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 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: The present invention embraces an optical indicia reader, e.g., barcode scanner, that captures images of optical indicia under multiple imaging conditions within the span of a single frame. The reader includes an image sensor having selectively-addressable pixels that can be divided into groups having regions of interest (ROIs) within the reader field of view. Each pixel group is shuttered separately to obtain independent partial frame images under separate imaging conditions.

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: The present invention embraces an optical indicia reader, e.g., barcode scanner, that captures images of optical indicia under multiple imaging conditions within the span of a single frame. The reader includes an image sensor having selectively-addressable pixels that can be divided into groups having regions of interest (ROIs) within the reader field of view. Each pixel group is shuttered separately to obtain independent partial frame images under separate imaging conditions.

Abstract: The present invention embraces an optical indicia reader, e.g., barcode scanner, that captures images of optical indicia under multiple imaging conditions within the span of a single frame. The reader includes an image sensor having selectively-addressable pixels that can be divided into groups having regions of interest (ROIs) within the reader field of view. Each pixel group is shuttered separately to obtain independent partial frame images under separate imaging conditions.

Abstract: Point-of sale (POS) devices and checkout devices are provided. An exemplary checkout apparatus includes a plurality of sensing elements arranged in fixed relationship with each other at the mouth of a bag. At least one of the sensing elements senses a code arranged on a product as the product is being placed into the bag.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus comprising two or more light sensing assemblies. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can comprise a linear light sensing assembly and an area light sensing assembly, and can be operative to determine the range between the apparatus and the indicia. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can be operative to apply a range-assisted gain to the data output by one or more of the linear light sensing assembly and the area light sensing assembly to increase the likelihood of indicia reading and improve expected indicia read time.

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: 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: 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: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a mobile 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 system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a mobile 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 moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m2 to about 4000 g/m2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus comprising two or more light sensing assemblies. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can comprise a linear light sensing assembly and an area light sensing assembly, and can be operative to determine the range between the apparatus and the indicia. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can be operative to apply a range-assisted gain to the data output by one or more of the linear light sensing assembly and the area light sensing assembly to increase the likelihood of indicia reading and improve expected indicia read time.

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: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus comprising two or more light sensing assemblies. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can comprise a linear light sensing assembly and an area light sensing assembly, and can be operative to determine the range between the apparatus and the indicia. In one embodiment, the indicia reading apparatus can be operative to apply a range-assisted gain to the data output by one or more of the linear light sensing assembly and the area light sensing assembly to increase the likelihood of indicia reading and improve expected indicia read time.

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.