Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.

Steve Meister

William T Plummer

Howard K Stern

Stephen D Fantone

Harry R McKinley

Luis A Figarella

Philip E McKinley

John H Dowling

Jon E Van Tassell

David A Imrie

Diffuse &ldquo;dark field&rdquo; illumination and &ldquo;bright field&rdquo; illumination are each provided for a hand-held encoded symbology imager/reader; to be projected therefrom upon symbology disposed on a target (component part, goods, package, etc.). The imager/reader is encased in a housing ergonomically configured to be griped in more then one manner and to thus facilitate holding the imager/reader steady. The symbology to be imaged is targeted by a line that not only spots the symbology, but by extending a length commensurate with that of the symbology, indicates that the symbology is in the field of view of the imager/reader. A CCD, disposed to receive light reflected from the symbology, has its readout controlled so that only selected portions of the CCD need be analyzed for illumination and focusing purposes. To optimize imaging and decoding time, and to optimize use of power, readout from some portions of the CCD is accomplished in relatively rapid time by speeding up the readout of the CCD in some of its active area; while reverting back to a slower readout for data to be analyzed for illumination and focusing control and decoding purposes. In addition, special application of entropy principles facilitate determining the optimum focus and illumination conditions for the imager/reader.

Symbology imaging and reading apparatus and method

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Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Steve Meister