Abstract: Disclosed is an automatically-activated wireless code symbol reading system comprising a bar code symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-supportable housing having a manually-activatable data transmission switch. During symbol reading operations, the bar code symbol reading mechanism automatically generates a visible laser scanning pattern for repeatedly reading one or more bar code symbols on an object during a bar code symbol reading cycle, and automatically generating a new symbol character data string in response to each bar code symbol read thereby. During system operation, the user visually aligns the visible laser scanning pattern with a particular bar code symbol on an object (e.g. product, bar code menu, etc.) so that the bar code symbol is scanned, detected and decoded in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: An automatically-activated bar code symbol reading system for carrying out bar code symbol reading operations, comprising a hand-supportable housing; a manually-actuatable data transmission activation switch integrated with the hand-supportable housing; and an automatically-activated laser scanning bar code symbol reading engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, and having (i) a preprogrammed set of operational states wherethrough the system automatically passes during each bar code symbol reading operation, and (ii) a preprogrammed symbol character data transmission state of operation into which the system is automatically induced in response to the manually-actuation of the symbol character data transmission activation switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatically-activated wireless code symbol reading system comprising a bar code symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-supportable housing having a manually-activatable data transmission switch. During symbol reading operations, the bar code symbol reading mechanism automatically generates a visible laser scanning pattern for repeatedly reading one or more bar code symbols on an object during a bar code symbol reading cycle, and automatically generating a new symbol character data string in response to each bar code symbol read thereby. During system operation, the user visually aligns the visible laser scanning pattern with a particular bar code symbol on an object (e.g. product, bar code menu, etc.) so that the bar code symbol is scanned, detected and decoded in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: An automatically-activated wireless code symbol reading system comprising a hand-supportable housing having a manually-activatable data transmission switch under automatic communication range dependent control. When a bar code symbol is read, the bar code reader is located inside the predetermined RF data communication range of the system, then the symbol character data string, produced at substantially the same time as the manual activation of the data transmission switch, is transmitted to the base station over the wireless RF communication link. If the device is outside the range, then an audible and/or visual indication is automatically generated, and the packaged symbol character data string is packaged and transmitted to a data storage buffer aboard the bar code reader. Then when the bar code symbol reader is moved within the communication range of the system, the buffered/packaged symbol character data is automatically transmitted to the base station by the RF-based data communication link.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system (300), in which an onmidirectional holographic scanning tunnel (100) is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem (500, 600) is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identificaton data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathamatical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathamatical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A multi-mode laser-based bar code symbol reading device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture, wherethrough visible light can exit and enter the hand-supportable housing. A laser scanning engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional reading mode or a uni-directional bar code reading mode. In the omni-directional bar code reading mode, the laser scanning engine projects pattern through the light transmission aperture, an omni-directional laser scanning pattern producing multiple laser scanning lines with substantially uniform spatial and temporal intensity characteristics at any given scanning plane parallel to the light transmission aperture within the working distance of the system, and detects and decodes bar code symbols on objects passing through the omni-directional scanning pattern, and produces symbol character data representative of decoded bar code symbols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fully automatic bar code symbol reading system having an hand-supportable laser bar code reading device which can be used in either an automatic hands-on mode of operation, or in an automatic hands-free mode of operation. The system includes a scanner support frame for supporting the hand-supportable device in a user-selected mounting position, and permits complete gripping of its handle portion prior to its use in the hands-on mode of operation. In general, the hand-supportable bar code reading device has long-range and short-range modes of object detection, bar code presence detection and bar code symbol reading. In the illustrative embodiment, the long-range mode is automatically selected when the hand-supportable bar code reading device is placed within the scanner support stand during the automatic hands-free mode of operation.

Abstract: A code symbol reading device includes a portable housing that contains a source of optical energy. This optical energy is projected into a scan field external to the housing and is incident upon a code symbol situated on an object located within the scan field. Optical energy reflected off the code symbol is detected within the housing to produce scan data that is indicative of the detected optical energy. The scan data is processed to detect and decode the code symbol and to produce symbol character data that are representative of the decoded code symbol. A data packet utilizing the symbol character data is constructed and then used to modulate an electromagnetic carrier sign that is transmitted to a base unit. At the base unit, the carrier signal is demodulated and the data packet is recovered. The received data packet is processed to recover the symbol character data, and an acknowledgment signal is generated to acknowledge the receipt of the symbol character data at the base unit.

Abstract: A wireless bar code symbol reading system for use in a work environment, comprising a wireless hand-supportable bar code symbol reader in two-way RF communication with a base station operably connected to a host system, by way of an RF-based wireless data communication link having a predetermined RF communication range over which two-way communication of data packets can occur in a reliable manner. When the wireless bar code symbol reader is located inside of the predetermined RF communication range based on measuring the strength of the detected reference signal, it automatically transmits to the base station, the symbol character data string produced while the reader is located inside of the predetermined RF communication range. When the wireless reader is located outside of the range, based on measuring the strength of said detected reference signal, the reader automatically collects and stores the symbol character data string produced during that time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically reading bar code symbols using a reading device containing a laser beam configured to provide a scan field. The method involves automatically detecting the presence of a bar code within the scan field by flickering the laser beam. In automatic response to the detection of a bar code, the automatic bar code symbol reading device generates a laser beam scanning pattern and reads the detected bar code by producing scan data signals from the detected bar code and thereafter collecting and analyzing these data signals. Further aspects of the present invention relate to hand-holdable data collection devices adapted for use with the automatic bar code symbol reading device to form a portable symbol reading system characterized by versatility and simplicity of use.

Abstract: An automatically-activated laser scanning 2-D bar code symbol reading system for use in a work environment, wherein a hand-supportable 2-D bar code symbol reader is arranged in two-way communication with a base station operably connected to a host system. The 2-D bar code symbol reader includes (i) a bar code symbol data detector for automatically detecting each line of said 2-D bar code symbol, and producing a line of scan data for buffering in a buffer memory, (ii) an audible data capture buffering indicator for automatically generating audible sounds as each line of bar code symbol data is captured and buffered in said buffer memory, and (iii) a decode processor for automatically decode processing an entire set of scan data collected in said buffer memory and corresponding to a scanned 2-D bar code symbol, and generating a symbol character data string representative of said read 2-D bar code symbol.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A novel transaction-enabling method and system are disclosed, wherein a transaction-enabling Java-Applet is embedded within an HTML-encoded document stored in an HTTP server at predetermined URL. When a code symbol (e.g., magstripe or bar code) encoded with the URL is read using a code symbol reader interfaced with a Java-enabled Internet terminal, the corresponding HTTP document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal, and the transaction-enabling Java-Applet initiated for execution so that the customer, consumer or client desiring the transaction can simply and conveniently conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet. The transaction-enabling Internet terminal can be in the form of an Internet kiosk installed in a public location, in the manner as conventional ATMs. By virtue of the present invention, universal transaction machine (UTMs) can be easily deployed for use by the mass population so that they can easily conduct various types of transaction over the Internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically reading bar code symbols. One aspect of the present invention concerns a method of reading bar code symbols using an automatic hand-holdable bar code symbol reading device that includes a hand-holdable housing containing operative elements which provide an object detection field and a scan field each defined external to the housing. The the presence of an object is automatically detected within the object detection field by sensing object sensing energy reflected off the object. In response, the hand-holdable device automatically detects the presence of a bar code within the scan field using a laser. Then, in automatic response to the detection of a bar code, the automatic hand-holdable bar code symbol reading device reads the detected bar code in the scan field by producing scan data signals from the detected bar code and thereafter collecting and analyzing the same.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A multi-channel scanner having several photodetectors (12a-12d) and several lasers (10a-10d) for scanning along multiple paths (50a-50d) incorporates a separate input channel (26a-26d) for each photodetector. Each channel provides a sequence of data elements representing light reflected from points along the associated scanning path, and the data elements from each channel are stored in separate FIFO buffers (20a-20d). A multiplexer (22) takes data elements from the various buffers so as from a consolidated stream of data elements (80) incoporating the data elements from the various channels. This stream is processed in a single decoder (24) to recover data denoted by the bar code. Use of a single decoder minimizes the cost and size of the system.

Abstract: A multi-mode laser-based bar code symbol reading device having a hand-supportable housing with a light transmission aperture, wherethrough visible light can exit and enter the hand-supportable housing. A laser scanning engine, disposed within the hand-supportable housing, is controlled to selectively operate in either an omni-directional scanning mode or a single line scanning mode. In the omni-directional scanning mode, the laser scanning engine projects an omni-directional scanning pattern through the light transmission aperture, detects and decodes bar code symbols on objects passing through the omni-directional scanning pattern, and produces symbol character data representative of decoded bar code symbols.

Abstract: By automatically adjusting the object detection mechanism of a bar code scanner from a long range mode of operation to a short range mode of operation, the scanner will remain capable of detecting and decoding bar codes even if the object detection mechanism repeatedly detects the presence of a background object. The techniques of the present invention commence when the bar code scanner is placed in a position such that the scanner's object detection mechanism repeatedly detects a background object such as a counter top or conveyer belt. The object detection mechanism is set to the long range mode of operation if it is not already so set. In the case of a stand-mounted scanner, a test is performed to ascertain whether or not the scanner is in its stand, and the method will only proceed once the scanner is resting in the stand.

Abstract: An automatic scanner which can be used at a point-of-sale (POS) station. The scanner provides a confined scanning volume, so as to avoid unintentional scanning of nearby objects that are located outside of this confined scanning volume. This scanner can be operated in an automatic hands-on mode of operation, or also operated as a stationary laser projection scanner in an automatic hands-free mode of operation. A collimated scanning pattern is projected from the hand-supportable device about a projection axis. The collimated scanning pattern intersects the projection axis within a narrowly confined scanning volume so that bar code symbols disposed within this scanning volume can be read omnidirectionally.