Abstract: An image capture device, method and system where pixel data captured by the image capture device is read from the device in logical pixel rows. A logical pixel row is an externally defined row of pixels where the pixels that comprise the logical pixel row are read from parts of multiple physical rows of pixels. Logical pixel rows are at an angle to the physical rows of pixels that comprise the pixel array of the image capture device.

Abstract: A laser scanning device is described. The device includes a laser for projecting a light beam. A mirror is optically coupled to the laser. The mirror reflects the light beam onto a target. A detector generates an analog signal in response to detecting a reflection of the light beam from the target. A processor is capable of modifying a scanning parameter of the laser scanning device. The processor processes the analog signal to generate a digital bar pattern and can embed the scanning parameter in the digital bar pattern.

Abstract: A method of retrieving information comprised in a barcode is disclosed. The method comprises detecting that the barcode is present in a first image having a first image quality and capturing a first region, acquiring, when it is detected that the barcode is present, a second image having a second image quality and capturing a second region, wherein the second image quality is higher than the first image quality, and wherein the second region at least partly overlaps the first region, and decoding the barcode based on the second image to retrieve the information.

Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag can comprise an RFID chip, an antenna, and a feed line electrically coupling the RFID chip to the antenna. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, a communication interface, and an EIR device provided by a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, or a card reading device. The RFID reading device can further comprise an antenna and a feed line. The antenna for the RFID tag or for the RFID reading device can be provided by a patch cell, a patch cell array comprising two or more patch cells, or by a patch cell stack comprising two or more patch cells. An equivalent circuit for the patch can comprise at least two inductances and a shunt capacitance. An equivalent circuit for the patch cell array can comprise two or more inductance groups connected via a series capacitance and two or more shunt capacitances.

Abstract: A 2D bar code reader with improved motion tolerance is presented. The 2D bar code reader includes a lens configuration that enhances chromatic aberration to separate the focal planes on which bar code images from two different color components of a light will be focused. An imager interprets one of the focal planes as the image and the other one as noise to be ignored. In addition, the increased depth of field generated by the chromatic aberration allows for a larger aperture stop setting and quicker shutter speed, thereby improving motion tolerance.

Abstract: A barcode recovery system, including: an image processor configured to determine a binary vector corresponding to a blurry barcode image by: maximizing an objective function that models the system using splines. Optimizing the objective function may be efficiently accomplished by constraining a search on each bit in the barcode image to a nearby range of influence of other bits in the barcode image. Further efficiency may be gained by enumerating the local groups of bits in graycode order and by adding or subtracting values from a precomputed inner product matrix to state variables to compute the complete objective function.

Abstract: The system proposes software barcode mechanism and Hardware barcode mechanism to read new barcode symbology. In the software barcode based system, a scanner is used to scan the barcode. The barcode information is further sent to a decoding unit. The decoding unit extracts data from the received undecoded data and converts them to corresponding scale unit. In a hardware based barcode system, a plurality of slider pins attached to a slider header slides over the hardware barcodes. The electric signals corresponding to value of barcode at each point is transmitted to a decoding unit. The decoding unit processes the received signals and converts the signals to corresponding scale unit. Further the scale unit refers to the length of the material or distance between materials.

Abstract: Utilizing natural variations in marked features on an item as a way of establishing an identifier specific to that item, storing the identifier separately from the item, and subsequently accessing the identifier to validate the identity of the item.

Abstract: A barcode decoding system and method are disclosed that use a data-driven classifier for transforming a potentially degraded barcode signal into a digit sequence. The disclosed implementations are robust to signal degradation through incorporation of a noise model into the classifier construction phase. The run-time computational cost is low, allowing for efficient implementations on portable devices.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array. The indicia reading apparatus can have a first operator selectable configuration and a second operator selectable configuration.

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.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method of providing network connectivity. The method can include introducing a new communication device within a communication range of a portable data collection device, the new communication device comprising a dynamic access module enabling the new communication device to receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to an access point. In one aspect the new communication device can receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the access point if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of said access point and the portable data collection device. There is set forth herein a system having a dynamic access module.

Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: providing a reader for reading information data carriers; an operator loading a configuration overlay onto the configuration settings of the reader upon successful logging, wherein the configuration overlay is specific to the operator; and reading information data carriers utilizing the configuration overlay.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting a one-dimensional digital signal from a two-dimensional digital image along a projection line. Disclosed embodiments provide an image memory in which is stored the digital image, a working memory, a direct memory access controller, a table memory that holds a plurality of transfer templates, and a processor. The processor selects a transfer template from the table memory responsive to an orientation of the projection line, computes a customized set of transfer parameters from the selected transfer template and parameters of the projection line, transmits the transfer parameters to the direct memory access controller, commands the direct memory access controller to transfer data from the image memory to the working memory as specified by the transfer parameters, and computes the one-dimensional digital signal using at least a portion of the data transferred by the direct memory access controller into the working memory.

Abstract: Data transfer using barcodes is described. In one example data can be transferred between a first device and a second device in close proximity to each other using repeating barcode sequences. For example at the first device a data item can be encoded as a sequence of barcodes, each barcode includes an indicator of the number of barcodes in the sequence and the position of the barcode in the sequence. To receive the data at a second device the barcode sequence can be captured and stored, for example using a digital camera associated with the device, and the barcodes subsequently decoded using the captured sequence. The data contained in each of the barcodes in the sequence can be reassembled by the receiving device to obtain the transmitted data.

Abstract: A portable data terminal includes a housing; a controller operating software and supported by the housing; a battery well formed in the housing; a male connector disposed in the battery well comprised of a plurality of male contacts; a battery pack for seating in the battery well having a female connector comprised of a plurality of female contacts for electrically mating with corresponding male contacts to electrically connect the battery pack with the male connector when the battery pack is seated in the battery well, such that when the battery pack is unseated from the battery well and disconnected from the male connector, a signal male contact is electrically unmated from it's corresponding signal female contact to initiate a shut down procedure before other male contacts are electrically unmated from their corresponding female contacts, such that the other male/female contact pairs continue to provide power to the portable data terminal until shut down of the portable data terminal.

Abstract: A processor is adapted for performing a QR-decomposition. The processor has a program memory, a program controller, connected to the program memory to receive program instructions, and at least one processing unit. The processing unit includes a CORDIC calculation block, and has a distributed memory structure, with separate memory blocks for storing respective parameter values.

Abstract: This image reading apparatus, includes: a first retaining member that retains a lens unit; a second retaining member that retains a sensor unit; and a positioning member that sets a relative position between the first retaining member and the second retaining member, wherein the positioning member comprises: a first concave portion that is sagged from a first contact surface to be in contact with the first retaining member; and a second concave portion that is sagged from a second contact surface to be in contact with the second retaining member, and the positioning member is fixed to the first retaining member and the second retaining member by an adhesive filled in the first concave portion and the second concave portion.

Abstract: Bar code readers and methods of reading bar codes are described herein. One device includes a camera configured to produce a motion invariant image of a bar code while the bar code is in motion and a processor configured to deblur the motion invariant image of the bar code.

Abstract: A barcode decoding system and method for compensating for motion of between an image sensor and a barcode to improve decoding of the barcode. The barcode decoding system includes an imager for capturing an image of the barcode, a motion sensor for collecting acceleration data and a processor that is configured to determine a velocity of the image sensor during the exposure period based on the acceleration data and a periodic motion model, The determined velocity is used to adjust the edge detection algorithm used to detect the barcode features in order to decode the barcode. The orientation of the captured barcode can also be determined in order to determine the velocity in a direction perpendicular to the barcode features.

Abstract: Various improved imager-based optical code readers and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an imager-based method reads an optical code (which may be, for example, a linear optical code such as a bar code) on an object in a viewing volume. The method comprises dividing an image plane into a plurality of strip-shaped sections, viewing the object in the viewing volume from a plurality of perspectives, forming a plurality of strip-shaped images corresponding to the plurality of perspectives, respectively, thereby creating a composite image containing data from a plurality of perspectives, and processing at least a portion of the composite image so as to ascertain the information encoded in the optical code on the object in the viewing volume. Certain embodiments can mimic the performance of a laser-based scanner without a laser or moving parts but instead utilizing an electronic imaging device such as an imager.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for transferring data to a mobile device through animated barcodes. The mobile device scans, with a barcode reader, at least a first barcode and then scans at least a second barcode, whereby the barcodes are shown on a display. The display is in an open-loop relationship with the mobile device. The mobile device decodes the at least first and second barcodes to extract a first data portion and an associated first sequence identification, and a second data portion and an associated second sequence identification. The mobile device combines the first and second data portions according to the associated sequence identifications.

Abstract: Various algorithms are presented that enable an image of a barcode, captured by a camera of an electronic device, to be decoded on the device without need to upload the image information to a server for processing. The algorithms can account for variations in focus of the image, as may result in blur due to move movement or auto-focus features. The approaches can handle multiple barcode formats, and can handle barcodes on curved surfaces, barcodes with damaged areas, or barcodes that are otherwise uneven. Such algorithms are highly accurate while being fast and lightweight enough to execute on portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers and smart phones.

Abstract: Method of and system for reading visible and/or invisible code symbols in a user-transparent manner using visible/invisible illumination switching during data capture and processing operations.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for decoding optical codes using symbol-based algorithms are described. In one example, a method includes acquiring a signal representative of light reflected from an optical code comprising one or more symbols of a finite set of symbols and applying a decoding model to the signal. The decoding model may relate measured signals to the finite set of symbols, such that each of the symbols of the finite set of symbols are associated with a respective encoded character of a finite set of encoded characters. The method may also include determining, by a processor, a sequence of one or more of the encoded characters based on the application of the decoding model to the signal. In this manner, the optical code may be decoded by directly fitting an acquired signal from the optical code to possible symbols within the optical code and the associated encoded characters.

Abstract: Signal transmission and/or reception device, by contactless inductive coupling comprising at least one structure forming one or several antennas, said structure comprising a plurality of conducting links (102, 106) in at least two parallel and distinct planes, a first plurality of said conducting links forming a first conducting circuit (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) through which a current (I1) will circulate, and a second plurality of said conducting links forms at least one second conducting circuit (108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608, 708), distinct from said first circuit, and through which a current (I2) will circulate, the links being arranged such that the coefficient coupling between pairs of said circuits is zero or at least less than 5% or less than 1%.

Abstract: An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.

Abstract: A method of operating a reader system includes: providing a reader for reading information data carriers; an operator loading a configuration overlay onto the configuration settings of the reader upon successful logging, wherein the configuration overlay is specific to the operator; and reading information data carriers utilizing the configuration overlay.

Abstract: A reduced-ink barcode is disclosed in which the barcode has printed dot foreground and non-printed background element regions assembled into a detectable pattern on a document and is printed with each of the printed dot foreground element regions having less than a maximum printed dot density.

Abstract: A bar code reading terminal includes a cordless optical reader. The optical reader includes a microprocessor, a scan engine coupled to the microprocessor, a hand held housing supporting the scan engine, program memory coupled to the microprocessor, a decode processor circuit coupled to the microprocessor, and a short-cycle energy storage device coupled to the microprocessor. The energy storage device has high power density and low energy density. In one embodiment, the short-cycle energy storage device comprises a power density greater than 1 kW/kg. The bar code reading terminal further includes a base unit having a housing that includes a socket for receiving the hand held housing. The socket has a connector to facilitate transfer of bar code data messages from the hand held optical reader to the base unit. The connector also transfer powers from the base unit to the short-cycle energy storage device.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a communication interface, and an EIR device, all communicatively coupled to a system bus. The EIR device can be provided by a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and/or a card reading device. The EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to reading an encoded message by the EIR device, to produce a decoded message string by decoding the encoded message. The EIR terminal can be further configured to produce an output string by formatting the decoded message string according to one or more formatting commands. The formatting can comprise excluding from the output string a symbol of a specified encoding type according to a Discard Data formatting command.

Abstract: A 2D bar code reader with improved motion tolerance is presented. The 2D bar code reader includes a lens configuration that enhances chromatic aberration to separate the focal planes on which bar code images from two different color components of a light will be focused. An imager interprets one of the focal planes as the image and the other one as noise to be ignored. In addition, the increased depth of field generated by the chromatic aberration allows for a larger aperture stop setting and quicker shutter speed, thereby improving motion tolerance.

Abstract: A burden of an operation of manually inputting identification information of an error bar-code ticket by using an external device can be reduced, and both image information and identification information of the error bar-code ticket can be transmitted to the external device.

Abstract: Symbols having symbologies with multi-unit, bar and space element, start and stop patterns on curved surfaces of objects, are electro-optically read by capturing light from a target symbol over a scan line, and by generating an electrical analog signal indicative of the captured light over the scan line. A controller digitizes the electrical analog signal into a digitized signal, decodes the digitized signal between the start and stop patterns into valid characters of the target symbol, identifies leading and trailing waveform portions of the analog signal indicative of the start and stop patterns, matches the identified leading and trailing waveform portions of the analog signal against known analog waveforms of the start and stop patterns of the target symbol, and verifies that a match has occurred when the matching between the leading and trailing waveform portions and the known analog waveforms exceeds a known threshold correlation.

Abstract: The system includes a housing having a light transmission window and produces an extremely-elongated laser beam having an elongation ratio (ER) that is defined as greater than 4.5 for any point within the working range of the laser scanning bar code symbol reading system. A laser scanning mechanism is provided for scanning the extremely-elongated laser beam out the light transmission window and across a scanning field defined external to the housing, in which a bar code symbol is present for scanning by the extremely-elongated laser scanning beam.

Abstract: The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.

Abstract: A device for processing image data relating to bar codes is described. In one embodiment a bar code verification device is provided having an ergonomic form factor characterized by a domed hand held trigger and a viewing window. The verification device may be disposed in a network that includes a host processor system and other bar code reading devices which may include other bar code verification devices. Processing circuitry for processing image signals corresponding to printed bar codes may be partially disposed within the hand held verification device and partially disposed within a host processor system spaced apart from and associated with the hand held verification device. The hand held verification device may be in wireless communication with the host processor system to which it is associated.

Abstract: A verifier imaging unit structured with a movably mounted imaging device, housed within a housing of the imaging unit, such that the orientation of the imaging device may be altered so that the imaging device may be placed in one of a number of available and pre-established imaging orientations. Each available imaging orientation has an associated imaging window, and a support surface provided about or proximate to the imaging window. The imaging window and support surface enable the placing, distancing, and generally proper locating of a data carrying graphical symbol for subsequent imaging and data collection activities. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring abstracts, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A control unit extracts at least a part of data that is displayed on a display and sends the extracted part of the displayed data to a speech generating device. The speech generating device includes a conversion circuit that converts the received data to a speech signal. The conversion circuit may be connected to a speaker system for broadcasting the speech signal.

Abstract: A barcode detection device performs a barcode detection analysis operation of detecting and analyzing a barcode in image data to generate a barcode detection result. An image processor performs an image processing operation of applying image processing to the image data to generate processed image data when the barcode detection indicates an error in barcode detection or analysis. The controller causes the image processor and the barcode detection device to sequentially perform a plurality of retry operations each of which including a set of the image processing operation and the barcode detection analysis operation until one or more successful detection results are obtained, while causing the image processor to change a type of the image processing being applied for each retry operation.

Abstract: An optical code recognition station comprises a fixed optical code scanning station and an optical code imager, the optical code imager being operable in both a hand held and a fixed configuration. In the fixed configuration the optical code imager is mounted on the fixed optical code scanning station. Communication between the fixed optical code scanning station and the optical code image is wireless and the optical code imager operates without a wired connection to the fixed optical code scanning station when in the hand held configuration.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory an EIR device, and a wireless communication. The EIR device can be provided by a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and/or a card reading device. The wireless communication interface can comprise a first logical communication interface operating on a first frequency channel and a second logical communication interface operating on a second frequency channel. The wireless communication interface can be configured to transmit infrastructure mode beacons. The infrastructure mode beacons can include a service set identifier. The wireless communication interface can be further configured to transmit ad-hoc mode beacons on the second frequency channel. The ad-hoc mode beacons can include an identifier of a mesh path selection protocol. The EIR terminal can be further configured to route MAC frames between the first logical communication interface and the second logical communication interface.

Abstract: There is described a system and method for automatically discriminating between different types of data with an image reader. In brief overview of one embodiment, the automatic discrimination feature of the present image reader allows a human operator to aim a hand held image reader at a target that can contain a dataform and actuate the image reader. An autodiscrimination module in the image reader in one embodiment analyzes image data representative of the target and determines a type of data represented in the image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time stamping an image file generated by an imaging based barcode reader. The method includes initializing a current time and date on the barcode reader and tracking the current time and date using an oscillator of the barcode reader. The date and time value are set whenever the barcode reader is powered on. The method further includes capturing an image of a target object using the imaging based barcode reader and time stamping the captured image using the time tracked by the oscillator. The time stamped image is then transmitted to a host device.

Abstract: A configuration system for configuring a barcode symbol scanning terminal using a two-dimensional barcode is provided. The configuration system includes a two-dimensional imager terminal including an image sensor configured to collect an image representative of a two-dimensional barcode, wherein the two-dimensional imager terminal is configured to determine programming data based upon the image representative of the two-dimensional barcode and to transmit the determined programming data. The configuration system further includes a barcode symbol scanning terminal, wherein the barcode symbol scanning terminal receives the determined programming data from the two-dimensional imager terminal, wherein the barcode symbol scanning terminal is operative to be configured based upon the determined programming data.

Abstract: A method of decoding a two-dimensional enhanced-density barcode. A first and a second barcode are encoded in the enhanced-density barcode. The enhanced-density barcode includes a set of blocks. Each block includes a predefined number of sub-pixels. The blocks of the enhanced-density barcode being arranged relatively to each other in a geometrical lattice having a first and a second lattice direction. The method includes the steps of distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the first lattice direction, resulting in a first distorted barcode, distorting of the enhanced-density barcode in the second lattice direction, resulting in a second distorted barcode, reconstructing the first barcode by low-pass filtering the first distorted barcode, reconstructing the second barcode by low-pass filtering the second distorted barcode.

Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag can comprise an RFID chip, an antenna, and a feed line electrically coupling the RFID chip to the antenna. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, a communication interface, and an EIR device provided by a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, or a card reading device. The RFID reading device can further comprise an antenna and a feed line. The antenna for the RFID tag or for the RFID reading device can be provided by a patch cell, a patch cell array comprising two or more patch cells, or by a patch cell stack comprising two or more patch cells. An equivalent circuit for the patch can comprise at least two inductances and a shunt capacitance. An equivalent circuit for the patch cell array can comprise two or more inductance groups connected via a series capacitance and two or more shunt capacitances.

Abstract: When configuring multiple patient monitors (12) in a healthcare environment, configuration is simplified and setup time is reduced by employing barcoded configuration information that is scanned into the monitors (12) using a barcode scanner (14). A first monitor (12a) is configured by selectively scanning one or more barcodes contained in a configuration booklet. Once the first monitor (12a) is configured, its configuration information is stored and printed in barcoded format. The printed barcodes are then scanned into a second patient monitor (12b), without requiring the user to navigate the configuration barcode booklet a second time. Additionally, a patient's ID barcode is printed on vital signs records generated by the monitor, such as by a strip chart recorder or printer (20).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a functional module for storing and exchanging data, comprising a common portable support, at least one passive contactless integrated circuit in the form of a first semi-conductor chip, a contactless integrated circuit reader in the form of a second semi-conductor chip, the contactless integrated circuit and the reader being gathered on or in the common portable support, an antenna coil of the contactless integrated circuit, connected to the contactless integrated circuit, an antenna coil of the reader, connected to the reader, the antenna coil of the contactless integrated circuit being coupled to the antenna coil of the reader.

Abstract: There is described a data collection device that can incorporate an encoded information reading unit that can operate within a system including an access point that is wireline connected to a server. The encoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar code reading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card reading unit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamic access module. The dynamic access communication module enables the data collection device to participate in a self organized network that supports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collection devices and which further enables the device to transmit data received from a peer device to the system access point.