Abstract: The invention relates to an optical reading system comprising an optical reader and a host processor. In one aspect of the invention, the host processor may be configured to transmit a component control instruction in response to a user input command input by a user of the host processor to remotely control the reader. The optical reader subsequently receives the transmitted component control instruction and executes the component control instruction substantially on receipt thereof. In one embodiment, execution of the component control instruction by the optical reader has the same effect as the reader trigger being manually pulled by a reader operator.

Abstract: The operating depth of field for a bar code scanner, preferably a laser scanner, is increased by placing a cubic phase mask (CPM) in the scanning beam. The masked beam is then scanned and reflected off a bar code and received by a photodetector. The received signal is then processed to recover the original unperturbed representation of the bar code pattern. The processed signal has an increased depth of field over an unmasked scanner signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit's determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Abstract: The invention is an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, attempts to decode for a decodable 1D symbol which may be represented in the image data, and captures a full frame of image data if the image data reading reveals a 2D symbol is likely to be present in a full field of view of the 2D image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved indicia reader which, in addition to having magnetically encoded information reading capabilities in one embodiment, includes image sensing capabilities. A compact housing is provided which receives an indicia bearing member. Mounted on the housing in one embodiment are an imaging assembly, and a magnetically encoded information reader, which form an indicia-determining unit, and a transport mechanism for transporting the indicia-determining unit and a received member relative to one another. The reader may further includes a data format engine in communication with the indicia-determining unit.

Abstract: An exposure control apparatus for use with optical readers, such as bar code readers, which utilize photosensitive image sensors. An illumination signal generating circuit generates an illumination signal having a magnitude that varies in accordance with the illumination level at the image sensor. A window detecting circuit samples the illumination signal during a predetermined part of each scan to determine whether the illumination signal is within the window, has exited the widow, or has re-entered the window. Exposure control circuitry uses the output of the window detecting circuit to control which of a plurality of the subdivisions of the exposure control range of the image sensor will be used. Changes in exposure time are made only between adjacent subdivisions of the exposure control range. Together with a predetermined hysteresis between the exit and re-entry thresholds of the window, the latter changes stabilize the operation of the reader by reducing exposure control “hunting”.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging device which in one embodiment is equipped with decode functionality and is configured to operate in at least one of four user selected modes. In a first, “message only” mode, the device stores into a designated memory location a decoded-out message corresponding to a decodable indicia. In a second, “image only” mode, the device stores into a designated frame storage memory location an image representation of a scene. In a third, “image plus message” mode the device stores into a designated frame storage memory location an image representation comprising a representation of a decodable symbol and into the same or other memory location the decoded-out message decoded from the decodable indicia, or data corresponding to the same.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging device equipped with decode funtionality configured to operate in at least one of four user selected modes. In a first, “message only” mode, the device stores into a designated memory location a decoded-out message corresponding to a decodable indicia. In a second, “image only” mode, the device stores into a designated frame storage memory location an image representation of a scene. In a third, “image plus message” mode the device stores into a designated frame storage memory location an image representation comprising a representation of a decodable symbol and into the same or other memory location the decoded-out message decoded from the decodable indicia, or data corresponding to the same.

Abstract: A data collection network featuring a plurality of cordless optical scanners communicating to a base terminal is disclosed. The cordless optical scanners are used for reading 2D optically encoded symbols. The optical scanner converts the 2D optically encoded symbol into decoded data. The optical scanner has a packet assembly component that converts the decoded data into packets. A communications component transmits the packets to the base terminal. The decoded data is packetized to accommodate 2D data codes such as PDF417, microPDF, Code One, DataMatrix, MaxiCode, or other 2D symbols. All of these symbols have maximum data capacities exceeding 1,000 bytes of information per symbol. Thus, the data collection network of the present invention provides users with the data transmission capacity required to use high-density data optical bar code symbols in an untethered working environment.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optical reader image sensor is adapted to clock out image data from an image sensor according to “low resolution” mode of operation in order to reduce a parameter determination delay of the reader. In a low resolution mode, some pixels of the readers image sensor array are clock out at normal clock out speed sufficient to develop electrical signals accurately reflecting the intensity of light at the respective pixel positions, while other pixels of the array are either not clocked out or are clocked out at a higher clock out rate which may be insufficient to allow development of electrical signals that accurately represent light incident on the image sensor's sensor array but which nevertheless, results in a reduction of the overall frame clock out rate of the frame of image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporation in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lottery game tickets and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, a wavelength-sensitive addition is incorporation in game ticket play area. In another embodiment, reflectance characteristics of a game ticket play area are controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the position of a line of light in barcode space that includes a support frame having a rear housing containing a solid state imager and a pair of support arms extending forwardly from the front of the housing. An imaging lens is mounted between the arms for focusing an image of a target in barcode space upon the solid state imager along the optical axis of the imaging lens. Illuminating LEDs are mounted on either side of the imaging lens for illuminating the target. The illumination is passed through a pair of cylindrical lenses that are adjustably mounted upon the distal ends of the arm so that the light can be selectively positioned in barcode space.

Abstract: The invention is an electrostatic charge resistant instrument system comprising at least one instrument, a lead extending from the instrument, and at least one connector associated with the lead. In accordance with the invention, each component of the instrument system is made to have an electrically grounded conductive outer surface so that electrostatic charges are prevented from building up substantially throughout the entire instrument system. A lead of the system can be made to have a conductive outer surface by forming about the lead a flexible conductive housing provided by at least one small diametered wire arranged to encircle the lead a plurality of times in a spiral, mesh or braided mesh configuration. Conductive outer surfaces of instruments and connectors, meanwhile, may be provided by forming the instruments and connectors of the system from conductive polymeric materials containing a polymeric base material and conductive fibers and or particles embedded therein.

Abstract: A security document processing apparatus is provided having a feed path for receiving documents and at least one imaging assembly for capturing image data from documents received in the apparatus. The apparatus may include a material detection imaging assembly for detecting the material composition of certain materials on documents received in the apparatus. The material detection imaging assembly may detect material on a document by detecting transmissivity characteristics, or by sensing radiation emission characteristics of a document in the case received documents are of a type including radiation wavelength sensitive additives incorporated therein.

Abstract: This relates to a system for sensing the presence of an object in the field of view of an imaging assembly of a stationary position optical reader. The system includes a light source disposed in a field of view of the imaging assembly, which is configured to emit light in the direction of the imaging assembly according to a predetermined light pattern. A determination as to whether an object is present in a presentation area of the reader system is made by detecting for the presence of the light pattern in image information generated by the imaging assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for imaging a scene comprising an optical reader and a specially structured symbol configured complementarily with the reader so that when the reader reads the symbol, the reader reads image data in an image data reading region. The image reading instruction symbol of the system may include indicators for controlling various aspects of the image reading process such as the dimension of the image capture region, the relative position of the image reading region. If the image reading instruction symbol is of a type whose actual size, orientation, and distortion can be determined, scaling, orientation, and distortion characteristics determined from the image reading instruction symbol can be used to improve the image reading process. A feedback feature may be included in the reader for indicating to a user whether the reader should be moved in order to improve image reading.

Abstract: According to the invention, a multilayered image sensor is backmounted to a plate, and the plate in turn, is installed in a holding pocket of a device. In that the scheme takes advantage of a high controllability of a mounting plate's thickness, the mounting scheme provides for tight control of holding forces with which an image sensor is secured in an imaging device. In that the scheme provides for back mounting of image sensor on a planar surface, the mounting system provides tight control of an imaging assembly's pixel plane to fixed point in space distance.

Abstract: In the present invention, a bar code reader captures an initial image map corresponding to a scene, then subjects the initial image map to an interpolation step wherein values for constructed pixels positionally intermediate pixel values of the initial image map are interpolated as a function of the initial image map pixel values bordering the constructed pixels. After an interpolated image map is constructed, the interpolated image map is subjected to a binarization step wherein grey scale pixel values of the interpolated image map are converted into binary (1 or 0) pixel values by way of a thresholding process. In the thresholding process, grey scale pixel values are compared to a threshold in the grey scale range, then set to 1 if they are above the threshold and set to 0 if below the threshold.