Imaging and illumination engine for an optical code reader

• US 7,021,542 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Patel, Mehul, Shi, David Tsi, Bianculli, Thomas D., Zhao, Chunyu
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walsh, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/654,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20050023352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 235/454, 235/462.06, 235/462.17, 235/462.42, 235/462.47, 235/472.02, 235/462.21, 235/462.31, 235/462.33, 235/462.43, 235/455, 235/462.2, 235/462.24
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction

Abstract

An imaging and an illuminating engine is provided for an optical code reader to image and illuminate remote target indicia. The engine includes an image sensor for receiving reflected illumination from the remote indicia and at least two illumination assemblies for providing illumination of the remote indicia. Each illumination assembly is capable of providing a number of different outputs, such as light having different wavelengths or different output durations. A transmissive, optical element overlays the engine for preventing light generated by the at least two illumination assemblies from reflecting back towards the image sensor. The imaging engine is an integrated circuit package for easily inserted and interfacing within an optical code reader as a plug-and-play component.

Claims

1. An optical code reading system comprising:

an optical code reader having associated circuitry housed within a housing;

an imaging engine having at least one image sensor and configured and dimensioned to fit within a predetermined form factor of the optical code reader;

an interface for interfacing said imaging engine with said circuitry housed within said housing of said optical code reader;

a first illumination assembly including at least one illuminating device for illuminating an optical target during a first illuminating period; and

a second illumination assembly including at least one illuminating device for illuminating said optical target during a second illuminating period, the first illumination assembly located internally within the housing, the second illumination assembly located externally and at a distance from said housing, and both illumination assemblies communicate with said circuitry of said optical code reader.

2. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the second illuminating period is less than, equal to, or greater than the first illuminating period.

3. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the second illuminating period corresponds to a portion of the first illuminating period such that said optical target is simultaneously illuminated by said first and second illumination assemblies during the first illuminating period.

4. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the imaging engine includes a transmissive optical element located on a face of said imaging engine.

5. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein said imaging engine is an integrated circuit package.

6. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein said imaging engine and at least one of the first and second illumination assemblies are formed as an integrated circuit package.

7. The optical code reading system of claim 1, further comprising another imaging engine configured and dimensioned to fit within the predetermined form factor for being interchanged with the imaging engine.

8. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminating device of the first or second illumination assembly is a flash-type illumination module.

9. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the second illumination assembly located externally from said optical code reader communicates via a wireless connection with said circuitry.

10. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminating device of at least the first and second illumination assemblies includes a first illuminating device and a second illuminating device, wherein the first and second illuminating devices provide different output wavelengths.

11. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein activation and deactivation of at least one of the first and second illumination assemblies is controlled according to at least one of a plurality of factors during an imaging procedure.

12. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminating device of at least one the first and second illumination assemblies includes a plurality of illuminating devices and at least one flash-type illumination module.

13. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein activation of the at least one illuminating device of at least the first and second illumination assemblies is controlled to provide an output beam having a predetermined intensity.

14. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminating device of at least the first and second illumination assemblies includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes forming at least one diode cluster.

15. The optical code reading system of claim 14, wherein the at least one diode cluster includes a first diode cluster and a second diode cluster, and wherein said first and second diode clusters are activated and deactivated at predetermined times for providing a predetermined intensity of an output beam.

16. The optical code reading system of claim 1, wherein the first and second illumination assemblies respectively emit a first and a second output beam for illuminating said optical target, synchronization of said output beams being controlled by said circuitry of said optical code reader.