Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to barcode readers having a housing with upper and lower portions, and a platter. Additionally, the barcode readers include a platter frame and an imaging assembly, the first imaging assembly having a first field of view (FOV) directed through at least one of the substantially horizontal window or the substantially upright window of the housing, and a reader accessory removably coupled with at least one of the lower housing portion or the platter frame that includes a thermal transmitter. The thermal transmitter is thermally coupled with at least one of the housing frame or the platter frame to transfer thermal energy generated by the reader accessory thereto.

Abstract: Devices for improving user-interface (UI) controls in an imaging device are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, such imaging devices include a housing having an internal cavity and a window where a flange portion extending around some portion of the window includes touch-enabled UI controls positioned on an exterior surface. On a correspondingly opposite (interior) surface of the flange portion there exists a printed circuit board (PCB) with touch-sensors that correspond to the UI controls. To increase the efficacy of the touch-controls, a spring element is positioned behind the PCB to bias the PCB towards the rear surface of the interior surface of the flange portion and reduce and/or eliminate an air gap between said surface and the sensor(s) and/or the PCB.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader calibration system for use with a venue includes an RFID reader having a primary identifier and a plurality of secondary identifiers. The primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers having a respective unobstructed line of sight to a point on the floor of the venue. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a data capture device configured to be aimed at the primary identifier and the plurality of secondary identifiers and to capture respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a controller configured to determine: a location of the RFID reader based on the coordinates of the primary identifier; and an orientation of the RFID reader based on the respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader calibration system for use with a venue includes an RFID reader having a primary identifier and a plurality of secondary identifiers. The primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers having a respective unobstructed line of sight to a point on the floor of the venue. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a data capture device configured to be aimed at the primary identifier and the plurality of secondary identifiers and to capture respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers. The RFID reader calibration system also includes a controller configured to determine: a location of the RFID reader based on the coordinates of the primary identifier; and an orientation of the RFID reader based on the respective coordinates of the primary identifier and each of the plurality of secondary identifiers.

Abstract: Targets to be electro-optically read by image capture are illuminated with illumination light emitted from an illumination light source and directed along an illumination path through a window to the targets, and return light from the targets is captured through the window and projected along an imaging path to an array of light sensors of an imaging system. An optical element is located in both the illumination path and the imaging path, and has a light-reflecting, non-diffusing portion for directing the captured return light incident on the light-reflecting portion along a folded imaging path to the array, and a light-diffusing portion for diffusing the illumination light incident on the light-diffusing portion along a folded illumination path to scatter and blur an image of the illumination light source, to increase an apparent size of the illumination light source, and to reduce a perceived brightness of the illumination light source.

Abstract: A cordless, electro-optical reader is compatibly docked with different docking stations having station contacts located at different locations. A rechargeable battery is mounted in a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis. Multiple housing contacts are located on the housing. Some housing contacts conduct electrical power to recharge the battery; other housing contacts conduct electrical signals to and from a controller. Each housing contact has one exposed contact portion facing in a first direction, e.g., axially along the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at one location of one docking station, and another exposed contact portion facing in a different second direction, e.g., transversely of the longitudinal axis, to make electro-mechanical contact with station contacts located at another location of another docking station.

Abstract: An optical slot scanner (10) and method includes a housing (12) supporting a scanning arrangement (22) within an interior region (14) of the housing. The scanning arrangement (22) includes an imaging camera (26) and light source (24) disposed within a recess compartment (80) located in the interior region of the housing. The imaging camera defines an imaging field (40) of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The light source defines an illumination field (42) for illuminating indicia located on a target object, such that the illumination field is substantially coaxial with the imaging field during a reading of indicia located on a target object.

Abstract: A lightpipe, which is mounted on one chassis part of an imaging module of an imaging reader, optically modifies an aiming beam emitted by an aiming laser, which is mounted on another chassis part of the imaging module, to generate and shape an aiming light pattern on a target. In one embodiment, at least one, or both, of the chassis parts are movable relative to each other to spatially adjust the aiming light pattern relative to an imaging field of view. In another embodiment, the aiming laser and the lightpipe are received in respective pockets of the chassis parts with clearance, and are adjustably fixed in place to spatially adjust the aiming light pattern relative to the imaging field of view.

Abstract: Targets to be electro-optically read by image capture are illuminated with illumination light emitted from an illumination light source and directed along an illumination path through a window to the targets, and return light from the targets is captured through the window and projected along an imaging path to an array of light sensors of an imaging system. An optical element is located in both the illumination path and the imaging path, and has a light-reflecting, non-diffusing portion for directing the captured return light incident on the light-reflecting portion along a folded imaging path to the array, and a light-diffusing portion for diffusing the illumination light incident on the light-diffusing portion along a folded illumination path to scatter and blur an image of the illumination light source, to increase an apparent size of the illumination light source, and to reduce a perceived brightness of the illumination light source.

Abstract: A lightpipe, which is mounted on one chassis part of an imaging module of an imaging reader, optically modifies an aiming beam emitted by an aiming laser, which is mounted on another chassis part of the imaging module, to generate and shape an aiming light pattern on a target. In one embodiment, at least one, or both, of the chassis parts are movable relative to each other to spatially adjust the aiming light pattern relative to an imaging field of view. In another embodiment, the aiming laser and the lightpipe are received in respective pockets of the chassis parts with clearance, and are adjustably fixed in place to spatially adjust the aiming light pattern relative to the imaging field of view.

Abstract: An optical slot scanner (10) and method includes a housing (12) supporting a scanning arrangement (22) within an interior region (14) of the housing. The scanning arrangement (22) includes an imaging camera (26) and light source (24) disposed within a recess compartment (80) located in the interior region of the housing. The imaging camera defines an imaging field (40) of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The light source defines an illumination field (42) for illuminating indicia located on a target object, such that the illumination field is substantially coaxial with the imaging field during a reading of indicia located on a target object.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images of a target object having a barcode. The apparatus includes a reflector, an LED emitting mostly invisible light, and a photodetector. The LED is configured to emit a first portion of the invisible light toward the target object directly and to emit a second portion of the invisible light toward the reflector. The reflector is configured to redirect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light toward the target object. The photodetector is configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object to generate an electrical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images of a target object having a barcode. The apparatus includes a reflector, an LED emitting mostly invisible light, and a photodetector. The LED is configured to emit a first portion of the invisible light toward the target object directly and to emit a second portion of the invisible light toward the reflector. The reflector is configured to redirect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light toward the target object. The photodetector is configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object to generate an electrical signal.

Abstract: An imaging reader for electro-optically reading a target by image capture includes a window supported by a housing, a chassis mounted in the housing and having chassis walls bounding an optical compartment, and an imaging module in the optical compartment for capturing return light from the target through the window. A component seals the optical compartment and protects the window from shock forces. The component is mounted between the window and the chassis walls bounding an opening into the optical compartment, and surrounds a periphery of the window. The component is constituted of a compressible material that is compressed between the window and the chassis walls to isolate and seal the optical compartment from the housing.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging reader includes a chassis mounted in a housing, a window spaced from a rear wall of the chassis, an imaging module for capturing return light from a target through the window over an imaging field of view, a controller for operating the reader in a standby state in which no target is read, and for processing the captured return light to read the target during a reading state, and an object sensing assembly supported by the rear chassis wall and spaced from the window. The object sensing assembly senses the presence of an object bearing the target in front of the window by detecting return sensing light from the object through the window over a sensing field of view that at least partially overlaps the imaging field of view, and triggers the controller to change from the standby state to the reading state upon such detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using in a barcode reader. The apparatus includes an aiming lens assembly including an irregular-shape lens, an aiming light source positioned behind the aiming lens assembly, and an aperture with the desired aiming pattern shape placed in close proximity to the aiming source for generating a visible aiming light pattern towards the target object. The irregular-shape lens includes at least a recess for accommodating the imaging lens when the irregular-shaped lens is assembled into the apparatus with other components.

Abstract: A workstation for electro-optically reading targets in a reading field of view includes an object sensing system that senses an object entering the workstation by directing object sensing light through a window at the object, and detecting return object sensing light returned from the object along an object detection path through the window over an object detection field of view of an object light sensor. A portion of the object sensing light incident on the window is reflected therefrom into the object detection field of view as a virtual hot spot that degrades object sensor performance. An optical element, e.g., an aperture stop, in the object detection path optically modifies the object detection field of view to prevent the virtual hot spot from being detected by the object light sensor.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging reader includes a chassis mounted in a housing, a window spaced from a rear wall of the chassis, an imaging module for capturing return light from a target through the window over an imaging field of view, a controller for operating the reader in a standby state in which no target is read, and for processing the captured return light to read the target during a reading state, and an object sensing assembly supported by the rear chassis wall and spaced from the window. The object sensing assembly senses the presence of an object bearing the target in front of the window by detecting return sensing light from the object through the window over a sensing field of view that at least partially overlaps the imaging field of view, and triggers the controller to change from the standby state to the reading state upon such detection.

Abstract: An imaging reader for electro-optically reading a target by image capture includes a window supported by a housing, a chassis mounted in the housing and having chassis walls bounding an optical compartment, and an imaging module in the optical compartment for capturing return light from the target through the window. A component seals the optical compartment and protects the window from shock forces. The component is mounted between the window and the chassis walls bounding an opening into the optical compartment, and surrounds a periphery of the window. The component is constituted of a compressible material that is compressed between the window and the chassis walls to isolate and seal the optical compartment from the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using in a barcode reader. The apparatus includes an aiming lens assembly including an irregular-shape lens, an aiming light source positioned behind the aiming lens assembly, and an aperture with the desired aiming pattern shape placed in close proximity to the aiming source for generating a visible aiming light pattern towards the target object. The irregular-shape lens includes at least a recess for accommodating the imaging lens when the irregular-shaped lens is assembled into the apparatus with other components.