Graphical code reader configured for data collection and decoding

• US 7,353,999 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Jeremy, Hepworth, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US11/036,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20050178842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.09, 235/462.25, 235/462.11, 235/462.01
• US Class Current: 235/462.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning

Abstract

A graphical code reader includes an imager that provides image data corresponding to a two-dimensional image of a graphical code. The graphical code reader also includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The graphical code reader also includes an imager interface. The imager interface facilitates transfer of the image data from the imager to the memory. The processor does not receive the image data as the image data is being transferred from the imager to the memory. The imager interface comprises a control bus interface, an address bus interface, and a data bus interface.

Claims

1. A graphical code reader, comprising:

an imager that provides image data corresponding to a two-dimensional image of a graphical code, wherein the graphical code comprises graphical code data;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

data processing instructions in the memory;

an imager interface that facilitates transfer of the image data from the imager to the memory;

a control bus interface in the imager interface, wherein the control bus interface is in electronic communication with a first portion of a control bus and with a second portion of the control bus, wherein the first portion of the control bus couples the processor to the control bus interface, and wherein the second portion of the control bus couples the control bus interface to the memory;

a data bus interface in the imager interface, wherein the data bus interface is in electronic communication with a data bus that couples the processor to the memory; and

address generation instructions in the memory that are executable by the processor to set the imager interface to an active mode, generate an address in the memory for storing the image data, provide a read signal on the first portion of the control bus, and provide an address signal on an address bus, wherein in response to the read signal on the first portion of the control bus the control bus interface provides a write signal on the second portion of the control bus.

2. The graphical code reader of claim 1, further comprising an address bus interface in the imager interface, wherein the address bus interface is in electronic communication with the address bus, and wherein the address bus couples the processor to the memory.

3. The graphical code reader of claim 2, wherein the address bus interface detects timing of the address signal, and wherein the data bus interface provides the image data on the data bus in coordination with the timing of the address signal.

4. The graphical code reader of claim 2, wherein the write signal on the second portion of the control bus is provided in coordination with the timing of the address signal.

5. The graphical code reader of claim 2, wherein the write signal on the second portion of the control bus is provided in coordination with the timing of a signal on the first portion of the control bus.

6. The graphical code reader of claim 1, wherein the data bus interface provides the image data on the data bus in coordination with the timing of the write signal provided on the second portion of the control bus.

7. The graphical code reader of claim 1, wherein the graphical code reader is a handheld device.

8. The graphical code reader of claim 1, wherein the imager interface is implemented using a programmable logic device.

9. The graphical code reader of claim 8, wherein the programmable logic device is a field-programmable gate array.

10. The graphical code reader of claim 9, wherein the field-programmable gate array is configured from dedicated programmable read-only memory when the graphical code reader is powered on, and wherein the processor does not access random access memory until the field-programmable gate array is configured.

11. The graphical code reader of claim 9, wherein the field-programmable gate array is configured from the processor when the graphical code reader is powered on, wherein the processor uses read-only memory and registers to configure the field-programmable gate array, and wherein the processor does not access random access memory until the field-programmable gate array is configured.

12. The graphical code reader of claim 9, further comprising a passive bypass circuit that allows the processor to access random access memory even when the field-programmable gate array has not been configured.

13. The graphical code reader of claim 9, wherein a dedicated memory interface is used for image capture.