Abstract: The invention relates to a controllable optical assembly such as a controllable lens or a controllable beam deflector. The optical assembly comprises first and second cover members, wherein one of them is transparent while the other is transparent or reflective. A transparent, deformable, non-fluid body is sandwiched between the first and second cover members so that the first and second cover members and non-fluid body constitute a lens or a light deflector. Actuators are arranged to generate a controllable bending and/or tilt of the first and/or the second cover member dependent on a control signal. One or more sensors are provided to generate a measurement signal indicative of the bending or tilt of the first and/or the second cover member. The control signal is determined based on the measurement signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a target object are provided. In one example, a multispectral imager includes an objective lens configured to disperse light from a target object with a high degree of longitudinal chromatic aberrations along an optical axis of the objective lens. The multispectral imager also includes a sensor configured to capture a whole image of the target object at each of a plurality of wavelengths when at least one of the objective lens and the sensor is moved along the optical axis. Furthermore, the multispectral imager includes a processor configured to analyze intensities of different additive primary colors of each pixel of each whole image to determine which pixels have a correct wavelength.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relates to indicia reading system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) indicia. The indicia reading system includes a plurality of collimating optical elements that generate collimated light beams. A plurality of diffractive optical elements is tuned to split a corresponding collimated light beam into at least two sets of refracted light beams at two incident angles relative to a DPM indicia. A first set of refracted light beams with a zero-diffraction order and a first incident angle causes a bright-field illumination in a far-field area. A second set of refracted light beams with a first-diffraction order and a second incident angle causes a dark-field illumination in a near-field area. An image sensor generates image data of the DPM indicia based on a set of reflected light beams received from the DPM indicia in accordance with one of the bright-field illumination or the dark-field illumination.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relates to indicia reading system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) indicia. The indicia reading system includes a plurality of collimating optical elements that generate collimated light beams. A plurality of diffractive optical elements is tuned to split a corresponding collimated light beam into at least two sets of refracted light beams at two incident angles relative to a DPM indicia. A first set of refracted light beams with a zero-diffraction order and a first incident angle causes a bright-field illumination in a far-field area. A second set of refracted light beams with a first-diffraction order and a second incident angle causes a dark-field illumination in a near-field area. An image sensor generates image data of the DPM indicia based on a set of reflected light beams received from the DPM indicia in accordance with one of the bright-field illumination or the dark-field illumination.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a scanning system for scanning and decoding direct part markings (DPM) type indicia. The scanning system includes an arrangement of an illumination module, a beam splitter module, and a telecentric lens assembly. The telecentric lens assembly is adapted to direct an in-line illumination received from the illumination module as collimated light to illuminate the DPM indicia. Upon illumination, a first portion of light reflected from embossments of the DPM indicia that are incident on the telecentric lens assembly at a defined angle is decoupled from an optical path between the telecentric lens assembly and the target. An imager is exposed to a second portion of reflected light, excluding the decoupled reflected light that is reflected from a substrate on the DPM indicia, in order to capture an image of the DPM indicia for decoding.

Abstract: A compact illuminator for a direct part marking (DPM) scanner is provided to perform dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional, multi-distance illumination functions. The illuminator can selectively provide dark field and bright field illumination with broad spectrum white or narrow band color, in combination with directions for near contact distance as well as far distance barcode readings. Specifically, illuminator includes a front edge illuminator with customized LED optics, a dome diffuser, an LED board assembly, and a reflective sleeve surrounding the dome diffuser. The board assembly can further include an alternative on/off plural point source bright field spot illuminating system.

Abstract: Illumination systems for illuminating objects to be read or imaged by optical readers, such barcode scanners and direct part marking (DPM) barcode readers, are provided. One implementation includes an illumination apparatus including a light source and a freeform lens having a cavity configured to at least partially surround the light source. The freeform lens is configured to provide both dark field illumination and bright field illumination to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: An optical pattern projector used for projecting a structured-light pattern onto an object for dimensioning is presented. The optical pattern projector utilizes a laser array, a lenslet array, a lens, and a diffractive optical element to create a repeated pattern of projected dots. The pattern repetition is based on the grid pattern of laser array. Each laser's collimated beam, when projected through the lens, impinges on the diffractive optical element from a slightly different direction. The diffractive optical element creates a sub-patterns that continue propagating along these different directions and combine on a target to produce a repeating optical pattern.

Abstract: An autofocus lens system includes no conventional moving parts and has excellent speed and low power consumption. The system includes a small electronically-controlled focusing-module lens. The focusing-module lens includes two adjustable polymeric surfaces (e.g., two adjustable-surface lenses in a back-to-back configuration). The curvature of the surfaces can be adjusted to change focus. The performance of the autofocus lens system is extended by adding a conventional first and second lens, or lens group, on either side of the focusing-module lens. What results is an autofocus lens system with excellent near field and far field performance.

Abstract: Imaging devices and illuminating devices are provided. In one exemplary implementation, an imaging device comprises an optical sensor and an illuminator. The illuminator comprises a support frame and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the support frame. A first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide dark field illumination at a high angle of incidence with respect to an object. The first set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector. A second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide bright field illumination at a low angle of incidence with respect to the object. The second set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector.

Abstract: Illumination systems for illuminating objects to be read or imaged by optical readers, such barcode scanners and direct part marking (DPM) barcode readers, are provided. One implementation includes an illumination apparatus including a light source and a freeform lens having a cavity configured to at least partially surround the light source. The freeform lens is configured to provide both dark field illumination and bright field illumination to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: Imaging devices and illuminating devices are provided. In one exemplary implementation, an imaging device comprises an optical sensor and an illuminator. The illuminator comprises a support frame and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the support frame. A first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide dark field illumination at a high angle of incidence with respect to an object. The first set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector. A second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide bright field illumination at a low angle of incidence with respect to the object. The second set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a target object are provided. In one example, a multispectral imager includes an objective lens configured to disperse light from a target object with a high degree of longitudinal chromatic aberrations along an optical axis of the objective lens. The multispectral imager also includes a sensor configured to capture a whole image of the target object at each of a plurality of wavelengths when at least one of the objective lens and the sensor is moved along the optical axis. Furthermore, the multispectral imager includes a processor configured to analyze intensities of different additive primary colors of each pixel of each whole image to determine which pixels have a correct wavelength.