2-d Bar Code Patents (Class 235/462.09)
  • Patent number: 7762464
    Abstract: Electro-optical reading failure to read indicia due to specular reflection in the return light captured by a solid-state imager is prevented. An illuminator illuminates the indicia during reading with illumination light directed from an illuminating light source. In one embodiment, a controller is operative for detecting saturation in a captured image, and for reducing an intensity of the illumination light upon detection of the saturation. In another embodiment, the controller captures the return light in successive frames, and causes the illumination light to illuminate the indicia only during some of the frames. In yet another embodiment, the controller turns the illumination light on and off at a flash rate, and signals a user by changing the flash rate upon detection of the saturation to move a housing that supports the imager, illuminator and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Goren, Vladimir Gurevich
  • Patent number: 7757955
    Abstract: A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object features: a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code; an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position. Each camera assembly includes a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing a field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array. One or more processors prioritize an order of image capture or interpretation based upon user tendencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Barkan
  • Patent number: 7753271
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for an Internet-based network configured for facilitating rapid re-labeling of a shipment of packages at the first scanning point in the Internet-based network. The network employs the capture of shipping document images and recognition-processing thereof initiated from the point of shipment pickup and completed while the shipment is being transported to the first scanning point. Shipping information extracted from the original shipping document is extracted from the shipping document images and stored in a DBMS. At the first scanning point, the shipping tracking number encoded within the original shipping document or original shipping label on the package in the shipment is used to access shipping information stored in the DBMS, and this shipping information is used to generate a new shipping label for each package in the shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Metrologic Instruments, Inc., Fedex Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Cameron Dee Dryden, Jeffrey Robert Smith, Robert Russell Rhodes, Jr., Wayne Luke Gordon, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20100170951
    Abstract: This patent describes an alternative form of user interface for operating a device such as a camera comprising a card which is inserted in a machine. On the face of the card is contained a visual representation of the effect the card will have on the output of the machine. Preferably the camera device is capable of transforming a sensed image substantially in accordance with the transformation of a standard image comprising the visual representation and the transformation of the sensed image is printed out on the printer. Alternatively the machine comprises a book reader and the card includes a book's content for display by the book reader as indicated by the visual representation on the front of the card. On one surface of the card, the visual representation of the effect is displayed, and on a second surface, an optically encoded representation of the effect able to be read by a sensing device of the machine and decoded so as to produce the effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7735737
    Abstract: An Automatically-triggered digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system providing a high degree of adaptability to ambient illumination levels and having great dynamic range. The system includes an illumination subsystem, having an active illumination mode and an ambient illumination mode. During object illumination and image capturing operations, the exposure quality of a captured frames of digital video image data is analyzed, and based on the results of such exposure quality analysis, system control parameters (SCPs) are automatically reconfigured. In the event that the exposure quality analysis indicates excessive exposure levels in captured frames of digital video image data, then a new set of SCPs is reconfigured, controlling the illumination subsystem to operate in its ambient illumination mode, whereby, ambient illumination is allowed to flood the field of view and form digital images on the image detection array during object illumination and video-imaging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 7731091
    Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging module for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging module includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs, wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite illumination field that is at least substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Michael Veksland, Mark Hernandez, John Gardner, Steven Essinger, Patrick Giordano, Sean Kearney, Mark Schmidt, John A. Furlong, Nicholas Ciarlante, Yong Liu, Jie Ren, Xi Tao, JiBin Liu, Ming Zhuo, Duane Ellis
  • Patent number: 7712666
    Abstract: An automatic automatically-triggered digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing an adaptive control process involving the real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured frames of digital image data and the real-time reconfiguration of system control parameters (SCPs) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis. By virtue of the present invention, the system enables the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, under demanding point-of-sale lighting conditions and other challenging environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 7699227
    Abstract: An optical reader comprising: an image sensor array for converting light from a target into output signals representative thereof, the image sensor array having a centerline; a processor for decoding a machine readable symbology within the target derived from the output signals; receive optics for directing light from the target to the image sensor, the optics having a receive optics optical axis, wherein the image sensor array and receive optics are configured such that the centerline is not coincident with the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, William H. Havens
  • Patent number: 7695608
    Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor and a biosensor measuring device. The electrochemical biosensor includes a plurality of electrodes, capillary sample cell portions, reaction reagent layers, electrode connection portions, and a production lot information identification portion. The production lot information identification portion is configured such that the production lot information is recorded thereon has one or more infrared absorption/reflection marks, which indicate information about differences between production lots through the printing and/or attachment of colored or colorless materials, having differences in absorbency or reflectivity of infrared rays, in conformity of a predetermined pattern or through the attachment of transparent films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: i-SENS, Inc.
    Inventors: Keun Ki Kim, Jae Hyun Yoo, Gang Cui, Moon Hwan Kim, Hakhyun Nam, Geun Sig Cha
  • Publication number: 20100084470
    Abstract: Described is a technology in which a two-dimensional barcode symbol (e.g., a QR CodeĀ®) is located within an image by looking for angular signatures that indicate a high density of generally vertical and/or horizontal angles. An image is divided into blocks of pixels. Angles are associated with each pixel, forming an angular signature for the block based on how many pixels are associated with each angle. The angular signatures indicate which blocks have pixels associated with mostly generally vertical and/or horizontal angles. A region with the largest number of blocks having such angular signatures is determined, and a bounding box for the barcode symbol grown from that region block by evaluating nearby blocks to find the outermost blocks that contain the barcode symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Scott, Wei Jiang, Jonathan Tien
  • Patent number: 7686225
    Abstract: A wireless code symbol reading system including a wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader in two-way RF communication with a base station operably connected to a host system, by way of an RF-based wireless data communication link having a predetermined RF communication range over which two-way communication of data packets can occur. The wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader is programmed to automatically detect when it is located inside and outside of the predetermined RF communication range. When the wireless reader is inside the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically transmitted to the base station, and when the wireless reader is located outside of the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically collected and stored in a data packet buffer, until the wireless reader has re-entered its RF communication range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Garrett Russell, David M. Wilz, Sr., Robert Blake, Donald T. Hudrick, Stephen J. Colavito, C. Harry Knowles, George Rockstein, Xiaoxun Zhu, John Bonanno, Sung Byun, Congwei Xu, Min Jiang, Lin Wang, Meng Hu, Hongjian Jin, MingQing Ji, Shamei Shi, Ka Man Au, Patrick Giordano
  • Patent number: 7681799
    Abstract: A method of reading code symbols using a digital image capture and processing system which includes: an image formation and detection subsystem; an illumination subsystem; an illumination control subsystem; a digital image processing subsystem; and an input/output subsystem; and a system control subsystem. In the illustrative embodiment, a micro-computing platform implements the digital image processing subsystem, the input/output subsystem and the system control subsystem. The micro-computing platform includes a microprocessor, a memory architecture, and a multi-tier modular software architecture responsive to the generation of a triggering event within the system. Triggering events can be generated by an automatic object detector or by a manually actuated trigger switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky
  • Patent number: 7677457
    Abstract: Described is a method and system for barcode decoding. The method comprises receiving an input signal corresponding to a reflection of light from a bar code. The input signal is divided into a predetermined number of segments. Each segment includes a plurality of samples. Each of the segments is represented using at least one of the samples therefrom. At least one sample from each segment is analyzed to determine a location the bar code within the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dariusz Madej
  • Patent number: 7673802
    Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having vertical housing section provided with an imaging window, and containing at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window, so that the area-type illumination and imaging zones intersect within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. And a control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging stations during system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7673807
    Abstract: A multiple resolution readable color array printed for labeling or displayed electronically achieves readable data at multiple optical resolutions. The array has a hierarchy of cells, where cells at a lower level of resolution include spatially adjacent smaller cells at a higher level of resolution. Colors are encoded in redundant cells within the hierarchy so that overall color assigned to a lower resolution cell depends on the colors encoded in the included data cells at a higher resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Guy Adams, Jason S. Aronoff
  • Patent number: 7669769
    Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7661596
    Abstract: A self-configuring verifier for performing standardized evaluation and verification of the print quality of a data carrying graphical symbol is structured with a plurality of illumination sources and at least one imaging device. The verifier is capable of automatically determining the symbology of the graphical symbol to be evaluated, and establish a pre-defined illumination pattern and possibly other settings, as required, to satisfy pre-defined evaluation standards. Once the illumination pattern is established and setup is complete, the verifier may fully evaluate and report on the quality of at least one data carrying graphical symbol imaged by the imaging device of the verifier. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Webscan, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn S. Spitz, George Wright, IV
  • Patent number: 7661597
    Abstract: A coplanar laser illumination and imaging subsystem deployable in an image capturing and processing system, and including an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having an image sensing array and optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the image sensing array, and forming an image of an object within the FOV and detecting said image on the image sensing array and producing a digital image thereof. The system includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem having an array of VLDs for producing a visible illumination beam, and an array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (LDs) for producing an invisible illumination beam. The visible and invisible illumination beams spatially overlaps and spatially/temporally intermixes with each other to produce a composite spectrally-mixed illumination beam having a relative power ratio of visible illumination to invisible illumination (VIS/IR), and is substantially coplanar with the FOV of said image sensing array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Michael Veksland, Mark Hernandez, John Gardner, Steven Essinger, Patrick Giordano, Sean Kearney, Mark Schmidt, John Furlong, Nicholas Ciarlante, Yong Liu, Jie Ren, Xi Tao, JiBin Liu, Ming Zhuo, Duane Ellis
  • Patent number: 7658331
    Abstract: A checkout device which can be gripped for carrying, installation, and removal. The checkout device includes a generally L-shaped housing including a first housing portion suited to placement within a checkout counter, and a second housing portion mounted above the first housing portion and suited to extending above the checkout counter. The first and second housing portions include a barcode reader for sending scanning light beams from a first aperture in the first housing portion and a second aperture in the second housing portion to form a multi-line scan pattern. The second housing portion has a rear surface including a hand grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Peter B. Barron
  • Patent number: 7654461
    Abstract: An automatic automatically-triggered digital video imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing an adaptive control process involving the real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured frames of digital image data and the real-time reconfiguration of system control parameters (SCPs) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis. By virtue of the present invention, the system enables the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, under demanding point-of-sale lighting conditions and other challenging environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc,
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Mikhail Veksland, Xiaoxun Zhu, Mark Meagher, Timothy Good, Richard Hou, Daniel Hu
  • Publication number: 20100012729
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce a processing time and make a printed image look better in appearance in processing of printing a two-dimensional code again. In order to achieve the above-described object, an apparatus according to the present invention includes decoding unit for decoding a non-upright two-dimensional code in a manuscript image, and synthesis unit for creating a two-dimensional code by using information obtained by the decoding, to synthesize the two-dimensional code in an upright state onto the manuscript image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirochika Sato
  • Patent number: 7648072
    Abstract: A two-dimensional-code detection system includes a reading unit, a recognizing unit, a calculating unit and a position specifying unit. The reading unit reads an image including plural two-dimensional codes. The recognizing unit recognizes position detection patterns of the respective two-dimensional codes from the read image, which includes the plural two-dimensional codes. The calculating unit that selects at least two of the position detection patterns of the two-dimensional codes. The calculating unit calculates a minimum unit forming each of the selected position detection patterns. The position specifying unit judges whether or not the minimum units forming the selected at least two position detection patterns are substantially equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Yada
  • Patent number: 7637433
    Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system comprising an illumination measurement subsystem for measuring the level of illumination at a particular region of the field of view (FOV) of the system during object illumination and imaging operations, and producing and storing an illumination measure for achieving a desired spatial intensity in a digital image to be formed and detected by the image formation and detection subsystem. An illumination control subsystem uses the illumination measure to control a LED-based illumination array during object illumination and imaging operations. A programmed image processor supports an image-processing based illumination metering program, as well as processes digital images formed and detected by the image formation and detection subsystem so as to read or acquire information graphically represented in the digital images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky
  • Patent number: 7637432
    Abstract: An automatic code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic object motion detection and illumination control, and digital video image capturing and processing techniques, which ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments, while providing versatility required to accommodate the different ways in which human operators present objects for code symbol reading at POS environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Michael Veksland, Xiaoxun Zhu, Mark Meagher, Timothy Good, Richard Hou, Daniel Hu
  • Patent number: 7628331
    Abstract: Described is a method and system for optimizing scanner performance. The method comprises obtaining a digitized representation of a bar code, estimating a set of parameters from the digitized representation, adjusting a scan angle as a function of at least one parameter in the set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dariusz Madej
  • Patent number: 7628330
    Abstract: Systems, methods and storage mediums are disclosed for processing image data and associated two-dimensional barcodes for decreased data storage requirements and increased data transfer capabilities. Image data of a document may be obtained, processed, and rendered into a barcode including image data from which the document may be substantially reproduced. The barcode may be incorporated into a reproduction of the document. The amount of data associated with the reproduction of the document may be decreased by reducing the resolution of the reproduction, thereby allowing for decreased data storage requirements and increased data transfer capabilities. The amount of data may also be decreased by reducing the area of the reproduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7624926
    Abstract: A hand-supportable digital-imaging based system for reading bar code symbols involving: automatically detecting the presence of an object within a field of view FOV of the system, and in response thereto, automatically generating an image cropping zone (ICZ) framing pattern and projecting the ICZ framing pattern within the FOV and onto the detected object; visually aligning the code symbol on the detected object, within the ICZ framing pattern; manually actuating a trigger switch when the code symbol on the object is located within the ICZ framing pattern, and while the ICZ framing pattern and a field of illumination are being simultaneously projected onto the object during object illumination operations, forming and capturing a digital image of the code symbol on the detected object; automatically cropping the image pixels contained within the spatial boundaries of the ICZ framing pattern, from the pixels of the digital image; and decode processing the cropped image so as to read one or more 1D and/or 2D cod
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky
  • Patent number: 7624928
    Abstract: A method of creating a tag, the method including: reading, over a first region of a surface of an individual piece, a characteristic having randomness distributed over the surface of the individual piece and converting image information indicative of the read characteristic of the first region into individual piece information peculiar to the individual piece; forming an individual piece information image indicative of the individual piece information on the surface of the individual piece while using a second region having a predetermined range including the first region as a non-image forming region; and creating the tag, which is to be affixed to an article, from the individual piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kimura, Tadashi Shimizu, Kensuke Ito, Shinichi Yada
  • Patent number: 7611063
    Abstract: An automatically-activated code symbol reading system includes a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture through which a field of view (FOV) passes; and an automatically-activated bar code symbol reading mechanism for repeatedly reading code symbols on an object in the FOV, within a predetermined time period, and in response to each new successful reading of the code symbols, producing a new symbol character data string representative of the read code symbol. A system control subsystem (i) automatically activates the automatically-activated bar code symbol reading mechanism in response to the detection of the object in at least a portion of the FOV, and (ii) automatically activates the data transmission circuit in response to the generation of the data transmission control activation signal so that a symbol character data string, produced currently with or immediately subsequent to the activation of the manually-activatable data transmission switch, is transmitted to a host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Wilz, Sr., George B. Rockstein, Robert E. Blake, Mark Schmidt, Garrett Russell, Donald T. Hudrick, Stephen J. Colavito, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 7611062
    Abstract: An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having horizontal and vertical housing sections. The horizontal housing section has a horizontal imaging window, and contains (ii) a first plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a first group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the horizontal imaging window, and (ii) at least one area-type illumination and imaging station disposed in the horizontal housing section for generating and projecting an area-type illumination and imaging zone through the horizontal imaging window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Timothy Good, Xiaoxun Zhu, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7607581
    Abstract: A digital imaging-based code symbol reading system having a set of standard features and functions, and a set of custom features and functionalities that satisfy customized end-user application requirements. The system includes a housing having a light transmission window, a digital camera subsystem, a digital image processing subsystem, an input/output subsystem, a system control system, and a computing platform. The computing platform includes (i) memory for storing pieces of original product code written by the original designers of said digital image capture and processing system, and (ii) a microprocessor for running one or more applications by calling and executing pieces of said original product code in a particular sequence, so as support a set of standard features and functions which characterize a standard behavior of said digital image capture and processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 7604175
    Abstract: A method of reading bar code symbols using a digital-imaging based code symbol reading system employing an event-driven multi-tier modular software architecture and supporting automatic operating system login and loading of a bar code symbol reading application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Sankar Ghosh, Michael Schnee, Pasqual Spatafore, Thomas Amundsen, Sung Byun, Mark Schmidt, Garrett Russell, John Bonanno, C. Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 7600685
    Abstract: An XML system (10) configured to print bar code labels, tags, tickets, cards, or other media, and/or encode RFID devices embedded in media, based upon an extensible markup language (XML) input data stream. The XML system includes a computer system (12) operatively coupled to a network (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce Alleshouse
  • Patent number: 7597262
    Abstract: Mobile communication or computing devices, and methods and systems for the operation of mobile communication devices; each involving a binary code in square form which has been encoded with binary data arrayed within the square form, whereby the code in square form includes at least one border not including binary data, but including code size indication data in the form of a repetitive sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Hao Wang, Yanming Zou, Jari Kangas
  • Patent number: 7594613
    Abstract: The 2-dimensional code formation method of this invention comprises: a process of specifying the code size for 2-dimensional code; a process of specifying storage information to be written in the 2-dimensional code; a process of setting the cell size for the unit cell of the 2-dimensional code; a process of specifying the dot step size or the number of dots n x m (where n and m are natural numbers) arranged vertically and horizontally inside the unit cell; a process of creating laser-marking information based on the code size, storage information, cell size and step size or number of dots; and a process of performing laser marking of the 2-dimensional code based on that laser-marking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Arai Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Sato, Mitsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7594609
    Abstract: An automatic digital video image capture and processing system supporting image-processing based code symbol reading during a pass-through mode of system operation at a retail point of sale (POS) station. The system comprises an automatic object direction detection subsystem, disposed in its housing, as well as an illumination subsystem, an image formation and detection subsystem, an automatic illumination control subsystem, a digital image capturing and buffering subsystem, a digital image processing subsystem, and a system control subsystem. During system operation, the automatic object direction detection subsystem automatically detects the presence and direction of movement of the object in the field of view (FOV), and in response thereto, generates a first signal indicating a triggering event and a second signal indicating the direction of movement of the object with respect to the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Mikhail Veksland, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 7588188
    Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system including an image formation and detection (IFD) subsystem having a linear image sensing array and optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear image sensing array. A spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem produces a first field of visible laser illumination produced from an array of visible VLDs, and a second field of invisible laser illumination produced from an array of IR laser diodes (LDs) that spatially overlap and intermix with each other so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam which is substantially with the FOV of the linear image sensing array. An illumination control subsystem controls the spectral mixing of visible and invisible laser illumination produced from the spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem, by adaptively controlling the relative power ratio (VIS/IR) of said fields of visible and invisible laser illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Michael Veksland, Mark Hernandez, John Gardner, Steven Essinger, Patrick Giordano, Sean Kearney, Mark Schmidt, John Furlong, Nicholas Ciarlante, Yong Liu, Jie Ren, Xi Tao, JiBin Liu, Ming Zhuo, Duane Ellis
  • Patent number: 7584891
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical codes, e.g., DataMatrix bar codes, of enhanced security and readability and a process for printing one. These codes are comprised of a perimeter finder pattern providing a target area and a pattern of symbology defining a data field in fixed position relative to the target area. Preferably, at least a portion of the optical code so defined is printed in a black fluorescent ink in order to enhance the signal to noise ratio in the environment of other visible, monochrome printing. The invention simplifies the detection of the machine-readable symbology for reading by optical code reader and provides enhanced security features. The image is a covert composite of a visible light readable and a fluorescent image. If fluorescent image is not detected or does not match a reference image, then it can be rejected as an unauthentic, e.g., simple copy image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Judith D. Auslander, Robert A. Cordery
  • Patent number: 7581680
    Abstract: An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system housing having a horizontal housing section and a vertical housing section. The horizontal housing section has a horizontal imaging window, and contains a first plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a first group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the horizontal imaging window. The vertical housing section has a vertical imaging window, and contains a second plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting second group of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the vertical imaging window, which intersect and cooperate with the first complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the horizontal and vertical imaging windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7575167
    Abstract: A method employing automated real-time analysis of the exposure quality of captured digital images and automated reconfiguration of system control parameters (relating to illumination and exposure control operations) based on the results of such exposure quality analysis, so as to achieve improved system functionality and/or performance in diverse environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 7575170
    Abstract: A method of illuminating objects using adaptively controlled mixing of spectral illumination energy to form and detect digital images of objects at POS environments with sufficiently high image contrast and quality. The method comprises providing, at a POS environment, a digital image capture and processing system having a system housing with an imaging window, and a coplanar illumination and imaging station disposed within said system housing, for projecting a coplanar illumination and imaging plane through the imaging window into an imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. As the object is moved through the imaging volume, its motion is automatically detected, and signals indicative of said detected object are generated. In response to the generated signals, a first field of visible illumination is produced from an array of visible laser diodes (VLDs), simultaneously with a second field of invisible illumination from a array of infrared (IR) laser diodes (LDs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Michael Veksland, Mark Hernandez, John Gardner, Steven Essinger, Patrick Giordano, Sean Kearney, Mark Schmidt, John Furlong, Nicholas Ciarlante, Yong Liu, Jie Ren, Xi Tao, JiBin Liu, Ming Zhuo, Duane Ellis
  • Patent number: 7571860
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading optical information including a photosensitive system oriented to capture optical information. Also included is an optical system focusing optical information onto the photosensitive system, and a display oriented to display optical information captured by the photosensitive system. The apparatus also includes a portable, hand-held housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Durbin
  • Patent number: 7571859
    Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystem for producing a plurality of coplanar linear illumination and imaging planes which intersect within a 3D imaging volume defined relative to an imaging window. The system further includes a global object motion detection subsystem for detecting the motion of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume, and a global control subsystem for controlling the state of operations within each coplanar illumination and imaging station during system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7568625
    Abstract: A method of reading bar code symbols comprising the steps of: (a) projecting an image cropping zone (ICZ) framing pattern within the FOV of an image sensing array during wide-area illumination and image capturing operation; (b) visually aligning an object to be imaged within the ICZ framing pattern; (c) forming and capturing an wide-area image of the entire FOV, which spatially encompasses the ICZ framing pattern aligned about the object to be imaged; (d) using automatic software-based image cropping algorithm to automatically crop the pixels within the spatial boundaries defined by the ICZ framing pattern, from those pixels contained in the entire wide-area image frame captured during step (c); and (e) automatically decode processing the image represented by the cropped image pixels in the ICZ framing pattern so as to read a 1D or 2D bar code symbol graphically represented therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Metpologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Sankar Ghosh, Michael Schnee, Pasqual Spatafore, Thomas Amundsen, Sung Byun, Mark Schmidt, Garrett Russell, John Bonanno, C. Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 7568626
    Abstract: An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in a POS environment, comprising a system having a horizontal housing section, installable within a countertop surface at the POS environment, and supporting at least two area-type illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting at least two area-type illumination and imaging zones within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to system housing. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates motion data representative of detected object motion within the 3D imaging volume. A control subsystem, responsive to the object motion detection subsystem, automatically controls operations within the area-type illumination and imaging stations during system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7562823
    Abstract: A printing device has a print head which operates according to the inkjet principle and a control device which actuates the print head for producing a two-dimensional barcode. The barcode contains a matrix composed of a plurality of image fields. The barcode contains at least one first image field which is printed with a plurality of image points by the print head and at least one second image field which is substantially unprinted. The control device is configured for converting barcode data which define the position and size of the image fields into actuating signals for the print head. The control device is configured for converting the barcode data into actuating signals for the print head in such a way that at least one first image field is printed with a lower number of image points than corresponds to the barcode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventor: Raimund Nisius
  • Patent number: 7559472
    Abstract: This patent describes an alternative form of user interface for operating a device such as a camera comprising a card which is inserted in a machine. On the face of the card is contained a visual representation of the effect the card will have on the output of the machine. Preferably the camera device is capable of transforming a sensed image substantially in accordance with the transformation of a standard image comprising the visual representation and the transformation of the sensed image is printed out on the printer. Alternatively the machine comprises a book reader and the card includes a books contents for display by the book reader as indicated by the visual representation on the front of the card. On one surface of the card, the visual representation of the effect is displayed, and on a second surface, an optically encoded representation of the effect able to be read by a sensing device of the machine and decoded so as to produce the effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7559475
    Abstract: An automatic digital-imaging based code symbol reading system supporting a presentation mode of system operation, automatic object direction detection and illumination control, and video image capture and processing techniques. By virtue of the present invention, the automatic digital-imaging based code symbol reading system ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Ka Man Au, Michael Veksland, Xiaoxun Zhu, Mark Meagher, Timothy Good, Richard Hou, Daniel Hu
  • Patent number: 7559474
    Abstract: An automatic omni-directional bar code symbol reading system for use in a POS environment. The system comprises a system housing having a horizontal housing section with a first light transmission window, and a vertical housing section with a second light transmission window. A plurality of linear-type bar code symbol reading stations are disposed in the horizontal housing section, for generating and projecting a complex of linear illumination planes through the first light transmission window and into a 3D volume definable relative to the system housing. At least one area-type bar code reading station is disposed in the vertical housing section, for generating and projecting an area illumination beam through the imaging window, and into the 3D volume. The complex of linear illumination planes and the area illumination beam enable the omni-directional reading of bar code symbols on an object passing through the 3D volume, and generation of symbol character data representative of the read bar code symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian
  • Patent number: 7556199
    Abstract: An digital image capturing and processing system comprising a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume so as to support pass-through and presentation modes of digital imaging at a point of sale (POS) environment. Each station includes an illumination subsystem having a linear illumination array including a plurality of light emitting devices for producing a planar illumination beam (PLIB), and an image formation and detection subsystem including a linear image sensing array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on the linear image detection array, and extending substantially along the PLIB. A plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging planes (PLIB/FOVs) are formed and projected through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing linear (1D) digital images of objects moving through the 3D imaging volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian