Abstract: A cellular camera telephone is provided with aiming, illumination, and decoding functionality to enable the economical and ergonomic reading and decoding of bar code symbols. The aiming and illumination are preferably a single system to minimize power consumption, such as by projecting a rectangle of light to both frame and illuminate the image area containing the target bar code. The cell phone is further provided with a lens system that permits switching between the ‘normal’ picture-taking focal range of from a few feet to infinity, and a bar code-reading focal range on the order of from a few to several inches. The lens system may involve, or combine, conventional autofocus/autozoom technology, fluid or adaptive lens technology, and liquid crystal lens technology. The cell phone may both acquire information from scanning bar codes, and transmit information by creating and displaying bar codes.

Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can include a multiple setting imaging lens assembly and an image sensor having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, an indicia reading terminal in an active reading state can cycle through a set of different lens settings, expose pixels of an image sensor array during an exposure period when each new lens setting is achieved, and attempt to decode decodable indicia represented in frames of image data captured corresponding to each exposure period. In one embodiment, movement of an imaging lens assembly lens element can be provided with use of a hollow stepper motor.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment an indicia reading terminal that can execute a spatial measurement mode of operation in which the indicia reading terminal can determine a dimension of an article in a field of view of the indicia reading terminal and/or determine other spatial information. In determining a dimension of an article, an indicia reading terminal can utilize setup data determined in a setup mode of operation and/or data determined utilizing the setup data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices. e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s).

Abstract: There is described a decodable indicia reading terminal which in one embodiment can capture and process a certain (e.g., a first) and a subsequent (e.g., a second) frame of image data, wherein the certain and the subsequent frames have different imaging attributes. In one embodiment the attributes between certain and subsequent frames are differentiated in that the certain frame represents light incident on pixels of a first image sensor and the subsequent frame of image data represents light incident on pixels of a second image sensor spaced apart from the first image sensor. Additionally, or in the alternative, the attributes between certain and subsequent frames can be differentiated in that the first frame represents light incident on an image sensor under a first illumination profile and the subsequent frame represents light incident on pixels of an image sensor under a second illumination profile.

Abstract: A transaction terminal including a motherboard and a display coupled to the motherboard. The transaction terminal further includes a removable data carrier reader coupled to the motherboard and an optical reader coupled to the motherboard, the optical reader having a field of view. The transaction terminal further includes a user interface coupled to the motherboard and a shroud disposed proximate to the optical reader, the shroud emitting light.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing a portable data transfer device, such as a bar code scanner, data collection device, or other equipment, for use in environments requiring a certain level of cleanliness, for protection against transmission of infection or merely dust or dirt, while allowing a full range of functional capability of such devices and equipment.

Abstract: An optical reading device for collecting and processing symbology data comprising: an image sensor array of pixels for converting light reflected from a target containing a machine readable indicia into output signals representative thereof, the image sensor being operated in a global shutter mode wherein all or substantially all of the pixels in the array are exposed simultaneously during an exposure time; receive optics for directing light from the target to the image sensor array, the optics having a receive optics optical axis; a processor for decoding the output signals; an illumination source for generating illumination light illuminating the target and illumination optics for directing the illumination light onto the target; a housing encapsulating the image sensor array, receive optics and illumination source; wherein the processor decodes in a first mode to continuously process available output signals automatically and a second mode to output signal in response to an activation event.

Abstract: A portable data terminal (PDT) adapted to participate in a wireless mesh network including a plurality of peer PDTs can comprise: a PDT module including an encoded information reading (EIR) device, and a mesh point (MP) module communicatively coupled to the PDT module. The MP module can include a microcontroller and at least one wireless communication interface and can be configured to perform IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless station services including authentication, de-authentication, privacy, and MAC service data unit delivery, and IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless distribution system services including association, disassociation, distribution, integration, and re-association. The MP module can be further configured, responsive to receiving a MAC frame addressed to a recipient inside the wireless mesh network, to deliver the MAC frame using the distribution service.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sterilization apparatus and methods of using a sterilization system are disclosed in the present application. The sterilization apparatus can take the form of a sterilization chamber comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, end walls and side walls which define the interior of the chamber. Throughout the interior of the chamber, multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UVLEDs) irradiate energy at wavelengths for destroying pathogenic substances and achieving an efficient level of sterilization. A UV transparent plate located within the interior of the chamber can support one or more target devices, and can be proportionally sized to accommodate placement of a target device for the simultaneous and uniform distribution of UV sterilizing energy to the surfaces of a target.

Abstract: An imaging module for data collection devices, such as bar code scanners. The module includes an aiming or illumination light source or sources, seated on a support is mounted in a housing. The support is fixed in the housing to provide for its precise placement therein, in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An indicia decoding device can have an image sensor and a laser diode assembly configured to project laser light onto a substrate. When a trigger signal is received by the indicia decoding device, the device can calculate a delay and enable the laser diode assembly if a delay threshold is satisfied. The indicia decoding device, in one embodiment, can include a hand held housing and an imaging module carrying the image sensor.

Abstract: A focus module containing a boundary element and a focus element. The focus element includes a fluid and a deformable membrane, with the fluid being entrapped between the boundary element and the deformable membrane. The focus module also includes a pressure element, which is capable of deforming the focus element by pressing on the deformable membrane in the direction of the boundary element.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for configuring an imaging system to compensate for fixed pattern noise, variations in pixel values captured from an image sensor that vary according to a fixed pattern. In a method for configuring an imaging system for compensating an additive term component of fixed pattern noise, a pixel array is exposed to a scene of known radiance and an average white value is determined for each pixel of an array. Each average white value is compared to a predetermined reference value to determine a correction value for each pixel. In a method for configuring an imaging system for compensating both an additive and multiplicative component of fixed pattern noise, a pixel array is exposed to a first scene having a first known radiance, and frames of the scene are captured, and then the array is exposed to a second scene having a second known radiance and frames of the second scene are captured.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking movements of an object of interest using an contact or contactless tag, having a writable memory. A plurality of scanners are dispersed throughout an environment in which movement of the object is to be tracked, wherein when a scanner detects the tag an entry is added to the tag. The entry can include a variety of data including, for example, the location entry indicating a time the tag was detected and a location of the detection. The system and method are particularly but not exclusively, suited for use with airline travel.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for processing a card. A card that is processed can have a corresponding card holder. In one embodiment, a card reader can be provided for reading information of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be configured to sense a level of degradation of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be in communication with a remote processor system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reading a bar code symbol with an optical reader. The method includes the step of scanning the bar code symbol to obtain a plurality of scan lines. Each of the plurality of scan lines includes a linear array of N-pixel values. Adjacent pixels in the linear array of N-pixel values are separated by a sample separation distance. A reconstructed scan line is generated that interleaves the N-pixel values from selected scan lines of the plurality of scan lines. A reconstructed pixel sample separation distance of adjacent interleaved pixels is an integer fraction of the pixel sample separation distance.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus configured to provide self-alignment in use when measuring the print quality of an encoded indicium. The apparatus is configured to exclude ambient light, and to align an encoded indicium located at a first aperture defined in a first surface of the apparatus with an imager positioned at a second aperture defined in a second surface of the apparatus. A source of illumination is provided to illuminate the encoded indicium during an interval when the encoded indicium is undergoing a verification process. An illumination control is provided to control the source of illumination. The apparatus can be controlled using a computer and a computer program recorded on a machine-readable medium.

Abstract: There is described a pixel value adjustment method and apparatus. In one embodiment, pixel values can be adjusted by execution of an algorithm for adjusting pixel values. In one embodiment, an apparatus capable of executing an algorithm for adjusting pixel values is capable of operating in a decoding operating application. In one embodiment, an apparatus capable of executing an algorithm for adjusting pixel values is capable of operating in a video display operating application.