Datalogic IP Tech S.r.l.

Stmicroelectronics S.r.l.

Luca Perugini

Federico Canini

Davide Bruni

Simone Spolzino

Roberto Antonio Canegallo

Davide Gavioli

Stefano Fracassi

Mattia Fabbri

Salvatore Valerio Cani

Kurt Vonmetz

Mauro Scandiuzzo

Davide Bottazzi

Roberto Cardu

Claudio Mucci

Valentina Nardone

Eleonora Franchi

Luca Perilli

Massimiliano Innocenti

Stefano Pucillo

Marco Bozzoli

Michele Agostini

Mattia Francesco Moro

Lamberto Leoncavallo

An optical scanner determines ranging to a subject using a localization phase in which a series of image frames is received which collectively contains an aimer spot captured as a reflection off of a surface of the subject. The optical scanner includes an idle phase in which the optical scanner remains idle with respect to parameter setting and evaluation but is configured to detect scene changes within its field of view, an initial phase that is entered into after the idle phase responsive to an activation event and not detecting a scene change, the initial phase including a configuration based operational parameter setting with a plurality of different configurations, and a decode phase that is entered into after the idle phase responsive to an activation event and detecting a scene change.

Adjustable camera selection and autofocus evaluation

A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

System and method for illuminating a target of a barcode reader

Passive autofocusing is used in image acquisition devices (e.g., machine-readable symbol readers, cameras), and can be employed with shutter and/or event-based image sensors. An aimer pointer is easily detected in images, and one or more characteristics characterized at various focus positions of the optics. A size of a characteristic dimension and/or shape of the aimer pointer and/or a measure of sharpness of the aimer pointer is used to determine which image, and hence focus position, results in an optimized or even optimum (i.e., best) focus. The image acquisition system is then configured accordingly. Measuring aimer pointer size is typically less computationally intensive than conventional approaches. Use of a laser beam to produce the aimer pointer usually requires lower exposure time than other approaches. Image data can advantageously be windowed using a relatively small region of interest (ROI) based on a known aimer pointer position.

Passive autofocus systems, articles and methods

A code reader comprises a first imager and a second imager configured to capture an image with different field of views, a first illuminator and a second illuminator configured to project a different illumination pattern, and a processor operably coupled to the imagers and the illuminators. The processor configured to activate the first imager and the first illuminator as a receiver pair responsive to detecting a first condition, activate the second imager and the second illuminator as a receiver pair responsive to detecting a second condition, and decode an optical code using an image captured by the selected receiver pair.

Dual illuminator as field of view identification and aiming

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.

Robust optical aimer for triangulation-based distance measurement

An optical scanner captures a plurality of images from a plurality of image-capture devices. In response to the activation signal, an evaluation phase is executed, and in response to the evaluation phase, an acquisition phase is executed. In the evaluation phase, a first set of images is captured and processed to produce a virtual frame comprising a plurality of regions, with each region containing a reduced-data image frame that is based on a corresponding one of the plurality of images. Also in the evaluation phase, attributes of each of the plurality regions of the virtual frame are assessed according to first predefined criteria, and operational parameters for the acquisition phase are set based on a result of the assessment. In the acquisition phase, a second set of at least one image is captured via at least one of the plurality of image-capture devices according to the set of operational parameters.

Virtual-frame preprocessing for optical scanning

A system and method for providing animated feedback for a barcode scanning system may include receiving image data from a camera, processing the image data, detecting a machine-readable indicia in the image data, and attempting to decode the machine-readable indicia. In response to successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a first animation indicative of successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia. Otherwise, in response to not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia, displaying a second animation indicative of not successfully decoding the machine-readable indicia.

Barcode scanner system with animated feedback

Systems and methods for providing additional processing capabilities related to machine-readable symbols. A data collection system () may include a scan engine (), auxiliary image processor (), auxiliary visualizer (), and host system (). The scan engine may output decoded information obtained from a representation of a machine-readable symbol captured by a two-dimensional image processor. The scan engine may also output a set of images related to the machine-readable symbol and an object associated with the machine-readable symbol, in which the set of images may form a streaming set of images or streaming video. The set of images may be used by the auxiliary image processor to obtain further information about the machine-readable symbol and/or associated object, such as OCR or DWM information. The set of images may be stored and made accessible by the auxiliary visualizer. The host system may synchronize a display of the images and decoded data output by the scan engine.

Data collection systems and methods to capture images of and decode information from machine-readable symbols

An imager module for an optical code reader may include a camera comprising a lens system, and an actuator for moving the lens system operatively connected to the lens system for autofocus adjustment. The actuator for moving the lens system comprises a linear electric motor with a drive shaft, a position sensor device adapted to detect the position of the drive shaft within a predefined stroke length and a control device adapted to control the movement of the drive shaft. The control device and the position sensor device are integrated in a single PCB, the electric motor comprises a frame that supports the drive shaft, and the single PCB constitutes part of said frame. On optical code reader may include such an imager module.

Optical code reader

A communication cell for an integrated circuit includes a physical interface configured to supply an input signal (for example, a capacitive signal or an ohmic signal). A receiver circuit operates to receive the capacitive signal and generate a first intermediate signal. A buffer circuit operates to receive the ohmic signal and generate a second intermediate signal. An output stage including a selector device (for example, a multiplexer) configured to receive the first and second intermediate signals and selectively pass only one of those signals to the integrated circuit based on operating condition. The input signal may further be an inductive signal, with the output stage further functioning to selectively pass that signal based on operating condition.

Communication cell for an integrated circuit operating in contact and contactless mode, electronic chip comprising the communication cell, electronic system including the chip, and test apparatus

An embodiment of communication cell for enabling data communication between an integrated circuit and an electronic unit distinct from the integrated circuit, comprising a contact pad unit, configured for capacitively coupling, in a first operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving an input signal from said electronic unit, and for ohmically coupling, in a second operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving the input signal; a receiver device, including signal-amplifying means, coupled between said contact pad unit and said integrated circuit, configured for receiving the input signal and generating an intermediate signal correlated to the input signal; signal-selection means receiving the intermediate signal, the input signal, and providing an output signal which is the intermediate signal during the first operating condition, and the input signal during the second operating condition; and an input stage, connectable between the integrated circuit and the output terminal of the signal-selection means, configured for receiving the output signal and providing the output signal to the integrated circuit.

Communication cell for an integrated circuit, chip comprising said communication cell, electronic system including the chip, and test apparatus

A memory base cell stores a bit of information implemented from a regular and compact structure made up of multiple identical and replicated base elements, on the 'sea of gates' model, in which the base element of the structure is a cell able to be configured with a minimum width in relation to the particular technology used. Such a cell includes a bistable element with an input node operatively connected to a writing data line of the memory base cell, and an output node operatively connected to a reading data line of the memory base cell. The bistable element also has a first inverter and a second inverter arranged in a feedback configuration with respect to one another between the input node and the output node of the bistable element.

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Bologna, Italy

Luca Perugini