An optical information reading device 100 includes an aiming module 60 configured to irradiate aiming light for instructing an imaging area of image data generated by an imaging module, a trigger switch 30 for starting imaging processing by the imaging module, an aiming switch 43B for causing the aiming module 60 to irradiate the aiming light, and a reading unit 81 configured to read information of the symbol. The reading unit 81 is configured to, in an aiming state in which irradiation processing for the aiming light by the aiming module 60 is executed by operation of the aiming switch 43B, detect that the trigger switch 30 is operated and read, based on the image data generated by the imaging processing of the imaging module, information of the symbol included in a predetermined partial area PA corresponding to an irradiation position of the aiming light.

In an embodiment, the present invention is an imaging engine including: a first imaging assembly having a first FOV; a second imaging assembly having a second FOV; and an aiming assembly configured to emit an aiming light pattern, the aiming light pattern including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to correlate with the first FOV, the second portion configured to correlate with the second FOV, wherein the aiming light pattern is configured such that a combined power of any part of the aiming light pattern encompassed by a 7 mrad cone, as measured from the aiming assembly, is less than or equal to 1 mW, and the total combined power of the entire aiming light pattern is greater than 1 mW.

A data capture device includes: a display, a primary image sensor having a primary field of view centered on a primary optical axis; an auxiliary image sensor having an auxiliary field of view centered on an auxiliary optical axis, wherein the auxiliary field of view is larger than the primary field of view; a memory storing offset data defining an offset between the primary field of view and the auxiliary field of view; a data capture controller connected to the primary image sensor, the auxiliary image sensor and the memory; wherein the data capture controller is configured to: responsive to activation of an aiming mode, control the auxiliary image sensor to capture a video stream; select, according to the offset data, a portion of the video stream corresponding to the primary field of view; and present the selected portion of the video stream on the display.

An indicia-reading module is capable of integration into the smallest face of thin-profile smart device. The module employs chip-on-board packaging and a customized sensor enclosure to eliminate the stack-up height found in conventional packaging. The module also employs a customized frame to reduce volume by integrating circuit subassembly circuit boards into a unique architecture and by serving as the lenses for the illuminator and the aimer, thereby eliminating the need for any extra lenses or holders.

A hand-held barcode reader has a decoding module that analyzes barcodes on a surface. The decoding module determines a displacement based on a current position of the hand-held barcode reader and a desired new position of the hand-held barcode reader with respect to a barcode on the surface. An LED of the hand-held barcode reader produces a first-colored light-spot at a position on the surface to direct a desired movement of the hand-held barcode reader to move from the current position to the desired new position.

A laser light projection apparatus is provided for projecting laser light onto the surface of a target object. The laser light projection apparatus includes a laser light source that generates laser light and a housing with a cavity therein defined by sidewalls, at least a portion of which have one or more reflective surfaces. The cavity extends along a center axis of the laser light and has a first portion at which a distance between opposing sidewalls is less than a distance between opposing sidewalls at a second portion of the cavity at a distance farther from the laser light source than the first portion. At least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser light source is reflected from the reflective surface of the sidewalls to form a two-dimensional pattern spaced apart from the center axis.

A code reader and process may include an optoelectronic reading device configured to read a machine-readable indicia. A primary aiming illuminator may be configured to generate a first light beam to illuminate a first aiming pattern (i) onto a surface on which the machine-readable indicia is positioned and (ii) within a field-of-view of the optoelectronic reading device. A secondary aiming illuminator may be configured to generate a second light beam to illuminate a second aiming pattern (i) onto the surface on which the machine-readable indicia is positioned and (ii) outside or in a marginal region of the field-of-view of said optoelectronic reading device.

An assisted aimer for rapid, accurate, and low-cost imaging of barcodes, includes a hand-held device, such as a smart phone or tablet, having a digital camera with built-in flash, a specialized software application executing on the phone, and an aimer apparatus attached in front of the flash aperture for forming an aimer beam at a predetermined distance. The aimer beam assists a user in accurately pointing the device at a target barcode. The aimer is attachable directly to the smart phone or camera, or is made a part of an enclosure that accepts the smart phone or tablet into a self-aligning receiving space. Aiming beam assistance enables the camera, its auto-focus, and the installed software application image processing to deliver rapid, snappy, barcode imaging.

Embodiments of the preset invention include a barcode reader that comprises a housing having a handgrip portion and an upper body portion, a first printed circuit board (PCB) extending into the upper body portion, and an imaging module positioned within the upper body portion. In this instance, the imaging module includes an imaging system having an imager and an imaging lens assembly, the imaging system having a field of view with a central imaging axis passing through a window in the upper body portion and lying on a horizontal plane. The imaging module further includes an aiming light system configured to emit an aiming light pattern, the aiming light system offset from the imaging system along the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the components of the barcode reader are arranged such that the first PCB is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the central imaging axis.

A hand-held barcode reader has a decoding module that analyzes barcodes on a surface. The decoding module determines a displacement based on a current position of the hand-held barcode reader and a desired new position of the hand-held barcode reader with respect to a barcode on the surface. An LED of the hand-held barcode reader produces a first-colored light-spot at a position on the surface to direct a desired movement of the hand-held barcode reader to move from the current position to the desired new position.