Abstract: The present disclosure relates to data readers including an improved imaging system that optimizes active and passive autofocus techniques for improving data reading functions. In an example, the data reader initially uses active autofocus techniques to focus a lens system based on a measurement reading by a rangefinder and acquire an image of an item in the field-of-view of the data reader. The data reader includes a decoding engine operable to decode an optical code of the item using the acquired image. If the decoding engine is unable to decode the optical code using the active autofocus technique, the data reader alternates to a passive autofocus technique to alter the focus settings of the lens system and reattempt the decoding process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active alignment method of a receiving device (2, 2?) including a sensor (4) and of a illumination device (6, 6?) including at least one light source (18, 8?) suitable for emitting a beam of light, including: —Assembling said receiving device (2, 2?); —Stably fixing said receiving device (2, 2?) on a chassis (30); —Actively aligning an optical group (11, 11?) of said illumination device (6, 6?) with respect to said light source (18, 18?); —Fixedly connecting said optical group (11, 11?) of said illumination device to said light source (18, 18?); —Actively aligning said illumination device (6, 6?) with respect to said receiving device (2, 2?); and —Stably fixing said illumination device (6, 6?) to said chassis (30).

Abstract: Systems and methods of operation for a machine-readable symbol reader for estimating the distance of a scanned target object or item labeled with indicia, such as a machine-readable symbol. The reader may include an illumination subsystem which projects a light pattern (e.g., line) out from the reader. The reader may capture an image of the target object while the light pattern is projected thereon and analyze at least one detectable characteristic of the pattern to estimate distance of the target object relative to the reader. A one-dimensional sensor array of the reader may be exploited in part for imaging a symbol and in part for imaging detectable characteristics (e.g., edges) of the projected illumination pattern which allows for estimation of the reading distance. A central portion of the one-dimensional sensor array may be dedicated to imaging a machine-readable symbol and lateral portions may be dedicated to implementing a range finder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to data readers including an improved imaging system that optimizes active and passive autofocus techniques for improving data reading functions. In an example, the data reader initially uses active autofocus techniques to focus a lens system based on a measurement reading by a rangefinder and acquire an image of an item in the field-of-view of the data reader. The data reader includes a decoding engine operable to decode an optical code of the item using the acquired image. If the decoding engine is unable to decode the optical code using the active autofocus technique, the data reader alternates to a passive autofocus technique to alter the focus settings of the lens system and reattempt the decoding process.

Abstract: An imager module for an optical code reader may include a camera comprising a lens system, and an actuator for moving the lens system operatively connected to the lens system for autofocus adjustment. The actuator for moving the lens system comprises a linear electric motor with a drive shaft, a position sensor device adapted to detect the position of the drive shaft within a predefined stroke length and a control device adapted to control the movement of the drive shaft. The control device and the position sensor device are integrated in a single PCB, the electric motor comprises a frame that supports the drive shaft, and the single PCB constitutes part of said frame. On optical code reader may include such an imager module.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to data readers including an improved imaging system that optimizes active and passive autofocus techniques for improving data reading functions. In an example, the data reader initially uses active autofocus techniques to focus a lens system based on a measurement reading by a rangefinder and acquire an image of an item in the field-of-view of the data reader. The data reader includes a decoding engine operable to decode an optical code of the item using the acquired image. If the decoding engine is unable to decode the optical code using the active autofocus technique, the data reader alternates to a passive autofocus technique to alter the focus settings of the lens system and reattempt the decoding process.

Abstract: An imager module for an optical code reader may include a camera comprising a lens system, and an actuator for moving the lens system operatively connected to the lens system for autofocus adjustment. The actuator for moving the lens system comprises a linear electric motor with a drive shaft, a position sensor device adapted to detect the position of the drive shaft within a predefined stroke length and a control device adapted to control the movement of the drive shaft. The control device and the position sensor device are integrated in a single PCB, the electric motor comprises a frame that supports the drive shaft, and the single PCB constitutes part of said frame. On optical code reader may include such an imager module.

Abstract: Scanners, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that process variable sized objects with high package pitch on a moving conveyor belt are provided. The scanners include a substrate and a plurality of sensors attached to the substrate. The plurality of sensors forms an array of sensors having at least two or more rows of off-axis sensors. The sensors may include a one or more area array sensors. The arrays of sensors captures moving objects row by row and are optimized reduce object spacing on the conveyor belt. Additionally, the scanner having the array of sensor may process different objects having different heights at the same time. Accordingly, object throughput on the conveyor belt is increased by reducing minimum object gap (e.g., processing of “no gap” or non-singulated objects).

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image forming device including a sensor defining an optical reception axis, at least one reading distance, and a region framed by the sensor on a substrate at said at least one reading distance. An illumination device includes an array of adjacent light sources defining an optical illumination axis. The light sources are individually drivable, and each light source is adapted to illuminate an area of a size much smaller than the size of said region framed by the sensor. The illumination axis does not coincide with the reception axis. A driver of the light sources is adapted to drive the light sources so as to switch off at least the light sources that illuminate outside of the boundary of the region framed by the sensor on the substrate at said at least one reading distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operation for a machine-readable symbol reader for estimating the distance of a scanned target object or item labeled with indicia, such as a machine-readable symbol. The reader may include an illumination subsystem which projects a light pattern (e.g., line) out from the reader. The reader may capture an image of the target object while the light pattern is projected thereon and analyze at least one detectable characteristic of the pattern to estimate distance of the target object relative to the reader. A one-dimensional sensor array of the reader may be exploited in part for imaging a symbol and in part for imaging detectable characteristics (e.g., edges) of the projected illumination pattern which allows for estimation of the reading distance. A central portion of the one-dimensional sensor array may be dedicated to imaging a machine-readable symbol and lateral portions may be dedicated to implementing a range finder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active alignment method of a receiving device (2, 2?) including a sensor (4) and of a illumination device (6, 6?) including at least one light source (18, 8?) suitable for emitting a beam of light, including: —Assembling said receiving device (2, 2?); —Stably fixing said receiving device (2, 2?) on a chassis (30); —Actively aligning an optical group (11, 11?) of said illumination device (6, 6?) with respect to said light source (18, 18?); —Fixedly connecting said optical group (11, 11?) of said illumination device to said light source (18, 18?); —Actively aligning said illumination device (6, 6?) with respect to said receiving device (2, 2?); and —Stably fixing said illumination device (6, 6?) to said chassis (30).

Abstract: An image capture module includes a liquid lens having a first and a second electrode, and a first and a second conductor element in electrical contact with the first and second electrode, respectively, the first and second conductor elements being each intended for connection with a voltage generator for driving the liquid lens. The first conductor element includes an electrically conductive body having a peripheral region for contact with the first electrode of the liquid lens with a light diaphragm aperture in a central region thereof.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image forming device including a sensor defining an optical reception axis, at least one reading distance, and a region framed by the sensor on a substrate at said at least one reading distance. An illumination device includes an array of adjacent light sources defining an optical illumination axis. The light sources are individually drivable, and each light source is adapted to illuminate an area of a size much smaller than the size of said region framed by the sensor. The illumination axis does not coincide with the reception axis. A driver of the light sources is adapted to drive the light sources so as to switch off at least the light sources that illuminate outside of the boundary of the region framed by the sensor on the substrate at said at least one reading distance.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image forming device including a sensor defining an optical reception axis, at least one reading distance, and a region framed by the sensor on a substrate at said at least one reading distance. An illumination device includes an array of adjacent light sources defining an optical illumination axis. The light sources are individually drivable, and each light source is adapted to illuminate an area of a size much smaller than the size of said region framed by the sensor. The illumination axis does not coincide with the reception axis. A driver of the light sources is adapted to drive the light sources so as to switch off at least the light sources that illuminate outside of the boundary of the region framed by the sensor on the substrate at said at least one reading distance.

Abstract: A complex device that integrates a beam shaping aperture in a printed circuit board of the complex device (e.g., scanner or barcode reader or optical module) is provided. The complex device has a light-emitting diode pattern projection system. The pattern projection system includes one or more light-emitting diodes and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has one or more apertures and one or more receptacles. The one or more receptacles are positioned behind the aperture and receive the one or more light-emitting diodes. The printed circuit board with receptacle offer self-alignment for the light emitting diodes. The beam shaping aperture in front of the light-emitting diodes allows light to pass through the aperture that is part of the printed circuit board layer of the complex device.

Abstract: An apparatus for presentation reading of optical information with removable reader includes an optical information reader and a cradle or stand having a seat for seating the reader facing a predetermined optical information reading zone. The reader has an illuminator and the stand has an illuminator. A processor is configured to control a capture of an image of at least one portion of the reading zone, to analyze the image and, based on the analysis, to drive the switching on of either of the illuminator of the reader and/or the illuminator of the stand. The stand includes an optical component at the illuminator of the reader and/or at an aimer of the reader when seated in the seat, to define an aiming pattern and/or to modify the features of the illuminating beam of the reader.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods for interfacing a scan engine for scanning optical code symbols and a decoder. The system employs a configurable communication interface configured to generate a relaxed DBP signal that is independent of the scanning distance or the scan rate used in a scanning operation using a DBP signal from the scan engine. A relaxed DBP signal may be generated by scaling a narrowest pulse in a pulse sequence to a fixed minimum pulse width. A relaxed DBP signal having transmission slots of a fixed duration may be generated by calculating a minimum pulse duration that enables transmission of a pulse sequence within the fixed duration. Upon scaling the narrowest pulse in a pulse sequence to the minimum pulse width, either fixed or calculated, the remaining pulses are scaled so as to maintain a relative proportionality of each pulse width in the pulse sequence.