Optical reader having two-dimensional solid state image sensor and light generator

• US 20040262396A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Longacre, Andrew Jr., Hussey, Robert M., Pidhimy, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,147,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1017 Programmable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10544 by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10821 further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1491 the method including a reconstruction step, e.g. stitching two pieces of bar code together to derive the full bar code

Abstract

A bar code reading device processing electronic representations in the decoding of bar code symbols, which includes an illumination assembly and a solid state image sensor. The bar code reading device may have improved reprogramming features and improved menuing features.

Claims

1. A reader for electro-optically reading a bar code contained within a target, said reader comprising:

a matrix type two-dimensional image sensor having an MxN matrix of picture elements, said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor being of solid state construction and developing signals responsive to light incident on said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor;

a light generator including a laser directing light toward said target, said target including a visible indicia, wherein at least some light rays directed by said light generator are incident on said target;

optics positioned forward of said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor projecting an image of said target onto said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor;

an electronic circuit including a microprocessor, said electronic circuit being in communication with said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor and said light generator, said electronic circuit outputting a plurality of two state pulse signals, one of said plurality of two state pulse signals being a light generator two state pulse signal for control of said light generator;

signal processing electronics, wherein signals developed by said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor responsive to light incident thereon are conducted through said signal processing electronics;

a memory coupled to said microprocessor;

a decoding program stored in said memory;

an input/output port enabling communication with an external device; and

a manual trigger, wherein said reader is configured to automatically successively obtain a series of digital representations of indicia on said target when said manual trigger is actuated, and wherein said reader is further configured to pulse said light generator on and off utilizing said two state light generator pulse signal so that pulsed laser light is directed toward said target during a time that said manual trigger is actuated.

2. The reader of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit includes a direct memory access (DMA) controller mediating transfers of data between said signal processing electronics and said memory;

3. The reader of claim 2, wherein said direct memory access (DMA) controller is incorporated as part of said microprocessor.

4. The reader of claim 1, wherein light incident on said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor and reflected from said target is laser light from said light generator.

5. The reader of claim 1, wherein said signal processing electronics is not integrated with either of said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor or said microprocessor.

6. The reader of claim 1, wherein light from said light generator and incident on said target extends from one side of said target that is imaged onto said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor to another.

7. The reader of claim 1, wherein said series of digital representations include a first scan, said first scan being an initial scan obtained after said manual trigger is actuated, and wherein said reader does not decode said first scan.

8. The reader of claim 1, wherein said series of digital representations include a “

scan1”

scan and a “

scan2”

scan, and wherein said reader contemporaneously obtains said “

scan2”

digital representation while decoding said “

scan1”

digital representation.

9. The reader of claim 1, wherein each of said series of digital representations represent time between successive leading and trailing edges of a video signal.

10. The reader of claim 1, wherein said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor is a CCD matrix type two-dimensional image sensor.

11. The reader of claim 1, wherein light from said laser strikes said target at a plurality of spaced apart locations of said target that is imaged onto said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor.

12. The reader of claim 11, wherein light from said laser further strikes said target at all points intermediate said spaced apart locations on said target.

13. The reader of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced apart locations of said target having light from said laser incident include locations at opposite edges of said target that is imaged onto said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor.

14. The reader of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit includes a clock generator generating said pulse signals.

15. The reader of claim 14, wherein said clock generator is not integrated as part of said microprocessor.

16. The reader of claim 1, wherein light from said light generator is utilized in the development of signals developed by said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor.

17. The reader of claim 1, further comprising a scanning section, wherein said electronic circuit is partially disposed in said scanning section.

18. The reader of claim 1, wherein said reader is configured to selectively obtain image information from said matrix type two-dimensional image sensor during periods at which said light generator is pulsed on.