Reading apparatus having partial frame operating mode

• US 8,702,000 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2013
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Barber, Charles P., Gerst, Carl W. III, Smith, George S. II, Hussey, Robert M., Gardiner, Robert C., Pankow, Matthew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US13/892,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.08, 235/462.09, 235/462.14, 235/462.15, 235/462.3, 235/462.41, 235/462.45, 235/462.48, 235/462.49, 23547201-47203, 235/454, 235/462.12
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10752 Exposure time control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10821 further details of bar or optical code scanning devices

Abstract

A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.

Claims

1. A reading apparatus for reading decodable indicia disposed within an area, the reading apparatus comprising:

an imaging assembly comprising a two dimensional image sensor having a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels formed in a plurality of rows of pixels, the imaging assembly having optics focusing an image onto the two dimensional image sensor;

wherein the reading apparatus is adapted to enable an operator to select between a first user selected operating state and an alternative user selected operating state, the reading apparatus being adapted for attempting to decode decodable indicia represented in a frame of image data captured using the two dimensional image sensor whether the first user selected operating state or the alternative user selected operating state is active;

wherein the reading apparatus is adapted to clock out image data corresponding to pixels of the two dimensional image sensor whether the first user selected operating state or the alternative user selected operating state is active;

wherein with the first user selected operating state active, the reading apparatus is adapted for capturing a partial frame of image data and for attempting to decode decodable indicia represented in the partial frame of image data, the reading apparatus not being adapted for capturing a full frame of image data with the first user selected operating state active;

wherein with the alternative user selected operating state active, the reading apparatus is adapted for capturing a full frame of image data and attempting to decode decodable indicia in the full frame of image data.

2. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus incorporates a hand graspable housing.

3. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus includes a menu symbol reading system configured for enabling said operator to select between a first user selected operating state and an alternative user selected operating state.

4. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus includes a GUI configured for enabling said operator to select between a first user selected operating state and an alternative user selected operating state.

5. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus is adapted to subject an adjacent set of pixels of the two dimensional image sensor array to clock out for capture of a frame of image data for processing to attempt to decode the decodable indicia whether the first user selected operating state or the alternative operating state is active.

6. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of pixels subject to clock out for capture of a frame of image data for processing to attempt to decode the decodable indicia increases between frames when the alternative user selected operating state is active.

7. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein pixels subject to clock out with the alternative user selected operating state active include each pixel of the two dimensional image sensor.

8. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the first user selected operating state clocks out image data corresponding to a set of pixels of the image sensor defining a linear pattern.

9. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the first user selected operating state clocks out image data corresponding to a set of pixels of the two dimensional image sensor at or near a center of the two dimensional image sensor defining a horizontally oriented linear pattern.

10. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the first user selected operating state clocks out image data corresponding to a set of pixels of the two dimensional image sensor defining a linear pattern, the linear pattern having a plurality of spaced apart lines.

11. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the first user selected operating state clocks out image data corresponding to a set of pixels defining a linear pattern, the linear pattern having a plurality of angularly offset lines.

12. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the alternative user selected operating state is further adapted to control the two dimensional image sensor for capture of partial frame of image data corresponding to electrical signals representing less than all of the pixels of the two dimensional image sensor.

13. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus when operating in the alternative user selected operating state is adapted to control the two dimensional image sensor so that the full frame of image data corresponds to electrical signals representing each pixel of the two dimensional image sensor.