26077results about "Sensing by electromagnetic radiation" patented technology

A method of retrieving and manipulating electronic information that relates to a printed document. Each printed document contains an initialization marking that is recognizable by an external sensory device and unique to the printed document. When a reader of the printed document desires to retrieve and manipulate electronic information that relates to the printed document, the reader initializes the system by using the sensory device to recognize the initialization marking. The sensory device transfers a code embedded in the initialization marking to a computing device. This configures the computing device to access the stored data and instruction sets associated with the printed document. In addition to the initialization marking, areas throughout the printed document (e.g., text, tables, figures, etc.) also contain markings that are recognizable by the external sensory device. The reader of the printed document uses the sensory device to recognize the markings and transfer the code embedded in the markings to the computing device. The computing device uses the code to retrieve and display the electronic information that relates to that area of the printed document.

An imaging module in one embodiment includes at least one multiple color emitting light source comprising a plurality of different colored LED dies each independently driveable so that the overall color emitted by the light source can be controlled and varied. The multiple color emitting light source can be controlled so that the color emitted by the light source is optimized for imaging or reading in a present application environment of the module. Further, the module can be configured so that control of the multiple color emitting light source automatically varies depending on a sensed condition, such a color present in a field of view of the module, the distance of the module to a target, and / or a predetermined criteria being met so that feedback is provided to a user. The module in a further aspect can include illumination light sources and aiming light sources which project light in different wavelength emission bands.

A portable data terminal including an elongated housing and a vertical grip. The housing has a battery well that extends traverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A battery pack has a longitudinal axis that, when seated in the battery well, extends traverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing, the battery pack having an integrated latch that engages a recess in the battery well.

An adaptive strobe illumination control process for use in a digital image capture and processing system. In general, the process involves: (i) illuminating an object in the field of view (FOV) with several different pulses of strobe (i.e. stroboscopic) illumination over a pair of consecutive video image frames; (ii) detecting digital images of the illuminated object over these consecutive image frames; and (iii) decode processing the digital images in an effort to read a code symbol graphically encoded therein. In a first illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a code symbol graphically encoded in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the exposure time (i.e. photonic integration time interval) is automatically adjusted during subsequent image frames (i.e. image acquisition cycles) according to the principles of the present disclosure. In a second illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a code symbol graphically encoded in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the energy level of the strobe illumination is automatically adjusted during subsequent image frames (i.e. image acquisition cycles) according to the principles of the present disclosure.

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.

A digital-imaging based code symbol reading system which automatically detects hand-induced vibration when the user attempts to read one or more 1D and / or 2D code symbols on an object, and controls system operation in order to reduce motion blur in digital images captured by the hand-supportable system, whether operated in a snap-shot or video image capture mode. An accelerometer sensor is used to automatically detect hand / system acceleration in a vector space during system operation. In a first embodiment, digital image capture is initiated when the user manually depresses a trigger switch, and decode processed only when the measured acceleration of the hand-supportable housing is below predetermined acceleration threshold levels. In another embodiment, digital image capture is initiated when an object is automatically detected in the field of view of the system, and decode processed only when the measured acceleration of the hand-supportable housing is below predetermined acceleration threshold levels.

A laser scanning system for generating a laser scanning pattern in a scanning field, while amplifying the scan-angle multiplication factor of rotating mirrors employed therein. The laser scanning system employs rotatable laser scanning assembly having an axis of rotation and first and second rotating mirrors with normal vectors that are coplanar with each other and said rotational axis, and which form an acute angle substantially less than 90 degrees so as to provide a laser scanning assembly with a scan angle multiplication factor that is greater than 2.0. A cluster of stationary mirrors mounted about the first and second rotating mirrors, for sweeping a laser beam off the cluster of stationary mirrors after a laser beam has been reflected off the first rotating mirror, then reflected off the second rotating mirror, and then directed outwardly towards an array of pattern mirrors, so as to generate a resultant laser scanning pattern within the scanning field.

A digital-imaging based system for and method of reading graphical indicia, including code symbols, on objects such as, but not limited to, code symbol menus by the user simply pointing his or her finger at the particular code symbol on the code symbol menu to be read, while digital images of the code symbol menu and the pointing finger are automatically captured, buffered and processed.

The present invention relates generally to a consumer interactive shopping and marketing system. The system includes a portable data terminal for communicating information over a communication network. The present system has aspects that may be used within a shopping establishment or at a user's home.

A laser scanning assembly for use in a host system, including a mirror support element and a permanent magnetic element supported on a flexural element made from flexible material being supported by a pair of shaft half sections forming a stationary shaft, about which an axis of rotation is formed. The mirror support element and the permanent magnetic element have first and second recesses which accommodate the width of the stationary shaft so that a mirror and permanent magnet subassembly, formed by the mirror support element and the magnetic element, is free to oscillate about the stationary shaft when an electromagnetic coil is driven by a drive circuit and generates magnetic forces that act on the permanent magnetic element.

A system for decoding an encoded symbol character associated with a product is provided. The system includes a bioptic scanning apparatus comprising a first scan source disposed within a housing, and a second scan source disposed within the housing. The second scan source comprises an operating technology distinct from an operating technology of the first scan source. The first scan source is adapted to output a first scan data set, and the second scan source is adapted to output a second scan data set.

A decodable indicia reading system can be provided for use in locating and decoding a bar code symbol represented within a frame of image data. The system can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicatively coupled to the CPU, and two or more image sensors communicatively coupled to the CPU or to the memory. The system can be configured to select an image sensor for indicia reading by cycling through available image sensors to detect an image sensor suitable for an attempted indicia reading operation by comparing a measured parameter value to a pre-defined sensor-specific threshold value. The system can be further configured to select the first suitable or the best suitable image sensor for the attempted decodable indicia reading operation based upon the comparison result. The system can be further configured to notify the system operator which image sensor has been selected. The system can be further configured to obtain a decodable indicia image by the selected image sensor.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an indicia reading terminal including a focus element that extends the range of focus distances at which the indicia reading terminal can decode decodable indicia. In one embodiment, the focus element comprises a variable form element and a variable position element, the combination of which causes an image distance that can change in accordance with a separation distance between these two elements. The focus element can comprise an actuator, e.g., a piezoelectric actuator, which can be coupled to the variable position element in a manner that can cause the variable position element to deform the variable form element, and in one example, the deformation changes the focal length of the variable form element.

A method of and system for setting and switching user preferences between system operators, to provide a higher return on investment (ROI) and a more satisfying work environment. The system allows operators to easily select and implement particular customizable system configuration parameters (SCPs) in a code symbol reading system, based on personal preferences of the system operator, which can lead to more effective scanning performance. A different set of customizable SCPs are programmably stored in system memory (e.g. EPROM) for each system operator / user registered to use the system, to improve the quality of the working environment and increase worker productivity.

A method of and apparatus for generating a multiple raster-type scanning pattern by modulating a multi-cavity laser diode in such a way that it sequentially generates different laser beams synchronously during different laser scanning cycles, while the output laser beams are directed incident upon a rotating polygonal laser scanning element. The system does not require additional moving parts beyond the rotating polygon scanning element so as to reduce complexity and simplify construction of the laser scanning mechanism.

A laser scanning bar code symbol reading system for scanning and reading poor quality and damaged bar code symbols in flexible operating conditions. The system includes a housing having a light transmission window; a dynamically-elongated laser beam production module, including a multi-cavity visible laser diode (VLD), for producing a dynamically-elongated laser beam having (i) a direction of propagation extending along a z reference direction, (ii) a height dimension being indicated by the y reference direction, and (iii) a width dimension being indicated by the x reference direction, where x, y and z directions are orthogonal to each other. Each dynamically-elongated laser beam is characterized by an elongation ratio (ER) that is defined as Y / X where, for any point within the working range of the laser scanning bar code symbol reading system, extending along the z direction, (i) Y indicates the beam height of the dynamically-elongated laser beam measured in the Y reference direction, (ii) X indicates the beam width of the dynamically-elongated laser beam measured in the X reference direction, and (iii) the beam height (Y) and the laser beam width (X) are measured at 1 / e2 intensity clip level. A laser scanning mechanism is provided for scanning the dynamically-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 dynamically-elongated laser scanning beam.

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.

A method for operating an indicia reading terminal is provided wherein image information can be processed for determining a location of a decodable indicia representation for a certain frame of image data, the result of the processing can be utilized for determination of an imaging parameter, the imaging parameter can be utilized for capture of a subsequent frame and the subsequent frame can be subject to image processing.

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.

A laser scanning module employs a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly supported by a stator structure using a pair of elastomeric wheel hinges. The scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly includes: a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly having a rotor frame having a pair of rotor support posts aligned along a scan axis passing through the rotor frame; a scan mirror mounted on the rotor frame; and a permanent magnet mounted on the rotor frame. The elastomeric wheel hinge includes a central portion having an aperture for passage and fixed attachment of one rotor support post, a plurality of elastomeric spoke portions extending from the central portion and radially extending from the central aperture to a circumferential rim portion connected to the outer end portion of each spoke portion so as to form the elastomeric wheel hinge.

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.

A data entry and scanning apparatus that includes a commercially available mobile device wherein said commercially available mobile device with a touch screen display, a processor, and a wireless communications network access point, a scanning device, an interface, and a power source that external to the commercially available mobile device and connected to the interface, and a casing that does not cover the touch screen display.

Automatic data collection devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and the like may be tested using ADC device test executables, modules or processes stored at a variety of network locations. One or more sets of tests or work lists may be defined to facilitate testing. Tests may be identified by name and / or keyword. Keywords may be indicative one or more functionalities tested by the respective ADC device test module.