Abstract: An information reading apparatus such as a handheld personal device comprises a memory having a plurality of cells arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns. Each cell stores a symbol image to be displayed on a screen. When a matrix array of cells is displayed, a cursor key is used to select one of the displayed cells as a candidate by moving a selection point by one cell at a time in response to a user's operation and is used to enter a user's decision command when a desired candidate is displayed at the center of the screen. A matrix array of cells including the selected cell and its neighbor cells are read from the memory and displayed so that the selected cell is positioned at the center of the screen. The processes of reading and displaying are repeated in response to a user's operation until the user's decision command is entered.

Abstract: In an imaging device for imaging a target, a photodetector with a two-dimensional light sensitive pixel area is provided. The two-dimensional light sensitive pixel area is divided into a plurality of split pixel areas. An imaging optics defines a plurality of segments of an FOV (field of view). The plurality of segments of the FOV respectively correspond to the plurality of split pixel areas of the photodetector. The imaging optics aligns, in a predetermined direction, the plurality of segments of the FOV to form a predetermined-direction oriented FOV so that the target is at least partially contained in the predetermined-direction oriented FOV.

Abstract: In a portable terminal system, a mounting base is equipped with a RFID section capable of performing RF communication with a RFID section of a portable terminal. As soon as the portable terminal is placed on the mounting base, both RFID sections start RF communication so that the data having been read from a RFID tag into the portable terminal can be quickly transmitted from the portable terminal to the mounting base. The data being transmitted from the portable terminal to the mounting base is further transmitted from the mounting base to a host computer. Thus, the portable terminal can use a common interface to read the data from the RFID tag and also transmit the data having been read from the RFID tag to the mounting base.

Abstract: In an optical information reader for optically reading a target based on a light reflected from the target, a translucent optical member is located on an optical axis of an imaging lens and is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotation axis is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The translucent optical member is fixable at least first and second predetermined positions. When the translucent optical member is fixed at the first predetermined position, the translucent optical member has a first thickness through which the optical axis is penetrated, and when the translucent optical member is temporally fixed at the second predetermined position, the translucent optical member has a second thickness through which the optical axis is penetrated. The first thickness and second thickness are different from each other.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus for reading information codes such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code includes, an image-forming lens fixed at a given point and imaging a reflection light from the information code, an optical sensor locating at a position relative to that of the image-forming lens and receiving an image formed by the image-forming lens, a light path bending unit bending the reflection light between the image-forming lens and the optical sensor a plurality of times, a shifter shifting the light path bending unit, a distance measurement unit measuring the distance from the information code to the reading apparatus and a controller controlling the shifter based on the measurement result of the distance measurement unit. The light path length between the image-forming lens and the optical sensor is changed by shifting the light path bending unit using the shifter.

Abstract: In an apparatus for optically reading a target based on light reflected from the target, an imaging lens with a first optical axis is provided so that the reflected light enters into the imaging lens. A photodetector having an active area and a second optical axis different from the first optical axis is provided. The imaging lens focuses the reflected light on the active area of the photodetector. A fold mechanism is arranged between the imaging lens and the photodetector. The fold mechanism folds an optical path of the reflected light between the imaging lens and the photodetector to adjust a length of the optical path while keeping each of the first and second optical axes constant.

Abstract: The electronic unit having identification information thereon includes a casing, an electronic circuit contained in the casing, a connector fitted to the casing, the connector including signal terminals connected to the electronic circuit, and an RFID tag having an antenna device and attached to the connector. The RFID tag stores the identification information and is configured to transmit a reply signal containing the identification information through the antenna device in response to a transmission request signal transmitted from outside and received by the antenna device.

Abstract: In an imaging device for imaging a target, a photodetector with a two-dimensional light sensitive pixel area is provided. The two-dimensional light sensitive pixel area is divided into a plurality of split pixel areas. An imaging optics defines a plurality of segments of an FOV (field of view). The plurality of segments of the FOV respectively correspond to the plurality of split pixel areas of the photodetector. The imaging optics aligns, in a predetermined direction, the plurality of segments of the FOV to form a predetermined-direction oriented FOV so that the target is at least partially contained in the predetermined-direction oriented FOV.

Abstract: An information reading apparatus such as a handheld personal device comprises a memory having a plurality of cells arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns. Each cell stores a symbol image to be displayed on a screen. When a matrix array of cells is displayed, a cursor key is used to select one of the displayed cells as a candidate by moving a selection point by one cell at a time in response to a user's operation and is used to enter a user's decision command when a desired candidate is displayed at the center of the screen. A matrix array of cells including the selected cell and its neighbor cells are read from the memory and displayed so that the selected cell is positioned at the center of the screen. The processes of reading and displaying are repeated in response to a user's operation until the user's decision command is entered.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus is provided which is made of an assembly of a barcode reader and a personal digital assistant (PDA). The barcode reader and the PDA are joined through an attachment. The barcode reader includes a joint detector working to detect the joint to the PDA and a communication system establishing communication with the PDA. The barcode reader works to transmit barcode data to the PDA through the communication system only when the joint detector has detected the joint to the PDA, thereby providing ease of operability, useability, etc.

Abstract: In a portable terminal system, a mounting base is equipped with a RFID section capable of performing RF communication with a RFID section of a portable terminal. As soon as the portable terminal is placed on the mounting base, both RFID sections start RF communication so that the data having been read from a RFID tag into the portable terminal can be quickly transmitted from the portable terminal to the mounting base. The data being transmitted from the portable terminal to the mounting base is further transmitted from the mounting base to a host computer. Thus, the portable terminal can use a common interface to read the data from the RFID tag and also transmit the data having been read from the RFID tag to the mounting base.

Abstract: The electronic unit having identification information thereon includes a casing, an electronic circuit contained in the casing, a connector fitted to the casing, the connector including signal terminals connected to the electronic circuit, and an RFID tag having an antenna device and attached to the connector. The RFID tag stores the identification information and is configured to transmit a reply signal containing the identification information through the antenna device in response to a transmission request signal transmitted from outside and received by the antenna device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for optically reading a target based on light reflected from the target, an imaging lens with a first optical axis is provided so that the reflected light enters into the imaging lens. A photodetector having an active area and a second optical axis different from the first optical axis is provided. The imaging lens focuses the reflected light on the active area of the photodetector. A fold mechanism is arranged between the imaging lens and the photodetector. The fold mechanism folds an optical path of the reflected light between the imaging lens and the photodetector to adjust a length of the optical path while keeping each of the first and second optical axes constant.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus for reading information codes such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code includes, an image-forming lens fixed at a given point and imaging a reflection light from the information code, an optical sensor locating at a position relative to that of the image-forming lens and receiving an image formed by the image-forming lens, a light path bending unit bending the reflection light between the image-forming lens and the optical sensor a plurality of times, a shifter shifting the light path bending unit, a distance measurement unit measuring the distance from the information code to the reading apparatus and a controller controlling the shifter based on the measurement result of the distance measurement unit. The light path length between the image-forming lens and the optical sensor is changed by shifting the light path bending unit using the shifter.

Abstract: In an optical information reader for optically reading a target based on a light reflected from the target, a translucent optical member is located on an optical axis of an imaging lens and is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotation axis is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The translucent optical member is fixable at least first and second predetermined positions. When the translucent optical member is fixed at the first predetermined position, the translucent optical member has a first thickness through which the optical axis is penetrated, and when the translucent optical member is temporally fixed at the second predetermined position, the translucent optical member has a second thickness through which the optical axis is penetrated. The first thickness and second thickness are different from each other.

Abstract: An image region of an image data memory is dissected into a plurality of search sections. Brightness change points in each of the search sections are counted based on image data of each search section. A candidate region having a likelihood of involving an information code is detected based on the count value of the brightness change points. And, the candidate region is identified as the existing area of the information code.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus is provided which is made of an assembly of a barcode reader and a personal digital assistant (PDA). The barcode reader and the PDA are joined through an attachment. The barcode reader includes a joint detector working to detect the joint to the PDA and a communication system establishing communication with the PDA. The barcode reader works to transmit barcode data to the PDA through the communication system only when the joint detector has detected the joint to the PDA, thereby providing ease of operability, useability, etc.

Abstract: An image of a region is taken which includes a two-dimensional code. A two-dimensional code area is determined in the image. The two-dimensional code area corresponds to the two-dimensional code. Inspection lines are set which connect opposite sides in two pairs among four sides indicating boundaries of the two-dimensional code area in cases where the two-dimensional code is of a cell matrix type. Inspection lines are set which connect opposite sides in one pair among four sides indicating boundaries of the two-dimensional code area in cases where the two-dimensional code is of a bar-code stack type. Information is read from the two-dimensional code area on the basis of the inspection lines. Division points are set on the opposite sides in response to a ratio in length between sides adjacent to the opposite sides and a number of arrangements of cells in the two-dimensional code in cases where the two-dimensional code is of the cell matrix type.

Abstract: Regular-size white cells are expanded in advance to adjust a boundary between black cells and the white cells before a printing operation is performed. Shrinkage of black cells occurs in the region where the expanded white cells overhang over the neighboring black cells. No shrinkage of the black cells occurs in the boundary between two black cells which are located next to each other. A region where one white cell overhangs over another white cell remains white. This is simply realized by outputting 0 for the region where the white dot (0) and the black dot (1) are overlapped and by outputting 0 for the region where two white dots (0) are overlapped. By shrinking the black cells beforehand in this manner, the overhang of the black cells over the while cells is reduced or completely eliminated when they grow fat through the data reading performed by facsimile or copying machines.

Abstract: An optical information reader which can promptly eliminate mirror reflection regions with high accuracy without the need for a plurality of expensive CCDS. When it is discriminated that mirror reflection regions exist in an image of a two-dimensional code obtained by a CCD under illumination condition 1, the condition is changed to illumination condition 2 and an image is obtained. If there is a mirror reflection region also in the new image, the previously obtained image and the new image are synthesized by calculating the OR. When no mirror reflection regions exist in the synthesized image, a decoding is executed. Since it is sufficient to use only one CCD in the optical information reader, system cost is minimized. As images are obtained by the same CCD, even if images are synthesized, a positional deviation does not occur, the mirror reflection regions can be promptly eliminated with high accuracy, and an obtained image is accordingly very accurate.