Patents by Inventor Andrew Longacre

Andrew Longacre has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090039163
    Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, JR., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Publication number: 20090022429
    Abstract: A method of operating an image reader comprising the steps of: capturing an image; recognizing a form within the captured image; and, cropping the captured image to the size of the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, JR., Thomas Hawley, Matthew Pankow
  • Patent number: 7416125
    Abstract: Systems and methods for successfully decoding optical images of objects of interest when such objects are situated outside a conventional working range of an imaging system, or when such objects are degraded. The systems and methods are based upon a comparison of computed signals corresponding to distorted images that would be obtained from known objects, such as barcodes, when viewed outside a working range, or when degraded, with actual signals obtained from the object of interest. The computed signals in one embodiment are recorded in a lookup table. An advantage of the systems and methods disclosed is that there results a smooth, monotonic probability of correctly decoding the image of interest, even beyond the working distance. A handheld or portable apparatus useful for practicing the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7413127
    Abstract: An optical reader that is configured for classifying an image. The optical reader includes an image analysis component that is configured for classifying the image by evaluating a result of attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol, and configured for classifying the image as an image including a graphic symbol if and when attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol is successful, and configured for classifying the image as an image excluding a graphic symbol if and when attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol is unsuccessful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ehrhart, Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080186545
    Abstract: A symbol scanning and decoding device that is configured for capturing a series of images of a symbol over time and configured for providing a first (image processing) procedure that processes one or more of the series of images within a first period of time, and a second (image processing) procedure that processes one or more of the series of images within a second period of time, and where the first period of time is constrained to be less than or equal to, and the second period of time is not constrained to be less than or equal to, a period of time between a capture of an integral number of consecutive images of the series of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy P. Meier, Thomas P. Hawley, Andrew Longacre, Robert M. Hussey
  • Patent number: 7398930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device in which there is derived image data in a plurality of different formats. In one embodiment, first and second image data formats can be derived simultaneously from a video signal. Also, both of the first and second image data can be subject to decoding processes. The first image data can be stored in a first memory space and the second image data can be stored in a second memory space. In one embodiment, the first and second memory spaces can each include a two dimensional representation of a substrate on which a bar code symbol is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7398929
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Publication number: 20080164314
    Abstract: There is described in one embodiment a method for use by an apparatus that can acquire an image. According to a described method, a method can include acquiring an image and can further include evaluating an image. According to a described method, an apparatus can acquire an image, can evaluate an image, and can provide parameters for utilization by the apparatus. In another embodiment, there is described an apparatus comprising a plurality of digitizers. In one example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in parallel. In another example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy Meier, Andrew Longacre, Thomas Hawley, John Pettinelli, Robert M. Hussey
  • Patent number: 7387253
    Abstract: In an optical reading system comprising an optical reader and a host processor, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Parker, Jeffrey Pine, Thomas J. Koziol, Michael A. Ehrhart, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, George S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7383998
    Abstract: There is provided an optical reader system that can include an optical reader and a host processor which may be in communication via a communication link. In one embodiment a communication link between an optical reader and a host processor can be a wireless communication link. The optical reader in one embodiment can receive from the host processor a trigger instruction. In another embodiment the optical reader can receive from the host processor a single frame instruction. The optical reader in another embodiment can receive from the host processor an image upload instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Parker, Jeffrey Pine, Thomas J. Koziol, Michael A. Ehrhart, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, George S. Smith, II
  • Patent number: 7364081
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reading a bar code symbol with an optical reader. The method includes the step of scanning the bar code symbol to obtain a plurality of scan lines. Each of the plurality of scan lines includes a linear array of N-pixel values. Adjacent pixels in the linear array of N-pixel values are separated by a sample separation distance. A reconstructed scan line is generated that interleaves the N-pixel values from selected scan lines of the plurality of scan lines. A reconstructed pixel sample separation distance of adjacent interleaved pixels is an integer fraction of the pixel sample separation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Dennis W. McEnery, Thomas Hawley, Ynjiun Wang
  • Patent number: 7347376
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus configured to provide self-alignment in use when measuring the print quality of an encoded indicium. The apparatus is configured to exclude ambient light, and to align an encoded indicium located at a first aperture defined in a first surface of the apparatus with an imager positioned at a second aperture defined in a second surface of the apparatus. A source of illumination is provided to illuminate the encoded indicium during an interval when the encoded indicium is undergoing a verification process. An illumination control is provided to control the source of illumination. The apparatus can be controlled using a computer and a computer program recorded on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Biss, Andrew Longacre, Jr., William H. Havens, Donna M. Fletcher, Eunice Sonneville
  • Patent number: 7331523
    Abstract: There is described in one embodiment a method for use by an apparatus that can acquire an image. According to a described method, parameters for utilization by the apparatus are provided. According to a described method, a method can include acquiring an image and can further include evaluating an image. In another embodiment, there is described an apparatus comprising a plurality of digitizers. In one example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in parallel. In another example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Meier, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Thomas Hawley, John Pettinelli, Robert M. Hussey
  • Publication number: 20070285698
    Abstract: A TTR time of a reading apparatus can also be reduced by designing an apparatus to exhibit a certain timing relationship between a receipt of a trigger signal and/or more of image capture and decoding. An apparatus in one embodiment can be configured to continuously capture frames of image data prior to receipt of a trigger signal and can further be configured so that an output decoded message is decoded from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to the time of receipt of a trigger signal. An apparatus configured to output a decoded message from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to a time of receipt of a trigger signal can have a TTR time of less than a frame capture period of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Andrew Longacre
  • Publication number: 20070278310
    Abstract: A device for processing image data relating to bar codes is described. In one embodiment a bar code verification device is provided having an ergonomic form factor characterized by a domed hand held trigger and a viewing window. The verification device may be disposed in a network that includes a host processor system and other bar code reading devices which may include other bar code verification devices. Processing circuitry for processing image signals corresponding to printed bar codes may be partially disposed within the hand held verification device and partially disposed within a host processor system spaced apart from and associated with the hand held verification device. The hand held verification device may be in wireless communication with the host processor system to which it is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Charles Biss, William Havens, Michael Robinson, Paul Balschweit, Timothy Fitch, Melvin McCall, Garrison Gomez, Mark McClaude, Andrew Longacre, Eunice Sonneville
  • Patent number: 7287697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. There is described an optical reader that can associate an acquired color image with additional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ehrhart, Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7275694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable bar code reading device that generates electronic representations of a substrate having a bar code symbol disposed thereon. A portable bar code reading device according to the invention can incorporate a solid state image sensor and can generate first and second electronic representations. The first and second electronic representations generated by a portable bar code reading device in one embodiment represent first and second regions of the substrate that are of different sizes. A portable bar code reading device having a memory and a trigger can be configured to attempt to decode a bar code symbol by processing of an electronic representation and further can be configured so that the first and second electronic representations are stored into the memory after a single depressing of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070164114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Robert Hussey, John Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 7222789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bar code reading device of the type having an imaging assembly including a two dimensional image sensor and which may be moved between varying positions, orientations and angles relative to a substrate. In one embodiment a bar code reading device can be used to obtain an area electronic representation of a substrate including bar code indicia and a signature, and can output an area representation including a representation of a signature. In another embodiment, the bar code reading device can process and output a processed area electronic representation to an output destination. In one embodiment an output destination to which a bar code reading device outputs a processed area electronic representation is a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey
  • Patent number: 7219841
    Abstract: A device for processing image data relating to bar codes is described. In one embodiment a bar code verification device is provided having an ergonomic form factor characterized by a domed hand held trigger and a viewing window. The verification device may be disposed in a network that includes a host processor system and other bar code reading devices which may include other bar code verification devices. Processing circuitry for processing image signals corresponding to printed bar codes may be partially disposed within the hand held verification device and partially disposed within a host processor system spaced apart from and associated with the hand held verification device. The hand held verification device may be in wireless communication with the host processor system to which it is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Biss, William H. Havens, Michael D. Robinson, Paul Balschweit, Timothy R. Fitch, Melvin D. McCall, Garrison Gomez, Mark A. McClaude, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Eunice Sonneville