Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a portable computing device may capture an image of a physical bar code, which may exist on some physical medium, such as paper, plastic, glass, etc. The physical bar code may be decoded to obtain decoded data, and the decoded data may subsequently be re-encoded to generate a virtual bar code. The virtual bar code may be rendered (e.g., on a display of a computing device, and/or on some type of physical medium) and read by a barcode reader.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: During a pairing procedure between an electronic device and a host system, the host system may output audiovisual data that communicates wireless pairing information. The electronic device may detect the audiovisual data and determine the wireless pairing information by processing the audiovisual data that it detects. The wireless pairing information may facilitate pairing the electronic device to the host system in accordance with the short-range wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: A barcode reader may include one or more advancements in the manner in which its software and/or firmware are updated and/or installed. The barcode reader may have an image sensor that captures an image of a barcode, a communication interface, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and a processor. The barcode reader may receive executable code, selected from multiple versions, from a configuration server remote from the barcode reader. The executable code may be loaded directly into the volatile memory, without first being loaded into the non-volatile memory. The executable code may be loaded at a location in the volatile memory that begins at a start address stored in the non-volatile memory or in a header of the executable code. The barcode reader may execute the executable code to commence operation of the barcode reader directly after the executable code has been loaded into the volatile memory.

Abstract: A barcode reader for decoding data from a barcode includes barcode reading hardware, including an image sensor which captures an image of a barcode within a field of view. The barcode reader also includes a processor. The processor executes embedded firmware to operate the barcode reading hardware. The processor also generates decoded data representative of data encoded in the barcode by executing supplemental operating instructions which the barcode reader obtains from a remote configuration server upon power up of the barcode reader. The supplemental operating instructions are distinct from the embedded firmware and include instructions which, when executed by the processor, enable the barcode reader to output the decoded data from the barcode within the field of view.

Abstract: A barcode reader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system includes a communication interface, non-volatile memory comprising first executable code, volatile memory, and a processor. The processor executes the first executable code to utilize the communication interface to obtain second executable code from a remote configuration server. The processor also loads the second executable code directly to the volatile memory and executes the second executable code to commence operation of the barcode reader.

Abstract: A barcode reader for decoding and manipulating data from a barcode and providing the decoded and manipulated data to a remote computing system includes barcode reading hardware, including an image sensor which captures an image of a barcode within a field of view. The barcode reader also includes a processor executing executable code which generates decoded data representative of data encoded in the barcode, formats the decoded data, and sends the formatted decoded data to the remote computing system only when the processor executes formatting and routing instructions which the barcode reader obtains from a remote configuration server upon power up of the barcode reader.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A barcode reader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system includes barcode reading hardware, including an image sensor which captures an image of a barcode within a field of view and a communication interface for output of the decoded data to a remote computing system. The barcode reader also includes volatile memory, non-volatile memory comprising start-up instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader, execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating the barcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware to the volatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A graphical code reader may include means for capturing an image frame in accordance with a rolling shutter technique, and means for changing illumination while the image frame is being captured in order to perform glare correction. The graphical code reader may also include means for detecting characteristics of glare in a previously captured image frame.

Abstract: A barcode reader comprising a plurality of illumination systems and first and second lens assemblies may also comprise fiducial offset data that is representative of fiducial offsets. The fiducial offsets may be offsets between locations of a plurality of fiducial points within a plurality of calibration image frames captured at different calibration distances. Each calibration image frame may comprise first and second calibration images. The barcode reader may (i) select a feature that is present in a first barcode image captured via the first lens assembly and a second barcode image captured via the second lens assembly, (ii) determine a feature offset that indicates an offset between a first location of the feature within the first barcode image and a second location of the feature within the second barcode image, and (iii) estimate a barcode distance based on the feature offset and the fiducial offset data.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An imaging engine includes a multi-functional structure. This structure functions as an optics barrel. In other words, at least one lens is positioned within the structure. In addition, the structure functions as an attachment/mounting apparatus for an image sensor board, an illumination board, and possibly an illumination/targeting lens structure as well. The structure may also provide a mechanism for attaching/mounting the imaging engine to another structure, such as the housing of a graphical code reader.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a portable computing device may scan a physical bar code, which may exist on some physical medium, such as paper, plastic, glass, etc. The physical bar code may be decoded to obtain decoded data, and the decoded data may subsequently be re-encoded to generate a virtual bar code. The virtual bar code may be rendered (e.g., on a display of a computing device, and/or on some type of physical medium) and scanned by a bar code scanner.

Abstract: 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.