Abstract: An imaging system having a solid-state auto focusing system advantageously images broadband light reflected from an object to be imaged using a lens objective having chromatic aberration, which focuses different colors of light at different focal planes. Using the color information in the focal planes in conjunction with an object distance determined by a range finder, a luminance plane is constructed that has a focused image of the object. The system provides the focused image of the object without the use of any moving parts.

Abstract: A scanner system is operable for gathering graphic data from a scan target. The scanner system has a single illumination source component operable for generating light, for aiming the scanner system with a filtered beam of the generated light directed at the scan target, and for illuminating the scan target with the directed light. The scanner system also has a detector component operable for sensing a reflection from the scan target, the sensed reflection including a portion of the directed light with which the scan target is illuminated, and for detecting information in the sensed reflection, in which the information detected in sensed reflection corresponds to the graphic data gathered from the scan target.

Abstract: Volume dimensioning employs techniques to reduce multipath reflection or return of illumination, and hence distortion. Volume dimensioning for any given target object includes a sequence of one or more illuminations and respective detections of returned illumination. A sequence typically includes illumination with at least one initial spatial illumination pattern and with one or more refined spatial illumination patterns. Refined spatial illumination patterns are generated based on previous illumination in order to reduce distortion. The number of refined spatial illumination patterns in a sequence may be fixed, or may vary based on results of prior illumination(s) in the sequence. Refined spatial illumination patterns may avoid illuminating background areas that contribute to distortion. Sometimes, illumination with the initial spatial illumination pattern may produce sufficiently acceptable results, and refined spatial illumination patterns in the sequence omitted.

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: 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: A reader obtains image data corresponding to an image of optically encoded information that is received via a lens unit that causes controlled spherical aberration blurring that is precisely known. The reader may perform deconvolution processing on the image data to render it decodable. The deconvolution processing may implement a Weiner filter that uses data corresponding to a near-field point spread function of the lens unit. The depth of field of the reader is greater than that of conventional reader in all lighting conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reading machine-readable symbols are provided. A method of reading a machine-readable symbol includes emitting by a first source outgoing electromagnetic energy comprising wavelengths in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum towards a target comprising the machine-readable symbol. Incoming electromagnetic energy comprising wavelengths in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum reflected or emitted by the machine-readable symbol are discerned by a global shutter sensor after transmission through at least a first portion of a color filter array having a plurality of portions.

Abstract: A reader obtains image data corresponding to an image of optically encoded information that is received via a lens unit that causes controlled spherical aberration blurring that is precisely known. The reader may perform deconvolution processing on the image data to render it decodable. The deconvolution processing may implement a Weiner filter that uses data corresponding to a near-field point spread function of the lens unit. The depth of field of the reader is greater than that of conventional reader in all lighting conditions.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a material comprising a glass substrate coated on at least one of its faces with a thin-film multilayer comprising, starting from said substrate, at least one lower dielectric layer, at least one functional layer made of a metal or metal nitride, at least one upper dielectric layer and at least one layer of titanium oxide at least partially crystallized in the anatase form, said metal or metal nitride being based on Nb, NbN, W, WN, Ta, TaN or any of their alloys or solid solutions.

Abstract: An imaging system having a solid-state auto focusing system advantageously images broadband light reflected from an object to be imaged using a lens objective having chromatic aberration, which focuses different colors of light at different focal planes. Using the color information in the focal planes in conjunction with an object distance determined by a range finder, a luminance plane is constructed that has a focused image of the object. The system provides the focused image of the object without the use of any moving parts.

Abstract: A device permitting multiple focusable fields of view, such as a universal bar code scanner that can read bar code symbols at both near and far distances for a range of X-dimensions, is described. The scanner uses an adjustable optical imaging system that has at least two different focused fields of view. In one embodiment, the optimal field of view for a target object can be automatically selected with the use of a range finder.

Abstract: An imaging system having a solid-state auto focusing system advantageously images broadband light reflected from an object to be imaged using a lens objective having chromatic aberration, which focuses different colors of light at different focal planes. Using the color information in the focal planes in conjunction with an object distance determined by a range finder, a luminance plane is constructed that has a focused image of the object. The system provides the focused image of the object without the use of any moving parts.

Abstract: Machine-readable symbol readers and/or scan engines may subtractively impose an aiming pattern on an illumination field produced by a source of light or illumination. An optical component with a mask or filter are interposed in an optical path extending outwardly from the source of light or illumination. The mask or filter may have a defined shape or configuration to subtractively produce an aiming pattern with a desired shape or configuration. The mask or filter may, or may not, be wavelength selective or spectral. A wavelength selective mask or filter may produce an aiming pattern of a defined color, different from a color of an illumination field. Such may eliminate the need for a separate, distinct source of light or illumination for an aiming beam subsystem. The described structures and methods may reduce size, reduce parts count, and/or simplify manufacture.

Abstract: Volume dimensioning employs techniques to reduce multipath reflection or return of illumination, and hence distortion. Volume dimensioning for any given target object includes a sequence of one or more illuminations and respective detections of returned illumination. A sequence typically includes illumination with at least one initial spatial illumination pattern and with one or more refined spatial illumination patterns. Refined spatial illumination patterns are generated based on previous illumination in order to reduce distortion. The number of refined spatial illumination patterns in a sequence may be fixed, or may vary based on results of prior illumination(s) in the sequence. Refined spatial illumination patterns may avoid illuminating background areas that contribute to distortion. Sometimes, illumination with the initial spatial illumination pattern may produce sufficiently acceptable results, and refined spatial illumination patterns in the sequence omitted.

Abstract: Volume dimensioning employs techniques to reduce multipath reflection or return of illumination, and hence distortion. Volume dimensioning for any given target object includes a sequence of one or more illuminations and respective detections of returned illumination. A sequence typically includes illumination with at least one initial spatial illumination pattern and with one or more refined spatial illumination patterns. Refined spatial illumination patterns are generated based on previous illumination in order to reduce distortion. The number of refined spatial illumination patterns in a sequence may be fixed, or may vary based on results of prior illumination(s) in the sequence. Refined spatial illumination patterns may avoid illuminating background areas that contribute to distortion. Sometimes, illumination with the initial spatial illumination pattern may produce sufficiently acceptable results, and refined spatial illumination patterns in the sequence omitted.

Abstract: A device permitting multiple focusable fields of view, such as a universal bar code scanner that can read bar code symbols at both near and far distances for a range of X-dimensions, is described. The scanner uses an adjustable optical imaging system that has at least two different focused fields of view. In one embodiment, the optimal field of view for a target object can be automatically selected with the use of a range finder.

Abstract: Volume dimensioning employs techniques to reduce multipath reflection or return of illumination, and hence distortion. Volume dimensioning for any given target object includes a sequence of one or more illuminations and respective detections of returned illumination. A sequence typically includes illumination with at least one initial spatial illumination pattern and with one or more refined spatial illumination patterns. Refined spatial illumination patterns are generated based on previous illumination in order to reduce distortion. The number of refined spatial illumination patterns in a sequence may be fixed, or may vary based on results of prior illumination(s) in the sequence. Refined spatial illumination patterns may avoid illuminating background areas that contribute to distortion. Sometimes, illumination with the initial spatial illumination pattern may produce sufficiently acceptable results, and refined spatial illumination patterns in the sequence omitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reading machine-readable symbols are provided. A method of reading a machine-readable symbol includes emitting by a first source outgoing electromagnetic energy comprising wavelengths in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum towards a target comprising the machine-readable symbol. Incoming electromagnetic energy comprising wavelengths in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum reflected or emitted by the machine-readable symbol are discerned by a global shutter sensor after transmission through at least a first portion of a color filter array having a plurality of portions.

Abstract: A 2D bar code reader with improved motion tolerance is presented. The 2D bar code reader includes a lens configuration that enhances chromatic aberration to separate the focal planes on which bar code images from two different color components of a light will be focused. An imager interprets one of the focal planes as the image and the other one as noise to be ignored. In addition, the increased depth of field generated by the chromatic aberration allows for a larger aperture stop setting and quicker shutter speed, thereby improving motion tolerance.

Abstract: An imaging system having a solid-state auto focusing system advantageously images broadband light reflected from an object to be imaged using a lens objective having chromatic aberration, which focuses different colors of light at different focal planes. Using the color information in the focal planes in conjunction with an object distance determined by a range finder, a luminance plane is constructed that has a focused image of the object. The system provides the focused image of the object without the use of any moving parts.