Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for selecting a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of an aimer pattern. An imaging engine projects an aimer pattern onto a target object within a field of view of a first imager of an imaging engine. The imaging engine acquires a first image of the target object via the first imager. The imaging engine selects a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of the aimer pattern in the first image, in which selection of the lens focusing scheme is between a first lens focusing scheme associated with a location of the aimer pattern and a second lens focusing scheme associated with at least one predefined lens position. The imaging engine determines a focus position for a lens in accordance with the lens focusing scheme.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for selecting a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of an aimer pattern. An imaging engine projects an aimer pattern onto a target object within a field of view of a first imager of an imaging engine. The imaging engine acquires a first image of the target object via the first imager. The imaging engine selects a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of the aimer pattern in the first image, in which selection of the lens focusing scheme is between a first lens focusing scheme associated with a location of the aimer pattern and a second lens focusing scheme associated with at least one predefined lens position. The imaging engine determines a focus position for a lens in accordance with the lens focusing scheme.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for selecting a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of an aimer pattern. An imaging engine projects an aimer pattern onto a target object within a field of view of a first imager of an imaging engine. The imaging engine acquires a first image of the target object via the first imager. The imaging engine selects a lens focusing scheme based on a detectability level of the aimer pattern in the first image, in which selection of the lens focusing scheme is between a first lens focusing scheme associated with a location of the aimer pattern and a second lens focusing scheme associated with at least one predefined lens position. The imaging engine determines a focus position for a lens in accordance with the lens focusing scheme.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: Optical assembly, imaging reader, and method for dual-lens illumination are provided. For example, an example optical assembly may include first and second light sources, first and second collection lenses positioned and shaped to collect light emitted by the first and second light sources and transmit the collected light with reduced divergence, first and second pattern-shaping apertures positioned to allow at least a portion of the light transmitted by the first and second collection lens to pass therethrough, and first and second projection lens positioned to receive the light transmitted by the first and second collection lenses and passed through the first and second pattern-shaping apertures. The projection lenses are shaped to project the received light into the field of view of an imaging system with a higher intensity at a lateral side edge of the light projected and a lower intensity at a medial side edge of the light projected.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A housing of an imaging unit is disclosed. The housing comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines a lens channel sized to receive a lens barrel. Further, the inner surface of the housing defines a helical step in the lens channel, wherein the helical step protrudes outwardly into the lens channel, and wherein the helical step is angled at a first predetermined pitch. Further, the inner surface of the lens channel defines a glue pocket, in the lens channel, which extends from the inner surface of the housing to the outer surface of the housing such that a first edge surface, defining a portion of a periphery of the glue pocket, is coplanar with the helical step.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a device is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of: acquiring a spectral wavelength signature of the surface; comparing the spectral wavelength signature of the surface to RGB triple-peak emission spectra; scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in non-illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra, and scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface not corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.