Abstract: A method and system for reading code symbols using a code symbol reading system having a programmable decode time-window filter mode of operation. During this mode of operation, only decoded code symbols that have been scanned within a selected (e.g. central) portion of the laser scan line field are processed according to a special decode time-window filtering function. In particular, if the decoded bar code symbol is a programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller applies the function represented by the programming-type bar code symbol; and if the decoded bar code symbol is a non-programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller either transmits symbol character data associated therewith to the host system or stores the symbol character data within memory aboard the bar code symbol reading system.

Abstract: A method and system for reading code symbols using a code symbol reading system having a programmable decode time-window filter mode of operation. During this mode of operation, only decoded code symbols that have been scanned within a selected (e.g. central) portion of the laser scan line field are processed according to a special decode time-window filtering function. In particular, if the decoded bar code symbol is a programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller applies the function represented by the programming-type bar code symbol; and if the decoded bar code symbol is a non-programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller either transmits symbol character data associated therewith to the host system or stores the symbol character data within memory aboard the bar code symbol reading system.

Abstract: The system includes a housing having a light transmission window and produces an extremely-elongated laser beam having an elongation ratio (ER) that is defined as greater than 4.5 for any point within the working range of the laser scanning bar code symbol reading system. A laser scanning mechanism is provided for scanning the extremely-elongated laser beam out the light transmission window and across a scanning field defined external to the housing, in which a bar code symbol is present for scanning by the extremely-elongated laser scanning beam.

Abstract: A method of selectively generating one or more scan lines from a multi-scan line scanner involves measuring the pulse widths of the pulses in a signal output of a motor driving the polygon mirror of the scanner wherein the signal relates to the position of the polygon's mirror facets. By measuring and distinguishing each of the pulses in the signal, the illumination of the scan beam can be synchronized with the rotation of the polygon mirror to only generate a desired number of scan line patterns that is less than the full complement of the scan line patterns capable of being generated by the multi-scan line scanner.

Abstract: A laser scanning bar code symbol reading system for scanning and reading poor quality or damaged bar code symbols. The system includes a housing having a light transmission window; an extremely-elongated laser beam production module for producing an extremely-elongated laser beam having (i) a direction of propagation extending along a z reference direction, (ii) a height dimension being indicated by the y reference direction, and (iii) a width dimension being indicated by the x reference direction, where x, y and z directions are orthogonal to each other. Each extremely-elongated laser beam is characterized by an elongation ratio (ER) that is defined as Y/X>4.

Abstract: A method of selectively generating one or more scan lines from a multi-scan line scanner involves measuring the pulse widths of the pulses in a signal output of a motor driving the polygon mirror of the scanner wherein the signal relates to the position of the polygon's mirror facets. By measuring and distinguishing each of the pulses in the signal, the illumination of the scan beam can be synchronized with the rotation of the polygon mirror to only generate a desired number of scan line patterns that is less than the full complement of the scan line patterns capable of being generated by the multi-scan line scanner.