An indicia-reading system is provided that incorporates a hybrid approach to decoding indicia such as barcodes. An indicia-capturing subsystem acquires information about indicia within the indicia-capturing subsystem's field of view. An indicia-decoding module decodes indicia information acquired by the indicia-capturing subsystem. The indicia-decoding module includes a primary, basic signal processor for initially decoding indicia information, and a secondary, advanced signal processor for decoding indicia information that is not decoded by the primary, basic signal processor.

A barcode reader may include an image sensor array, an optic system, an image buffer, and a plurality of pre-processing circuits implemented in hardware. The optic system may be configured to focus an image of a barcode onto the image sensor array. The plurality of pre-processing circuits may collectively implement a plurality of different image processing functions. Each pre-processing circuit may be configured to receive as input an image frame from the image sensor array or an image data record from the image buffer. The image data record may be derived from the image frame. Each pre-processing circuit may also be configured to perform an image processing function with respect to the image frame or the image data record, thereby generating a new image data record. A decoder may use at least one image data record to decode the barcode.

A code reader may include a light source configured to illuminate a target area in which items are to be located for reading machine-readable indicia associated with the items, an image sensor configured to capture an image of the target area, an illumination drive circuit in electrical communication with the light source, and an image capture circuit. The image capture circuit may be configured to (i) enable and disable the image sensor to capture an image of the target area during the high illumination and a portion(s) of the low illumination of the target area, and (ii) read an image captured by the image sensor. The illumination drive signals may cause the illumination drive circuit to generate a high illumination drive signal to cause the light source to produce a high illumination, and generate a low illumination drive current to cause said light source to produce a low illumination.

Disclosed herein is a barcode reading system that includes an image decoding system, a communication interface, and an image sensor system package. The image decoding system may include a processor, memory, and a decoder stored in the memory. The image sensor system package may be coupled to the image decoding system via the communication interface. The image sensor system package may include a photo sensor array and pre-processing circuitry. The photo sensor array may be configured to capture image frames at a first speed. The pre-processing circuitry may be configured to perform one or more operations on the image frames captured by the photo sensor array. The pre-processing circuitry may be additionally configured to effect transfer of at least some of the image frames to the image decoding system via the communication interface at a second speed. The first speed may be greater than the second speed.

Systems and methods of processing image data using color image sensors are disclosed herein. An example object scanner includes a color image sensor array configured to produce image data representative of an imaging field of view. The example object scanner also includes an image processor. The image process is configured to separate the image data produced by the color image sensor array into two or more channels of image data and, for each of the channels of image data, analyze the respective image data to determine a contrast of the respective image data. The image processor is also configured to select a particular channel of the two or more channels that has the highest contrast; and output the image data corresponding to the particular channel.

Examples disclosed herein provide a scanning device with ergonomic features. As an example, the scanning device includes a rear housing section, a grip housing section, and a lower housing section, all coupled to each other. The rear housing section includes a trigger disposed on an end of the rear housing section, for activating the scanning device. A perimeter of the grip housing section includes the ergonomic features, and an end of the lower housing section opposite from the end of the rear housing section includes an optical scanner.

A code reader for the reading of optical codes is provided that has an image sensor for the detection of image data with the code and that has a control and evaluation unit that is configured to read the code with at least one decoding method, wherein the control and evaluation unit is connected to a distance sensor that determines a distance value for the distance of the code. The control and evaluation unit is further configured for the purpose of setting at least one parameter and/or including at least one additional algorithm of the decoding method for the decoding method in dependence on the distance value.

An optical information reader includes a reflective member that reflects illumination light emitted from an illuminant toward a reading surface, and an image former ensured to present an imaging target held over the reading surface within an imaging region of an imager. The imaging region includes a first imaging region defined between the image former and the reading surface, and a second imaging region defined between the reading surface and the reflective member so as to be continuous to the first imaging region when light is internally reflected on the reading surface inside the housing. The reflective member is arranged outside the first imaging region, while the illuminant, the imager and the image former are arranged outside the second imaging region. The illuminant emits illumination light toward a reflecting surface of the reflective member in the second imaging region.

An example barcode reader includes a housing and an imaging assembly positioned at least partially within the housing. The imaging assembly has a field of view (FOV) including a first portion of the FOV and a second portion of the FOV. The imaging assembly is configured to capture one or more images of the FOV associated with image data. The barcode reader also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly. The processor is configured to process the image data of the first portion of the FOV and to initiate an identification session when a target enters the first portion of the FOV and configured to not initiate the identification session when the target enters the second portion of the FOV.

Techniques for connecting and disconnecting cordless scanners to/from host devices are disclosed herein. A transceiver of an example barcode reader is configured to attempt to establish a wireless connection with a host device (e.g., repeatedly) over a first period of time. Responsive to failing to establish the connection with the host device over the first period of time, the barcode reader enters a power-saving mode. During the power-saving mode at least one of the transceiver, a decode engine, a peripheral sensor, and an imaging engine of the barcode reader are deactivated. The wireless transceiver of the barcode reader is configured to attempt to re-establish the wireless connection with the host device after (i) a passage of a second period of time following the first period of time, wherein the second period of time is greater than the first period of time; or (ii) a receipt of an interrupt signal.