Abstract: An aperture stop focuses light from indicia onto a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. The aperture stop has an open aperture with a scan dimension sized to resolve symbol elements, and with a height dimension to allow sufficient light to be captured. A cylindrical lens can be used to collect additional light. The aperture stop provides a large depth of focus and enables symbols to be read over a wide field of view. The need to use an expensive multiple lens assembly with the imager is eliminated.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly focuses light from indicia in a working range of distances along an optical path onto a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. The lens assembly includes an axicon and an aperture stop that together are operative for extending the working range.

Abstract: An adjustable imaging lens assembly focuses light from indicia along an optical path onto a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. The lens assembly includes a plurality of lenses and an aperture stop spaced apart along the optical path, at least one of lenses being mounted with multiple freedoms of movement relative to the optical path.

Abstract: A compact imaging lens assembly focuses light from indicia along an optical path onto a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. The lens assembly includes a pair of end focusing lenses of substantially a same size and spaced apart along the optical path, an intermediate lens between the end lenses, and an aperture stop between the end lenses.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: Working range is increased in an electro-optical reader or an imager for reading indicia by applying a voltage to a variable lens to change the shape of a liquid therein.

Abstract: Different aiming light patterns are generated to enable an imaging reader to be pointed directly at a target by employing non-interferometric optical components that are fabricated by molding and machining techniques.

Abstract: Heavy metals such as cadmium are not employed in optical bandpass filters employed in electro-optical readers to comply with governmental regulations concerning endangering the environment.

Abstract: A power pack with human interface devices that includes a power pack housing, which is detachably interfaced to a portable device. The power pack includes a power source internal to the housing for providing power, a light source internal to the housing for producing a light signal associated with a status, which light signal is viewable external to the housing, and an audio source internal to the housing for producing an audio signal associated with the status. The power pack interfaces electrically to the portable device to provide power thereto, and receive therefrom control signals associated with the status, which control signals activate at least one of the light source and audio source according to the status.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: An imaging and illuminating engine for an optical code reader to illuminate and image remote target indicia, such as an optical code, is provided. The engine includes an image sensor for receiving reflected illumination from the remote indicia and an illumination assembly for providing illumination of the remote indicia. The illumination assembly is capable of providing a plurality of different outputs, such as light having different wavelengths. The illumination assembly can also be provided with a single illuminating device for providing one illumination output for illuminating substantially the entire field of view. A transmissive, optical element overlays the engine for preventing light generated by the illumination assembly from reflecting back towards the image sensor. The imaging engine is an integrated circuit package configured for easily interfacing within an optical code reader as a plug-and-play component.

Abstract: A semiconductor detector device for detecting optical code symbols includes no more than 512 pixels. Each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1 with a short dimension not greater than 8 microns. In a bar code reader, a sensor for detecting the field of view of the reader includes a single semiconductor device having a collection of surfaces configured as a set of no less than 256 and no more than 512 pixels. Each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1, with a short dimension not less than 2 microns and not greater than 8 microns.

Abstract: Actuator systems are provided for automatically focusing an optical image reader. Techniques are also provided which are applicable to the design of imaging engines and imaging lens systems associated with image readers of various types. More specifically, the present invention relates to lens guidance assemblies and actuator systems for automatically focusing an objective lens associated with an imaging system of an optical image reader. The optical image reader is preferably an optical code image reader for imaging optical codes, such as bar codes.

Abstract: An imaging and an illuminating engine is provided for an optical code reader to image and illuminate remote target indicia. The engine includes an image sensor for receiving reflected illumination from the remote indicia and at least two illumination assemblies for providing illumination of the remote indicia. Each illumination assembly is capable of providing a number of different outputs, such as light having different wavelengths or different output durations. A transmissive, optical element overlays the engine for preventing light generated by the at least two illumination assemblies from reflecting back towards the image sensor. The imaging engine is an integrated circuit package for easily inserted and interfacing within an optical code reader as a plug-and-play component.

Abstract: A method for use in processing an analog signal from a laser scanning bar code reader containing information representative of reflected light from indicia including regions of different light reflectivity, and including narrow and wide elements of the same reflectivity of the indicia, by locating edge transitions between narrow and wide elements; estimating the edge shift associated with such transitions; and changing the edge position to correct for convolution distortion.

Abstract: An imaging arrangement for, and method of, imaging a target at one of a plurality of focal planes, includes a two-dimensional sensor having an array of pixels for converting incident light into electrical signals to be processed into an image of the target, and an optical assembly including a stationary optical element transmissive to the incident light en route to the sensor. The element is fixed relative to the sensor and has a plurality of optical portions respectively arranged in a plurality of patterns relative to a plurality of groups of the pixels. The assembly is operative for focusing the respective groups of the pixels in the respective patterns at respective focal planes spaced apart from one another away from the sensor.

Abstract: An optical collector collects relatively more of the off-axis light directed to a detector, and collects relatively less of the on-axis light directed to the detector, in order to decrease the variation in the amplitude of the electrical signal generated by the detector over a scan of target such as a bar code symbol in order to improve the performance of a bar code symbol reader.

Abstract: A miniature imager for reading target images. The optical and electrical systems of the miniature imager are optimized to reduce one or more dimensions or the volume of the imager. In accordance with one embodiment the pixel pitch and focal length are decreased for that of a larger imager to maintain a comparable field of view for each pixel. The decreased pixel pitch allows the area of the aperture and the instantaneous field of view of the pixel to remain constant while decreasing the overall size of the imager. In other embodiments apparatus and techniques reduce and/or eliminate the need for illumination of a target by the imager thereby reducing the overall power consumed by the imager and/or its overall size. The imager has an increased working range.

Abstract: A scan module in an electro-optical reader includes a first beam-folding mirror on a raised support wall at a rear of a support, and a second beam-folding mirror at a front of the support and operative for reflecting light through an opening in a frame wall to the first mirror for reflection therefrom above the frame wall between the front and rear of the support.

Abstract: Actuator systems are provided for automatically focusing an optical image reader. Techniques are also provided which are applicable to the design of imaging engines and imaging lens systems associated with image readers of various types. More specifically, the present invention relates to lens guidance assemblies and actuator systems for automatically focusing an objective lens associated with an imaging system of an optical image reader. The optical image reader is preferably an optical code image reader for imaging optical codes, such as bar codes.