Abstract: An imaging scanner includes an aiming light source configured to emit visible light through both the shape defining element and the aiming lens arrangement to generate an aiming pattern on a target object. The shape of the aiming pattern changes with the distance between the target object and the imaging scanner. For determining the distance, the shape of the aiming pattern in a pixel data is compared with the expected shape of aiming patterns at multiple distances.

Abstract: An aiming light assembly generates an aiming light spot with increased brightness and uniformity over a range of working distances in which targets are electro-optically read by image capture. The assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting an aiming light beam, a field stop through which the aiming light beam passes, an aiming lens for optically modifying the aiming light beam passing through the field stop to form the aiming light spot over the range of working distances, and a field lens located in the vicinity of the field stop and operative for imaging the LED downstream of the field stop and in the vicinity of a lens aperture of the aiming lens.

Abstract: A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens.

Abstract: Output power of a laser beam emitted by a laser in an electro-optical reader is regulated by storing a killswitch byte in non-volatile memory, and by checking whether the killswitch byte is in a default state or a kill state prior to performing reading. A controller detects a fault condition and responsively changes the killswitch byte to the kill state, in order to permanently deenergize the laser and to maintain the laser permanently deenergized after the killswitch byte has been changed to the kill state.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target, and projects the captured light onto a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. One plastic lens and one glass lens, together having a relatively low negative optical power, are situated at one side of an aperture stop. Another plastic lens and another glass lens, together having a relatively high positive optical power, are situated at the opposite side of the aperture stop. An aperture extends along an optical axis through the opposite sides. Each plastic lens is configured with opposite aspheric nearly concentric surfaces to widen and flatten the field of view of the imager, and to reduce sensitivity to manufacturing and assembly tolerances. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in spaced relation along the optical axis relative to the imager.

Abstract: An aiming light assembly generates an aiming light spot with increased brightness and uniformity over a range of working distances in which targets are electro-optically read by image capture. The assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting an aiming light beam, a field stop through which the aiming light beam passes, an aiming lens for optically modifying the aiming light beam passing through the field stop to form the aiming light spot over the range of working distances, and a field lens located in the vicinity of the field stop and operative for imaging the LED downstream of the field stop and in the vicinity of a lens aperture of the aiming lens.

Abstract: An image capture system for, and a method of, reading an optical code during a reading mode, comprise an aiming assembly including a laser for emitting a laser beam having a variable intensity, and for generating an aiming pattern from the laser beam during an aiming mode prior to the reading mode, and an imager for detecting and capturing an image of the aiming pattern and the code over a field of view by exposure over an exposure time period during the aiming mode, and for detecting and capturing an image of the code over the field of view during the reading mode. A controller is operative for controlling the intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode by increasing the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period to enhance detection and capture of the aiming pattern by the imager, and by decreasing the intensity of the laser beam frame outside the exposure time period for user safety.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target, and projects the captured light onto a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. One plastic lens and one glass lens, together having a relatively low negative optical power, are situated at one side of an aperture stop. Another plastic lens and another glass lens, together having a relatively high positive optical power, are situated at the opposite side of the aperture stop. An aperture extends along an optical axis through the opposite sides. Each plastic lens is configured with opposite aspheric nearly concentric surfaces to widen and flatten the field of view of the imager, and to reduce sensitivity to manufacturing and assembly tolerances. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in spaced relation along the optical axis relative to the imager.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate.

Abstract: Output power of a laser beam emitted by a laser in an electro-optical reader is regulated by storing a killswitch byte in non-volatile memory, and by checking whether the killswitch byte is in a default state or a kill state prior to performing reading. A controller detects a fault condition and responsively changes the killswitch byte to the kill state, in order to permanently deenergize the laser and to maintain the laser permanently deenergized after the killswitch byte has been changed to the kill state.

Abstract: A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens.

Abstract: A wide angle, athermalized, achromatic, hybrid imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target over a field of view, and projects the captured return light onto an array of image sensors of a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. The assembly includes a plastic lens group for optical aberration compensation, a glass lens group spaced away from the plastic lens group along an optical axis, and an aperture stop between the lens groups and having an aperture through which the optical axis extends. The glass lens group has substantially all the optical power of the imaging lens assembly for thermal stability, and the plastic lens group has substantially no optical power. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in front of the array.

Abstract: A method includes capturing an image of a target object within a field of view through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor during a frame exposure time period in rolling shutter mode. The method further includes activating an aiming light source to generate a visible aiming light pattern towards the target object during a part of the frame exposure time period and to substantially deactivate the aiming light source during the remaining part of the frame exposure time period.

Abstract: A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens.

Abstract: A wide angle, athermalized, achromatic, hybrid imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target over a field of view, and projects the captured return light onto an array of image sensors of a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. The assembly includes a plastic lens group for optical aberration compensation, a glass lens group spaced away from the plastic lens group along an optical axis, and an aperture stop between the lens groups and having an aperture through which the optical axis extends. The glass lens group has substantially all the optical power of the imaging lens assembly for thermal stability, and the plastic lens group has substantially no optical power. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in front of the array.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser scanner for reading a barcode. The laser scanner is configured to operate in at least two operating modes including a scanning mode and an aiming mode. The method includes operating the laser scanner in the scanning mode after a trigger signal is generated by a trigger on the laser scanner, and decoding the electrical signal that is received from the photodetector when the laser scanner is in the scanning mode. If the electrical signal from the photodetector is not successfully decoded after a first predetermined time period since the trigger signal is generated, alternating the laser scanner between the aiming mode and the scanning mode.

Abstract: A method tags connecting components. The method comprises capturing an image of a plurality of grid sections. The image of each of the grid sections includes at least one connector disposed therein. The at least one connector has a first end in a first one of the grid sections and a second end in a second one of the grid sections. The method comprises displaying a first virtual identifier in the image of the first grid section for the first end of the connector. The method comprises displaying a second virtual identifier in the image of the second grid section for the second end of the connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the image quality obtained by an imaging-based scanner comprising a housing supporting one or more protective windows. The apparatus further comprises at least one scanning arrangement, the scanning arrangement comprising illumination and imaging optics. The illumination and imaging optics form a respective field of view for imaging a target object. A light baffle is attached to the scanning arrangement. The light baffle has an aperture corresponding to each of the illumination and imaging optics such that stray light reflected from the protective windows is absorbed by the light baffle, improving the image quality of the imaging-based scanner.

Abstract: Laser power monitoring arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of operating conditions not conforming to preestablished standards. An auxiliary light detector independently monitors the output power of a laser beam, and directly receives a portion of the laser beam reflected from an optical assembly operative for optically modifying the laser beam.