Abstract: Passive autofocusing is used in image acquisition devices (e.g., machine-readable symbol readers, cameras), and can be employed with shutter and/or event-based image sensors. An aimer pointer is easily detected in images, and one or more characteristics characterized at various focus positions of the optics. A size of a characteristic dimension and/or shape of the aimer pointer and/or a measure of sharpness of the aimer pointer is used to determine which image, and hence focus position, results in an optimized or even optimum (i.e., best) focus. The image acquisition system is then configured accordingly. Measuring aimer pointer size is typically less computationally intensive than conventional approaches. Use of a laser beam to produce the aimer pointer usually requires lower exposure time than other approaches. Image data can advantageously be windowed using a relatively small region of interest (ROI) based on a known aimer pointer position.

Abstract: An optical scanner device includes at least one image capture device and a transmitter of at least one aimer beam. The scanner device determines ranging to a subject using the at least one aimer beam projected to reflect off of a surface of the subject, and detects a position of the aimer-beam reflection within an image frame captured by the image-capture device, the position being a primary indicator of a distance to the subject from the optical scanner device. A secondary indicator of the distance to the subject within the image frame in combination with the first indicator is used to help detect the aimer beam reflection against noise and detect an occurrence of an optical misalignment with possible self-correction of calibration after such misalignment.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: An optical scanner device includes at least one image capture device and a transmitter of at least one aimer beam. The scanner device determines ranging to a subject using the at least one aimer beam projected to reflect off of a surface of the subject, and detects a position of the aimer-beam reflection within an image frame captured by the image-capture device, the position being a primary indicator of a distance to the subject from the optical scanner device. A secondary indicator of the distance to the subject within the image frame in combination with the first indicator is used to help detect the aimer beam reflection against noise and detect an occurrence of an optical misalignment with possible self-correction of calibration after such misalignment.

Abstract: An optical scanner determines ranging to a subject using a localization phase in which a series of image frames is received which collectively contains an aimer spot captured as a reflection off of a surface of the subject. The captured aimer spot is temporally modulated according to a modulation pattern, and the series of image frames is processed to discriminate the aimer spot based on the modulation pattern to determine a probable location of the aimer spot within at least one of the image frames of the series. A triangulation phase follows in which the probable location of the aimer spot is processed to produce the ranging determination. In an optional implementation, an assessment is made whether that probable location of the aimer spot is within a plausible location based on different device-specific positional offsets in image frames captured by different ones of the plurality of image-capture devices.

Abstract: A system and method for providing animated feedback for a barcode scanning system may include receiving image data from a camera, processing the image data, detecting a machine-readable indicia in the image data, and attempting to decode the machine-readable indicia. In response to successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a first animation indicative of successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia. Otherwise, in response to not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a second animation indicative of not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia.

Abstract: A system and method for providing animated feedback for a barcode scanning system may include receiving image data from a camera, processing the image data, detecting a machine-readable indicia in the image data, and attempting to decode the machine-readable indicia. In response to successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a first animation indicative of successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia. Otherwise, in response to not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a second animation indicative of not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional processing capabilities related to machine-readable symbols. A data collection system (100) may include a scan engine (102), auxiliary image processor (104), auxiliary visualizer (106), and host system (108). The scan engine may output decoded information obtained from a representation of a machine-readable symbol captured by a two-dimensional image processor. The scan engine may also output a set of images related to the machine-readable symbol and an object associated with the machine-readable symbol, in which the set of images may form a streaming set of images or streaming video. The set of images may be used by the auxiliary image processor to obtain further information about the machine-readable symbol and/or associated object, such as OCR or DWM information. The set of images may be stored and made accessible by the auxiliary visualizer. The host system may synchronize a display of the images and decoded data output by the scan engine.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional processing capabilities related to machine-readable symbols. A data collection system (100) may include a scan engine (102), auxiliary image processor (104), auxiliary visualizer (106), and host system (108). The scan engine may output decoded information obtained from a representation of a machine-readable symbol captured by a two-dimensional image processor. The scan engine may also output a set of images related to the machine-readable symbol and an object associated with the machine-readable symbol, in which the set of images may form a streaming set of images or streaming video. The set of images may be used by the auxiliary image processor to obtain further information about the machine-readable symbol and/or associated object, such as OCR or DWM information. The set of images may be stored and made accessible by the auxiliary visualizer. The host system may synchronize a display of the images and decoded data output by the scan engine.

Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.