Abstract: A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object features: a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code; an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position. Each camera assembly includes a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing a field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array and wherein the sensor array is read out at a predetermined frame rate. The predetermined frame rate of at least one camera assembly is less than the predetermined frame rates of the other camera assemblies.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging targets, such as electronic codes displayed on screens or direct part marking codes marked on workpieces, include an illumination system for illuminating a target with illumination light directed through a window of a housing, a solid-state, exposable imager looking at a field of view that extends through the window to the target, and operative for capturing return illumination light from the field of view as an image, and a controller for processing the image to attempt reading the target. The controller identifies the target within the image, determines a brightness level of a background region or a region of interest when the target cannot be read or identified, exposes the imager for an exposure time based on the brightness level, and reads the target with the imager exposed for the exposure time.

Abstract: A method and imaging assembly (10) are disclosed adapted for reading a target object comprising a scan engine (48) having a sensor (46), focusing optics (44), and an imager (48). The scan engine includes a field-of-view defining an area to be imaged by the imaging assembly (10). A housing (80) internally lodges the scan engine (48) and an illumination source (36). The illumination source (36) is adapted to project illumination from the housing (80). A boot (30) extends from the housing (80) for shaping the illumination as it passes through the boot to form an illumination pattern from the illumination. The illumination pattern substantially conforms to a geometrical shape of the boot (30) and is adapted to envelope the scan engine field-of-view.

Abstract: The exemplary system requires a 2D barcode be located on an object, a portion of which is to be captured in an image. The module size of the 2D barcode is chosen to match the smallest feature to be preserved on the output image. While the target is moving with respect to the imager the 2D bar code is also moving and the resulting image is degraded. The imager will properly decode the 2D barcode only if the bar code is stationary (or moving very slowly) and hence will provide an acceptable image in the region of the 2D bar code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for powering a handheld device. The method includes measuring a current withdrawn by the handheld device from a USB port of the handheld device. The handheld device can include a barcode reading arrangement for reading a barcode on a target object. The method also includes withdrawing a supplementary current from an energy storage element in the handheld device if the current withdrawn from the USB port reaches a threshold current value.

Abstract: An optical code reading system includes an imaging engine having an illuminating assembly for illuminating a potential target area; an imaging assembly including an imaging sensor for acquiring a native image of a potential target area; and circuitry for converting the native image of a potential target area to a data signal and outputting the data signal. The data signal includes potential target area data indicative of low and high resolution representations of the native image; and at least one processor that includes means for receiving the data signal and separating the potential target area data included within the data signal into at least first and second groups of pixels indicative of the low and high resolution representations. The processor may also receive intermediate resolution representations. A corresponding imaging engine and processors capable of implementing the method of separating the high, low and intermediate resolution representations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method utilizing an imaging-based bar code reader to identify a desired acquisition area within a captured image frame, the desired acquisition area including a target bar code and an extent of the desired acquisition area bounded by a border featuring: identifying a region of the captured image frame corresponding to an image of the target bar code; determining a reference point within the imaged target bar code; determining a reference point within an image of the desired acquisition area; searching for an image of the border of the desired acquisition area; identifying the imaged border of the desired acquisition area; and saving in memory a portion of the captured image frame corresponding to an image within the imaged border.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: Performance of an imaging reader for electro-optically reading direct part markings on workpieces is enhanced by uniformly illuminating the markings. An illuminator is operative for emitting illumination light of greater and lesser intensity toward the indicia. A diffuser is operative for diffusing the illumination light en route to the indicia. The diffuser includes a plurality of diffusing elements adjacent the illuminator for diffusing the illumination light of greater intensity more than the illumination light of lesser intensity.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.

Abstract: A method utilizing an imaging-based bar code reader to identify a desired acquisition area within a captured image frame, the desired acquisition area including a target bar code and an extent of the desired acquisition area bounded by a border featuring: identifying a region of the captured image frame corresponding to an image of the target bar code; determining a reference point within the imaged target bar code; determining a reference point within an image of the desired acquisition area; searching for an image of the border of the desired acquisition area; identifying the imaged border of the desired acquisition area; and saving in memory a portion of the captured image frame corresponding to an image within the imaged border.

Abstract: The exemplary system requires a 2D barcode be located on an object, a portion of which is to be captured in an image. The module size of the 2D barcode is chosen to match the smallest feature to be preserved on the output image. While the target is moving with respect to the imager the 2D bar code is also moving and the resulting image is degraded. The imager will properly decode the 2D barcode only if the bar code is stationary (or moving very slowly) and hence will provide an acceptable image in the region of the 2D bar code.

Abstract: An imaging optical code reader is adapted for use in producing video displays and for use in motion detection surveillance using video compression and narrow band width communication links. An optical system including a plane parallel plate may be employed to change the system focal distance.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.

Abstract: A two dimensional symbol is decoded by forming a binary image that includes the symbol. The binary is used to generate symbol margins for use in digitization. By using the binary image to determine the symbol margins, margins can be located efficiently and in the presence of symbol contrast variation caused by irregularities in the marked surface or light source angles. Digitization proceeds based on the determined margins.

Abstract: Aiming of an imaging reader at direct part markings (DPM) on workpieces is enhanced by emitting an aiming light beam during aiming, and by optically modifying the aiming light beam during the aiming to generate an aiming light pattern having an outer bright region illuminated by the aiming light beam and visible to an operator to enable the operator to manually position the bright region to entirely surround at least part of the DPM, and an inner dark region not illuminated by the aiming light beam and surrounded by the bright region. The dark region contains the part of the DPM code to be imaged and read by the reader after the aiming.