Abstract: An extended working range dataform reader with reduced power consumption having a camera assembly and a circuit control board including game control circuitry and exposure control circuitry configured to set an initial gain value and an initial exposure period, respectively, resulting from a previous dataform reading session. Subsequent fields of image data are captured by the camera which are used to correct the gain and exposure relative to the initial values for gain and exposure period, thereby reducing the latency period for realizing correct values and reducing power consumption during power up. Furthermore, the gain control system and the exposure control system each utilize an open loop feedback such that successive fields of image data captured by the camera are utilized to calculate correct values, thereby reducing the latency time for realizing a correct value.

Abstract: Interactive decoding of machine readable dataforms provides improved control of decoding avoiding inaccurate reading of dataforms. While data is entered (12) and encoded (14) an image of the resulting dataform, such as a data code matrix or two-dimensional bar code, is displayed (16) and continuously updated as the dataform (20) fills with entered data. Using the display (16) and an input unit (12) such as a keyboard, digitizer or scanner, data can be edited to add, modify or delete data while observing the resulting dataform (20). On completion, the final dataform code signals are provided for further use (24) or a copy of the dataform (20) is provided by printing, for example. During decoding, an image of the dataform (20) as captured by a reader (32), such as a laser scanner, CCD matrix or CMOS camera, is displayed (34). Observing the display (34), the operator can determine if the image is too small, out of focus, partially out of view, etc., and take action (33) to improve the reader (32) performance.

Abstract: A unitized multilayer circuit structure that includes a plurality of planar dielectric insulating layers stacked in laminar fashion to form a substrate having sides formed by edges of the dielectric insulating layers and recessed regions formed in one or more one sides of the substrate for use in attaching the unitized multilayer circuit structure to a higher level assembly or for attaching electrical contact circuitry to the unitized multilayer circuit structure.

Abstract: In an optical information reading apparatus in which the degree of freedom with which the apparatus is shaped is improved, a mirror for bending a reflected light which has passed through an image forming lens is disposed between the image forming lens and an image sensor, whereby the provision of the image sensor at a position which is not on a line extending between the image forming lens and the mirror is enabled. That is, a space located beyond the line extending between the image forming lens and the mirror can be freely altered, thus increasing the degree of freedom with which a casing is shaped.

Abstract: When sheets are taken into a machine or discharged from the machine, characteristics of these sheets such as letters or symbols of these sheets are read by a sheet characteristics reading unit. A result of reading the characteristics is stored in a storage unit. When characteristics of a sheet are not able to be read at the time of accommodating sheets, this sheet is returned and only sheets of which characteristics have been able to be read are taken into the machine. Sheets of which characteristics are not able to be read at the time of discharging sheets are specified by a unit for specifying sheets of which characteristics can not be read. By this arrangement, each sheet in the machine is always managed.

Abstract: A hand-held processing system wherein a peripheral module may receive therein a computer processor basic module of standardized construction, with a user-immune real-time multi-tasking operating system. Advantageously the peripheral module or computer processor module may include a touch screen or other highly versatile and compact data input/output device adaptable to graphical and/or other input/output modes suitable for different applications, languages and the like.

Abstract: Energy is conserved in a bar code reader by taking bar code samples on demand or as necessary, primarily when a data bearing feature of the bar code is predicted to be proximate. A plurality of samples are obtained for a bar code. Preferably, an analog to digital converter converts each of the samples into a multi-bit digital value. A feature detector is connected to the analog to digital converter for detecting bar code features from the plurality of multi-bit digital values. The displacements among the detected data bearing features are compared to thereby determine the width of bars having first and second data values in order to decode the bar code. Preferably, a relative scan speed is extracted and kept current during the scan in order to predict code feature locations. Preferably the decoding proceeds concurrently with the sampling.

Abstract: A purchase monitoring device, to be used by a shopper in a self-service store having items with bar codes thereon which identify the item and the price thereof, the device including primarily a portable handset having a bar code scanner which enables pricing and identification data of a selected item to be displayed on an LED display of the handset, and through the selective use of a price check button, a purchase button, and a return button, the price of the item may be checked, added to a running total of purchase items, or removed from a running total of purchased items, the list of purchase items being stored within the handset for subsequent transfer to a data reception register of the store for payment and verification that all items designated as purchase items are truly purchase items by quickly verifying if the item has been designated as a purchase item by the handset during scanning of the item. In one embodiment of the invention, time-active ink is used to mark the bar code.

Abstract: A two-level metal connector having only one via level accommodates motion due to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances by decoupling vertical and lateral freedom of motions. The lateral motion from thermal expansion is small but strong, whereas the vertical motion is much larger because the connection must accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the solder bumps over the area of the die. By separating the horizontal and vertical displacements through a laterally-free anchor and flexible bridge, the height of the anchor may be made quite shallow while maintaining a comparatively large vertical distance for a probe tip to travel. Since the substrate is merely for structural support, the two-level metal connector can be placed over any substrate including one that already has many layers of metal.