Abstract: Multiple focus ball bearing actuator calibration is disclosed herein. An example method includes focusing, using a ball bearing actuator, a lens to a first focus position to image a first target; recording, in a lookup table, a first distance and a first actuator code corresponding with the first focus position; focusing the lens to a second focus position to image a second target; recording, in the lookup table, a second distance and a second actuator code corresponding with the second focus position; calculating a plurality of focus positions for a plurality of distances over a total working range of the barcode reader using the first focus position and the second focus position, wherein the calculating is performed without a temperature correction factor; and recording, in the lookup table, the plurality of distances and a plurality of actuator codes corresponding to the plurality of focus positions.

Abstract: Method and systems for driving an aiming assembly of a barcode imager are provided. An example method includes obtaining an operating mode of the barcode imager having an aiming assembly and, in response, determining a duty cycle of an aiming pulse of the aiming assembly. That duty cycle is determined as a percentage of a frame duration of an imager sensor and, further, such that simultaneous constraints are satisfied by the aiming pulse. The constraints include a simultaneous frame duration-independent, peak pulse optical power constraint and a frame duration-dependent heat dissipation constraint.

Abstract: An imaging engine including a telephoto lens for compact long range barcode readers is disclosed herein. An example imaging engine includes an imaging sensor and a telephoto lens assembly. The example telephoto lens assembly includes a first lens, disposed along an optical axis; a second lens, disposed along the optical axis to correct for pupil aberrations of the image projected after a fourth lens onto the imaging sensor; a third lens, disposed along the optical axis to correct for chromatic aberration of the image projected after the fourth lens onto the imaging sensor; and the fourth lens, disposed along the optical axis to correct for optical field curvature of the image projected after the fourth lens onto the imaging sensor.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an autofocus imaging system for capturing at least one image of an object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV) is provided. The optical assembly includes a front aperture along an optical axis and a front lens group along the optical axis that receives light from the object of interest. The position of the front lens group is adjustable to change a focal distance of the optical assembly. The optical assembly further includes an actuator physically coupled to the front lens group that adjusts the position of the front lens. A rear lens group is disposed along the optical axis to receive the light from the front lens group, and an imaging sensor is disposed at a back focal distance of the rear lens group, to detect the light.

Abstract: An aiming system for use in a small height scan engine chassis. The aiming system includes a beam source assembly generating an input beam along a central axis and a collimator assembly having a lens group that defines a tilt axis having a tilt angle, ?, relative to the central axis, to deflect the input beam from the central axis onto the tilt axis. The collimator assembly further includes a recess within which a diffractive optical element is sealably mounted to convert the deflected input beam into an aiming pattern at a focal distance of the lens group.

Abstract: An ion mobility analyser is disclosed having a gas flow directed along the ion travel axis and a set of electrodes to which DC voltages are applied to establish a DC field. The opposing forces of the gas flow and DC field cause ions to be trapped within a separation region in axial regions determined by their ion mobilities. A gas recirculator, having inlet and outlet ends respectively located downstream and upstream of the separation region, supplies at least fifty percent of the gas flow within the separation region, thereby reducing vacuum pumping requirements.

Abstract: An optical assembly for illuminating at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV). The optical assembly includes first and second illumination sources configured to provide first and second illumination to illuminate a target of the object. An aperture configured to collimate the first and second illumination and to provide the illumination to a dual collimator. The dual collimator is disposed to collimate the first and second illumination and to provide the first and second illumination to a dual microlens lens array (MLA). The dual MLA has microlens arrays configured to receive the collimated first and second radiation, to provide two illumination output fields, each output field having a different output illumination field angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in a wide-angle field of view (FOV). A housing has an image sensor and a lens assembly fixedly mounted relative thereto. The lens assembly includes first and second lens groups, and a glass lens. The lens assembly and the image sensor are aligned such that light received within the FOV passes through a front aperture and the base lens assembly and impinges onto the image sensor. The light received from the FOV forms an original image prior to entering the front aperture and the lens assembly. Light from the FOV impinging onto the sensor forms an impinging image.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to provide radial aiming patterns are disclosed herein. An example assembly includes an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of a portion of an environment in a field of view (FOV); and an aiming light generator configured to form an illuminated radial aiming pattern and present the illuminated radial aiming pattern to enable the portion of the environment to be positioned within the FOV, the illuminated radial aiming pattern including an illuminated central mark in a central area of the illuminated radial aiming pattern, an illuminated first line, an illuminated second line, an illuminated third line, and an illuminated fourth line, wherein the first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line extend outward from the central mark and are angularly distributed about the central mark.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a laser which has a calibrated optical power and a calibrated tolerance. The system includes a driving circuit configured to generate a first current pulse and a second current pulse. The system includes a primary observer module configured to observe a first and second primary input. The system includes one or more secondary observer modules configured to observe one or more first and one or more second secondary inputs. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the laser, driving circuit, primary observer module, and the one or more secondary observer modules. The controller is configured to receive an information packet, calculate an optical power, determine a deviation of the optical power from the calibrated optical power, compare the deviation with the calibrated tolerance, and perform an action if the deviation exceeds the calibrated tolerance.

Abstract: Autofocus (AF) optical arrangements and assemblies including a voice coil motor (VCM) are disclosed. An example optical assembly for a focusing lens includes: a front lens group disposed along an optical axis configured to receive light from the object of interest and configured to correct for aberrations of a first image projected by the front lens group; an aperture disposed along an optical axis configured to receive light from the front lens group therethrough along the optical axis; a moveable focus lens to receive light through the aperture; a VCM configured to move the focus lens to focus the optical assembly; and a back lens group disposed along the optical axis configured to receive light from the focus lens and further configured to correct for field curvature.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a laser which has a calibrated optical power and a calibrated tolerance. The system includes a driving circuit configured to generate a first current pulse and a second current pulse. The system includes a primary observer module configured to observe a first and second primary input. The system includes one or more secondary observer modules configured to observe one or more first and one or more second secondary inputs. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the laser, driving circuit, primary observer module, and the one or more secondary observer modules. The controller is configured to receive an information packet, calculate an optical power, determine a deviation of the optical power from the calibrated optical power, compare the deviation with the calibrated tolerance, and perform an action if the deviation exceeds the calibrated tolerance.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively illuminating a volume with an illumination system that illuminates a volume of interest using separately controllable near field and far field optimized illumination sources, to maintain an irradiance pattern criteria in the volume, where that criteria may be different for a far field portion of the volume than for a near field portion of the volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the focus stabilization of an imaging system with variable focus lenses is disclosed herein. As example imaging system includes a variable focus (VF) lens for imaging an object of interest (OOI), a controller configured to provide a voltage to the VF lens, an imaging sensor, and a processor. The processor obtains a calibration parameter, and the imaging system obtains a plurality of images of the OOI. The processor identifies a region of interest of one or more of the images, and an alignment parameter is determined from the images. The processor then determines a tuning parameter from comparing the determined alignment parameter with the obtained calibration parameter. The controller tunes the VF lens according to the determined tuning parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in a wide-angle field of view (FOV). A housing has an image sensor and a lens assembly fixedly mounted relative thereto. The lens assembly includes first and second lens groups, and a glass lens. The lens assembly and the image sensor are aligned such that light received within the FOV passes through a front aperture and the base lens assembly and impinges onto the image sensor. The light received from the FOV forms an original image prior to entering the front aperture and the lens assembly. Light from the FOV impinging onto the sensor forms an impinging image.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to provide radial aiming patterns are disclosed herein. An example assembly includes an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of a portion of an environment in a field of view (FOV); and an aiming light generator configured to form an illuminated radial aiming pattern and present the illuminated radial aiming pattern to enable the portion of the environment to be positioned within the FOV, the illuminated radial aiming pattern including an illuminated central mark in a central area of the illuminated radial aiming pattern, an illuminated first line, an illuminated second line, an illuminated third line, and an illuminated fourth line, wherein the first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line extend outward from the central mark and are angularly distributed about the central mark.

Abstract: Imaging arrangements and barcode readers including such imaging arrangements. An imaging arrangement for use in a barcode reader includes a housing. The imaging arrangement also includes a light source configured to emit light along a central light axis. The light source is disposed in the housing. The imaging arrangement also includes a lens having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The lens is disposed in the housing. The first surface is configured to face the light source and is structured to substantially collimate light received from the light source into a collimated beam. The second surface includes surface structures structured to generate a patterned beam in response to receiving the collimated beam.

Abstract: A target is read in the presence of ambient light. A scan component scans a laser beam across the target. A detector assembly detects and converts return laser light from the target into an information signal bearing information related to the target, and concomitantly detects and converts the ambient light into an ambient light signal. The assembly includes a first photodetector for generating a first output signal comprised of the information and the ambient light signals, a detector lens for focusing and directing the return laser light substantially onto the first photodetector, and a second photodetector for generating a second output signal substantially comprised of the ambient light signal. Signal processing circuitry processes the output signals to determine a magnitude of the ambient light signal, and suppresses the ambient light signal when the determined magnitude of the ambient light signal at least equals a threshold.

Abstract: An imaging reader includes a light source generating an illumination beam over a working distance, and a variable focus imaging assembly with an image sensor, a variable focus optical element, a variable focus imaging controller that controls operation of the variable focus optical element to define a plurality of imaging planes over the working distance. The variable focus imaging controller assesses a variety of scanning parameters and determines the number of imaging planes over the working distance and the distance of each of imaging plane from the image sensor, to allow the imaging reader to capture images of a target object only at each of the imaging planes, thereby avoiding time-consuming autofocusing on the target. The imaging reader captures images in a sequential order greatly reducing image capture and image analysis processing time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the preset invention include a barcode reader that comprises a housing having a handgrip portion and an upper body portion, a first printed circuit board (PCB) extending into the upper body portion, and an imaging module positioned within the upper body portion. In this instance, the imaging module includes an imaging system having an imager and an imaging lens assembly, the imaging system having a field of view with a central imaging axis passing through a window in the upper body portion and lying on a horizontal plane. The imaging module further includes an aiming light system configured to emit an aiming light pattern, the aiming light system offset from the imaging system along the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the components of the barcode reader are arranged such that the first PCB is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the central imaging axis.