Abstract: Products associated with targets to be read by image capture are processed in a workstation having a window, a solid-state imager looking at a field of view extending through the window to a target to be imaged, and an illumination system for illuminating the field of view. A proximity system detects a product associated with the target in a selected zone outside the window. The proximity system has an infrared (IR) emitter for emitting IR light into an IR emission field, and an IR sensor for sensing return IR light within an IR detection field that intersects the IR emission field in the selected zone. A controller energizes the illumination system in response to the detection of the product in the selected zone, and processes return illumination light captured in the field of view by the imager.

Abstract: Products associated with targets to be read by image capture are processed in a workstation having a window, a solid-state imager looking at a field of view extending through the window to a target to be imaged, and an illumination system for illuminating the field of view. A proximity system detects a product associated with the target in a selected zone outside the window. The proximity system has an infrared (IR) emitter for emitting IR light into an IR emission field, and an IR sensor for sensing return IR light within an IR detection field that intersects the IR emission field in the selected zone. A controller energizes the illumination system in response to the detection of the product in the selected zone, and processes return illumination light captured in the field of view by the imager.

Abstract: An illumination time of an illumination system and/or an exposure setting of an imaging system are adjusted by a proximity system operative for detecting a product entering a field of view in a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation. The proximity system includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light to the product, and an infrared sensor for sensing return infrared light from the product. Multiple predefined thresholds are stored for the sensed return infrared light, and a predefined illumination time and/or exposure setting are stored and assigned to each predefined threshold. Adjustment of the illumination time and/or of the exposure setting is performed by comparing the sensed return infrared light from the product in real time operation with the stored predefined thresholds.

Abstract: An illumination time of an illumination system and/or an exposure setting of an imaging system are adjusted by a proximity system operative for detecting a product entering a field of view in a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation. The proximity system includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light to the product, and an infrared sensor for sensing return infrared light from the product. Multiple predefined thresholds are stored for the sensed return infrared light, and a predefined illumination time and/or exposure setting are stored and assigned to each predefined threshold. Adjustment of the illumination time and/or of the exposure setting is performed by comparing the sensed return infrared light from the product in real time operation with the stored predefined thresholds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an imaging system (10) with safety control for imaging target objects having a scanning arrangement (14) including a sensor assembly (22) for capturing an image from a target object. The sensor assembly (22) has a field-of-view focused by an optical arrangement (24) onto a sensor array (28). The imaging system further comprises an illumination assembly (18) having a housing (30), illumination source (38), light pipe (42), and projection lens (36). The illumination assembly (18) provides light energy toward the sensor assembly field-of-view for illuminating the target object to be imaged on the sensor array (28). The light pipe (42) comprises a multi-walled tapered body (52) having an input face (40). The walls of the body (52) create mirrored images of the illumination source (38), together with the projection lens redistribute the amount of light energy directed at the eyes of a human.

Abstract: A lensholder holds at least one fixed optical lens and a variable focusing element in a spaced relation along an optical path through which light passes in an electro-optical reader. The variable focusing element has a pair of electrodes across which a voltage is applied to optically modify the light passing through the fixed optical lens and the variable focusing element. The lensholder directly electrically conductively contacts the electrodes and establishes an electrically conductive path between each electrode and an exterior of the lensholder.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for sweeping a composite laser beam as a pattern of scan lines on a planar projection surface and for causing selected pixels arranged along each scan line to be illuminated to produce an image, especially in color. The raster pattern extends along mutually orthogonal directions that are generally parallel to mutually orthogonal dimensions of a support of the module. The image is level with the horizontal.

Abstract: An assembly for collecting light from indicia includes a chassis having a port through which the light from the indicia passes, and walls bounding an interior compartment. A self-retaining frame constituted of an optical material is non-adhesively mounted within the compartment in an assembled position. The frame has an integral lens optically aligned with the port in the assembled position for optically modifying the light passing through the port, and a plurality of legs in gripping frictional interference engagement with the walls in the assembled position. A sensor is optically aligned with the lens, for sensing the light optically modified by the lens.

Abstract: A lensholder holds at least one fixed optical lens and a variable focusing element in a spaced relation along an optical path through which light passes in an electro-optical reader. The variable focusing element has a pair of electrodes across which a voltage is applied to optically modify the light passing through the fixed optical lens and the variable focusing element. The lensholder directly electrically conductively contacts the electrodes and establishes an electrically conductive path between each electrode and an exterior of the lensholder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an imaging system (10) with safety control for imaging target objects having a scanning arrangement (14) including a sensor assembly (22) for capturing an image from a target object. The sensor assembly (22) has a field-of-view focused by an optical arrangement (24) onto a sensor array (28). The imaging system further comprises an illumination assembly (18) having a housing (30), illumination source (38), light pipe (42), and projection lens (36). The illumination assembly (18) provides light energy toward the sensor assembly field-of-view for illuminating the target object to be imaged on the sensor array (28). The light pipe (42) comprises a multi-walled tapered body (52) having an input face (40). The walls of the body (52) create mirrored images of the illumination source (38), together with the projection lens redistribute the amount of light energy directed at the eyes of a human.

Abstract: Red, blue and green lasers respectively emit a plurality of red, blue and green laser beams having respective output powers. The beams are optically focused and collinearly arranged to form a composite beam which is swept by a pair of scan mirrors in a pattern of scan lines on a projection surface, each scan line having a number of pixels. A controller causes selected pixels to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the composite beam to produce an image. A safety circuit detects a malfunction of at least one of the lasers and the scan mirrors, and deenergizes the at least one of the lasers and the scan mirrors upon detection of the malfunction.

Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading indicia, includes a sensor for sensing light from the indicia, and for generating a signal indicative of the indicia. A support includes a housing in which the sensor is contained, and a light-transmissive window through which the light from the indicia passes en route to the sensor. The window and the housing are both constituted of a same moldable material and are integrally molded together as a single component of one-piece, seamless construction. A pressure indicator is also integrally formed with the housing, for visually indicating pressure within the housing.

Abstract: A laser projection device suitable for displaying full color images is disclosed. The LPD includes a variety of techniques for modulating laser beams produced by one or more lasers with image data to controllably produce the image using a modified raster scan.

Abstract: An assembly for collecting light from indicia includes a chassis having a port through which the light from the indicia passes, and walls bounding an interior compartment. A self-retaining frame constituted of an optical material is non-adhesively mounted within the compartment in an assembled position. The frame has an integral lens optically aligned with the port in the assembled position for optically modifying the light passing through the port, and a plurality of legs in gripping frictional interference engagement with the walls in the assembled position. A sensor is optically aligned with the lens, for sensing the light optically modified by the lens.

Abstract: An assembly for illuminating indicia includes a chassis, an illuminator for emitting illumination light, and a self-retaining lightpipe constituted of an optical material and non-adhesively mounted on the chassis with a snap action in an assembled position. The lightpipe is optically aligned with the illuminator in the assembled position, for optically guiding the illumination light from the illuminator to the indicia. The lightpipe has a textured exit surface, preferably with a predetermined scattering directionality, for scattering the illumination light exiting therefrom toward the indicia in a controlled manner to minimize specular reflection.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in color. The pixels are rendered symmetrical in cross-section by aligning a narrow dimension of a beam spot of a laser beam along scan lines of the raster pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to provide a laser projection display (LPD).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably reduce power of a laser projection display (LPD). Light is scanned from a laser onto a viewing surface to produce an image thereon, and power used by the laser is reduced used while scanning at least a portion of the viewing surface.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module has a laser assembly for emitting a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths, an optical assembly for focusing and nearly collinearly arranging the laser beams to form a composite beam, a scanner for sweeping the composite beam in a pattern of scan lines, each scan line having a number of pixels, and a controller for causing selected pixels to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the composite beam to produce the image. An aperture stop located between the laser assembly and the scanner, limits a cross-sectional dimension of at least one of the laser beams to below a prescribed level to preserve color fidelity over the image.

Abstract: A taut, torsional flexure is used in a compact drive for scanning light and is of beneficial use in a lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, the module being operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in color.