Bar code reader including linear sensor array and hybrid camera and bar code reader

• US 20030080189A1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Fratianni, Edmod L., Patel, Mehul, Carlson, Bradley S., Shi, David Tsi, Kuriakose, Eldho, Bianculli, Thomas D., Curry, Daniel C., Preuss, Walter, Chiocchio, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 7,040,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/146 Imager structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

A semiconductor detector device for detecting optical code symbols includes no more than 512 pixels. Each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1 with a short dimension not greater than 8 microns. In a bar code reader, a sensor for detecting the field of view of the reader includes a single semiconductor device having a collection of surfaces configured as a set of no less than 256 and no more than 512 pixels. Each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1, with a short dimension not less than 2 microns and not greater than 8 microns.

Claims

1. A semiconductor detector device for detecting optical code symbols, comprising no more than 512 pixels, wherein each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1 with a short dimension not greater than 8 microns.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the pixels are arranged in a single row.

3. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 4 to 1.

4. In a bar code reader, a sensor for detecting the field of view of the reader comprising a single semiconductor device having collection of surfaces configured as a set of no less than 256 and no more than 512 pixels, wherein each of the pixels has an aspect ratio that is greater than 2 to 1, with a short dimension not less than 2 microns and not greater than 8 microns.

5. In the bar code reader of claim 4, wherein said aspect ratio not less than 4 to 1 and not greater than 8 to 1.

6. A device for detecting images of arbitrary objects in a field of view and for reading coded indicia having parts of different light reflectivity located in the field of view, comprising:

a single chip semiconductor sensor device including;

(a) a first set of pixels having a first aspect ratio and adapted for imaging arbitrary objects in the field of view thereon to produce a two-dimensional image to be recorded; and

(b) a second set of pixels having a second aspect ratio greater than said first aspect ratio and adapted for detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected of the coded indicia and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity.

7. The device as in claim 6, further comprising a first lens having a first focal length and disposed over the sensor device for focusing an image on the first set of pixels, and a second lens having a second focal length and disposed over the sensor device for focusing an image on the second set of pixels.

8. The device as defined in claim 6, further comprising signal processing means connected to the output of the second set of pixels of the sensor device for producing a digitized electrical signal indicative of a decoding of the electrical signal.

9. The device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a decoder for processing the electrical signal into data represented by the coded indicia.

10. The device as defined in claim 6, further comprising image storage means connected to the output of the first set of pixels of the sensor device for storing digital signals indicative of a bit map representation of the image focused on the first set of pixels.

11. The device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a lens assembly for imaging the arbitrary objects along a first optical path through a first geometric volume and for imaging the coded indicia along a second optical path through a second geometric volume separate from the first geometric volume.

12. The device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a lens assembly including a first portion for imaging the arbitrary objects and a second portion for imaging the coded indicia, wherein the first and second portions of the lens assembly are fixed in position relative to each other.

13. The device of claim 6, further comprising a lens assembly for imaging the arbitrary objects and for imaging the coded indicia each from a same side of the device.

14. An optoelectronic module for use in a bar code reader, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a single chip semiconductor sensor device supported on the frame; and

(c) an optical assembly mounted to the frame including a lens for focusing light on the sensor device.

15. The module as defined in claim 14, wherein the sensor device is mounted on a printed circuit board which is attached to the frame.

16. The module as defined in claim 15, further comprising one or more additional semiconductor chips mounted on the printed circuit board for processing signals received from the sensor device.

17. The module as defined in claim 16, wherein said one or more additional chips for storing electronic images.

18. The module as defined in claim 16, wherein said one or more additional chips for decoding the signals.

19. The module as defined in claim 14, wherein the optical assembly includes a rectangular aperture having a side at least approximately 1 mm in width.

20. The module as defined in claim 14, further comprising a visible light source for generating an aiming beam.

21. The module as defined in claim 20, further comprising a cylindrical/toroidal lens for imaging the aiming beam.

22. The module as defined in claim 14, wherein the lens comprises a one-piece assembly.

23. The module as defined in claim 14, wherein the frame includes at least one notch for holding the device during assembly.

24. The module of claim 14, wherein the optical assembly includes a lens barrel that fits into a sleeve provided in the frame.

25. The module of claim 24, wherein a hole is provided in the sleeve for affixing the lens barrel in place relative to the frame after the lens barrel is adjusted to substantially an optimum position relative to the sensor device.