Abstract: The disclosure is an imaging system having a controller configured to activate and deactivate a light source, an imaging assembly configured to capture imaging data of an environment appearing within a field of view of the imaging assembly, and a focus module configured to set a focus characteristic of the imaging assembly. The focus module may set the focus characteristic based on the image processor executing the focusing sequence in response to the ranging failure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring reduced decode ranges for barcode scanners are disclosed. An example method includes determining a closest focus distance of a plurality of focus distances at which a barcode placed at a furthest limit of a reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a furthest focus distance of the plurality of focus distances at which the barcode placed at a closest limit of the reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a subset of the plurality of focus distances that consists of the closest focus distance, the furthest focus distance, and focus distances between the closest focus distance and the farthest focus distance; and configuring the barcode scanner to only use the subset of focus distances during subsequent attempts to decode barcodes.

Abstract: An indicia reading system and associated methods discriminate between types of media upon which encoded indicia is rendered. Encoded indicia rendered upon a medium are imaged using different sets of image acquisition parameter settings. An attempt to decode the encoded indicia that are imaged is made and the image acquisition parameter settings corresponding to successfully decoding the encoded indicia are identified. A type of the medium upon which the encoded indicia is rendered is determined based on which of the sets of image acquisition parameter settings correspond to the encoded indicia being successfully decoded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring reduced decode ranges for barcode scanners are disclosed. An example method includes determining a closest focus distance of a plurality of focus distances at which a barcode placed at a furthest limit of a reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a furthest focus distance of the plurality of focus distances at which the barcode placed at a closest limit of the reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a subset of the plurality of focus distances that consists of the closest focus distance, the furthest focus distance, and focus distances between the closest focus distance and the farthest focus distance; and configuring the barcode scanner to only use the subset of focus distances during subsequent attempts to decode barcodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for updating features on an image scanning apparatus has a client computing device capture and decode an image of a first symbol that encodes data that identifies the image scanning apparatus, request a server to enable a feature on the image scanning apparatus, receive activation data from the server to enable the feature, and generate an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device that encodes the activation data. The image scanning apparatus captures and decodes an image of the second symbol, and uses the decoded activation data to enable a feature resident on the image scanning apparatus or to request a download of the feature from the client computing device if the feature is not resident on the image scanning apparatus. The client computing device downloads the feature from the server, and uploads the feature to the image scanning apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for updating features on an image scanning apparatus has a client computing device capture and decode an image of a first symbol that encodes data that identifies the image scanning apparatus, request a server to enable a feature on the image scanning apparatus, receive activation data from the server to enable the feature, and generate an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device that encodes the activation data. The image scanning apparatus captures and decodes an image of the second symbol, and uses the decoded activation data to enable a feature resident on the image scanning apparatus or to request a download of the feature from the client computing device if the feature is not resident on the image scanning apparatus. The client computing device downloads the feature from the server, and uploads the feature to the image scanning apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for disabling barcode reader illumination and aiming operation based on barcode reader position are disclosed herein. An example method includes a barcode reader determining its angular position, for example, from an accelerometer mounted in the barcode reader. That angular position is compared against a reference angular position and a determination is made whether barcode reader is in a disable angular region. When in the disable angular region, the barcode reader automatically disables illumination and/or aiming operation until the angular position enters an enable angular region. That enable angular region may be different than the disable angular region, and both may be adjustable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a client computing device for decoding symbols includes an imaging assembly for capturing images of a symbol of known size and density. Each image, or set of images, is captured using a different setting or value of a parameter of the imaging assembly of the client computing device. Each image, or set of images, is decoded, and the fastest decode-time determines the default settings/values for the parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for updating features on an image scanning apparatus has a client computing device capture and decode an image of a first symbol that encodes data that identifies the image scanning apparatus, request a server to enable a feature on the image scanning apparatus, receive activation data from the server to enable the feature, and generate an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device that encodes the activation data. The image scanning apparatus captures and decodes an image of the second symbol, and uses the decoded activation data to enable a feature resident on the image scanning apparatus or to request a download of the feature from the client computing device if the feature is not resident on the image scanning apparatus. The client computing device downloads the feature from the server, and uploads the feature to the image scanning apparatus.