Abstract: A single piece light pipe is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination. The light pipe is combined with a single PCB having a plurality of LEDs to create a compact illuminator that can selectively provide dark field and bright field with red, green, blue color, broad spectrum, or combination of any color in horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or combination of any direction. The single piece light pipe is compact in size and light in weight. The non-closed form option not only can further reduce the weight but also can allow arrange opening area clearance for: (1) visual aiming and alignment in application, especially for hand held application; (2) reducing illumination crosstalk to unwanted directions; and for (3) mechanical integration. The improvements allow the illuminator to read direct product marking (DPM) type of barcodes.

Abstract: A single piece light pipe is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination. The light pipe is combined with a single PCB having a plurality of LEDs to create a compact illuminator that can selectively provide dark field and bright field with red, green, blue color, broad spectrum, or combination of any color in horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or combination of any direction. The single piece light pipe is compact in size and light in weight. The non-closed form option not only can further reduce the weight but also can allow arrange opening area clearance for: (1) visual aiming and alignment in application, especially for hand held application; (2) reducing illumination crosstalk to unwanted directions; and for (3) mechanical integration. The improvements allow the illuminator to read direct product marking (DPM) type of barcodes.

Abstract: A multi-functional optical illuminator comprises: a light pipe (302) with an open frame structure for visual aiming of the illuminator to facilitate an alignment of a barcode; and a circuit board (304), attached to a back opening of the light pipe (302), comprising six dark field LEDs (308) for generating six dark field illuminations and two bright field LEDs (306) for generating bright field illuminations; wherein, the two bright field LEDs (306) produce two alternating point sources for providing bright field illuminations in different directions to minimize a specular reflection hot spot without using any diffuser during the bright field illuminations; wherein, chamfered inner edges of the light pipe (302) emit the dark field illuminations in different orientations from the light pipe (302). The illuminator is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination.

Abstract: A multi-functional optical illuminator comprises: a light pipe (302) with an open frame structure for visual aiming of the illuminator to facilitate an alignment of a barcode; and a circuit board (304), attached to a back opening of the light pipe (302), comprising six dark field LEDs (308) for generating six dark field illuminations and two bright field LEDs (306) for generating bright field illuminations; wherein, the two bright field LEDs (306) produce two alternating point sources for providing bright field illuminations in different directions to minimize a specular reflection hot spot without using any diffuser during the bright field illuminations; wherein, chamfered inner edges of the light pipe (302) emit the dark field illuminations in different orientations from the light pipe (302). The illuminator is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination.

Abstract: An aimer pattern projector assembly (200, 300) includes an LED light source (212, 312), an LED aperture plate (204, 304), and a projector lens (206, 306) disposed in front of and coaxial with the LED aperture plate (204, 304) and the LED light source (212, 312). The LED light source (212, 312), aperture plate (204, 304), and projector lens (206, 306) each have a central opening configured to accommodate and coaxially align with a line of sight of an imaging lens. The LED light source (212, 312) can include two or more LEDs operably coupled to a PCB. A coaxial aimer imager assembly (100) can include an imaging lens-sensor module (102) and the aimer pattern projector assembly. A method for scanning includes generating a combined aimer pattern coaxially aligned with a line of sight of an image of the object.

Abstract: An illuminator is provided, comprising a support frame arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor. The illuminator includes at least one light bar connected to the support frame. At least one light source is connected to the support frame, wherein each of the at least one light source is configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the at least one light bar. The illuminator further includes a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each of the at least one light bar. The peripheral cover is further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Barcode reading devices for creating an easy-to-use experience are provided. In one implementation, a barcode reading apparatus comprises a housing having at least a scan body and an image sensor disposed within the housing. The image sensor is configured to read the barcode. The apparatus further includes a scanning frame and a viewing frame. The scanning frame is formed in a first bottom surface of the scan body and is configured to enable the image sensor to visually detect the barcode when the barcode is placed in a scanning zone at least partially below the scan body. The viewing frame is formed in a first top surface of the scan body and is configured to enable a user to view the barcode through both the viewing frame and scanning frame when the barcode is placed in the scanning zone.

Abstract: An aimer pattern projector assembly (200, 300) includes an LED light source (212, 312), an LED aperture plate (204, 304), and a projector lens (206, 306) disposed in front of and coaxial with the LED aperture plate (204, 304) and the LED light source (212, 312). The LED light source (212, 312), aperture plate (204, 304), and projector lens (206, 306) each have a central opening configured to accommodate and coaxially align with a line of sight of an imaging lens. The LED light source (212, 312) can include two or more LEDs operably coupled to a PCB. A coaxial aimer imager assembly (100) can include an imaging lens-sensor module (102) and the aimer pattern projector assembly. A method for scanning includes generating a combined aimer pattern coaxially aligned with a line of sight of an image of the object.

Abstract: A compact illuminator for a direct part marking (DPM) scanner is provided to perform dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional, multi-distance illumination functions. The illuminator can selectively provide dark field and bright field illumination with broad spectrum white or narrow band color, in combination with directions for near contact distance as well as far distance barcode readings. Specifically, illuminator includes a front edge illuminator with customized LED optics, a dome diffuser, an LED board assembly, and a reflective sleeve surrounding the dome diffuser. The board assembly can further include an alternative on/off plural point source bright field spot illuminating system.

Abstract: Illumination systems for illuminating objects to be read or imaged by optical readers, such barcode scanners and direct part marking (DPM) barcode readers, are provided. One implementation includes an illumination apparatus including a light source and a freeform lens having a cavity configured to at least partially surround the light source. The freeform lens is configured to provide both dark field illumination and bright field illumination to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: Imaging devices and illuminating devices are provided. In one exemplary implementation, an imaging device comprises an optical sensor and an illuminator. The illuminator comprises a support frame and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the support frame. A first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide dark field illumination at a high angle of incidence with respect to an object. The first set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector. A second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide bright field illumination at a low angle of incidence with respect to the object. The second set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector.

Abstract: An illuminator is provided, comprising a support frame arranged symmetrically around an optical axis of an optical sensor. The illuminator includes at least one light bar connected to the support frame. At least one light source is connected to the support frame, wherein each of the at least one light source is configured to direct light towards one of the opposing ends of one of the at least one light bar. The illuminator further includes a peripheral cover configured to receive light emitted from the front face of each of the at least one light bar. The peripheral cover is further configured to emit dark field illumination at a low incident angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and to emit bright field illumination at a high incident angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An illumination assembly is provided for a direct part marking (DPM) scanner. The illumination assembly includes an LED assembly for generating a light output, an LED reflector mounted to the LED assembly and configured to receive at least a portion of the light output and to reflect at least the portion of the light output toward a region of interest, and a continuous aspheric cylindrical lens disposed forward of the LED reflector between the LED reflector and the region of interest. The portion of the light output reflected toward the region of interest is reflected onto the continuous aspheric cylindrical lens which then provides redistributed light to the region of interest. A dome diffuser assembly and direct part marking scanner are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging scanner is provided. The image scanner has a housing. The housing contains a mirror, a camera, a transparent window for scanning, a transparent window for viewing positioned above the transparent window for scanning such that anything presented below the transparent window for scanning is visible in the transparent window for viewing. The transparent window for viewing has an electronic display embedded therein. The imaging scanner also includes an image decoder linked to the camera and to the electronic display. The mirror is positioned such that incident light on the mirror from the transparent scanning window will be reflected within the camera's field of view. The camera is configured to scan images presented at the transparent window for scanning. The image decoder is configured to decode the scanned images. The electronic display is configured to display the decoded information on the transparent window for viewing.

Abstract: Illumination systems for illuminating objects to be read or imaged by optical readers, such barcode scanners and direct part marking (DPM) barcode readers, are provided. One implementation includes an illumination apparatus including a light source and a freeform lens having a cavity configured to at least partially surround the light source. The freeform lens is configured to provide both dark field illumination and bright field illumination to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: Imaging devices and illuminating devices are provided. In one exemplary implementation, an imaging device comprises an optical sensor and an illuminator. The illuminator comprises a support frame and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the support frame. A first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide dark field illumination at a high angle of incidence with respect to an object. The first set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector. A second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide bright field illumination at a low angle of incidence with respect to the object. The second set of LEDs is configured to provide illumination without the use of a light pipe, diffuser, or reflector.

Abstract: A compact illuminator for a direct part marking (DPM) scanner is provided to perform dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional, multi-distance illumination functions. The illuminator can selectively provide dark field and bright field illumination with broad spectrum white or narrow band color, in combination with directions for near contact distance as well as far distance barcode readings. Specifically, illuminator includes a front edge illuminator with customized LED optics, a dome diffuser, an LED board assembly, and a reflective sleeve surrounding the dome diffuser. The board assembly can further include an alternative on/off plural point source bright field spot illuminating system.

Abstract: An imaging scanner is provided. The image scanner has a housing. The housing contains a mirror, a camera, a transparent window for scanning, a transparent window for viewing positioned above the transparent window for scanning such that anything presented below the transparent window for scanning is visible in the transparent window for viewing. The transparent window for viewing has an electronic display embedded therein. The imaging scanner also includes an image decoder linked to the camera and to the electronic display. The mirror is positioned such that incident light on the mirror from the transparent scanning window will be reflected within the camera's field of view. The camera is configured to scan images presented at the transparent window for scanning. The image decoder is configured to decode the scanned images. The electronic display is configured to display the decoded information on the transparent window for viewing.

Abstract: Barcode reading devices for creating an easy-to-use experience are provided. In one implementation, a barcode reading apparatus comprises a housing having at least a scan body and an image sensor disposed within the housing. The image sensor is configured to read the barcode. The apparatus further includes a scanning frame and a viewing frame. The scanning frame is formed in a first bottom surface of the scan body and is configured to enable the image sensor to visually detect the barcode when the barcode is placed in a scanning zone at least partially below the scan body. The viewing frame is formed in a first top surface of the scan body and is configured to enable a user to view the barcode through both the viewing frame and scanning frame when the barcode is placed in the scanning zone.

Abstract: An optical indicia reading terminal (100) can comprise an image sensor (62,1032), an imaging lens (1110) configured to focus an image of decodable indicia (15) on the image sensor (62,1032), an analog-to-digital converter (1037) configured to convert an analog signal read out of the image sensor (62,1032) into a digital signal representative of light incident on the image sensor (62,1032), a hand held housing (52) encapsulating the image sensor (62,1032), a microprocessor (1060) configured to output a decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia (15) by processing the digital signal, and an illumination assembly (1207). The illumination assembly (1207) can include at least one visible spectrum illumination source (322a-322z) and at least one invisible spectrum illumination source (324a-324z). The visible spectrum illumination source (322a-322z) can be configured to emit a light having a wavelength belonging to a visible spectrum region.