The present invention embraces an optical indicia reader, e.g., barcode scanner, that captures images of optical indicia under multiple imaging conditions within the span of a single frame. The reader includes an image sensor having selectively-addressable pixels that can be divided into groups having regions of interest (ROIs) within the reader field of view. Each pixel group is shuttered separately to obtain independent partial frame images under separate imaging conditions.

An optical communication device can address these and other issues by utilizing a system and method in which an optical device emits a series of laser pulses that trace a spiral path over a coverage area. Each laser pulse containing a packet of information modulated at a relatively rate to help mitigate adverse effects from device movements, scintillation, and the like. The beam width of the laser, speed of the scan (along the spiral path), and number of laser pulses can be configured such that corresponding response pulses (e.g., retro-modulated pulses) received from an illuminated tag within the coverage may have a variety of different amplitudes, increasing the likelihood that at least one of the response pulses will have power characteristics that facilitate a proper decoding of the response pulse.

Bioptic barcode readers are disclosed herein. An example bioptic barcode reader includes an upper housing and a lower housing secured directly to the upper housing, the lower housing and the upper housing defining an interior region. The upper housing includes a horizontally extending portion, an integral and unitary tower portion extending above the horizontally extending portion, a generally horizontal window positioned in the horizontally extending portion, and a generally upright window positioned in the tower portion. An imaging sensor, at least one intermediate mirror, at least one vertical output mirror, and at least one horizontal output mirror are positioned within the interior region.

An indicia reader is adapted for hand held operation to read information bearing indicia (IBI) at a point of transaction (POT) and is operated by: configuring the indicia reader in a store to provide at least one store specific indicia read notice; reading an IBI at a POT with the indicia reader and providing the at least one store specific indicia read notice to a customer when each IBI is read.

A scanner is integrated into a Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal; the scanner provides scanning information during POS transactions over a POS connection and provides video capabilities over a separate and independent network connection.

The method of detecting and referencing two-dimensional position of a cassette in a drawer of compartments distributed according to columns and rows includes positioning at least one inserted cassette with the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment. Systematic detection of all compartments is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette and by verifying the presence of a cassette within each compartment. The detection can be optical and include displacing an optical sight relatively with respect to the top of the drawer according to at least one trajectory passing through all compartments. When detecting a cassette within a compartment, the two-dimensional position is identified by coordinates, according to column and row. If an error occurs during a first pass, the detection and reading are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection of all compartments.

In one aspect, a method is provided for making a transaction, the method including receiving, at a merchant system: a basket for purchase; and a unique code identifying a user. The method also includes reading, using the merchant system, one or more biomarkers from the user and identifying, from a database, a stored code corresponding to the unique code and one or more stored biomarkers corresponding to the one or more biomarkers. The method further compares: the one or more biomarkers with the one or more stored biomarkers associated with the corresponding stored code; or, the unique code with the stored code associated with the one or more stored biomarkers. If there is a match, a transaction based on the basket for purchase is made using a payment vehicle associated with the corresponding stored code; or, if there is no match, the transaction is declined.

A barcode device including a barcode scanner to scan barcode labels and provide raw barcode data signals, a processor to receive and process the raw barcode data signals to provide processed barcode data signals and compare at least two of the processed barcode data signals, an indicator to notify a user of barcode data information based on the receipt of barcode data and comparison performed by the processor, and a housing to contain the barcode scanner, the processor, and the indicator, the housing comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the housing configured to couple to a back of a glove.

There is provided a histological sample tracking system, comprising a plurality of tracking stations (TS1, TS2) and controllers (CNT_I, CNT_R1, CNT_R2), each tracking station incorporating a scanner (SCN1, SCN2) and one of the controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The scanner (SCN_1, SCN_2) is configured to scan identifiers of carriers of histological samples, and the controller (CNT_R1, CNT_R2) is configured to receive the identifiers and send messages based on the identifiers to other ones of the controllers (CNT_I, CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The controllers together form a private network, wherein one of the controllers is assigned as an interface controller (CNT_I) and the remaining controllers are assigned as remote controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The controller assigned as the interface controller (CNT_I) allows access to an external network (EXNT), and the controllers assigned as remote controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2) refuse all access requests from any external networks.

What is provided is a system and methods for more quickly, accurately, and efficiently collecting, tracking, and transmitting sample collection data and information. Specifically, this involves the generation of printed labels in the field comprising labels with barcodes corresponding to specific sample collection data and information. The labels are printed at the location of the sampling and applied on the outside of sample collection devices, such as bottles and coolers, for transport to desired environmental facilities. Each bar code is associated with a unique record number in the Electronic Chain of Custody (ECOC), corresponding to a specific sample. The collection information and data corresponding to the samples are automatically populated to databases in sample testing facilities upon scanning the barcodes. The ECOC is electronically transmitted to sample testing facilities prior to the arrival of the samples.