field than a first set of imaging optics and requiring a larger amount of time to process a resulting image of a barcode into a decodable format. The barcode reader also includes a processor providing a decoded output based on an image acquired with the second set of imaging optics if an image acquired with the first set of imaging optics is not decodable.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, George Powell
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Patent number: 9367726Abstract: A barcode reader may perform image processing functions to generate distinct image data records from the frame of image data of a barcode, select an image data record from the distinct image data records and decode the selected image data record. Each image data record may be generated by applying a distinct image processing function to the frame of image data. The barcode reader may capture multiple frames of image data in sequence based on image capture parameters. At least one of the multiple frames of image data may be captured with a distinct parameter value. The image capture parameters may include an exposure setting, a gain setting, a resolution setting, and/or an illumination setting.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Mark Ashby, Ming Lei, Ryan Hoobler
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Patent number: 9367720Abstract: A host device is configured to (i) establish a point-to-point connection with a barcode reader via a point-to-point communication interface, (ii) determine that the barcode reader is in a state wherein executable instructions necessary for providing decoded data to the host device are not present within memory of the barcode reader, (iii) use the network interface to connect to a configuration server and to receive, from the configuration server, executable instructions required for the barcode reader to be capable of providing the decoded data to the host device, (iv) provide the executable instructions to the barcode reader via the point-to-point connection, and (v) receive from the barcode reader, via the point-to-point communication interface, the decoded data only after the executable instructions have been loaded to volatile memory of the barcode reader.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Mark Ashby, George Powell, Ryan Hoobler, Ming Lei, Steve Pierce
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Patent number: 9355291Abstract: A barcode reader and an accessory are disclosed. The accessory may include an interface system and a wireless and/or wired interface for communication with a host computer such that the barcode reader may communicate with the host computer via the accessory. The interface system includes an authentication coprocessor such that the barcode reader may establish mutual authentication with the host computer using the authentication coprocessor of the interface system. The barcode reader may send a request for an accessory identifier, and the accessory may then query the authentication coprocessor for the accessory identifier and provide the accessory identifier to the barcode reader. The barcode reader may send an authentication challenge to the accessory, and the accessory may then present the authentication challenge to the authentication coprocessor to obtain an authentication response, and provide the authentication response to the barcode reader.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Steve Pierce, Ryan Hoobler, John Deal, Garrett Russell
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Patent number: 9348371Abstract: A protective case for a portable computing device may include a rigid component comprising an upper surface and a cavity therein for receiving a portable computing device. The protective case may also include a cover having a surface area that is larger than the area of the upper surface that is open to the cavity. At least a central area of the cover may be transparent. The cover may be positioned over the cavity, and may also be positioned over part of the upper surface of the rigid component. The protective case may also include a pliable component molded around at least a portion of the rigid component and over a portion of the cover that is in contact with the upper surface of the rigid component, thereby forming a waterproof seal between the cover and the upper surface of the rigid component.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ryan Hoobler, Phil Utykanski
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Patent number: 9330290Abstract: A barcode reader comprises a first lens assembly with a first field of view and a first optical path for first illumination from the first field of view to project to a first image sensor section. The barcode reader further comprises a second lens assembly with a second field of view and a second optical path for second illumination from the second field of view to project to a second image sensor section. The barcode reader further comprises a first illumination system positioned outside of the first field of view projecting the first illumination into the first field of view at a first angle from the first optical path. The barcode reader further comprises a second illumination system positioned between the second lens assembly and a point from which the first illumination system projects the first illumination into the first field of view.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The Code CorporationInventors: Ming Lei, George Powell