Patents by Inventor John M. Pidhirny

John M. Pidhirny has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8397992
    Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 8196837
    Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Publication number: 20090039163
    Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, JR., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 7398929
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Publication number: 20020191830
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved indicia reader which, in addition to having magnetically encoded information reading capabilities in one embodiment, includes image sensing capabilities. A compact housing is provided which receives an indicia bearing member. Mounted on the housing in one embodiment are an imaging assembly, and a magnetically encoded information reader, which form an indicia-determining unit, and a transport mechanism for transporting the indicia-determining unit and a received member relative to one another. The reader may further includes a data format engine in communication with the indicia-determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Welch Allyn Data Collection, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Pidhirny, Kevin R. Jost, Thomas D. Britton, John L. Casey
  • Patent number: 6473519
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved check reader which, in addition to having magnetic ink character recognition capabilities, includes image sensing capabilities. A compact housing is provided which receives a document. Mounted on the housing are an imaging assembly, and a magnetic ink character reader, which form an indicia-determining unit, and a transport mechanism for transporting the indicia-determining unit and a received document relative to one another. The check reader further includes a data format engine in communication with the indicia-determining unit. When a document and the indicia-determining unit are transported relative to one another, the data-format engine captures a first electronic representation of indicia formed on the received document, and a second electronic representation of magnetic ink indicia on the received document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Pidhirny, Kevin R. Jost, Thomas D. Britton, John L. Casey
  • Patent number: 6060722
    Abstract: An optical assembly for use with optoelectronic readers. An imaging optical assembly having an imaging optical axis forms an image of a two-dimensional region on an optoelectronic imaging device. An aiming pattern generator including at least a point-like aiming light source and an interferometric pattern generating optical element project onto the two-dimensional region a luminous aiming pattern that approximately coincides with the field of view of the imaging device. The aiming optical axis of the aiming pattern remains approximately coincident with the field of view of the imaging device over the range of reader-to-target distances over which the reader is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: William H. Havens, John M. Pidhirny, Robert J. Hennick
  • Patent number: 6045047
    Abstract: An optical reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional indicia. The optical reading device, that may include a bar code reader, comprises a guide whose length along the optical reader optical axis is such that when that guide contacts the part or equipment surrounding the indicia to be read, that indicia is within the optical reader depth of field. The reader comprises a housing having therein a source of illumination and optics for producing a diverging beam for illuminating indica. A spacing element transparent guide is removably attached to the housing, and does not block indicia. The line of contact of the guide with the data carrier is substantially fully visible to the operator, who can thus confirm that the guide is in proper operating position relative to the indica prior to initiating a reading operation. A reading operation can be initiated by pressing on the guide to actuate a switch, or on a manual trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Welch Allyn Data Collection, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Pidhirny, Richard A. Monroe, Michael J. Pileski, Robert J. Wood
  • Patent number: 5786586
    Abstract: An optical reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional indicia. The optical reading device, that may include a bar code reader, comprises a lens assembly and a guide detachably mounted on a front portion of the housing for establishing a distance between the lens assembly and an equipment target that is displaced a predetermined distance from a mark target wherein the optical reader further comprises an attaching member for supporting the lens assembly on the guide to form a detachable lens-guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Pidhirny, Richard A. Monroe, Michael J. Pileski, Robert J. Wood
  • Patent number: 5463214
    Abstract: A method of improving throughput in a scanner whose scanning action is capable of being stopped and started instantly, comprising the steps of A) storing results of a first scan of a target containing indicia in a first region of a memory and B) upon determining that the first scan is complete 1) decoding results of the first scan 2) initiating a second scan, 3) storing results of the second scan of the target containing indicia in a second region of a memory, and 4) awaiting completion of the decoding before initiating an additional scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, John M. Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 5286960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting bar-space and space-bar transitions in a bar code symbol. A sequence of sparsely sampled analog signals from a photodetector in a bar code scanner is representative of the reflectance pattern of a symbol.Following initialization, a threshold, representing the value of the analog signal at a transition point, is derived from observed samples of the bars and spaces in the bar code symbol. Sampled reflectance information is accumulated as the symbol is scanned, and a program driven microprocessor calculates and repeatedly updates this threshold, using observed maxima and minima in the analog samples, and also referencing a binary output to determine whether a bar or space is currently being viewed.When the values of two successive analog samples bracket this threshold, then a bar-space or space-bar transition has occurred. Linear interpolation is performed on the two samples to determine the transition point and an offset from the first of the two samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Charles M. Hammond, Jr., William H. Havens, John M. Pidhirny
  • Patent number: 5065001
    Abstract: A card or badge reader is provided for reading badges or cards on which there are coded indicia such as a bar code symbol. The reader has a front wall plate that is removably affixed onto the front of the main housing, but separated a slight amount to define a badge reader slot. A wear plate is disposed horizontally between the front wall plate and the front wall of the main housing to define a floor for the badge reader slot. The wear plate comprises an elongated web with downturned end flanges, and is suspended in one of a plurality of parallel horizontal grooves in the front wall plate. The position of the wear plate can be changed from one of these grooves to another, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hennick, John M. Pidhirny