Using Counter Or Timer Patents (Class 235/462.18)
  • Patent number: 11289195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remote medical care are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a case that houses one or more of a display, a microphone, a camera, a plurality of medical devices, and a computing device. In some embodiments, the computing device may be configured to communicate with one or more of the display, the microphone, the camera, and the plurality of medical devices. The computing device may be further configured to communicate with one or more nodes of a telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Kevin Patel
  • Patent number: 11245845
    Abstract: The various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method for operating an imaging device. the method includes activating a first image sensor at a first duty cycle within a first time period. The method further includes activating a second image sensor at a second duty cycle within the first time period. Additionally, the method includes modifying at least one of the first duty cycle or the second duty cycle based on at least a workflow associated an operator of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Anthony Giordano, David M. Wilz, Jeffrey Dean Harper, Ka Man Au, Benjamin Hejl
  • Patent number: 10776602
    Abstract: A print recognition module, a method for driving the same, and a display device are disclosed, where a synchronous scan component is added above a sensing surface of a photo sensor array, and the synchronous scan component can be divided into a first light shielding area and a first light transmitting area, both of which are varying dynamically; where the first light transmitting area is formed at least above a photo sensor being scanned to recognize a print, and the first light shielding area can shield the other photo sensors than the photo sensor being scanned to recognize the print, so that these photo sensors will not be illuminated by any light; and as the photo sensors are being scanned, the first light shielding area and the first light transmitting area, in the synchronous scan component are varying in synchronization therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.. LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Wu, Xue Dong, Haisheng Wang, Yingming Liu, Xiaoliang Ding
  • Patent number: 10171046
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Patent number: 10127673
    Abstract: A system for determining bounding boxes includes the input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive an image. The processor is configured to detect a line associated with connected components in the image; determine gap sizes within the line; determine a word structuring element size using the gap sizes; and determine bounding boxes for the line based at least in part on the word structuring element size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Workday, Inc.
    Inventors: Amine Ben Khalifa, Liang Huang, Ryan Stenson
  • Patent number: 9495407
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for synchronization client coordination with a change log service (CLS). In an embodiment of the invention, a change tracking thread on a synchronization client provided as part of a pervasive device is initiated. A synchronization message is sent to the CLS upon detecting a change to data. Synchronization is performed and upon completing synchronization, a synchronization stop message is sent to the CLS. Upon sending the synchronization stop message to the CLS, the change tracking thread on the synchronization client is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Celi, Jr., Ashok C. Mammen
  • Patent number: 9431583
    Abstract: A light emitting device is provide comprising a light emitting diode (LED) chip having a first main surface and a second main surface opposing the first main surface, and one or more side surfaces extending between the first main surface and second main surface. A plurality of electrodes is disposed on the first main surface. A wavelength conversion film is disposed on the second main surface. A mark is formed in the wavelength conversion film. The mark contains orientation information of the light emitting device, thereby enabling the light emitting device to be properly oriented on a receiving substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Gyu Kim, Tai Oh Chung, Hyoung Cheol Cho, Min Soo Han
  • Patent number: 9341673
    Abstract: A data processing unit has a time information provider for processing a clock or a strobe signal, configured to provide a digitized clock or strobe time information on the basis of the clock or strobe signal and at least one data extraction unit, coupled to the time information provider and configured to select data from a sequence of data samples of a data signal depending on the digitized clock or strobe time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jochen Rivoir
  • Patent number: 8777108
    Abstract: An EIR terminal containing an image capture device configured to scan an image. The EIR terminal includes a lighting and exposure mechanism. The EIR terminal also includes a camera sensor interface with a stat FIFO. The stat FIFO is configured to receive data from the image capture device. When the stat FIFO, during image scanning, receives a pre-determined amount of image data, it fires an interrupt, which times the lighting and exposure mechanism in the EIR terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Coyle
  • Publication number: 20140084061
    Abstract: To prevent misreading of barcodes and to allow accurate outputting of bar data even when an element is damaged or blurred, an optical information reading device containing a computation means 23a for adding widths of 6 elements containing a bar and a space that are adjacent within one character to derive respective patterns of 2- through n-element added widths and for converting each of the patterns of 2- through n-element added widths into the module number for one character to obtain the module numbers of the patterns of the 2- through n-element added widths; an extraction means 23b for narrowing down the target characters to extract a candidate character wherein the target character is that each module number of the 2- through n-element widths is an integer with an error equal to or less than 1; and a search means 23d for comparing the extracted candidate character, having the module numbers of the patterns of the 2- through n-element added widths with the expected value character for evaluating the candid
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kimura, Hiroshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8152068
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent dynamic barcodes in systems including a mail delivery system for manipulating delivery charges and/or sorting and delivery processing preferences are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Sanchez, Douglas B. Quine
  • Patent number: 8152067
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing time-dependent markings in systems including a mail delivery system for utilizing time-limited business reply mail are described. A business reply mail authorization permit is applied to a business reply mail piece using a time-dependent marking such as time-dependent ink. After the time-dependent ink changes state, the mail piece is no longer marked as an authorized business reply mail piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Quine
  • Patent number: 8127992
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a sensor array having rows of pixels which are exposed to symbol indicia, wherein the sensor array generates a sync signal; an aiming pattern generator for producing an aiming pattern superimposed on the symbol indicia; a processor which utilizes the sync signal to control the aiming pattern generator to: turn on the aiming pattern during exposure of a first predetermined row of pixels; turn off the aiming pattern during exposure of a second predetermined row of pixels; turn on the aiming pattern during exposure of a third predetermined row of pixels; and, a housing for housing the sensor array, aiming pattern generator and processor for hand held operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Hussey, Charles P. Barber, Brian L. Jovanovski, David M. Holzhauer, Edward C. Bremer, Matthew W. Pankow, Stephen P. Deloge, Timothy P. Meier
  • Patent number: 7748629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading a target object having areas of differing light reflectivity on the target such as a handheld bar code reader having a first illumination pattern, a detector for measuring a distance from the reader to a target object, a system threshold, and a comparator for evaluating the measured distance against the threshold. Should the reader's internal circuitry and/or software determine that the measured distance is greater than the threshold, a second illumination pattern is activated that has power effective illumination for increasing the operable reading distance between the reader and the target object. The second illumination pattern can be generated from a secondary illumination source or through a lens internal to the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Brock
  • Patent number: 7637430
    Abstract: An optical reader having a picture taking mode and a decode mode. In a picture taking mode, the reader captures and outputs a frame of image data without attempting to decode a decodable symbol in the frame. In the decode mode, the reader captures a frame of image data and attempts to decode a decodable symbol represented in the frame. The reader may have a decode mode in which light from an aiming light source is received by an image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hawley, Michael A. Ehrhart, Timothy P. Meier, Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey
  • Publication number: 20090039162
    Abstract: A tag reader and the tag are disclosed. The tag comprises a barcode pattern layer and horizontal line segments, which are connected to form an RF antenna. The antenna is further electrically connected to an RF chip, wherein an RF chip data is recorded in the RF chip. The tag reader comprises an RF signal transmitter for transmitting an RF transmitting signal to detect a tag. When an RF reflecting signal has been received, a light source module is enabled to shoot a scanning light source for scanning the tag; therefore, a tag comparing signal can be obtained. Thus, the advantages of the barcode and RFID tag can be integrated, the application field of the tag will be broadened, and the reliability of tag data reading is enhanced due to the double check mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Leeway Yen
  • Patent number: 7422155
    Abstract: An image printing method and apparatus which can detect the edge of a printing medium on which a barcode is written while reading the barcode using one sensor unit. The apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium on which a barcode is written includes a sensor unit sensing the barcode and generating a sensing signal. A first counting unit counts the sensing signal to generate a first count value when the value of the sensing signal is changed from a high value to a low value. A second counting unit counts the sensing signal of the barcode simultaneously with the first counting unit to generate a second count value which is initialized whenever the value of the sensing signal is changed. A detecting unit detects the edge of the printing medium based on the first and second count values of the first counting unit and the second counting unit. A reading unit reads the barcode based on the second count value of the second counting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Tae Chung
  • Publication number: 20080203168
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a generating unit that generates an identifier image according to a print command received from an outside and an image forming unit that forms, on a recording medium, an image based on the print command and the identifier image generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsunori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7380725
    Abstract: A digital display unit (DDU), which may be integrated into an enterprise-wide networked system for managing and displaying price and product-related information, is adapted to wirelessly receive price and product data from a local computer system and clearly display information based thereon. Updating price information in a local POS product price database causes a DDU control computer to communicate the price information to the DDU. A synthetic barcode module detects the presence of a barcode scanner and produces light output that emulates reflected light corresponding to a scanned barcode. A DDU may receive, store and display information for a plurality of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Randy McGill
  • Patent number: 7380721
    Abstract: A barcode sensor package has an optical emitter circuit and an optical detector circuit which are formed as one or more integrated optical circuits disposed in a housing which has a reading surface and one or more apertures located between the optical emitter and detector circuits. The optical emitter circuit has an emitter die, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), for emitting a light beam and a diffraction optical element disposed on the emitter die for focusing the light beam to a bar code. The optical detector circuit has a photodetector die, such as a phototransistor, for detecting reflective light and another diffraction optical element disposed on the photodetector die for guiding light reflected from the bar code to the detector. The diffraction optical elements are fabricated by patterning optical layers, deposited on respective emitter and detector dies, using photolithograph or a direct write process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Wenwei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080121714
    Abstract: A system and method for encoding scanner signal strength and timing information provided, possibly on multiple signal lines, from a digitizer circuit into a signal that can be transmitted on a single line to a modified decoder. A multiplexing device multiplexes the multiple signals, which can be multi-bit or dual-DBP signals, into a single signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Costanzo di Fazio, James R. Giebel, Gary Schneider, Frederick Schuessler
  • Publication number: 20080029604
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Michael Blanford
  • Patent number: 7108187
    Abstract: A method of reading a plurality of bar codes during a scanning motion across a bar code scanner which enhances scanner operation. The method includes the steps of obtaining data from a detector in the bar code scanner, determining position information associated with the data, distinguishing data associated with each bar code using the position information, and assembling the bar codes from the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Turvy, Jr., Theodore Heske, III
  • Patent number: 7104453
    Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system (300), in which an onmidirectional holographic scanning tunnel (100) is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem (500, 600) is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identificaton data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Ka Man Au, Gennady Germaine, George Kolis, Timothy A. Good, Michael D. Schnee, Robert E. Blake, Carl Harry Knowles, Sankar Ghosh, Charles A. Naylor, David M. Wilz, Sr., Constantine J. Tsikos, Francis E. Lodge, Stephen J. Colavito, George B. Rockstein
  • Patent number: 7077322
    Abstract: An extractor extracts a part that is apparently a bar-code signal from a signal that is subjected to opto-electric conversion. A narrow-band differential processor forms a waveform of an edge by differentiating by using a module frequency. The module point extractor extracts the module point from the waveform. The maximum likelihood judgment processor 5f performs ternarizing based on a maximum likelihood method by using broader information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Miyazawa, Isao Iwaguchi, Mitsuo Watanabe, Kozo Yamazaki, Masanori Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7021545
    Abstract: In an optical bar-code reader, an optical scanner optically scans a bar code to obtain optical power of light reflected from white bars and black bars of the bar code, a differentiation unit calculates a differential of the optical power to obtain a differential waveform, a dividing unit divides the differential waveform into a positive waveform and a negative waveform, a bar-code correcting unit calculates correct widths of black bars in the bar code from the positive waveform and the negative waveform to create corrected bar-code data, and a converter converts the corrected bar-code data into character data that is an array of numerals and alphabets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Isao Iwaguchi, Hideo Miyazawa, Mitsuo Watanabe, Kozo Yamazaki, Masanori Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7000839
    Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Good, Xiaoxun Zhu, David M. Wilz, Sr., George B. Rockstein, Stephen J. Colavito, Robert E. Blake, Ka Man Au, Sankar Ghosh, George Kolis, Ian A. Scott, Thomas Amundsen, Gennady Germaine, Andrew D. Dehennis, LeRoy Dickson, Carl Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 6964375
    Abstract: The apparatus has an optical unit for optically reading the article barcode provided to the article. The controller sets operation standard as the reference for occurrence of barcode reading errors, on the basis of individual operator setting information depending on personal features (rhythm, habitual manner, etc.) of operators engaged in operation of reading barcodes. The controller also monitors whether the operation relating to the operator conforms to the operation standard or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 6764011
    Abstract: A bar code system is composed of a bar code display device 100 and a bar code reader 110. The bar code display device 100 has a operation unit 101 which divides transfer information to be transmitted into a plurality of pages of divisional information, converts them into bar codes, and successively displays the bar codes on a display unit 104. The bar code reader 110 has a operation unit 111 which converts bar codes successively read by a scanner 116 into divisional information, connects the divisional information, and restores the divisional information into transfer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Naruto Entani
  • Patent number: 6732931
    Abstract: The apparatus has an optical unit for optically reading the article barcode provided to the article. The controller sets operation standard as the reference for occurrence of barcode reading errors, on the basis of individual operator setting information depending on personal features (rhythm, habitual manner, etc.) of operators engaged in operation of reading barcodes. The controller also monitors whether the operation relating to the operator conforms to the operation standard or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 6722568
    Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Frederick Peter Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 6688524
    Abstract: The method for reconstructing a bar code through consecutive scans comprises the following steps: a) carrying out at least one scan of the bar code; b) determining a reconstructed wave form representative of the at least one scan; c) carrying out an actual scan of the bar code; d) determining an actual wave form representative of the actual scan; e) aligning the reconstructed and actual wave forms; and f) combining the aligned wave forms by updating the reconstructed wave form with the actual wave form. The method can directly operate on the photo-sensor signal before carrying out any digitization of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Bottazzi, Elena Brunelli, Rinaldo Zocca
  • Patent number: 6527179
    Abstract: In a bar-code reader in a POS system, bar-code data is compared with the just previously read bar-code data to detect whether they are identical or not, and if the bar-code data is not identical to the just previously read bar-code data, the bar-code data is transmitted to a station host and, at the same time, a notification is produced to indicate that the bar-code data has been transmitted. If they are identical, and if a double reading prevention timer is not ON, the bar-code data is transmitted to the station host and, at the same time, a notification is produced to signify that the bar-code data has been transmitted; on the other hand, if the double reading prevention timer is ON, the bar-code data is discarded, and a notification signifying the discarding of the data is produced with different sounds from that used for the transmission notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Motohiko Itoh, Mitsuharu Ishii
  • Patent number: 6520414
    Abstract: A laser beam scan type barcode reader which reads a pair of spaced marks which adjusts or specify corrects start and stop positions of the laser beam irradiation. The distance between the pair of marks corresponds to a length of a barcode to be read. The reader detects the start and stop positions of the laser beam irradiation determined by the pair of marks, and sets the detected start and stop positions of the laser beam irradiation. When the reader reads the barcode, it controls the turning on/off of the laser beam in one scan period based on the set start and stop positions of the laser beam irradiation, and determines the actual scan span in which the laser beam is turned on in the one scan period based on the start and stop positions determined by the pair of marks, which ensures preventing structural, functional and characteristic deviations of the reader from the standards from influencing the scan span of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tanioka, Akihiro Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6508404
    Abstract: A scanner for optically scanning coded symbologies including a signal processing unit for pre-processing the scanned symbology information and a hardware symbology locating unit. An analog signal related to the reflectivity of the different portions of the coded symbology is obtained and is converted to digital gray-scale. The portion of the analog signal which corresponds to the substrate reflectance (absolute contrast) is removed, and the available dynamic range of the analog to digital converter is used only for the information-bearing portion of the signal (relative contrast). Since all of the decodable information is ultimately encoded in binary form, the information-bearing portion of the signal is retained. The hardware symbology locating unit includes a plurality of shift registers, each of which derives a value from an input seed which is based upon the width of a detected coded symbology element. The value of a subsequent input seed is compared to the values generated from a prior input seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Hecht
  • Patent number: 6499662
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the accuracy of edge detection under high Inter-Symbol Interference, or ISI, conditions is disclosed. The amplified and filtered first derivative signal is offset by equal amounts in both directions to generate positive and negative offsets which serve as inputs to negative and positive peak detectors, respectively. The offset is determined by a fast adaptive peak detector provided by attenuating and AC-coupling the first derivative signal to the positive supply to drive a peak detector with a fairly short attack time, such that its output is nearly settled on the first peak of the first derivative signal, but having a decay time long enough to keep the threshold level approximately constant across the label. Peaks are qualified if the peak in question differs in amplitude from the previously qualified peak by the offset amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Coleman, James E. Colley, Patrick M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6484944
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device for acquiring images of planes, such as bar codes, includes a deflector for deflecting an incident beam emitted by a light source such as an oscillating or rotating cyclic polygonial deflector or mirror. A driver osscilates or rotates the deflector in such a way that the incident beam describes, during each cycle, angular scanning adapted to generate at least one elementary scanning line on the plane. A closed loop control circuit controls the driver and is connected, on the one hand, to the clock in order to receive the transfer signal &PHgr;TG and, on the other hand, to the driver and adapted to synchronize the beginning of each scanning cycle in phase and frequency with the signal &PHgr;TG emitted by the clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Pierre-Marie Manine, Jean-Louis Massieu, Bernard Puybras, Bernard Serres, Serge Thuries
  • Patent number: 6478224
    Abstract: Systems (apparatus and methods) for reading bar code data detect light reflected and/or refracted from a target. The detected light is converted into an electrical signal containing width values that are indicative of widths of light areas and dark areas of the target. Systems for pre-screening data read by a bar code reader determine whether sequences of width values are consistent with potential bar code data by comparing the relative widths of subsequences of light areas and dark areas. If the relative widths are consistent with bar code data, the width values of the sequence being pre-screened are output to a decoder, which attempts to read the sequence of width values. If the relative width values are inconsistent with bar code data, the sequence of width values is not output to the decoder, thereby decreasing the amount of processing the decoder would otherwise be required to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Gettys
  • Patent number: 6386452
    Abstract: An image reading device is provided in which a number of degrees of freedom in control at a time of reading is increased. A plurality of light emitting elements, which emit light of different wavelengths, are provided in an array, and the array illuminates a photographic film. A plurality of light sensors, which receive light of plural different wavelengths, are provided and receive light transmitted through the photographic film. A controller controls each light sensor, by using a predetermined minimum charging time as a unit, such that, during a charge accumulating time which is an integer multiple of the minimum charge accumulating time, the light sensors receive the light transmitted through the photographic film. The controller controls each light emitting element such that the light emitting elements are pulse width modulated synchronously with the minimum charge accumulating time and such that one period thereof equals the minimum charge accumulating time, and emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6382511
    Abstract: A system for digital barcode processing. A light reflected from a barcode is captured by a photodetector to produce a photocurrent. The photocurrent is converted to a voltage, amplified and filtered to produce a photovoltage. The photovoltage is differentiated to form a first derivative signal and the first derivative signal is converted to a digital first derivative signal and processed to identify logic transitions represented by the barcode. The processing system subjects the photosignal to Gaussian filtering and differentiates the digital first derivative signal to form a second derivative signal. The digital first derivative signal is compared against a positive and a negative threshold and the second derivative signal is examined to detect zero crossings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Tang, Donald Alexander Collins, Jr., Kenneth Joseph Fabian, Barry Myron Merganthaler
  • Patent number: 6354503
    Abstract: A bar code scanner/verifier rapidly analyzes reflections of a scanning laser beam to determine whether or not a scanned line portion contains a bar code, so analysis of a bar code begins only when a legitimate bar code is present. The apparatus reads transitions in reflectance and indicates that a bar code is not present when the transitions are not large enough to qualify for a bar code, and when there are not enough transitions per unit distance. The circuit does this by generating MAX minus MIN, where MAX continually decreases over time but is raised every time a high reflectance is encountered, and MIN continually increases over time but is lowered every time a low reflectance is encountered. When MAX minus MIN drops below a programmable predetermined noise level, the circuit indicates that there is no bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: RJS Systems International
    Inventor: Lihu Chiu
  • Patent number: 6290133
    Abstract: A method comprises steps of sensing a first user action, transmitting a first optical message in response to the first user action, and performing at least one optical code reading step in response to non-receipt of a valid response to the first optical message. An apparatus to perform the aforementioned steps and an article of manufacture to direct the aforementioned steps are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, Douglas Logan