Extended Reader Working Range (e.g., Multiple Focal Planes) Patents (Class 235/462.22)
  • Patent number: 11829837
    Abstract: In evaluation of the print quality of a symbol, the evaluation processing takes time. A symbol evaluation device (5) includes: a decoding unit (52) that decodes a symbol included in an image and thereby identifies reference position information of the symbol; a module position identification unit (53) that identifies a plurality of module positions included in the symbol on the basis of the reference position information of the symbol identified by the decoding unit; and a quality evaluation unit (54) that evaluates the quality of the symbol on the basis of the plurality of module positions identified by the module position identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 11763412
    Abstract: Methods and systems to focus an imager for machine vision applications are disclosed. A disclosed example machine vision method includes: capturing, via an imaging assembly, an image of an indicia appearing within a field of view (FOV) of the imaging assembly; recognizing, via a controller, the indicia as a focus adjustment trigger, the focus adjustment trigger operative to trigger an adjustment of at least one focus parameter associated with the imaging assembly; adjusting the at least one focus parameter based at least in part on the indicia; locking the at least one focus parameter such that the at least one focus parameter remains unaltered for a duration; and responsive to the locking of the at least one focus parameter, capturing, via the imaging assembly, at least one subsequent image of an object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Miroslav Trajkovic, Heng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11270090
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, devices, barcode scanners, and software for variable depth of field scanning and lighting devices and methods. One such embodiment includes adjusting variable lenses on each of a plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a first depth of field and capturing a number of first images with a camera of a barcode scanner at the first depth of field. The method of this embodiment then outputs at least one of the number of the first images to a barcode reading process. This example method may then continue by adjusting the variable lenses of each of the plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a second depth of field, capturing a number of second images with the camera of the barcode scanner at the second depth of field, and then outputting at least one of the number of the second images to the barcode reading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Semblante Ynclino, V, Ferdinand Uy Calderon
  • Patent number: 11210484
    Abstract: Methods for creating a machine vision job including barcode scanning are disclosed. An example method may be performed by one or more processors and includes detecting a first configuration of a barcode scanning tool including settings of the barcode scanning tool, wherein the first configuration, when executed by a first imaging device operating in a fixed scanning mode, causes the first imaging device to execute the barcode scanning tool in accordance with the settings. The method also includes upgrading the first configuration to a second configuration of the barcode scanning tool, wherein the second configuration, when executed by a second imaging device operating in a machine vision mode, causes the second imaging device to execute the barcode scanning tool in accordance with the settings. The method further includes displaying a user-selectable option to add the barcode scanning tool configured in accordance with the second configuration to the machine vision job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Landron, Ankan Basak, Matthew Lawrence Horner
  • Patent number: 11068678
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor is provided for a repeated detection of objects at different object distances, having a light receiver for generating a received signal from received light, having an evaluation unit for generating object information from the received signal, and having a distance sensor for determining the object distance from a respective object. The evaluation unit is here configured to acquire a measurement variable from the received signal with respect to an object, to associate the measurement variable with the object distance measured for the object, and to form a first distribution of the measurement variable via the object distance after detecting a plurality of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Romain Müller, Florian Schneider
  • Patent number: 11062102
    Abstract: A method of decoding one or more barcodes on a target object with an imaging scanner is described. The imaging scanner comprises an image sensor and a dynamic linear polarizer. The method includes the following: (1) capturing at least one image of the target object through the dynamic linear polarizer with the imaging sensor while the dynamic linear polarizer is set to a different defined polarization during each of N time periods; and (2) processing at least N images of the target object to decode the one or more barcodes on the target object. At least one image that is captured during each of the N time periods. Here, N is an integer that can be three, four, five, six, or other natural numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Serguei N. Zolotov
  • Patent number: 10867224
    Abstract: In some examples, an article includes a substrate and a plurality of optical element sets embodied on the substrate, wherein each optical element set includes a plurality of optical elements, wherein each respective optical element represents an encoded value in a set of encoded values, wherein the set of encoded values are differentiable based on visual differentiability of the respective optical elements, wherein each respective optical element set represents at least a portion of a message or error correction data to decode the message if one or more of the plurality of optical element sets are visually occluded, and wherein the optical element sets for the message and error correction data are spatially configured at the physical surface in a matrix such that the message is decodable from the substrate without optical elements positioned within at least one complete edge of the matrix that is visually occluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James W. Howard, Justin M. Johnson, Deepti Pachauri, James B. Snyder, Guruprasad Somasundaram
  • Patent number: 10859822
    Abstract: A lens, an optical display device including the lens, and a method for manufacturing the lens. The lens includes at least two lens portions; which have different focal lengths. When human eyes view a real scene image through the at least two lens portions separately, the real scene image is imaged at different image distances. The lens includes different lens portions having different focal lens, and thus can be a multi-focus lens. When the lens is used for an optical display device, the human eyes will see virtual image planes at different distances when viewing a display picture through the different lens portions due to the different focal lengths of the different lens portions. Visual fatigue can be reduced, and also scene images at difference distances can be appropriated, so that the three-dimensional feeling is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuebing Zhang, Dong Chen, Hao Zhang, Lili Chen, Ruijun Dong, Chenru Wang, Yali Liu
  • Patent number: 10599896
    Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of optics, and more specifically, to compact optical arrangements for use in imaging engines likes the ones used in handheld barcode readers. In an embodiment, an imaging engine having a field of view (FOV) includes an imaging sensor and an optical lens configured to (i) fold the FOV once between the imaging sensor and an exit window of the imaging engine and/or the window of a barcode reader within which the imaging engine may be implemented, and (ii) correct for field curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Igor Vinogradov
  • Patent number: 10445544
    Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Carl W. Gerst, III, William Equitz, Matthew D. Engle
  • Patent number: 10288894
    Abstract: An optical component for coupling out an individual output beam from a collective output beam includes a plurality of radiation-reflecting regions which are grouped in such a way that regions of the same group serve for guiding different partial beams of the individual output beam to the same scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Patra, Alexander Wolf, Markus Schwab, Toralf Gruner, Joachim Hartjes
  • Patent number: 10275623
    Abstract: Scanners, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that process variable sized objects with high package pitch on a moving conveyor belt are provided. The scanners are laser scanners that include at least two laser diodes, sensors, and field programmable gate arrays processors. The at least two laser diodes have different focuses. Each diode generates a laser beam when excited by an activation signal and an appropriate modulation. The sensors within the laser scanner device measure light reflected from a target on the objects. The processors toggle activation among the at least two laser diodes based on measurements sensed from the light reflected from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: DataLogic USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Matthews Segal, David Warren Kliebhan
  • Patent number: 9892298
    Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Carl W. Gerst, III, William Equitz, Matthew D. Engle
  • Patent number: 9805239
    Abstract: Disclosed are a QR code detection device and an operation method thereof. The QR code detection device comprises a body, a barcode detector and a barcode decoder. The barcode detector captures and processes a code image outside the body, and accumulates a number of times when a predetermined pattern feature is recognized in the code image. The predetermined pattern feature is a predetermined distance ratio. The barcode detector chooses a near-distance detection rule or a far-distance detection rule according to the processed code image to determine whether the predetermined pattern feature is recognized in the QR code image. When the barcode decoder determines that the code image is a QR code image because the number of times equals to a threshold number, the barcode decoder is automatically turned on to capture and decode the QR code image outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGINE INC.
    Inventors: Guo-Zhen Wang, En-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9659274
    Abstract: A method of inventory tracking and management is described. The method may include receiving a location request for an item and determining, using three or more base stations, the location of the item. The method may also include generating, by a processing device, a map of the item's location and item information and sending the map to a user, and sending the location request to the item, where the location request causes the item or the item's container to indicate its presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GPS of Things, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Waters, Brent R. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9530037
    Abstract: Scanners, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that process variable sized objects with high package pitch on a moving conveyor belt are provided. The scanners are laser scanners that include at least two laser diodes, sensors, and field programmable gate arrays processors. The at least two laser diodes have different focuses. Each diode generates a laser beam when excited by an activation signal and an appropriate modulation. The sensors within the laser scanner device measure light reflected from a target on the objects. The processors toggle activation among the at least two laser diodes based on measurements sensed from the light reflected from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Matthews Segal, David Warren Kliebhan
  • Patent number: 9509891
    Abstract: A method for positioning a focus lens assembly, the focus lens assembly being movable along an optical axis relative to an image sensor, comprises: moving the focus lens assembly against a mechanical stop; and moving the focus lens assembly from the mechanical stop to a frame focus position for exposure of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Hannu Kakkori
  • Patent number: 9436860
    Abstract: Optical indicia reading apparatus can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, and a plurality of wafer level camera (WLC) modules. Each WLC module can comprise an image sensor and a focusing lens, and optionally, an optical band-pass filter (BPF) configured to pass light waves within a pre-defined wavelength range. Each WLC module can be configured to output a signal representative of the light incident on the image sensor. The optical axis of a first WLC module can be spatially disposed relatively to an optical axis of a second WLC module so that the fields of view (FOVs) of the WLC modules at least partially overlap. The depth of field (DOF) of a first WLC module can at least partially overlap with the DOF of a second WLC module. The optical indicia reading apparatus can be configured to generate an image frame by processing two or more signals of the plurality of signals outputted by the WLC modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Smith, Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 9270948
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a lens optical system including six regions having such optical characteristics that focal characteristics are made different from one another; an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels on which light beams having passed through the lens optical system are incident; and an arrayed optical device for making light beams having passed through the six regions incident respectively on different pixels on the image pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Murata, Norihiro Imamura
  • Patent number: 9224024
    Abstract: An indicia reading terminal for reading of a decodable indicia is provided wherein the indicia reading terminal includes an image sensor integrated circuit comprising an image sensor having a plurality of pixels; a memory for storing image data, and a unit for processing the image data for attempting to decode decodable indicia represented in the image data; and an optical system, including a lens assembly and at least a first aperture and a second aperture, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. The lens assembly comprises one or more lens elements. The first aperture is disposed in the lens assembly, and the second aperture is disposed at a distal end of the optical system, adjacent to the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Bremer, Chen Feng
  • Patent number: 9148632
    Abstract: A multi-resolution lens system includes a relay lens configured to be directed toward a field-of-view (FOV) and receive a first plurality of image photons emanating from the FOV, a high-resolution lens positioned to receive a second plurality of image photons from the FOV and to pass the second plurality of image photons toward the relay lens, and a shutter device positioned to receive over an area thereof the image photons of the FOV that pass through the relay lens, and simultaneously receive overlaid on a portion of the area thereof the image photons from the portion of the FOV that pass through the high-resolution lens and toward the relay lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Gil Abramovich
  • Patent number: 9129173
    Abstract: There is provided a device for reading a code on a subject. The device includes an imaging unit provided with an imaging element, a depth-of-field extending unit, and an optical distorting unit. The imaging unit captures an optical image formed on a light-receiving surface of the subject. The depth-of-field extending unit acquires a focused image regardless of distance to the subject, within a predetermined read-out range. In the optical distorting unit, the captured optical image is distorted such that i) the focused image at a minimum distance in the read-out range includes an overall image of the code and ii) the focused image at a maximum distance in the read-out range is provided so as to allow at least a predetermined number of pixels to be assigned to a unit image of the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chie Toyoda, Toshihiko Tsukada, Satoru Kato, Yoshimi Kitazumi, Kunihiko Ito
  • Publication number: 20150144698
    Abstract: Method of and system for reading bar code symbols using a hand-supportable laser scanning bar code symbol reading system supporting an improved level control over the length of laser scan lines projected onto scanned objects, at any instant in time, in a manner dependent the detected location, distance or range of the scanned object in the scanning field of the system during system operation. The length characteristics of the laser scan line are controlled by setting the laser scan sweep angle as a function of detected or estimated distance or range of the object from the system. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser scan sweep angle is controlled by supplying a drive current to the scanning mechanism, as a function of detected or estimated distance or range of the object from the scanning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhipeng Teng, Haixi Wang
  • Patent number: 9027838
    Abstract: This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Carl W. Gerst, III, William Equitz, Matthew D. Engle
  • Patent number: 8985462
    Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) detecting light from a target object to capture multiple images of the target object while substantially maintaining the distance between the target object and the imaging lens arrangement that is configured to have a focus position thereof changed with a lens-driving-parameter; (2) processing the at least one of the multiple images to determine a feature-size in an aiming pattern; (3) processing at least two of the multiple images to find an optimal lens-driving-parameter that results in the maximum image sharpness; and (4) storing both the feature-size and the optimal lens-driving-parameter into a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Goren
  • Publication number: 20150048167
    Abstract: This patent specification describes an attachment for a mobile device. The attachment may have an attachment feature designed to be attached to a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartphone/tablet with a camera. The attachment may also include an optics system and/or an illumination system that cooperates with the camera to facilitate the capture of decodable barcodes. The illumination system may include a targeting illumination system that facilitates proper positioning of the article and/or an exposure illumination system that helps illuminate the article during capture. The optics system may include a lens that modifies the depth of field and/or the size of the field of view of the camera, an aperture that helps define the field of view, a filter that prevents light of undesired wavelengths from reaching the camera, and/or a mirror that redirects the camera's optical pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Garrett Russell, Ryan Hoobler, Ming Lei, George Powell, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 8950677
    Abstract: A barcode reading method and a barcode reading device are provided. An image sensor is utilized to capture an image of a barcode via an optical lens, and then a triangulation method and an ideal lens imagining method are collocated to calculate the digital image so as to produce an optimum image distance. A distance between the image sensor and the optical lens is then adjusted in accordance with the optimum image distance, so that the barcode can be immediately and clearly imaged on the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Sintai Optical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Jiang Dai, Chang-Feng Wang, Hui-Qing Chen, Bi-Yao Jian
  • Publication number: 20140374485
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for improving the performance of full range code scanners. A distance detection module determines the distance of the code symbol from the code symbol reader. In response to the detected distance, the sweep angle of the scanning element is changed to ensure that the code symbol is within the code symbol reader's field of view. The sweep angle is larger when the code symbol is in the near range, and smaller when the code symbol is in the far range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Tao Xian, Yong Liu, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Jun Lu
  • Patent number: 8890657
    Abstract: A method of transmitting radiofrequency identification (RFID) interrogation signals is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a first movement of a user in a first direction, determining a command from the first movement, and transmitting a RFID interrogation signal in response to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lang Lin, Joe White
  • Publication number: 20140332592
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: JAMES GIEBEL, VLADIMIR GUREVICH, PETER FAZEKAS, DARIUSZ MADEJ
  • Patent number: 8864036
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging sensor having photosensitive elements for detecting light from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement to create first pixel data during a first time period when the extended aiming pattern is projected on the target object. The apparatus also includes a controller for processing the first pixel data to estimate a feature-size of the extended aiming pattern in an image of the target object when the imaging lens arrangement is at a predetermined focus length, and further processing the feature-size along with the predetermined focus length to determine a distance characterizing the separation between the target object and the imaging lens arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramanagouda Patil
  • Patent number: 8820644
    Abstract: A hand held device containing at least one camera can perform various functions. In some embodiments, the optical path between the lens and the optical sensor may be redirected at least once to allow it to fit within the body of a narrow device. For example, at least one reflector or beam combiner may be used to redirect the light so that part of the optical path is perpendicular to another part of the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8820645
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a laser source emitting a laser scanning beam, a movable scanning mirror reflecting the laser scanning beam towards an on object to be scanned, a mirror moving element moving the movable scanning mirror and a controller receiving an input corresponding to a range estimate from the scanning device to the object and adjusting a setting of the scanning device based on the range estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Giebel, Vladimir Gurevich, Peter Fazekas, Dariusz Madej
  • Patent number: 8807435
    Abstract: A method of decoding a machine-readable optical code that includes a first code including a plurality of first elements formed on or in a substrate, the first code specifying first information, wherein one or more of the first elements includes a second code on or in the substrate, the second code including a plurality of second elements specifying second information; and wherein the first code and the second code are machine-readable optical codes, the method comprising: using a first image reader to record the first code, the first code specifying first information to form a first recorded image; using a processor to decode the first information from the first recorded image; using a second image reader to record the second code to form a second recorded image; and using the processor to decode the second information from the second recorded image whereby the machine-readable optical code is decoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ronald Steven Cok
  • Patent number: 8783573
    Abstract: There is described an indicia reading terminal having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels, a first optical assembly for focusing imaging light rays onto a first set of pixels of an image sensor array and a second optical assembly for focusing imaging light rays onto a second set of pixels of the image sensor array. The indicia reading terminal can be adapted to process image data corresponding to pixels of the image sensor array for attempting to decode a decodable indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Chen Feng, Colleen P. Gannon, Jianhua Li, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Patent number: 8757492
    Abstract: Disclosed is a scanner device comprising: a scanner unit that scans a symbol and obtains image data; a judgment unit that judges whether or not a capture distance from the scanner unit to the symbol is a short distance; and a decoding unit that, in a case where the capture distance is judged to be the short distance, makes setting to perform at least one of increase of error permissivity for the image data with respect to threshold values for judging a size of the symbol, and reduction of the number of collation times for decoding results of the image data, in a case where the capture distance is judged to be a long distance, makes setting to perform at least one of lowering of the error permissivity, and increase of the number of collation times; and decodes the image data in response to the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8740079
    Abstract: An optical code reader includes a manually operated focusing distance adjustment mechanism, which includes an electronic memory of a configuration parameter representing the desired focusing distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Datalogic Automation Srl
    Inventors: Luca Gentilini, Stefano Ciabattoni, Gabriele Corrain
  • Patent number: 8740083
    Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus (10) for a code reader (100) is provided which has an objective (12) having at least one lens and a drive (18) with a cam plate (16) for the positional adjustment of the objective (12). The objective (12) is supported in a parallel guide (14) having a coupling unit (32, 34) for the coupling of the cam plate (16) so that a rotational movement of the cam plate (16) adjusts the position of the objective (12) in the parallel guide (14) with a parallel shift of the objective plane. The coupling unit (32, 34) has a press-on element (32) for the play-free coupling of the parallel guide (14) to the cam plate (16) and a counter-bearing element (34) between the press-on element (32) and the drive (18) for relieving the drive (18) from the press-on element (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Christoph Anselment, Roland Gehring, Ulrich Nubling, Richard Nopper
  • Publication number: 20140131447
    Abstract: A method of extracting data from an identifiable monochromatic pattern. The method comprises separating a polychromatic optical signal, received from an object having identifiable monochromatic pattern, into a plurality of wavelength components, separately capturing each of the wavelength components, reconstructing a plurality of images each from a different wavelength component, detecting the identifiable monochromatic pattern in one or more of the images, and extracting data associated with or encoded by the detected identifiable monochromatic pattern. The images have different depths of field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin Milgrom, Emanuel Marom, Naim Konforti, Michael Golub
  • Patent number: 8646690
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for expanding the field of view of a vision system camera assembly such that the field of view is generally free of loss of normal resolution across the entire expanded field. A field of view expander includes outer mirrors that receive light from different portions of a scene. The outer mirrors direct light to tilted inner mirrors of a beam splitter that directs the light aligned with a camera axis to avoid image distortion. The inner mirrors each direct the light from each outer mirror into a strip on the sensor, and the system searches features. The adjacent fields of view include overlap regions sized and arranged to ensure a centralized feature appears fully in at least one strip. Alternatively, a moving mirror changes position between acquired image frames so that a full width of the scene is imaged in successive frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Matthew D. Engle
  • Patent number: 8523074
    Abstract: Bar code imagers and methods of operating bar code imagers are described herein. One method includes illuminating a bar code with a first illumination beam provided by the bar code imager device, wherein the first illumination beam has a first wavelength, and illuminating the bar code with a second illumination beam provided by the bar code imager device, wherein the second illumination beam has a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Marcus, Bernard S. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20130200157
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for expanding the field of view of a vision system camera assembly such that the field of view is generally free of loss of normal resolution across the entire expanded field. A field of view expander includes outer mirrors that receive light from different portions of a scene. The outer mirrors direct light to tilted inner mirrors of a beam splitter that directs the light aligned with a camera axis to avoid image distortion. The inner mirrors each direct the light from each outer mirror into a strip on the sensor, and the system searches features. The adjacent fields of view include overlap regions sized and arranged to ensure a centralized feature appears fully in at least one strip. Alternatively, a moving mirror changes position between acquired image frames so that a full width of the scene is imaged in successive frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Carl W. Gerst, III, William H. Equitz, Matthew D. Engle
  • Patent number: 8496179
    Abstract: Improved systems and techniques for imaging bar code processing. One or more cameras are deployed in a bar code scanner, oriented so that an imaging device of each camera is oriented such that rows of data elements in the imaging device are oriented nonorthogonally with respect to a preferred orientation of a bar code. One or more imaging devices captures bar code data representing light and dark spaces of the bar code. The captured bar code data is analyzed to create one or more rows of data completely transecting the bar code, and the rows of data are processed to generate a scan signal which is in turn processed to extract bar code data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Oliver Detwiler, John Peter Roquemore
  • Patent number: 8459557
    Abstract: Method of and system for reading code symbols a dual-laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having the capacity to automatically select in a user-transparent manner, and activate either a near-field source of laser illumination, or a far-field source of laser illumination, using an automatic object presence detection subsystem in the near-field portion of the laser scanning field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Stephen Colavito, Christopher Allen, Robert Blake
  • Patent number: 8448863
    Abstract: A POS-based bar code symbol reading system that reads bar code symbols on objects being passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume supported by the system, and employs one or more object motion sensors (e.g. imaging based, IR Pulse-Doppler LIDAR-based, ultra-sonic energy based, etc.) to (i) measure or estimate the speed of objects being manually passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume by the system operator, and (ii) visually and/or audibly display object scanning speed measures or estimates to provide the system operator with feedback for optimizing system throughput. The POS-based bar code symbol reading system has a performance advantage that leads to quicker customer checkout times and productivity gain that cannot be matched by the conventional bar code symbol scanning technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Xian, Duane Ellis, Timothy Good, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8408467
    Abstract: An optical apparatus (10) for an optoelectronic sensor (100, 200) which has at least one lens (14a-b), wherein a further optical element (18) is provided in the beam path of the optical apparatus (10) for extending the depth of field, wherein the optical element (18) is made and/or arranged such that a part of the beam path remains free and thus generates a first depth of field; and wherein the optical element (18) has a planoparallel zone which only covers a part of the beam path of the optical apparatus (10) and thus generates a second depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Ralf Ulrich Nübling
  • Publication number: 20130070322
    Abstract: A laser scanning system having a laser scanning field, and a laser beam optics module with an optical axis and including: an aperture stop disposed after a laser source for shaping the laser beam to a predetermined beam diameter; a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam produced from the aperture stop; an apodization element having a first and second optical surfaces for extending the depth of focus of the laser beam from the collimating lens; and a negative bi-prism, disposed after the apodization element, along the optical axis, to transform the energy distribution of the laser beam and cause the laser beam to converge to substantially a single beam spot along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field, and extend the depth of focus of the laser beam along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bernard Fritz, James Allen Cox, Peter L. Reutiman
  • Patent number: 8387883
    Abstract: Bar code imagers and methods of operating bar code imagers are described herein. One method includes selectively illuminating a portion of an axicon optical element of a bar code imager device, forming, by the axicon optical element in response to the selective illumination of the portion of the axicon optical element, an illumination beam, and illuminating a bar code with the illumination beam formed by the axicon optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Marcus, Bernard S. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20130048733
    Abstract: Bar code imagers and methods of operating bar code imagers are described herein. One method includes illuminating a bar code with a first illumination beam provided by the bar code imager device, wherein the first illumination beam has a first wavelength, and illuminating the bar code with a second illumination beam provided by the bar code imager device, wherein the second illumination beam has a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Marcus, Bernard S. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20130048729
    Abstract: Bar code imagers and methods of operating bar code imagers are described herein. One method includes selectively illuminating a portion of an axicon optical element of a bar code imager device, forming, by the axicon optical element in response to the selective illumination of the portion of the axicon optical element, an illumination beam, and illuminating a bar code with the illumination beam formed by the axicon optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Marcus, Bernard S. Fritz