Light Level Control Patents (Class 235/455)
  • Patent number: 9639727
    Abstract: A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The graphical code reader includes an optic system, a plurality of light sources, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine that glare is present in an image captured by the optic system by identifying reflection from at least one of the plurality of light sources. The control system may take a corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images. The control system may be configured to take a first corrective action if a diffraction pattern is present at a periphery of the glare, and take a second corrective action if a diffraction pattern is not present at the periphery of the glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Lei, Jason J. Lee, Ryan Hoobler
  • Patent number: 9626007
    Abstract: An image detecting method, comprising: controlling a synchronizing controller to transmit a first activating signal to a light source controller; controlling the light source controller to control at least one light source to generate a predetermined radiating pattern, and controlling the light source controller to transmit back a first responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the first activating signal; and controlling an image sensor to start an image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the first responding signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Cheun Liang, Wen-Yu Yang, Chao-Chien Huang, Chi-Yang Huang, Hung-Yu Lee, Ming-Tsan Kao
  • Patent number: 9594993
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a 2D barcode. In an embodiment, the method includes: embedding primary information that can be read by a 2D-barcode-reader in a primary information pattern, and embedding secondary information that is made difficult to reproduce without alteration in a visible pattern. In an embodiment, the visible pattern is embedded within the barcode in at least one area that does not contain any primary information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCANTRUSH SA
    Inventors: Justin Picard, Paul Landry
  • Patent number: 9576232
    Abstract: A structure, a decoding method and a decoding device of a barcode are disclosed. One data code of the barcode of the present invention has 8-bit information quantity. Therefore, based on the same print length of the Code 128 barcode, the information density of the barcode of the present invention can be increased and the encoding and the following operation of the barcode can be simplified. In addition, the barcode of the present invention can be configured on a plane of an object, around a plane of a disc, or around a circular side of a cylinder, enabling the decoding device of the present invention to identify the data code, indicating 8-bit information of the barcode, scanned through a corresponding linear motion, disc rotation, or cylinder rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi-Ta Ho, Han-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9514451
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for information identification are provided. A card image of a pre-set collection area is photographed and obtained, when a request event for information identification is detected. Edge-size information of the card image obtained by photographing is determined. A target area of the card image is marked according to the edge-size information. An image of the target area is extracted. Character shapes to be identified in the image of the target area is determined based on a pre-set character pattern library. A character corresponding to each character shape to be identified is identified according to each character shape to be identified that is determined and according to the character pattern library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Maocai Li
  • Patent number: 9436048
    Abstract: In an aspect, a display device comprising a panel having a circular surface and a pad unit which is disposed adjacent to an outer circumference of the panel and receives an external signal, wherein the pad unit is divided into a plurality of sub-pads, and the sub-pads are separated from each other is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Sam Kim, Jong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9411998
    Abstract: A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The method may include illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources. The method may also include capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor. The method may also include determining that glare is present in at least one captured image. The method may also include determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the glare. The method may further include taking corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: George Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler
  • Patent number: 9356811
    Abstract: A receiver circuit for receiving an input signal (IDD, UDD) comprises a detector circuit (111, 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 111e, 111f), which is in the form of a sample-and-hold circuit for determining a reference level of the input signal or in the form of a filter circuit for generating a mean value of levels of the input signal (IDD, UDD). The detector circuit generates, on the output side, a referential signal (RS), which is supplied to comparator circuits (113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d). The comparator circuits (113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d) compare an offset level of the input signal (IDD, UDD) with the referential signal (RS) and generate data signals (DATA, DH, DL). The offset input signals (IDD, UDD) are evaluated relatively in respect of the reference level or the mean value of the levels of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Greimel-Rechling
  • Patent number: 9262661
    Abstract: A method for decoding decodable indicia includes sensing the polarization of light from a plurality of orientations in connection with the decodable indicia, and controlling at least one of energizing an illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally randomly polarized light, and inhibiting energization of the illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally linearly polarized light. One or more images are captured, and an attempt is made to decode the decodable indicia using at least one of the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Willliam H. Havens, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 9253426
    Abstract: The invention relates to time-delay and charge integration image sensors employing active CMOS technology pixels. The sensor comprises N rows of pixels and each pixel of generally square shaped comprises two (though possibly also three or four) photodiodes and charge storage nodes, having means for transferring charges from each photodiode to one or other of the storage nodes. Control of transfer from the photodiodes to one then the other of the storage nodes is carried out in such a way that one storage node receives in succession, during two successive phases of a periodic cycle, the charges from two photodiodes that have seen the same image portion during the two phases. The charges received by one of the storage nodes during the first phase is added to the charges received by the other storage node in the following phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: E2V SEMICONDUCTORS
    Inventors: Frédéric Mayer, Henri Bugnet
  • Patent number: 9251392
    Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and each group of rows has sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination pattern assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Bremer, Ryan Kather
  • Patent number: 9141839
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for improving the performance of code scanners in the extended and far ranges. At these distances, the intensity of the laser beam reflected off the code symbol can be markedly decreased, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a successful reading of the code symbol by the code scanner. The system provides for dynamic power increases to the laser source to generate a greater dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Xian, Gennady Germaine, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Stephen Colavito, Erik Van Horn
  • Patent number: 9111162
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reading a data pattern from or writing a data pattern to a storage medium are described. During reading a pattern retrieval stage retrieves a test pattern and the data pattern from the storage medium. A decoder, which is trained with pattern elements of the retrieved test pattern by a training stage, decodes the retrieved data pattern by performing a comparison between topologies of the retrieved data pattern and representative patterns derived from the test pattern during training of the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Ingo Huetter, Meinolf Blawat
  • Patent number: 9104934
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise an indicia reading terminal including operatively configured to interact with a storage module to store data, including location data, of a decodable indicia found in a captured document image. In one embodiment, the indicia reading terminal can be provided with one or more pre-stored information about the decodable indicia and/or the document. In another embodiment the indicia reading terminal can be provided with instructions and similarly operatively configured components that can identify information about the decodable indicia, store such information in a table, and utilize the tabulated data to process captured image data of subsequent documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jingquan Li, Timothy P. Meier, Robert M. Hussey
  • Patent number: 9070031
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide an illumination assembly for a mark reader. A light transmitter is arranged in a surrounding relationship to an interior area, with the light transmitter having a proximal end and a distal end. An illumination source provides a light for transmission into the light transmitter. The light transmitter distal end allows the light from within the light transmitter to pass through and out of the distal end to provide bright field illumination and dark field illumination. The light transmitter distal end may include a first portion and a second portion, where light from within the light transmitter passes through and out of the first portion to provide bright field illumination, and light from within the light transmitter passes through and out of the second portion to provide dark field illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment LLC
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, William H. Equitz
  • Patent number: 9027835
    Abstract: A graphical code reader may include means for capturing an image frame in accordance with a rolling shutter technique, and means for changing illumination while the image frame is being captured in order to perform glare correction. The graphical code reader may also include means for detecting characteristics of glare in a previously captured image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: George Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler
  • Patent number: 9027836
    Abstract: A barcode reader comprising a plurality of illumination systems and first and second lens assemblies may also comprise fiducial offset data that is representative of fiducial offsets. The fiducial offsets may be offsets between locations of a plurality of fiducial points within a plurality of calibration image frames captured at different calibration distances. Each calibration image frame may comprise first and second calibration images. The barcode reader may (i) select a feature that is present in a first barcode image captured via the first lens assembly and a second barcode image captured via the second lens assembly, (ii) determine a feature offset that indicates an offset between a first location of the feature within the first barcode image and a second location of the feature within the second barcode image, and (iii) estimate a barcode distance based on the feature offset and the fiducial offset data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Publication number: 20150115033
    Abstract: An optical code scanner is presented that includes image capture technology to scan optical codes. The image capture technology uses a fixed aperture, a fixed standard optical lens, a fixed high dispersion optical lens and at least one illumination device that generates different colors of light. Together, these elements increase the effective depth of field of the optical code scanner by capturing images of an item presented to the optical code scanner using different colors of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Joel Hammer
  • Publication number: 20150115032
    Abstract: A method of decoding a Direct Part Marking (DPM) indicia. The method includes: (1) generating a polarized illumination light; (2) illuminating the DPM indicia with the polarized illumination; (3) detecting light scattered from the DPM indicia through a linear polarizer with an imaging sensor while the DPM indicia is illuminated by the polarized illumination to capture an image of the DPM indicia though an imaging lens while preventing at least 80% of onetime scattered light caused by the target object from entering the imaging lens; and (4) processing the image of the DPM indicia to decode the DPM indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: WANLI CHI
  • Patent number: 9016576
    Abstract: Method of and system for reading bar code symbols using a hand-supportable laser scanning bar code symbol reading system supporting an improved level control over the length and intensity characteristics of laser scan lines projected onto scanned objects, at any instant in time, in a manner dependent the detected location, distance or range of the scanned object in the scanning field of the system during system operation. The system includes a laser scanning module that projects the laser scanning beam through a light transmission window, and across a laser scanning field in which an object is located, while the laser scanning beam is blanked out during the laser scanning cycle according to a laser source blanking function that is determined by the estimated distance, or data representative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hugh Brady, Stephen Colavito, David Wilz, Sr., Zhipeng Teng, Myron Levon Dixon
  • Patent number: 9016578
    Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be suppressed, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam across the target, a photodetector for detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and for concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal, for processing both the information signal and the ambient light signal in one mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal is below a threshold, and for suppressing the ambient light signal and for processing only the information signal in another mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal at least equals the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giebel, Peter Fazekas, David P. Goren
  • Patent number: 9016575
    Abstract: Indicia are imaged at a workstation having windows arranged in intersecting planes. The workstation also has solid-state imagers with fields of view that are split into intersecting subfields that look out through the windows, as well as illumination assemblies each having multiple light sources that illuminate each subfield with illumination light over an illumination field that overlaps a respective subfield. Light-modifying elements, such as lenses or baffles that are radially offset from the multiple light sources, condition the illumination light from the multiple light sources to be generally uniform in light intensity over at least one illuminated subfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Caihua Chen, Edward Barkan, Mark Drzymala
  • Publication number: 20150097034
    Abstract: In a barcode reader, a sensor controller sets time of one frame of a line image sensor based on output time necessary for data output of one frame from the line image sensor and lighting time of an LED. A light source controller performs first lighting control to turn on the LED only for the lighting time after termination of the data output within the time of one frame, and second lighting control to turn on the LED only for the lighting time so as to include the entire period of the data output within the time of one frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Masaki Kurokawa, Depei Ji, Zhihui Duan
  • Patent number: 8985456
    Abstract: A strobe illumination control process for use in a digital image capture and processing system includes illuminating an object in the field of view with different pulses of illumination over a pair of consecutive video image frames, detecting digital images of the illuminated object over these consecutive image frames, and decode processing the digital images. In a first illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a symbol in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the exposure time is adjusted during subsequent image frames. In a second illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a symbol in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the energy level of the illumination is adjusted during subsequent image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: 8978983
    Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination pattern assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Bremer, Ryan Kather
  • Patent number: 8967478
    Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be rejected, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam over a scan angle across the target, a photodetector for generating an output signal by detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and by concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal to determine a threshold, for processing the output signal by passing the output signal through a filter having a bandwidth, and for rejecting the ambient light signal from the output signal by adjusting the scan angle and/or the bandwidth when the ambient light signal exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giebel, Peter Fazekas, David P. Goren
  • Publication number: 20150053765
    Abstract: This patent specification describes an attachment for a mobile device. The attachment may have an attachment feature designed to be attached to a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartphone/tablet with a camera. The attachment may also include an optics system and/or an illumination system that cooperates with the camera to facilitate the capture of decodable barcodes. The illumination system may include a targeting illumination system that facilitates proper positioning of the article and/or an exposure illumination system that helps illuminate the article during capture. The optics system may include a lens that modifies the depth of field and/or the size of the field of view of the camera, an aperture that helps define the field of view, a filter that prevents light of undesired wavelengths from reaching the camera, and/or a mirror that redirects the camera's optical pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: George Powell, Ryan Hoobler, Garrett Russell, Ming Lei, Mark Ashby
  • Publication number: 20150053766
    Abstract: A method for decoding decodable indicia includes sensing the polarization of light from a plurality of orientations in connection with the decodable indicia, and controlling at least one of energizing an illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally randomly polarized light, and inhibiting energization of the illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally linearly polarized light. One or more images are captured, and an attempt is made to decode the decodable indicia using at least one of the one or more images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Willliam H. Havens, Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Publication number: 20150048164
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of reading the screen of a mobile computing device. The apparatus is an imaging scanner that includes a NFC device having a NFC antenna. The imaging scanner also includes an illumination system operative to illuminate a target object with illumination light. Under a first condition that no NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a first illumination light with a first intensity. Under a second condition that the NFC signal from the mobile computing device is received by the NFC device, the illumination system is configured to generate a second illumination light with a second intensity. The second intensity is less than the first intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Slutsky
  • Publication number: 20150028103
    Abstract: A code symbol reading system is provided. The code symbol reading system has an object detection subsystem that can be configured to detect only those objects that are positioned at a specified distance from the system. The object-detection subsystem thereby initiates the scanning process only when an object is detected at substantially the specified distance from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Ting Jiang
  • Patent number: 8939371
    Abstract: A bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation images indicia associated with multi-sided products by splitting the field of view of each imager into a plurality of subfields that simultaneously extend through each window over regions of the product. A plurality of energizable illuminators, one for each subfield, illuminates each subfield with illumination light over an adjustable illumination time. The illumination light returned from the indicia in each subfield is captured along respective optical paths from each window to each imager. A plurality of exposure sensors, one for each subfield, and located externally of each imager, senses the returned illumination light in each subfield. A controller energizes each illuminator to illuminate each subfield, deenergizes each illuminator when the returned illumination light sensed by the respective exposure sensors exceeds a threshold, and processes the captured illumination light in at least one of the subfields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Barkan
  • Publication number: 20150021396
    Abstract: An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Laurens Nunnink
  • Publication number: 20150014414
    Abstract: Performance of a laser-based moving beam reader for electro-optically reading a target is enhanced in a venue for transmitting an information signal by pulsing ambient light that interferes with operation of the reader. A converter converts the information signal to an analog information signal. A switching power supply is operatively connected to the converter and to a lighting fixture that emits the ambient light. The switching power supply receives the analog information signal from the converter, generates an output analog control signal from the received analog information signal, and controls the light fixture with the output analog control signal to emit the ambient light in a time-varying, non-pulsed, analog manner to mitigate interference with the operation of the reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: JAMES R GIEBEL
  • Publication number: 20150014415
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
  • Publication number: 20150001301
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Yunxin Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20140374482
    Abstract: An apparatus for presentation reading of optical information with removable reader includes an optical information reader and a cradle or stand having a seat for seating the reader facing a predetermined optical information reading zone. The reader has an illuminator and the stand has an illuminator. A processor is configured to control a capture of an image of at least one portion of the reading zone, to analyse the image and, based on the analysis, to drive the switching on of either of the illuminator of the reader and/or the illuminator of the stand. The stand includes an optical component at the illuminator of the reader and/or at an aimer of the reader when seated in the seat, to define an aiming pattern and/or to modify the features of the illuminating beam of the reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Claudio Mazzone, Federico Canini, Fabrizio Pareschi, Guido Maurizio Oliva
  • Publication number: 20140361082
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for improving the performance of code scanners in the extended and far ranges. At these distances, the intensity of the laser beam reflected off the code symbol can be markedly decreased, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a successful reading of the code symbol by the code scanner. The system provides for dynamic power increases to the laser source to generate a greater dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Xian, Gennady Germaine, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Stephen Colavito, Erik Van Horn
  • Publication number: 20140339311
    Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be rejected, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam over a scan angle across the target, a photodetector for generating an output signal by detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and by concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal to determine a threshold, for processing the output signal by passing the output signal through a filter having a bandwidth, and for rejecting the ambient light signal from the output signal by adjusting the scan angle and/or the bandwidth when the ambient light signal exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giebel, Peter Fazekas, David P. Goren
  • Publication number: 20140339310
    Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be suppressed, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam across the target, a photodetector for detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and for concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal, for processing both the information signal and the ambient light signal in one mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal is below a threshold, and for suppressing the ambient light signal and for processing only the information signal in another mode of operation when the measured ambient light signal at least equals the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Giebel, Peter Fazekas, David P. Goren
  • Patent number: 8881983
    Abstract: A method for decoding decodable indicia includes sensing the polarization of light from a plurality of orientations in connection with the decodable indicia, and controlling at least one of energizing an illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally randomly polarized light, and inhibiting energization of the illumination subsystem based on the sensed polarization indicating a generally linearly polarized light. One or more images are captured, and an attempt is made to decode the decodable indicia using at least one of the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Publication number: 20140319219
    Abstract: A scanning system has a collimated light source and a movable reflective surface. The surface receives light from the light source, reflects the received light to a target surface, receives light reflected from the target surface, and reflects this light to a detector. An aperture disposed between the reflective surface and the target surface has a non-transmissive portion with a width in a direction perpendicular to the laser scan direction that varies over the scan direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Datalogic Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinping Liu, Edward I. Chaleff
  • Publication number: 20140319220
    Abstract: An system contains an image capture device configured to capture an image. The system includes a lighting and exposure mechanism. The system also includes a camera sensor interface with a stat FIFO. The stat FIFO is configured to receive data from the image capture device. When the stat FIFO, during image scanning, receives a pre-determined amount of image data, it fires an interrupt, which times the lighting and exposure mechanism in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Larry Coyle
  • Patent number: 8844812
    Abstract: A scanning device provides illumination with a stand-by color in a stand-by mode and a user color upon approval of payment transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scvngr, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Rivera, John Jannetty, Jonathan Fisher, Harald Prokop, Seth Priebatsch
  • Publication number: 20140239071
    Abstract: A terminal for decoding decodable indicia includes a plenoptic imaging subsystem comprising an image sensor array and plenoptic imaging optics operable to project a plenoptic image of a space containing the decodable indicia onto the image sensor array, a hand held housing encapsulating a least a portion of the plenoptic imaging subsystem, a trigger for initiating operation of the plenoptic imaging subsystem to obtain plenoptic image data of the decodable indicia, and an illumination source for projecting illumination onto the decodable indicia; an aimer for projecting an aimer pattern onto the decodable indicia. The terminal is operable, responsive to detecting that the trigger has been actuated by an operator, to obtain plenoptic image data from the image sensor array, to obtain first rendered image data based on at least a portion of the plenoptic image data, and to attempt to decode the decodable indicia represented in the rendered image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Hennick, William H. Havens, Timothy Meier, Scott McCloskey, Donald Anderson, Ynjiun P. Wang, Robert M. Hussey, Erik Van Horn, Sean P. Kearney
  • Patent number: 8789760
    Abstract: An apparatus includes (1) a first housing for housing therein a barcode reading arrangement and (2) an enclosed space for housing therein a battery configured to power the barcode reading arrangement located outside the enclosed space. The first housing includes a window made from one or more materials that has a lower flaming critical temperature than that of any material for making the enclosed space for housing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darran M. Handshaw, Alan N. Mears
  • Publication number: 20140191037
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-checkout terminal includes a reading unit and a light emitting unit. The reading unit reads commodity information from a commodity held over a reading position. The light emitting unit emits light in a first color to illuminate the reading position and emits light in a second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kaoru Matsuhisa, Toshiyasu Terahara, Yuuki Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8770485
    Abstract: An actuation method of virtual laser barcode scanner, in which a light spot emitted from a laser module is formed into a linear laser beam, after passing through a fixed type refractive lens, for user to align to an one dimension barcode position. When the barcode is been reading, the laser beam is switched off and a linear CCD or linear CMOS receives directly the environmental light reflected from the one dimension barcode so as to finish the barcode reading. If the reading is failed, the laser beam is switched on again. As the ON-OFF of the laser module is faster than the speed of visual persistence of human's eyes, the virtual laser barcode scanner is used as if a conventional laser barcode scanner were used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marson Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth Liou
  • Patent number: 8770483
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Justin Testa, Sateesha Nadabar
  • Publication number: 20140175172
    Abstract: There is set forth herein an indicia reading terminal having a first illumination and exposure control configuration and a second illumination and exposure control configuration, the first illumination and control configuration having a first associated illumination control and a first associated exposure control, the second illumination and exposure control configuration having a second associated illumination control and a second associated exposure control, wherein with the first illumination control active an average energization level of the illumination subsystem during exposure of one or more frames is higher than with the second illumination control active, and wherein with the first exposure control active an average exposure period of the image sensor array is shorter than with the second exposure control active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L JOVANOVSKI, Alexey CHERNYAKOV, Daniel Van VOLKINBURG
  • Publication number: 20140166756
    Abstract: A graphical code reader may include means for capturing an image frame in accordance with a rolling shutter technique, and means for changing illumination while the image frame is being captured in order to perform glare correction. The graphical code reader may also include means for detecting characteristics of glare in a previously captured image frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: George Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler