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: Methods and apparatus for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine are disclosed herein. An example method for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine includes: mounting an image sensor to a circuit board; optically aligning, using one or more alignment fixtures, a lens holder holding one or more lenses or optical elements with the image sensor based upon one or more images captured by the image sensor through the lens holder; and after the lens holder and image sensor are optically aligned, physically aligning, using the one or more alignment fixtures, the lens holder with the circuit board based upon a misalignment between a surface of the lens holder and an edge of the circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine are disclosed herein. An example method for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine includes: mounting an image sensor to a circuit board; optically aligning, using one or more alignment fixtures, a lens holder holding one or more lenses or optical elements with the image sensor based upon one or more images captured by the image sensor through the lens holder; and after the lens holder and image sensor are optically aligned, physically aligning, using the one or more alignment fixtures, the lens holder with the circuit board based upon a misalignment between a surface of the lens holder and an edge of the circuit board.

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: Methods and apparatus for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine are disclosed herein. An example method for aligning a lens holder in a small-height scan engine includes: mounting an image sensor to a circuit board; optically aligning, using one or more alignment fixtures, a lens holder holding one or more lenses or optical elements with the image sensor based upon one or more images captured by the image sensor through the lens holder; and after the lens holder and image sensor are optically aligned, physically aligning, using the one or more alignment fixtures, the lens holder with the circuit board based upon a misalignment between a surface of the lens holder and an edge of the circuit board.

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: 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 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: A method and apparatus for directing an aim light through a window of an image reader. The window has a cylindrically curved section. The aim light impinges on a portion of the cylindrically curved section of the window prior to partially passing through the window. A first amount of the aim light is passed through the window, and a second amount of the aim light is reflected into the cavity resulting in reflected aim light. The reflected aim light is directed away from the imaging assembly such that no or substantially no reflected aim light impinges on the imager of the imaging assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing an aim light through a window of an image reader. The window has a cylindrically curved section. The aim light impinges on a portion of the cylindrically curved section of the window prior to partially passing through the window. A first amount of the aim light is passed through the window, and a second amount of the aim light is reflected into the cavity resulting in reflected aim light. The reflected aim light is directed away from the imaging assembly such that no or substantially no reflected aim light impinges on the imager of the imaging assembly.