Abstract: This patent specification describes operations of a mobile device with barcode-reading capabilities and an application and license server. A mobile device may include a barcode-reading application downloaded from an application server. The barcode-reading application may operate in a base mode or an enhanced mode. In the base mode, the barcode-reading application may establish a network connection to a licensing server to obtain a license code, and determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. In the enhanced mode, the barcode-reading application may implement at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. For example, the enhanced barcode-reading function may be a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation.

Abstract: A barcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, which may include an image sensor. The image sensor may capture an image of a barcode within a field of view. The barcode reading hardware may also include a communication interface for output of decoded data to a remote computing system. The barcode reader may also include volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may include start-up instructions. The barcode reader may also include a processor. The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader, execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating the barcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware to the volatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system for a mobile device may include a camera assembly. The barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory and a barcode-reading application. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may be securable to the mobile device and may be configured to provide an indication of license entitlement to the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may be stored in memory of the mobile device and executable by a processor of the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may also be configured to enable an enhanced mode of operation of the barcode-reading application conditional upon determining obtaining the license entitlement from the accessory.

Abstract: This patent specification describes operations of a mobile device with barcode-reading capabilities and an application and license server. A mobile device may include a barcode-reading application downloaded from an application server. The barcode-reading application may operate in a base mode or an enhanced mode. In the base mode, the barcode-reading application may establish a network connection to a licensing server to obtain a license code, and determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. In the enhanced mode, the barcode-reading application may implement at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. For example, the enhanced barcode-reading function may be a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory that is securable to a mobile device. The accessory may include an optic system that is configured to shape and filter illumination from a white light source of the mobile device to project targeting illumination onto a target surface. Calibration data may indicate a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination. A barcode-reading application may determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device. The application may also determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset. The application may also use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device include an image sensor array for generating a color image of a target area. The color image includes sub-images each captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to different bands of illumination. The barcode reading system may include an optic system configured to produce a targeting illumination pattern of a particular band of illumination passed by an optical filter within the target area. An image processing function of a barcode-reading application may create a grayscale composite image of a barcode by combining the sub-images. In combining the sub-images, a contribution from a sub-image captured by a portion of the image sensor array most sensitive to the particular band for the targeting illumination may be smaller than a contribution from the other two sub-images captured by other portions of the image sensor array.

Abstract: A barcode reader may include barcode reading hardware, which may include an image sensor. The image sensor may capture an image of a barcode within a field of view. The barcode reading hardware may also include a communication interface for output of decoded data to a remote computing system. The barcode reader may also include volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may include start-up instructions. The barcode reader may also include a processor. The processor may be configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader, execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating the barcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware to the volatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation.

Abstract: A barcode reader is disclosed. The barcode reader may include a semiconductor package and an optic system. The semiconductor package may include a plurality of silicon dies stacked vertically and interconnected by through-silicon vias (TSVs) or wires. A first die positioned on top of the plurality of stacked silicon dies includes a photo sensor array and image read-out circuitry. The image read-out circuitry is coupled to the photo sensor array and configured to generate a frame of image data, wherein the frame of image data is a sequence of values, each value representing an intensity of illumination focused on one of the photo sensors. The optic system is configured to focus an image of a barcode on the photo sensor array. The optic system includes a lens assembly and a mirror. The mirror folds an optical path behind the lens assembly onto the array of photo sensors.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading enhancement accessory for a mobile device having a barcode-reading capability. The accessory may include an outer case and an inner carriage. A mobile device is encased in the inner carriage, and the combination of the inner carriage and the mobile device may be accommodated in the outer case. The inner carriage is configured to accommodate a mobile device of a particular size such that a mobile device of a different size may be accommodated in the outer case using a different inner carriage. The accessory may also include an optic system to fold an optical path of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device and/or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory that is securable to a mobile device. The accessory may include an optic system that is configured to shape and filter illumination from a white light source of the mobile device to project targeting illumination onto a target surface. Calibration data may indicate a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination. A barcode-reading application may determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device. The application may also determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset. The application may also use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device may include a camera assembly, a processor, memory, and a barcode-reading application. The camera assembly may include an image sensor. Pixels in a predetermined location of the image sensor may be defective pixels that provide the same output values regardless of actual characteristics of incident light. The barcode-reading application may be stored in the memory. The barcode-reading application may be executable by the processor to enable at least one enhanced mode of operation of the barcode-reading application conditional upon confirming that the image sensor comprises the defective pixels in the predetermined location.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system for a mobile device may include a camera assembly. The barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory and a barcode-reading application. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may be securable to the mobile device and may be configured to provide an indication of license entitlement in a field of view of the camera assembly. The barcode-reading application may be stored in memory of the mobile device and executable by a processor of the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may also be configured to enable an enhanced mode of operation of the barcode-reading application conditional upon determining that an image captured by the camera assembly includes the indication of license entitlement.

Abstract: A barcode-reading system for a mobile device may include a camera assembly. The barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory and a barcode-reading application. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may be securable to the mobile device and may be configured to provide an indication of license entitlement to the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may be stored in memory of the mobile device and executable by a processor of the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may also be configured to enable an enhanced mode of operation of the barcode-reading application conditional upon determining obtaining the license entitlement from the accessory.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device include an image sensor array for generating a color image of a target area. The color image includes sub-images each captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to different bands of illumination. The barcode reading system may include an optic system configured to produce a targeting illumination pattern of a particular band of illumination passed by an optical filter within the target area. An image processing function of a barcode-reading application may create a grayscale composite image of a barcode by combining the sub-images. In combining the sub-images, a contribution from a sub-image captured by a portion of the image sensor array most sensitive to the particular band for the targeting illumination may be smaller than a contribution from the other two sub-images captured by other portions of the image sensor array.

Abstract: A barcode reading enhancement system includes an attachment for a mobile device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or a hybrid combination thereof, with a camera. The attachment may include an optics system that cooperates with the mobile device camera to facilitate the capture of decodable barcodes. The optics system may increase the camera's depth of field, increase ratio of focal length to entrance pupil diameter, and/or decrease the angular size of the field of view of the camera. The system includes a mobile barcode reading application for setting a camera lens of the camera to one of a plurality of predetermined focus positions or enabling autofocus of the camera within a limited range of focus positions less than a full range of focus positions of the camera. The application may cause the camera to capture an image of a barcode and decode the image of the barcode.

Abstract: A barcode reader and a barcode reading system having an age verification capability are disclosed. The barcode reader may capture a barcode pattern on an identification (ID) card of an individual presented within a field of view of the barcode reader, extract date of birth information from the barcode, and verify an age of the individual. The barcode reader may provide an approve signal if it is verified that the age of the individual is greater than a high threshold or a deny signal if it is verified that the age is less than a low threshold. The low threshold is distinct from the high threshold. The age may be verified by a host computer. The barcode reader may extract a product ID and send the product ID to the host computer. The host computer may then prompt age verification operation if the product is an age-restricted product.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a barcode-reading system for a mobile device. The mobile device includes a camera and a white illumination source on the backside of the mobile device. The system includes a barcode reading accessory with at least one reflective surface folding both the field of view of the camera and the field of illumination of the mobile device towards a target area beyond the top side of the mobile device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attachment for a smartphone. The smartphone may include i) a camera with an image sensor and a focusing lens located on a back side of the smartphone for capturing an image of a target area; and ii) a white light source on the back side of the smartphone. The attachment may include a targeting optic system. When the attachment is secured to the back side of the smartphone, the targeting optic system may receive illumination emitted by the white light source and direct the illumination towards the target area from a location that is not directly in front of the camera's image sensor. The location may be farther from the focusing lens than the white light source when measured parallel to the back side of the smartphone. The attachment may also direct the illumination into the target area via the targeting optic system.

Abstract: A barcode reader is disclosed. The barcode reader may include a semiconductor package and an optic system. The semiconductor package may include a plurality of silicon dies stacked vertically and interconnected by through-silicon vias (TSVs) or wires. A first die positioned on top of the plurality of stacked silicon dies includes a photo sensor array and image read-out circuitry. The image read-out circuitry is coupled to the photo sensor array and configured to generate a frame of image data, wherein the frame of image data is a sequence of values, each value representing an intensity of illumination focused on one of the photo sensors. The optic system is configured to focus an image of a barcode on the photo sensor array. The optic system includes a lens assembly and a mirror. The mirror folds an optical path behind the lens assembly onto the array of photo sensors.

Abstract: Described herein is a barcode reading system that comprises a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to a mobile device. The mobile device comprises a camera. The barcode reading enhancement accessory comprises a user-activated barcode read control and circuitry for generating a barcode read signal on the microphone input connector of the mobile device in response to user activation of the barcode read control. The barcode reading system also comprises a barcode reading application that comprises an image capture and decode function for controlling the camera to capture an image of a barcode within the field of view of the camera and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode in response to the barcode read signal on the microphone input connector.