Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: Scanning in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia is obtained by moving one array of microlenses relative to another microlens array. An outgoing laser beam directed to indicia for reflection therefrom and/or return light reflected from the indicia is steered through a scan angle by the moving array.

Abstract: Different aiming light patterns are generated to enable an imaging reader to be pointed directly at a target by employing non-interferometric optical components that are fabricated by molding and machining techniques.

Abstract: An intelligent gain selection circuit replaces the gain set by an automatic gain control circuit in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia, such as bar code symbols, with a larger gain where specular reflections, high contrast edges, or other noise operative to produce dominant high voltage peaks in an analog signal generated by a sensor in the reader, are detected.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fax decoding/re-encoding system for transferring fax images between a sending fax machine and a receiving fax machine includes a decoder responsive to an encoded fax image defined by rows of scan lines. The decoder decodes the scan lines of the encoded fax image and generates run-length representation of the encoded fax image. A scanline manipulation device is responsive to the run-length representation for manipulating the same and generating a manipulated fax image without generating a bitmap of the encoded fax image. The fax decoding/re-encoding system further including a re-encoder responsive to the manipulated fax image and adaptive to generate a re-encoded fax image that is substantially the same as the encoded fax image, wherein the fax decoding/re-encoding system avoids the need for a bitmap for generating a re-encoded fax image thereby substantially reducing re-encoding time.

Abstract: Working range is increased in an electro-optical reader or an imager for reading indicia by applying a voltage to a variable lens to change the shape of a liquid therein.

Abstract: A method for use in processing an analog signal from a laser scanning bar code reader containing information representative of reflected light from indicia including regions of different light reflectivity, and including narrow and wide elements of the same reflectivity of the indicia, by locating edge transitions between narrow and wide elements; estimating the edge shift associated with such transitions; and changing the edge position to correct for convolution distortion.

Abstract: A display device displays images with reduced glare from external incident light. The device includes a back light located on a bottom surface of the display device to provide internal light. Moreover, the device includes an internal circular X-polarizer located external to the back light to circularly polarize internal light. In addition, the device includes a mirror to reflect external incident light. Furthermore, the device includes a liquid crystal display located external to the mirror and the internal circular X-polarizer to display images. The device also includes an external circular X-polarizer located external to the liquid crystal display to circularly polarize external incident light, and absorb reflected external incident light and polarized internal light.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing the principles of axial chromatic aberration for auto-focusing an image onto an image sensor are provided. The system and method are particularly suitable for incorporation within an optical code reader. A signal processor analyzes data signals representative of the intensity or magnitude of wavelength components of an impinged image onto the image sensor for determining a value indicative of the focus quality of the impinged image. An actuator controls movement of a lens in accordance with the determination until obtainment of a desired focus quality. A decoder decodes the image having the desired focus quality.

Abstract: A focusing lens is manually moved to extend a range of working distances in which a bar code symbol can be electro-optically read. The lens movement enables reading of close-in and far-out symbols. The lens movement can also be used to change operation between a reading mode and a pointing mode in which a visual display is created on a target.

Abstract: Scanning in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia is obtained by moving one array of microlenses relative to another microlens array. An outgoing laser beam directed to indicia for reflection therefrom and/or return light reflected from the indicia is steered through a scan angle by the moving array.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens is axially moved along an optical axis to control a shape and size of a laser beam spot that is scanned across a symbol to be read by an electro-optical reader.

Abstract: An optical collector collects relatively more of the off-axis light directed to a detector, and collects relatively less of the on-axis light directed to the detector, in order to decrease the variation in the amplitude of the electrical signal generated by the detector over a scan of target such as a bar code symbol in order to improve the performance of a bar code symbol reader.

Abstract: An improved optical system for scanning optical codes is disclosed. A laser beam produced thereby is a diverging, nearly diffraction free beam and may be used to produce an elongated scanning spot. A laser assembly which may be used to produce such beams and spots, combines various optical functions in structures which are relatively insensitive to temperature change.

Abstract: A scan module in an electro-optical reader includes a first beam-folding mirror on a raised support wall at a rear of a support, and a second beam-folding mirror at a front of the support and operative for reflecting light through an opening in a frame wall to the first mirror for reflection therefrom above the frame wall between the front and rear of the support.

Abstract: Curved reflecting surfaces on a rotary scan component produce an aiming spot of enhanced visibility during a single scan line mode of operation for an electro-optical reader capable of reading bar code symbols in a multiple scan line mode of operation.

Abstract: A plastic lens includes refractive and diffractive optical apparatus configured to produce optothermal changes substantially canceling each other over a predetermined working temperature range to render the plastic lens substantially athermalized over the range.

Abstract: Curved reflecting surfaces on a rotary scan component produce an aiming spot of enhanced visibility during a single scan line mode of operation for an electro-optical reader capable of reading bar code symbols in a multiple scan line mode of operation.

Abstract: A unitary body of optical material and associated methods for reading indicia such as bar codes is provided. The unitary body can focus light from a light source into a beam, redirect light reflected from a target to a photodetector, and provide mechanical support for a light source, printed circuit board, or other indicia reader components. In comparison to conventional apparatus, the unitary body requires a reduced number of components and is therefore easier and less expensive to manufacture and assemble. The unitary design increases reliability and performance consistency while decreasing sensitivity to thermal and mechanical loading. Moreover, the unitary body reduces the overall tolerance budget of a reader and therefore facilitates mass production of optical apparatus and readers. The unitary body and associated methods may be implemented in a compact reader with the aforementioned advantages in the form of a pen, or can be integrated into an antenna of a wireless device, such as a cell phone or a PDA.

Abstract: An improved optical system for scanning optical codes is disclosed. A laser beam produced thereby is a diverging, nearly diffraction free beam and may be used to produce an elongated scanning spot. A laser assembly which may be used to produce such beams and spots, combines various optical functions in structures which are relatively insensitive to temperature change.