Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.

Disclosed is a lighting control system for directing a show. The system includes at least: a master device; and a plurality of slave devices that receive lighting control signals from the master device. The light control signals correspond to seats of a plurality of audiences in an auditorium. The plurality of slave devices receive position information indicating specific positions at which the plurality of slave devices emit a light, light-emitting status information including preset information to classify the plurality of slave devices into a plurality of groups, and group identification number information. The plurality of slave devices are grouped in accordance with received information. The master device controls the grouped plurality of slave devices to emit a light per group basis by broadcasting the lighting control signals including group light-emitting pattern information for each of the plurality of groups of the plurality of slave devices.

A multi-functional optical illuminator comprises: a light pipe (302) with an open frame structure for visual aiming of the illuminator to facilitate an alignment of a barcode; and a circuit board (304), attached to a back opening of the light pipe (302), comprising six dark field LEDs (308) for generating six dark field illuminations and two bright field LEDs (306) for generating bright field illuminations; wherein, the two bright field LEDs (306) produce two alternating point sources for providing bright field illuminations in different directions to minimize a specular reflection hot spot without using any diffuser during the bright field illuminations; wherein, chamfered inner edges of the light pipe (302) emit the dark field illuminations in different orientations from the light pipe (302). The illuminator is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination. The non-closed form option not only can further reduce the weight but also can allow arrange opening area clearance for: (1) visual aiming and alignment in application, especially for hand held application; (2) reducing illumination crosstalk to unwanted directions; and for (3) mechanical integration. The improvements allow the illuminator to read direct product marking (DPM) type of barcodes.

Machine vision devices with configurable illumination and aiming pattern generation are disclosed. An example system includes a housing having a cavity; an imaging sub-assembly mounted in the cavity including: an imager configured to capture an image; an aiming light source mounted in the housing configured to generate a collimated beam of light, an illumination light source configured to generate illumination light; and interchangeable first and second cover plates configured for mounting to the housing in front of the imaging sub-assembly to form an external cover for the housing and sealably protect the imager from an environment, wherein the first and second cover plates have respective passive optical elements that modify the collimated beam of light to form respective aiming patterns, and wherein at least one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate has a third optical element that modifies the illumination light.

Symbology readers and methods of reading DPM codes on objects therewith are provided. The symbology reader include a housing that defines a cavity having a first portion and a second portion. A window that separates the first portion and the second portion of the cavity is positioned within the cavity. The symbology reader includes a diffuser configured to diffusingly reflect light that impinges thereon positioned within the first portion of the cavity. The symbology reader includes an imaging assembly and a first illumination assembly positioned within the second portion of the cavity. The symbology reader includes an optical element configured to direct illumination light to impinge upon the diffuser.

An apparatus for capturing an image of at least one object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV). A housing has an imaging sensor operably coupled with the circuit board, the imaging sensor configured to capture an image frame appearing in the imaging FOV and defining an imaging axis. An illumination assembly has a plurality of light sources operably coupled with the circuit board, a diffuser positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the diffuser configured to generate a diffused light pattern, and a light pipe positioned adjacent to the plurality of light sources to generate a direct illumination pattern and an off-axis illumination pattern, wherein the direct illumination pattern is oriented generally parallel to the imaging axis and the off-axis illumination pattern is configured to intersect the imaging axis.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide improved multi-imager readers/scanners for reading codes utilizing a plurality of illuminators associated with various illumination types. Some embodiments include a ring of illuminators including a plurality of polarized illuminator assemblies, a plurality of narrow field illuminator assemblies, and a plurality of dark field illuminator assemblies, and additionally include a diffuser illuminator assembly. Utilizing these combination of illuminators, fields of view may be illuminated in a myriad of ways to increase the likelihood that a captured representation of the illuminated field via one or more imager results in a successful scanning operation. Some embodiments utilize data, such as previous data or data derived from current attempted reading of captured image representations, to determine illuminators to be activated to increase the likelihood of successfully completing a scanning operation.

This provides an ID reader, typically configured for handheld operation, which integrates three types of illumination into a compact package that generates robust performance and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, such as dust and moisture. These illumination types include, direct (diffuse) light, low-angle light and polarized light. The ID reader includes a sealed reader module assembly having the illuminators in combination with an imager assembly (optics and image sensor) at its relative center. Additionally, also an on-axis aimer and a variable focus system with liquid lens have been integrated in this module and is placed on axis using a mirror assembly that includes a dichroic filter. As the optimal distance to read a code with low-angle light is typically shorter than the optimal distance to use the polarized illumination a variable (e.g. liquid) lens can adjust the focus of the reader to the optimal distance for the selected illumination.

A card scanner has a card support mechanism for receiving a card and a camera system. A first mirror is mounted so that a first image of a first side of the card reflects to the camera system when the card is within the card support mechanism. A second mirror mounted is so that a second image of a second side of the card reflects to the mechanism camera when the card is within the card support mechanism. Once the card is within the scanner, the camera system captures the first image of the first side of the card and the second image of the second side of the card.

A single piece light pipe is designed to provide dual-field, multi-color, multi-directional illumination. The light pipe is combined with a single PCB having a plurality of LEDs to create a compact illuminator that can selectively provide dark field and bright field with red, green, blue color, broad spectrum, or combination of any color in horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or combination of any direction. The single piece light pipe is compact in size and light in weight. The non-closed form option not only can further reduce the weight but also can allow arrange opening area clearance for: (1) visual aiming and alignment in application, especially for hand held application; (2) reducing illumination crosstalk to unwanted directions; and for (3) mechanical integration. The improvements allow the illuminator to read direct product marking (DPM) type of barcodes.