Using An Imager (e.g., Ccd Or Camera-type Reader) Patents (Class 235/462.24)
  • Patent number: 11893450
    Abstract: An optical scanner device includes at least one image capture device and a transmitter of at least one aimer beam. The scanner device determines ranging to a subject using the at least one aimer beam projected to reflect off of a surface of the subject, and detects a position of the aimer-beam reflection within an image frame captured by the image-capture device, the position being a primary indicator of a distance to the subject from the optical scanner device. A secondary indicator of the distance to the subject within the image frame in combination with the first indicator is used to help detect the aimer beam reflection against noise and detect an occurrence of an optical misalignment with possible self-correction of calibration after such misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mattia Francesco Moro, Luca Perugini, Michele Agostini, Simone Spolzino
  • Patent number: 11893101
    Abstract: A wearable camera is to be worn by a user and includes: a capturing unit configured to capture and read a code in which fixed information and variable information of the user are registered; and a processor configured to extract the fixed information and the variable information of the user based on a read result of the capturing unit. The processor is configured to register the extracted fixed information and variable information of the user in a memory, and permit the user to use the wearable camera based on the registration in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: I-PRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Haraguchi, Manabu Nakamura, Masashi Nakamura, Shinichi Arai
  • Patent number: 11803718
    Abstract: A digital camera in a mobile device, such as in a smart phone, can be used for super-fast scanning of optical codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Scandit AG
    Inventors: Daniel Scherly, Joan Domènech, Andrea Tullis, Vitali Samurov, Christian Floerkemeier
  • Patent number: 11799699
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an optical encoder which is configured to provide precise coding reference data by feature recognition technology. To apply the present disclosure, it is not necessary to provide particular dense patterns on a working surface. The precise coding reference data can be generated by detecting surface features of the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Wai-Lian Teo, Yen-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 11659287
    Abstract: A method to design miniature wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses by using on-purpose distortion to have shorter focal length than usual for a given image sensor size and a desired image projection. This results in optical systems having miniaturization ratio, defined as the ratio between the total track length and the image footprint diameter, smaller than 0.8. The resulting image from these systems having on-purpose distortion can then be processed with a processor to remove the on-purpose distortion and to output an image with the targeted distortion profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: IMMERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Patrice Roulet, Pierre Konen, Jocelyn Parent, Simon Thibault, Xavier Dallaire, Zhenfeng Zhuang
  • Patent number: 11606483
    Abstract: This invention provides a vision system camera, and associated methods of operation, having a multi-core processor, high-speed, high-resolution imager, FOVE, auto-focus lens and imager-connected pre-processor to pre-process image data provides the acquisition and processing speed, as well as the image resolution that are highly desirable in a wide range of applications. This arrangement effectively scans objects that require a wide field of view, vary in size and move relatively quickly with respect to the system field of view. This vision system provides a physical package with a wide variety of physical interconnections to support various options and control functions. The package effectively dissipates internally generated heat by arranging components to optimize heat transfer to the ambient environment and includes dissipating structure (e.g. fins) to facilitate such transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Richard Reuter, Frank Winzen, Mario Joussen, Joerg Kesten, James A. Negro
  • Patent number: 11579299
    Abstract: A 3D range imaging method using a LiDAR system includes sequentially generating multiple far field patterns to illuminate a target scene, each far field pattern including a plurality of light spots where each spot illuminates only a segment of a scene region unit that corresponds to a sensor pixel of the LiDAR receiver. Within each scene region unit, the multiple segments illuminated in different rounds are non-overlapping with each other, and they collectively cover the entire scene region unit or a part thereof. With each round of illumination, the signal light reflected from the scene is detected by the sensor pixels, and processed to calculate the depth of the illuminated segments. The calculation may take into consideration optical aberration which causes reflected light from an edge segment to be received by two sensor pixels. The depth data calculated from the sequential illuminations are combined to form a ranged image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Litexel Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaochen Sun, Ningning Feng
  • Patent number: 11557113
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an optical encoder which is configured to provide precise coding reference data by feature recognition technology. To apply the present disclosure, it is not necessary to provide particular dense patterns on a working surface. The precise coding reference data can be generated by detecting surface features of the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Wai-Lian Teo, Yen-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 11373088
    Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate acceleration of machine learning operations is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one processor to perform operations to implement a neural network and accelerator logic to perform communicatively coupled to the processor to perform compute operations for the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit Bleiweiss, Anavai Ramesh, Asit Mishra, Deborah Marr, Jeffrey Cook, Srinivas Sridharan, Eriko Nurvitadhi, Elmoustapha Ould-Ahmed-Vall, Dheevatsa Mudigere, Mohammad Ashraf Bhuiyan, Md Faijul Amin, Wei Wang, Dhawal Srivastava, Niharika Maheshwari
  • Patent number: 11202017
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and processes for transforming a style of video data. In one embodiment, a neural network is used to interpolate native video data received from a camera system on a mobile device in real-time. The interpolation converts the live native video data into a particular style. For example, the style can be associated with a particular artist or a particular theme. The stylized video data can viewed on a display of the mobile device in a manner similar to which native live video data is output to the display. Thus, the stylized video data, which is viewed on the display, is consistent with a current position and orientation of the camera system on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Fyusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Johannes Josef Holzer, Abhishek Kar, Pavel Hanchar, Radu Bogdan Rusu, Martin Saelzle, Shuichi Tsutsumi, Stephen David Miller, George Haber
  • Patent number: 11138402
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first imaging unit, a second imaging unit with a focal length different from a focal length of the first imaging unit, and a reading unit configured to read information from an optical code image included in a captured image, and a control unit configured to perform control so as to, in a case where information based on the optical code image has been read by the reading unit from an image captured by the first imaging unit, execute processing corresponding to the read information, and in a case where information based on the optical code image has not been read by the reading unit from an image captured by the first imaging unit, to cause the reading unit to read information based on the optical code image, from an image captured by the second imaging unit, and execute processing corresponding to the read information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ota
  • Patent number: 10902231
    Abstract: The optical code reader includes a light-receiving region limiting optical member 122. The light-receiving region limiting optical member 122 is disposed between a transparent window 8 and an image sensor 102 and includes an imaging lens 100 for imaging reflected light received through the transparent window 8, on a light receiving surface 108 of the image sensor 102. The light-receiving region limiting optical member 122 forms an image Im(1) of an optical code Co in a first light receiving region 108(1) of the light receiving surface 108 and forms an image Im(2) of an optical code Co in a second light receiving region 108 (2) that is different from the first light receiving region 108(1). The image sensor 102 is disposed obliquely to a direction orthogonal to an optical axis Oax of the imaging lens 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi Tajika, Hideaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 10528772
    Abstract: An assisted aimer for rapid, accurate, and low-cost imaging of barcodes, includes a hand-held device, such as a smart phone or tablet, having a digital camera with built-in flash, a specialized software application executing on the phone, and an aimer apparatus attached in front of the flash aperture for forming an aimer beam at a predetermined distance. The aimer beam assists a user in accurately pointing the device at a target barcode. The aimer is attachable directly to the smart phone or camera, or is made a part of an enclosure that accepts the smart phone or tablet into a self-aligning receiving space. Aiming beam assistance enables the camera, its auto-focus, and the installed software application image processing to deliver rapid, snappy, barcode imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Socket Mobile, Inc.
    Inventor: Micheal L. Gifford
  • Patent number: 10515245
    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: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Semblante Ynclino, V, Ferdinand Uy Calderon
  • Patent number: 10222514
    Abstract: An autofocus lens system includes no conventional moving parts and has excellent speed and low power consumption. The system includes a small electronically-controlled focusing-module lens. The focusing-module lens includes two adjustable polymeric surfaces (e.g., two adjustable-surface lenses in a back-to-back configuration). The curvature of the surfaces can be adjusted to change focus. The performance of the autofocus lens system is extended by adding a conventional first and second lens, or lens group, on either side of the focusing-module lens. What results is an autofocus lens system with excellent near field and far field performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, Alain Gillet
  • Patent number: 10013591
    Abstract: A system for reading code symbols includes an imaging subsystem that includes a focusing module and an image processor. The image processor selects an initial, predicted focal distance for the imaging subsystem's focusing module with respect to a code symbol. The focal distance for each successfully decoded code symbol is stored in memory, and a weighted average of a pre-selected number of memorized focal distances is used to calculate the next initial, predicted focal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Todeschini
  • Patent number: 9990526
    Abstract: An aimer module for a mobile device and method of use can assist in capturing a barcode image. The aimer module can receive light from a lamp of the mobile device and generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode, including through the use of a grating, a configuration of mirrors, light pipes, or other methods for bending or controlling the lamp source of the mobile device. Registration of the light pattern and the barcode in or near the scan area can enable a camera of the mobile device to capture and decode the barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Gifford, David James Stein
  • Patent number: 9886611
    Abstract: A stationary-type reading apparatus, which reads an information code, includes a case having a reading opening. An imaging unit, an image forming unit, and a reflecting unit are housed inside the case. The reflecting unit reflects light that has entered through the reading opening towards the image forming unit, the reflected light is led to a light receiving area of the imaging unit. The image forming unit prescribes a view area, which is configured by a first view area positioned between the image forming unit and the reflecting unit and a second view area positioned towards outside of the case, through the reading opening from the reflecting unit. A lower end of a reflection area of light from the reflecting unit is positioned at least at the lower end of the first view area. The image forming unit is disposed in a position off the second view area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kenryo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9785811
    Abstract: An image capture and processing system supports a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9779276
    Abstract: An indicia reading terminal has a three-dimensional depth sensor, a two dimensional image sensor, an autofocus lens assembly, and a processor. The three dimensional depth sensor captures a depth image of a field of view and create a depth map from the depth image, the depth map having one or more surface distances. The two dimensional image sensor receives incident light and capture an image therefrom. The autofocusing lens assembly is positioned proximate to the two dimensional image sensor such that the incident light passes through the autofocusing lens before reaching the two dimensional image sensor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the two dimensional image sensor, the three dimensional depth sensor, and the autofocusing lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Todeschini, Brian L. Jovanovski, Edward C. Bremer
  • Patent number: 9721135
    Abstract: An indicia reading terminal has a three-dimensional depth sensor, a two dimensional image sensor, an autofocus lens assembly, and a processor. The three dimensional depth sensor captures a depth image of a field of view and create a depth map from the depth image, the depth map having one or more surface distances. The two dimensional image sensor receives incident light and capture an image therefrom. The autofocusing lens assembly is positioned proximate to the two dimensional image sensor such that the incident light passes through the autofocusing lens before reaching the two dimensional image sensor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the two dimensional image sensor, the three dimensional depth sensor, and the autofocusing lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Todeschini, Brian L. Jovanovski, Edward C. Bremer
  • Patent number: 9679180
    Abstract: A portable data capture device and method for using the same are provided. The portable capture device includes a data capture module, a processor and a sensory indicator component. The data capture module captures data from a data bearing element. The processor determines that that the data has been successfully captured, subsequently processes the data to extract at least one characteristic thereof, and determines an indicator associated with the at least one characteristic. The sensory indicator component presents the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sunghun Lim, Ian R Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9581809
    Abstract: An autofocus lens system includes no conventional moving parts and has excellent speed and low power consumption. The system includes a small electronically-controlled focusing-module lens. The focusing-module lens includes two adjustable polymeric surfaces (e.g., two adjustable-surface lenses in a back-to-back configuration). The curvature of the surfaces can be adjusted to change focus. The performance of the autofocus lens system is extended by adding a conventional first and second lens, or lens group, on either side of the focusing-module lens. What results is an autofocus lens system with excellent near field and far field performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, Alain Gillet
  • Patent number: 9582698
    Abstract: A system for reading code symbols includes an imaging subsystem that includes a focusing module and an image processor. The image processor selects an initial, predicted focal distance for the imaging subsystem's focusing module with respect to a code symbol. The focal distance for each successfully decoded code symbol is stored in memory, and a weighted average of a pre-selected number of memorized focal distances is used to calculate the next initial, predicted focal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Todeschini
  • Patent number: 9361503
    Abstract: Systems and methods for robust recognition of machine-readable symbols from highly blurred or distorted images. An image signal representation of a machine-readable symbol element is transformed into a different space using one or more transform operations, which moves an n-dimensional vector of measured light intensities into another n-dimensional space. The types of transform operations may include blur robust orthonormal bases, such as the Discrete Sine Transform, the Discrete Cosine Transform, the Chebyshev Transform, and the Lagrange Transform. A trained classifier (e.g., an artificial intelligence machine learning algorithm) may be used to classify the transformed signal in the transformed space. The types of trainable classifiers that may be used include random forest classifiers, Mahalanobis classifiers, support vector machines, and classification or regression trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DATALOGIC IP TECH SRL
    Inventors: Francesco Deppieri, Maurizio Aldo De Girolami, Alessandro Lanza, Fiorella Sgallari
  • Patent number: 9355288
    Abstract: An image capture and processing system supports a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9251393
    Abstract: Tube holders for use in a lab environment include an optical device to allow the observation of barcode information on a sample tube. The optical device can include a lens or camera. Tube holders can also include reflective surfaces or mechanical mechanisms to allow the tube to be rotated such that reading a barcode does not require a strict initial orientation of the tube when placed in the tube holder. Arrays of tubes can include optical guides to allow barcodes to be read by an external imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Samuel Pollack
  • Publication number: 20150144699
    Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) projecting a light pattern towards a target object; (2) detecting light returned from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor to capture a first image with changes in the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (3) processing the first image to determine an optimized position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture a second image when the position of the focus plane of the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) decoding a barcode in the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM C. SACKETT, CHRISTOPHER W. BROCK, DAVID P. GOREN
  • Publication number: 20150144700
    Abstract: A method includes the following: (1) projecting a light pattern towards a target object; (2) detecting light returned from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor to capture at least a first slit-frame-image and a second slit-frame-image; (3) determining an optimized position of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture an image of a barcode when the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) processing the image of the barcode to decode the barcode. In the method, determining the optimized position includes processing at least the first slit-frame-image and the second slit-frame-image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William C. SACKETT, Christopher W. BROCK, David P. GOREN
  • Patent number: 9038903
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting from at least one of the imaging sensors to a controller a short frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a first illumination level. The method further includes transmitting subsequently from the at least one of the imaging sensors to the controller a regular frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a second illumination level that is determined based upon the short frame data. The size of the regular frame data being at least 50 times larger than the size of the short frame data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dariusz J. Madej, David P. Goren, Eugene B. Joseph
  • 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: 9016575
    Abstract: Indicia are imaged at a workstation having windows arranged in intersecting planes. The workstation also has solid-state imagers with fields of view that are split into intersecting subfields that look out through the windows, as well as illumination assemblies each having multiple light sources that illuminate each subfield with illumination light over an illumination field that overlaps a respective subfield. Light-modifying elements, such as lenses or baffles that are radially offset from the multiple light sources, condition the illumination light from the multiple light sources to be generally uniform in light intensity over at least one illuminated subfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Caihua Chen, Edward Barkan, Mark Drzymala
  • Patent number: 8998092
    Abstract: Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having different wavelengths. Reflected light is focused by an optical system to form one or more images of an optical code on the color image sensor array. The optical system includes optics to form first and second images of an object bearing the optical code, where the first image excludes light of the second wavelength and the second image excludes light of the first wavelength, thereby enabling the first set of sensor pixels to sense the first image without substantially sensing the second image and the second set of sensor pixels to sense the second image without substantially sensing the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventor: WenLiang Gao
  • Patent number: 8967478
    Abstract: A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light to be rejected, includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a scan component for scanning the laser beam over a scan angle across the target, a photodetector for generating an output signal by detecting return laser light from the target to generate an information signal bearing information related to the target, and by concomitantly detecting the ambient light to generate an ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring the ambient light signal to determine a threshold, for processing the output signal by passing the output signal through a filter having a bandwidth, and for rejecting the ambient light signal from the output signal by adjusting the scan angle and/or the bandwidth when the ambient light signal exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giebel, Peter Fazekas, David P. Goren
  • Patent number: 8936195
    Abstract: A barcode reading apparatus includes a substrate, an image sensing module, an optical lens module, and a plurality of light sources. The image sensing module is disposed on the substrate; the optical lens module includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, where the second end is connected to the image sensing module; and the plurality of light sources is disposed around the optical lens module, where a connection line of disposition positions of the light sources is axially or radially symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Sung-Ling Chang
  • Publication number: 20150001304
    Abstract: A system for reading code symbols includes an imaging subsystem that includes a focusing module and an image processor. The image processor selects an initial, predicted focal distance for the imaging subsystem's focusing module with respect to a code symbol. The focal distance for each successfully decoded code symbol is stored in memory, and a weighted average of a pre-selected number of memorized focal distances is used to calculate the next initial, predicted focal distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Erik Todeschini
  • Patent number: 8919653
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for unassisted (i.e., customer controlled) exception handling in an automated data reader having a read zone. A first imager obtains a first image of an exception item in response to an exception generated in a read zone. An exception handling station receives the exception item, and a second imager located at the exception handling station obtains a second image of the exception item. An image processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine whether the first and second images represent the same exception item. If so, the exception is cleared, and the item is added to a transaction list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan L. Olmstead
  • Patent number: 8905315
    Abstract: One or more processors, executing program instructions stored on a non-transitory storage medium, can populate event information of an event into a set of electronic calendar event information fields of an electronic calendar of a user. Each of the set of information fields is populated using the event information obtained from a single optical scan of a bar code for the event. The bar code can include the event information optically encoded within the bar code or can include a link encoded within the bar code to a Web source from which the event information is automatically obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Komel Qureshi
  • Patent number: 8902353
    Abstract: An imaging module for electro-optically imaging a target, includes an energizable illuminating light source for illuminating the target with illumination light for return from the target, an energizable solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target, and a controller for energizing the imager during an exposure time period to capture the return light at a frame rate, for deenergizing the imager during a non-exposed time period, and for energizing the illuminating light source not only during the exposure time period, but also during the non-exposed time period, to produce a plurality of illumination light pulses at an illumination rate that enables the human eye to perceive the illumination light pulses as substantially continuous. The illumination rate of one or more of the illumination light pulses produced during the non-exposed time period is substantially independent and decoupled from the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fjellstad, Christopher Warren Brock, Thomas Lackemann, Robert Pang
  • Patent number: 8899484
    Abstract: An image capture system for, and a method of, reading an optical code during a reading mode, comprise an aiming assembly including a laser for emitting a laser beam having a variable intensity, and for generating an aiming pattern from the laser beam during an aiming mode prior to the reading mode, and an imager for detecting and capturing an image of the aiming pattern and the code over a field of view by exposure over an exposure time period during the aiming mode, and for detecting and capturing an image of the code over the field of view during the reading mode. A controller is operative for controlling the intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode by increasing the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period to enhance detection and capture of the aiming pattern by the imager, and by decreasing the intensity of the laser beam frame outside the exposure time period for user safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Trajkovic, Vladimir Gurevich, Heng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8870073
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are presented for improving image scanning. A point of sale terminal apparatus, including an imaging scanner, provides information to an operator indicating the optimal scanning position for an optical code for efficient first pass scanning by the imaging scanner. The information includes real-time video from an image capture device of the imaging scanner displayed on an operator's display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Oliver Detwiler
  • Patent number: 8847150
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light emitting diode operative to emit mostly invisible light within an invisible bandwidth, and a scattering surface configured to scatter a first portion of the invisible light from the light emitting diode out of the window. The scattering surface is also partially transparent to allow a second portion of the invisible light from the light emitting diode to pass through the scattering surface and strike the reflector that is configured to reflect at least some of the second portion of the invisible light towards the window. The apparatus further includes a photodetector configured to detect returned invisible light from the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darran M. Handshaw, Mark E. Drzymala, Joseph D. Giordano
  • Patent number: 8844822
    Abstract: An image capture and processing system supports a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140239073
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Chie TOYODA, Toshihiko TSUKADA, Satoru KATO, Yoshimi KITAZUMI, Kunihiko ITO
  • Patent number: 8800874
    Abstract: Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having wavelengths within, respectively, first and second wavelength bands, reflected light is focused by an optical system to form an image of an optical code on the color image sensor array, first and second sets of image data representing light intensity levels sensed by, respectively, the first and second sets of sensor pixels are produced, and the first set of image data is processed to determine whether the second set of image data is to be used in combination with the first set of image data to decode the optical code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventor: WenLiang Gao
  • Patent number: 8794524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a smart scanning system comprising an integrated scanning and image capture system in which one or more image capture device(s) (e.g., still camera, video camera, etc.) and a barcode scanner are positioned within a common enclosure that is a component of a checkout station. The barcode of item is scanned and an image of the item is recorded. The identity of the item as determined based on the barcode is compared to its appearance as determined based on its image. If the identity is inconsistent with its appearance, a discrepancy is registered. It is then determined whether the discrepancy is due to fraud (e.g., theft) or device error. In the case of the latter, the system can be updated to prevent a repeat of the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Connell, II, Myron D. Flickner, Norman Haas, Thomas J. Hammershoy, Arun Hampapur, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti
  • Publication number: 20140203086
    Abstract: An image reader can include an image sensor array. An image reader in one embodiment can include an optical system capable of directing light reflected from a target onto the image sensor array. An image reader can be used for reading a dataform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ynjiun Wang, William H. Havens
  • 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: 20140183264
    Abstract: This invention provides a lens assembly for a vision system, allowing for a constant magnification at various focal distances. The lens assembly resides movably/adjustably along the optical axis relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, the lens assembly includes a fixed rear lens and a front lens that is moved mechanically to focus the object image on the image sensor. The lens assembly can alternatively include a liquid lens that is controlled to adjust magnification with respect to a fixed front lens so as to maintain a constant system magnification. The liquid lens resides between the (fixed) front lens assembly and the image sensor and can be controlled to focus the image onto the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: Laurens Nunnink
  • 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