Metanetics Corporation

Telxon Corporation

Meta Holdings Corporation

Chen Feng

Ynjiun P Wang

A portable data collection device including an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The device also includes an illumination assembly including an circuit board assembly supporting illumination and targeting light emitting diodes and a lens array or panel positioned adjacent the circuit board assembly for focusing an even pattern of illumination on the target area and generating a crosshair illumination pattern for aiming the device at the target dataform. The device further includes an optic assembly for focusing reflected illumination from the target area onto the two dimensional photosensor array. The optic assembly includes a focusing optic for changing a best focus distance of the optic assembly as a function of moving a wedge shaped optic with respect to a stationary optic to change a thickness of the focusing optic.

Portable data collection device with variable focusing module for optic assembly

A portable data collection device having a modular imaging-based dataform reader. The dataform reader includes a two dimensional imaging assembly adapted to image and decode a dataform printed using ink that fluoresces when illuminated by ultraviolet light. The imaging assembly includes a two dimensional photosensor array and is actuatable to generate a signal representative of reflected illumination from a target area of the imaging assembly and further includes an illumination assembly having a strobing ultraviolet light source. The illumination assembly includes a pair of flash tube strobe lights which have their output illumination filtered through respective ultraviolet filter thereby permitting only illumination in the ultraviolet range to exit the dataform reader and illuminate the imaging target area. The high intensity, strobing light of the ultraviolet light source permits a reduced exposure period. A targeting illumination assembly is also provided to aid in aiming the device at a target dataform. The targeting illumination assembly and illumination assembly are alternately energized to reduce reflected glare. Fluorescence from the dataform is focused by an optic assembly onto the photosensor array forming an image of the dataform. Image processing circuitry is provided for processing and decoding the image of the dataform.

Hand held dataform reader having strobing ultraviolet light illumination

A portable data collection device providing for dataform decoding and color imaging. An imaging assembly is provided that includes a board camera having black and white circuitry and generates a composite video signal representing an image of a target area of the imaging assembly when actuated. The imaging assembly includes a two dimensional photosensor array overlaid by a color filter having a repeating pattern of four color filter elements. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. When the device is operated in the dataform reading mode, compensation circuitry is actuated to operate on digital gray scale values extracted from the composite video signal to adjust gray scale value magnitudes to compensate for the transmittivity differences of the color filter elements to improve decodability of the imaged dataform. When the device is operated in the imaging mode, conversion circuitry is actuated to convert the gray scale values to either Y-C or RGB digital data and a D/A converter further processes the Y-C or RGB digital data to provide an analog Y-C or RGB output signal.

Portable data collection device including color imaging dataform reader

A portable data collection device is disclosed. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The device also includes an illumination assembly including an circuit board assembly supporting illumination and targeting light emitting diodes and a lens array or panel positioned adjacent the circuit board assembly for focusing an even pattern of illumination on the target area and generating a crosshair illumination pattern for aiming the device at the target dataform. Three illumination assembly embodiments are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a lens array is disclosed having a first targeting optics generating a vertical illumination pattern and a second targeting optics generating a horizontal illumination pattern which intersect to form a crosshair illumination pattern. In a second embodiment, a lens array is disclosed having a first targeting optics which generates a first crosshair illumination pattern and a second targeting optics generating a second crosshair illumination pattern, the first and second illumination patterns coinciding at a best focus position of an optic assembly of the imaging assembly. In a third embodiment, a lens array is disclosed having a first targeting optics which generates a half frame and a crosshair illumination pattern and a second targeting optics which generates a complementary half frame and crosshair illumination pattern. At the best focus position, the first and second illumination patterns combine to generate a full frame and single crosshair illumination pattern.

Portable data collection device with crosshair targeting illumination

A portable data collection device adapted to read high density bar code and matrix dataforms. The device includes an imaging assembly including a modular camera housing supporting a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a image of the target object in the target area. The modular camera housing precisely positions an optic assembly such that the sharpest image of the target dataform is focused at a center point of the photosensor array. The optic assembly includes a plurality of lenses supported in a shroud assembly. The shroud assembly is adjustable to permit precise positioning of the lens assembly with respect to the photosensor array along a longitudinal optical axis of the lens assembly. The shroud assembly is supported within the modular camera housing such that the optical axis of the lens assembly is perpendicular with respect to the photosensor array.

Portable data collection device including imaging assembly with modular

A portable data collection device is disclosed. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target object in the target area. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture an image of the target area. The device also includes a viewing assembly to aid an operator in aiming and positioning the device with respect to a target dataform or target object. In one embodiment of the viewing assembly, a liquid crystal display screen is affixed to a pivoting member. When the viewing assembly is actuated an image of the target area is displaced on the display screen. In a second embodiment of the viewing assembly, a manual pivoting member includes an opening. When the pivoting member is positioned a predetermined distance from the operator's eye, a view through the opening corresponds to the imaging assembly's target area.

Portable data collection device with viewing assembly

A portable data collection device. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target object in the target area. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture an image of the target area. The device also includes a viewing assembly to aid an operator in aiming and positioning the device with respect to a target dataform or target object. In one embodiment of the viewing assembly, a liquid crystal display screen is affixed to a pivoting member. When the viewing assembly is actuated an image of the target area is displaced on the display screen. In a second embodiment of the viewing assembly, a manual pivoting member includes an opening. When the pivoting member is positioned a predetermined distance from the operator's eye, a view through the opening corresponds to the imaging assembly's target area.

The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array overlied by a RGB color filter. The imaging assembly includes an illumination assembly providing a relatively uniform illumination pattern over an imaging target area. The illumination assembly includes a plurality of sets of surface mount illumination LEDs mounted on a board and a spaced apart lens array for focusing the LEDs on the target area. The lens array includes orthogonal cylindrical optical entry and exit surfaces aligned with each of the illumination LED sets. The optical entry surface defines illumination intensity distribution horizontally while the optical exit surface defines illumination intensity distribution vertically. The board also supports a pair of spaced apart targeting LEDs. The lens array includes aspherical optical entry surfaces and cylindrical optical exit surfaces aligned with each of the targeting LEDs. The cylindrical optical exit surfaces are tipped with respect to their corresponding aspherical optical entry surfaces and are orthognal to each other providing an orgthogonal or 'crosshairs' illumination pattern for aiming the imaging assembly at a target.

Portable data collection device with LED targeting and illumination

A fixed position dataform reader reads a dataform printed on a substrate and passed through a desired target area. The reader comprises a housing, a first camera assembly, image processing and decoder circuitry, and a mounting support. The housing has a base surface, a face surface, and at least one side surface interconnecting the base surface to the face surface and defining an interior region. The face surface defines an aperture. The first camera assembly includes a two-dimensional photosensor array supported in the interior region and an optics assembly spaced from the two-dimensional photosensor array to focus an image of the dataform onto the two-dimensional photosensor array. The image processing and decoder circuitry is coupled to the camera assembly for generating decoded data representative of the dataform. The mounting support is secured to the housing for mounting the reader in a fixed position with respect to the desired target area.

Growing community of inventors

Bothell, WA, United States of America

Chen Feng