Means To Decode Multiple Types Or Formats Of Bar Code Symbols (e.g., Upc, Jan, Ean, Etc.) Patents (Class 235/462.07)
  • Patent number: 11928550
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to locate and decode an arranged plurality of barcodes in an image are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining image data representing an image of an environment appearing within a FOV of an imaging device that includes the image sensor, wherein an arranged plurality of barcodes appear in the image. A first subset of the plurality of barcodes is decoded from the image data. One or more parameters representing a predicted arrangement of the plurality of barcodes in the image is determined based upon location information associated with each of the decoded first subset of the plurality of barcodes. Possible locations for respective ones of a second subset of the plurality of barcodes are determined based upon the one or more parameters, and the second subset of the plurality of barcodes are attempted to be decoded from the image data in vicinities of the respective possible locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peizheng Ma, Eugene B. Joseph, Duanfeng He, Miroslav Trajkovic
  • Patent number: 11922266
    Abstract: Systems and method for remotely capturing a barcode and local decoding. The barcode may be captured using a remote imaging sensor. Images captured may be transmitted to a mobile scanner with an incorporated decoder. Additionally, inputs to the mobile scanner may facilitate moving the remote imaging sensor in three-dimensional space. Some embodiments also include a pointer device that may non-destructively mark a position for the remote imaging sensor to target. An image or series of image may be transmitted to the mobile scanner. When an image includes a barcode, the mobile scanner may decode the barcode and provide confirmation feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Piero Fausto Paolo Regard, Pietro Masala, Daniele Roppoli, Davide Frascari, Daniele Fiorini, Dimitri D'Annunzio
  • Patent number: 11915343
    Abstract: Systems and methods for color representation are described. Embodiments of the inventive concept are configured to receive an attribute-object pair including a first term comprising an attribute label and a second term comprising an object label, encode the attribute-object pair to produce encoded features using a neural network that orders the first term and the second term based on the attribute label and the object label, and generate a color profile for the attribute-object pair based on the encoded features, wherein the color profile is based on a compositional relationship between the first term and the second term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ADOBE INC.
    Inventors: Paridhi Maheshwari, Vishwa Vinay, Dhananjay Raut, Nihal Jain, Praneetha Vaddamanu, Shraiysh Vaishay
  • Patent number: 11863897
    Abstract: The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, William H. Havens
  • Patent number: 11755859
    Abstract: A decoding device includes a display, a display buffer to store a current display image of what is currently visually presented on the display, a scanning engine to capture scanning images of objects, and a processor configured to: decode first barcodes carried on surfaces of objects in the scanning images to retrieve first data encoded within the first barcodes; provide the first data to an application routine as input; and in response to a screen capture of the current display image from the display buffer, perform operations including disrupt the decoding of the first barcodes carried on the surfaces of objects of the scanning images, decode a second barcode within the current display image to retrieve second data encoded within the second barcode, and provide the second data to the application routine as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DATALOGIC IP TECH S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Primativo, Marco Donato Torsello, Nicholas Brunetto
  • Patent number: 11758217
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium that include accessing a frame buffer of a graphics processing unit (GPU), analyzing, in the frame buffer of the GPU, a frame representing a section of a stream of displayed data that is being displayed by an apparatus, identifying a reference patch that includes a unique identifier associated with an available area in which secondary digital content is insertable in the displayed data that is being displayed by the apparatus, decoding the encoded data of the unique identifier, retrieving the secondary digital content from the remote device based on the unique identifier, and overlaying the secondary digital content into the displayed data in accordance with the available area, the screen position, and the size identified by the unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MOBEUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dharmendra Etwaru, Michael R. Sutcliff
  • Patent number: 11758218
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium that include accessing a frame buffer of a graphics processing unit (GPU), analyzing, in the frame buffer of the GPU, a frame representing a section of a stream of displayed data that is being displayed by an apparatus, identifying a reference patch that includes a unique identifier associated with an available area in which secondary digital content is insertable in the displayed data that is being displayed by the apparatus, decoding the encoded data of the unique identifier, retrieving the secondary digital content from the remote device based on the unique identifier, and overlaying the secondary digital content into the displayed data in accordance with the available area, the screen position, and the size identified by the unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MOBEUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dharmendra Etwaru, Michael R. Sutcliff
  • Patent number: 11727228
    Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Bruni, Federico Canini, Mattia Fabbri, Stefano Fracassi, Davide Gavioli, Luca Perugini, Simone Spolzino
  • Patent number: 11720763
    Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Eric Trongone, Qing Tu
  • Patent number: 11693612
    Abstract: Example methods, systems, and apparatuses for verifying a printed indicium are provided. An example method may include receiving a captured image of a print media comprising the printed indicium; extracting a quiet zone grade portion from the captured image, where the quiet zone grade portion includes a printed indicium area of the printed indicium and at least one quiet zone area adjacent to the printed indicium area; in response to receiving a user input providing an overwrite quiet zone requirement indication and determining that the at least one quiet zone area does not satisfy at least one quiet zone requirement, causing at least one of adjusting the at least one quiet zone requirement to at least one reduced quiet zone requirement or adding at least one additional quiet zone area to the at least one quiet zone area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kar Boon Oung, WenWei Zhang, Thomas Axel Jonas Celinder, Christian Knut Schulz-Janisch, Kin Song Chan
  • Patent number: 11610375
    Abstract: Modulated display AR tracking systems and methods include a display configured to transmit first image content, the image content comprising a first image content frame and a second image content frame and a device comprising an image sensor, a processor and a memory. The device identifies the first image content frame and the second image content frame by distinguishing at least one feature of the first image content frame. The device recognizes at least one tracking pattern embedded of the second image content frame and retrieves a graphical element based on the at least one tracking pattern of the second image content frame. The device displays augmented image content including the first image content frame and the graphical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MSG Entertainment Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Romaszewicz, Andrew Plourde
  • Patent number: 11609104
    Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a rotor rotating on an axis relative to a stator, including a ferromagnetic target, of substantially ovoid cross section, rotating together with one from among the rotor or the stator, and a sensitive element including a first set of coils that are angularly evenly distributed, rotating together with the other from among the rotor or the stator, the coils being axially arranged in line with the target in order to be able to measure a distance from the target so as to deduce therefrom an angular position of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Guerra
  • Patent number: 11526715
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a code generation method including acquiring, and generating a code. In the acquiring, class information correlated with each of code rankings based on a plurality of different cell configurations is acquired. In the generating, a plurality of codes including the acquired class information are generated based on the cell configurations according to the code rankings. Each of the plurality of codes includes information indicating the presence or absence of a code of a next related ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki Taira
  • Patent number: 11526716
    Abstract: A server is used to receive a barcode generation request sent by an end-user device. The server is used to generate, based on the barcode generation request, at least two pieces of barcode information by using at least two code systems, respectively. The server is used to transmit a barcode generation response to the end-user device, where the barcode generation response includes the at least two pieces of barcode information, where the barcode generation response causes an application running on the end-user device to display on the end-user device, alternately, a respective barcode image corresponding to each piece of the at least two pieces of barcode information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zongwang Hu
  • Patent number: 11483614
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium that include accessing a frame buffer of a graphics processing unit (GPU), analyzing, in the frame buffer of the GPU, a frame representing a section of a stream of displayed data that is being displayed by an apparatus, identifying a reference patch that includes a unique identifier associated with an available area in which secondary digital content is insertable in the displayed data that is being displayed by the apparatus, decoding the encoded data of the unique identifier, retrieving the secondary digital content from the remote device based on the unique identifier, and overlaying the secondary digital content into the displayed data in accordance with the available area, the screen position, and the size identified by the unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MOBEUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dharmendra Etwaru, Michael R. Sutcliff
  • Patent number: 11120236
    Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Eric Trongone, Qing Tu
  • Patent number: 10990769
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of manufacturing are described that provide improved tag identification. An example system includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner that receives a stream of RFID tags each associated with a respective article. The system further includes a first sensor attached to the RFID scanner that generates first positional data and a second sensor positioned separate from the first sensor that generates second positional data. The system also includes a computing device communicably coupled with the RFID scanner, the first sensor, and the second sensor. The computing device receives the stream of RFID tags, receives first positional data from the first sensor, receives second positional data from the second sensor, and determines an intended RFID tag from amongst the stream of RFID tags based upon the first positional data and the second positional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ka Man Au, Charles Joseph Cunningham, IV, Michael J. Wells, Abhay Ravi Chandran, Rodney W. Chinn, Shashidhar Ramamurthy, Christopher T. Bouchat, Rene Martinez, Michael V. Miraglia
  • Patent number: 10970508
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with an image sensor that includes a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining an image of the FOV and applying different decode algorithms to code candidates in the obtained image to attempt to decode the code candidates wherein the decode algorithm applied to each candidate is a function of the location of the code candidate in the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Negro, Xiangyun Ye
  • Patent number: 10896303
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for acquiring an image of a target code, which allows the CMOS sensor, after the reader has been triggered to acquire a target code, to rapidly determine, and internally, a desirable exposure-time value Topt for the image capture of this code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TELEDYNE E2V SEMICONDUCTORS SAS
    Inventors: Thierry Ligozat, Bruno Diasparra, Stéphane Gesset, Gareth Powell
  • Patent number: 10762314
    Abstract: A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a machine-readable indicia representative of a standard code associated with an item. An image sensor may be configured to receive an image of the machine readable indicia. An illumination source may be configured to illuminate an anti-counterfeiting key that, when illuminated by the illumination source, reflects the illumination from the illumination source to be incident on the image sensor. A processing unit may be in electrical communication with the image sensor, and may be configured to decode the standard code of the machine-readable indicia and check validity of the reflected illumination from the anti-counterfeiting key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele Suman, Giulio Berzuini, Maurizio Bianchi
  • Patent number: 10636157
    Abstract: Method and system for calculating a height map of a surface of an object from an image stack in scanning optical 2.5D profiling of the surface by an optical system, a focal plane is scanned at different height positions with respect to the object surface. An image is captured at each height position of the focal plane to form the image stack. The scanning of the focal plane comprises long range sensing and short range sensing a displacement of the focal plane for sensing low and high spatial frequency components. The height position of the focal plane is estimated by combining the low and high spatial frequency components. A height position of each image in the image stack is calculated, based on the estimated height position of each respective focal plane. The images of the image stack are interpolated to equidistant height positions for obtaining a corrected image stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johannes Anna Quaedackers
  • Patent number: 10554881
    Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D imaging system includes multiple imaging sensors with adjustable optics. The adjustable optics are variable to alter the FOV of each of the multiple imaging sensors to improve angular resolution of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Denis Demandolx, Michael Bleyer, Jian Zhao
  • Patent number: 10503946
    Abstract: Approaches and devices for processing a machine-readable link in the event of a failed scan are described. In one example, the processing may alter an image attribute corresponding to each image within the set of images, process the set of images with the altered image attribute to ascertain presence of the machine-readable link; and obtain an operational indication, wherein the operational indication is to aid a user of a computing system for subsequently scanning another machine-readable link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Prashant Asthana, Rajesh Bhatia, Amrenda Kumar
  • Patent number: 10460142
    Abstract: A barcode identification method includes generating a binarization barcode by using a binarization process from a sampled barcode, acquiring a first region from the binarization barcode, acquiring a first narrow element width from the first region, acquiring a second region from the binarization barcode, acquiring a second narrow element width from the second region, generating an extension region by extending the second region when the second narrow element width is smaller than the first narrow element width, generating a plurality of binarization sequences corresponding to the extension region, decoding at least one of the binarization sequences for generating at least one decoded sequence by using a lookup table, and verifying the at least one decoded sequence for generating a verified sequence by using a checksum code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventor: Jun-Hao Kuo
  • Patent number: 10408950
    Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a fiber optic member including optical fibers, and transmitting an optical image from an input end face to an output end face, an imaging device including pixels, imaging the optical image from the output end face, and outputting an image, and an image processing device performing flat field correction of a fixed pattern noise for the image from the imaging device. The image processing device sets a first switching point of the correction on the basis of a noise peak point, performs the flat field correction in a case where output intensity from an object pixel of the image is lower than first switching intensity at the first switching point, and does not perform the correction in a case where the output intensity is higher than the first switching intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Kenta Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10373008
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to biometric analysis systems including one or more illumination sources configured to provide dim illumination to a scene including an object and configured to provide flash illumination to the object in the scene. The biometric analysis systems include a rolling shutter camera configured to capture one or more images. The biometric analysis systems include an adaptive trigger module configured to analyze the scene to detect the object in the scene during dim illumination of the scene, determine a position in a frame of the rolling shutter camera that coincides with the detected object in the scene, and arrange a delay between a start of image writing by the rolling shutter camera and a trigger of the one or more illumination sources such that a stripe of the flash illumination coincides with the detected object in the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Princeton Identity, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Ackerman, James R. Bergen, Barry E. Mapen, Steven N. Perna
  • Patent number: 10365382
    Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a fiber optic member including optical fibers, and transmitting an optical image from an input end face to an output end face, an imaging device including pixels, imaging the optical image from the output end face, and outputting an image, and an image processing device performing flat field correction of a fixed pattern noise for the image from the imaging device. The image processing device sets a first switching point of the correction on the basis of a noise peak point, performs the flat field correction in a case where output intensity from an object pixel of the image is lower than first switching intensity at the first switching point, and does not perform the correction in a case where the output intensity is higher than the first switching intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Kenta Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10299721
    Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: AccuVein, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Wood, Ron Goldman, Stephen P Conlon, Vincent Luciano
  • Patent number: 10270921
    Abstract: In an image analyzing apparatus, a controller acquires target image data representing a target image having a code image. The code image includes N number of code elements arranged in a first direction. N is an integer equal to or greater than 2. Each of the N number of code elements has two first sides parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The controller specifies outline pixels configuring respective outlines of the respective N number of code elements from. The controller specifies a target inclination by analyzing the outline pixels. The target inclination indicates an inclination of the N number of code elements in the target image. The controller specifies a distance between two first sides of each of N number of code elements. The controller determines a representation form of the code image using the distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryohei Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10248896
    Abstract: An optical code reader includes centralized decoding circuitry communicatively couplable to an expandable set of camera modules placed at spaced-apart locations of the optical code reader. A number of and locations for members of the expandable set of camera modules establish application-specific and scalable read zone coverage formed from multiple fields of view of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Datalogic USA, Inc.
    Inventors: WenLiang Gao, Alan Shearin
  • Patent number: 10238294
    Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AccuVein, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Wood, Ron Goldman, Stephen P Conlon, Vincent Luciano
  • Patent number: 10210370
    Abstract: A system and method for partite optically readable codes are provided. The method includes: scanning at least one component of the partite optically readable code, wherein the partite optically readable code comprises of at least two components; determining whether the remaining components of the partite optically readable code are accessible; combining all the components of the partite optically readable code; and decoding the partite optically readable code. The system includes: a scanning module configured to retrieve a component of a partite optically readable code, wherein the partite optically readable code comprises at least two components; and a code module configured to receive the component from the scanning module, the code module further configured to determine whether the remaining components of the partite optically readable code are accessible, to combine the components of the partite optically readable code, and to decode the partite optically readable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: D2L Corporation
    Inventor: Jeremy Auger
  • Patent number: 10162433
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an optical navigation apparatus with defocused image compensation function and a compensation circuit thereof. The optical navigation apparatus comprises a light source, an image sensing circuit and a compensation circuit. The light source is configured to illuminate a work surface. The image sensing circuit captures a first image related to the work surface. The compensation circuit is configured to transform the first image and a point spread function of the light source into a first conversion result and a second conversion result in frequency domain, respectively, and then transform a result multiplied by the first conversion result and a reciprocal of the second conversion result from frequency domain to time domain to generate a second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Guo-Zhen Wang, Hsuan-Ku Chen
  • Patent number: 10151908
    Abstract: This image acquisition device comprises: a specimen stage on which a specimen as a target of image acquisition is to be mounted; a micro-use light source having a light emitting device and a heat dissipator for dissipating heat generated by the light emitting device, and emitting light to the specimen; an objective arranged so as to be opposed to the specimen on the stage, as a light-guide optical system for guiding an optical image of the specimen; a micro image acquisition unit configured to capture the optical image of the specimen thus guided; and a micro-use light source controller configured to control the light emitting device so as to implement the emission of light by the micro-use light source, during a standby period between image acquisition periods of capturing optical images of a plurality of specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Yasumoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10133037
    Abstract: An optical path folding element includes an incident surface, a path folding surface and an exiting surface. The incident surface allows a light ray to pass into the optical path folding element. The path folding surface folds the light ray from the incident surface. The exiting surface allows the light ray to pass through and depart from the optical path folding element. At least one of the incident surface and the exiting surface includes an optical effective portion and at least one engaging structure symmetrically disposed around the optical effective portion. The engaging structure includes an annular surface portion and an inclined surface portion. The annular surface portion surrounds the optical effective portion, and the inclined surface portion is located between the annular surface portion and the optical effective portion. An angle between the annular surface portion and the inclined surface portion satisfies a specific condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 10102463
    Abstract: In a two-dimensional code generation device (100), a white point determiner (111) determines a white point in an environment to output a two-dimensional code. A threshold acquirer (112) acquires a threshold of lightness used by a reading device for reading multiple cells in binary, the threshold being represented in a device-independent color space that is based on the white point determined by the white point determiner (111). A two-dimensional code generator (113) generates a two-dimensional code expressing information by a distribution pattern of multiple cell dots formed by coloring the multiple cells in a color of lightness equal to or higher than the threshold acquired by the threshold acquirer (112) and in a color of lightness lower than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: A.T Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Toyoizumi, Youichi Azuma, Toshiki Nishiyama, Takuji Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 10017115
    Abstract: A trailer monitoring system is provided herein. The system includes an imager configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to the vehicle. The imager is configured separate the images into a first portion and a second portion. A display is configured to display the first portion of images. A controller is configured to analyze the second portion of images, adjust an image capture setting of the imager based on a status input, and modify each image in the second portion to increase the size of the imaged target relative to the total size of the captured image to determine at least one trailer related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 9929906
    Abstract: A network accessible node facilitates management of a fleet of portable communication devices (EIR terminal), including portable data terminals and/or barcode readers, by directing performance of software upgrade and/or configuration update actions by one or more members of the fleet of EIR terminals. The node can be configured for use in managing the reprogramming of the one or more EIR terminals. In one embodiment, the node can be disposed in a common local facility and connected to a common local area network with the at least one EIR terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kosecki, Aldo Mario Caballero
  • Patent number: 9911023
    Abstract: An indicia reader that utilizes its image sensor for more than one function is disclosed. The image sensor's functionality is derived by designating areas on the image sensor according to function and then filtering the light focused onto each area according to the area's particular function. The data (i.e., pixel information) from each area may then be processed accordingly to facilitate a variety of functions such as image capture and object detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Erik Van Horn
  • Patent number: 9854212
    Abstract: A projection system includes first and second illumination sources and a homogenizer component. The first illumination source has a first numerical aperture value. The second illumination source has a second numerical aperture value lower than the first numerical aperture value. The homogenizer component on the illumination path is configured to receive light from both the first and second illumination sources. A projection lens in the imagining path is configured to receive an image data stream that includes a sequence of image frames having an image frame period. The first and second illumination sources are configured for modulation at a rate equivalent to the image frame period. One or more active irises may perform the modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Peter Lude, David A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9794532
    Abstract: A projector control apparatus that causes plural projectors to collectively project an image by individually projecting a different one of segment images into which the image is divided, the apparatus including: a spatial distribution information obtaining unit which obtains information indicating a distribution of one or more viewers that view the image in a space where the projectors are mounted; a mode selecting unit which selects, using the information indicating the distribution of the one or more viewers, one of modes including (i) a first mode in which a width of a projection area is a first width and (ii) a second mode in which the width of the projection area is a second width larger than the first width; and a projector control unit which changes arrangement of the segment images by controlling each of projection directions according to the mode selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9792477
    Abstract: An array of pixels of a solid-state imaging sensor having a rolling shutter is sequentially exposed to capture images from an illuminated DPM target over successive frames for image capture by an imaging reader. The DPM target is illuminated at an elevated output power level for a fractional time period of a frame, and is not illuminated for at least a portion of a remaining time period of the frame for increased energy efficiency. Only a sub-array of the pixels is exposed during the fractional time period in which the DPM target is being illuminated at the elevated output power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Duanfeng He, Eugene B. Joseph
  • Patent number: 9773142
    Abstract: A system for selectively reading code symbols includes a code-symbol-capturing subsystem for acquiring information about code symbols within the code-symbol-capturing subsystem's field of view. The system also includes a code-symbol-decoding processor that detects a marked region of interest within the code-symbol-capturing subsystem's field of view. After initialization, the code-symbol-decoding processor decodes only those code symbols falling within the marked region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Rueblinger, Kevin Saber, David Wilz, Erik Van Horn, Kamal Azoqa, Malcolm Gillespie
  • Patent number: 9756215
    Abstract: An array of pixels of a solid-state imaging sensor having a rolling shutter is sequentially exposed to capture images from an illuminated target over successive frames for image capture by an imaging reader. The target is illuminated at a peak output power level for a fractional time period of a frame, and is not illuminated for at least a portion of a remaining time period of the frame for increased energy efficiency. Only a sub-array of the pixels is exposed during the fractional time period in which the target is being illuminated at the first output power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Gurevich, David P. Goren
  • Patent number: 9747473
    Abstract: Marking comprising on a surface: a first pattern for coding a first numerical information item on said surface, the first pattern comprising a specific arrangement of a plurality of symbols belonging to a set of symbols, each symbol in the arrangement being intended for the coding of a portion of said numerical information item, each symbol including at least one differential pair of elements positioned in a specific way, each element having a parameter, the parameter of the first element of each differential pair having a first value and the parameter of the second element of each differential pair having a second value different from the first value, a second pattern for coding a second numerical information item on said surface, wherein the first and second pattern are adapted to be read under corresponding distinct first and second reading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Eric Decoux, Patrick Bovey
  • Patent number: 9734376
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for decoding symbology that contains a respective data set using multiple image frames of the symbol, wherein at least some of those frames can have differing image parameters (for example orientation, lens zoom, aperture, etc.) so that combining the frames with an illustrative multiple image application allows the most-readable portions of each frame to be stitched together. And unlike prior systems which may select one “best” image, the illustrative system method allows this stitched image to form a complete, readable image of the underlying symbol. In an illustrative embodiment the system and method includes an imaging assembly that acquires multiple image frames of the symbol in which some of those image frames have discrete, differing image parameters from others of the frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sateesha Nadabar
  • Patent number: 9582703
    Abstract: A code reading device is equipped with a region extracting unit 2, which divides a photographed image of a bar code into a plurality of horizontal areas, and extracts readable regions from the horizontal areas respectively, and a region coupling unit 4, which couples the extracted regions to restore the whole bar code. Even if an unreadable portion occurs in a part of the bar code, a plurality of readable regions are extracted as parts of the barcode and those regions are coupled to restore a bar code the entirety of which can be read. Consequently, it is possible to accurately read a bar code having dirt or containment of illumination light partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: WingArc1st Inc.
    Inventors: Ko Shimazawa, Kenta Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9576173
    Abstract: A trigger assembly including a cylindrical pivot shaft having a pivot-shaft longitudinal axis; a trigger key having a front face, a back face opposite the front face, an actuator extending from the back face, and a trigger-key longitudinal axis, wherein the a first end on the of the trigger key has a plurality of through holes arranged to receive the cylindrical pivot shaft; a trigger-key support having an aperture for the actuator to pass through, the trigger-key support further having a plurality of pivot-shaft supports, wherein each pivot-shaft support includes a concave surface configured to receive the cylindrical pivot shaft; and a trigger bezel having a plurality of substantially flat surfaces positioned to constrain the pivot shaft in opposition to the plurality of pivot-shaft supports, wherein the substantially flat surfaces are located at different positions along the pivot-shaft longitudinal axis than are the pivot-shaft supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yanmin Mao
  • Patent number: 9578269
    Abstract: The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, William H. Havens
  • Patent number: 9553214
    Abstract: A positioning method of a photoelectric conversion device (an imaging device) includes irradiating an optical member with light and receiving light which passes through an opening of a light shielding member and the optical member with the photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device is moved in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical member and a first position at which the photoelectric conversion device detects a side of an opening and a second position at which the photoelectric conversion device detects another side opposing the side are acquired. A position of the photoelectric conversion device at which a center of the opening and a center position of the photoelectric conversion device are aligned based on the first position and the second position is determined. The photoelectric conversion device is fixed at the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ide, Hideyuki Kataoka, Hiroyuki Kobayashi