Abstract: A wine decanter pedestal system includes a base supported above a surface, the base having a base center axis and a ledge extending outward from its top surface to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface. A wireless receiver receives wireless commands from a wireless device to control a rotary motor operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion and in a circular spin motion. A weight sensor measures a weight of a decanter placed upon the base, and a controller automatically adjusts the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured.

Abstract: A wine decanter pedestal system includes a base supported above a surface, the base having a base center axis and a ledge extending outward from its top surface to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface. A wireless receiver receives wireless commands from a wireless device to control a rotary motor operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion and in a circular spin motion. A weight sensor measures a weight of a decanter placed upon the base, and a controller automatically adjusts the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured.

Abstract: A manually-operated clutch has an actuator and a force limiter. The actuator has a control portion and an engagement portion, the control portion controlling a motive force that engages the engagement portion with a transmission. The force limiter is between the control portion and the engagement portion and limits the motive force above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of improving the performance of an imaging reader includes (1) illuminating a symbol by projecting illuminating light on the symbol from the imaging reader, (2) capturing return light form the symbol as pixel data over a two-dimensional field of view of a solid-state imager having a matrix of image sensors, (3) reducing the number of pixels to generate reduced pixel data, (4) transmitting the reduced pixel data to a decoding circuit.

Abstract: A method of improving the performance of an imaging reader includes (1) illuminating a symbol by projecting illuminating light on the symbol from the imaging reader, (2) capturing return light form the symbol as pixel data over a two-dimensional field of view of a solid-state imager having a matrix of image sensors, (3) reducing the number of pixels to generate reduced pixel data, (4) transmitting the reduced pixel data to a decoding circuit.

Abstract: An imaging scanner with a two dimensional array of sensors analyzes data from a segment of the array to detect if one or more indicia conditions is present that would prevent a successful decode based on data in the segment. In this manner, if decoding the indicia using data from the segment of array data is not possible, an enlarged frame of array data can be sought for decode when necessary while one-dimensional and simple two-dimensional barcodes can be quickly processed by loading and decoding only the segment of the array.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for authenticating identity of a person using a portable device. The portable device may includes an imager, an image processing unit and a processor. The image processing unit reads encoded data in a first image from an imager of the device. The image processing unit extracts a portion of a second image from the imager to generate extracted portion data. The extracted portion of the second image corresponds to a portion of a person whose identity is to be authenticated. Stored biometric data for a person is located based on the data read from the first image. The processor compares the extracted portion data of the second image to the stored biometric data for a person.

Abstract: An aiming pattern is used with an automatic focusing system for an imaging-based bar code reader. The combination of the thick horizontal line and the thin vertical line yields an aiming pattern that can be effectively used for ranging purposes while at the same time providing sufficient illumination for decoding 1-D barcodes.

Abstract: An imaging scanner with a two dimensional array of sensors analyzes data from a segment of the array to detect if one or more indicia conditions is present that would prevent a successful decode based on data in the segment. In this manner, if decoding the indicia using data from the segment of array data is not possible, an enlarged frame of array data can be sought for decode when necessary while one-dimensional and simple two-dimensional barcodes can be quickly processed by loading and decoding only the segment of the array.

Abstract: A method of locating an imaged bar code in a captured image frame for an imaging-based bar code reader. The steps of the method include: a) determining a mode of operation of the reader; b) if the reader is being operated in a hand-held mode of operation, utilizing a first method of locating an imaged bar code; and c) if the reader is being operated in a fixed position mode, utilizing a second method of locating an imaged bar code. The first method of locating an imaged bar code includes searching for an imaged bar code commencing at a starting location near a geographic center of the selected image frame. The second method of locating an imaged bar code includes determining a location corresponding to movement in a selected image frame of the series of image frames and searching for an imaged bar code commencing at the movement location.

Abstract: An imager with a two dimensional array of sensors processes illumination data from a subset of the sensors located within a selected region of the image to determine imager settings prior to acting upon a full frame of data. In this manner imager settings can be quickly determined by transferring and examining only the segment of the sensor array data.

Abstract: An aiming pattern is used with an automatic focusing system for an imaging-based bar code reader. The combination of the thick horizontal line and the thin vertical line yields an aiming pattern that can be effectively used for ranging purposes while at the same time providing sufficient illumination for decoding 1-D barcodes.

Abstract: Several optical systems for imaging engines of imaging optical code readers are disclosed. Each optical system includes the abilities to change the depth of field of the imaging field and to adjust a focus quality of the imaging field. The disclosed structures for changing the depth of field of the disclosed optical systems allow for the automatic or manual selection of one of a plurality of depths of field.

Abstract: An optical code reading system having an auto-exposure system for use with a variable resolution imaging sensor in which very low resolution images are used to determine exposure parameters is presented. The very low resolution images can be transferred much faster than high resolution images which results in a very fast auto-exposure system. The optical code reading system further includes an optical zoom system for zooming in and out of a target without the use of any moveable components. The optical zoom system makes use of a binning and/or subsampling feature of the imaging sensor for zooming in and out of the target. High-speed decoding methodologies are also presented for the optical code reading system. One decoding methodology utilizes low resolution images for performing high-speed decoding. Other methodologies utilize low resolution images and higher resolution images, if the optical code imaged by the low resolution images is not decoded successfully.

Abstract: A programmable imaging pixel array and barcode imager incorporating the same are provided where the aspect ratio of each pixel of the imaging pixel array can be changed to better match the type of barcode being imaged. For lower density barcodes that are far away from the barcode imager, for example, the aspect ratio of the imaging pixel array can be programmed on the fly to maximize aspect ratio and thereby increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the received signal. When reading high density barcodes, such as PDF417 barcode symbols, the aspect ratio of the imaging pixel array can also be programmed on the fly to obtain an aspect ratio which does not compromise the performance of the barcode imager.

Abstract: An image scanning device is provided which includes a system for determining the distance to a target to be scanned. The image scanning device includes an optical system and an image sensor array for focusing a light beam and imaging the target. The device preferably includes an automatic focusing system for adjusting the position of the optical system in order to adjust the focal point, and thereby focus the image of the target onto the image sensor array. In one embodiment of the image scanning device, the distance is determined by analyzing a collimated aiming pattern formed by collimating the light beam. In another embodiment, the distance is determined by analyzing a speckle pattern caused by the speckle effect upon the light beam hitting the target.

Abstract: Several optical systems for imaging engines of imaging optical code readers are disclosed. Each optical system includes the abilities to change the depth of field of the imaging field and to adjust a focus quality of the imaging field. The disclosed structures for changing the depth of field of the disclosed optical systems allow for the automatic or manual selection of one of a plurality of depths of field.

Abstract: An image scanning device is provided which includes a system for determining the distance to a target to be scanned. The image scanning device includes an optical system and an image sensor array for focusing a light beam and imaging the target. The device preferably includes an automatic focusing system for adjusting the position of the optical system in order to adjust the focal point, and thereby focus the image of the target onto the image sensor array. In one embodiment of the image scanning device, the distance is determined by analyzing a collimated aiming pattern formed by collimating the light beam. In another embodiment, the distance is determined by analyzing a speckle pattern caused by the speckle effect upon the light beam hitting the target.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for authenticating identity of a person using a portable device. The portable device may includes an imager, an image processing unit and a processor. The image processing unit reads encoded data in a first image from an imager of the device. The image processing unit extracts a portion of a second image from the imager to generate extracted portion data. The extracted portion of the second image corresponds to a portion of a person whose identity is to be authenticated. Stored biometric data for a person is located based on the data read from the first image. The processor compares the extracted portion data of the second image to the stored biometric data for a person.