A modular off-platter detection assembly for use with a barcode reader includes a housing, a first light source, a first light sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the first light source and the first light sensor. The housing is configured to be removably mounted to the barcode reader, a frame supporting the barcode reader, or the workstation. The first light source is positioned within the housing and emits a first light along a first lateral edge of a weigh platter. The first light sensor is positioned within the housing, has a first field-of-view along the first lateral edge, and is configured to detect at least a portion of the first light reflected towards the housing. The controller is configured to provide a first alert in response to receipt of a first value from the first light sensor indicating there is an object extending across the first lateral edge.

A barcode reader has a weigh platter and an off-platter detection assembly. The weigh platter is configured to measure a weight of an object and has a surface extending in a first transverse plane, a proximal edge, a first lateral edge extending non-parallel to the proximal edge, and a distal edge. The off-platter detection assembly includes a light emission assembly and a light detection assembly. The light emission assembly is configured to emit a collimated light beam along the first lateral edge, above the surface. The light diffusing barrier is positioned in a path of the collimated light beam and is configured to diffuse the light beam such that the light diffusing barrier appears to be illuminated when contacted by the light beam and appears not to be illuminated when not contacted by the light beam.

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.

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.

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.

A method of activating an illumination assembly within a symbology reader is provided, the illumination assembly having a first illumination source and a second illumination source, the symbology reader having an imaging sensor configured to operate at a predetermined framerate where each frame includes an exposure period over which the imaging sensor is active to capture image data and a non-exposure period over which the imaging sensor is not active to capture image data, the method comprising: during a first frame, activating the first illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the second illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period; and during a second frame, activating the second illumination source during at least a portion of the respective exposure period and activating the first illumination source over at least a portion of the respective non-exposure period.

An illumination device for an optical system of a reader apparatus, comprising a light source (3) disposed concentrically around an annular hollow body (2), an external light reflector (5) for redirecting light to illuminate a zone at its distal end (5b), and a reflector element (8) with a mirror finish outer surface (8a). The internal wall (6) of the external light reflector (5) is made of reflective material, having a first portion (6a) with increasing cross sections from a proximal end (5a) to a first region (6b) with maximum cross section, and a second portion (6c) with decreasing cross sections from the first region (6b) to a second region (6d) with minimum cross section. The reflector element (8) is arranged in front of the light source (3) to redirect light towards the first portion (6a) of the external light reflector (5). The illumination device (1) achieves, in a reduced space, high optical efficiency and uniform illumination on the mark to read, avoiding specular reflection.

A scanning device includes: a housing portion defining a scanner head axis and a nose end; an image sensor to capture an indicia; an optics component between the image sensor and the nose end to cooperate with the image sensor to define a scanning device FOV extending along a scanning device optical axis through the nose end and toward an object surface, and to convey light reflected from the object surface within the scanning device FOV to the image sensor; and a light source to illuminate the object surface, wherein the scanning device optical axis is tilted relative to the scanner head axis to cause the scanning device FOV to extend along the scanning device optical axis in a direction tilted away from in parallel with the scanner head axis to prevent including a direct reflection of the light source from the object surface in the scanning device FOV.

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.

Attachments for symbology readers to extended operability of the symbology readers to include reading DPM codes on objects therewith are provided. The attachment includes a mount configured to couple the symbology reader to the attachment and a housing that defines a cavity defined by one or more walls. The attachment includes a diffuser positioned within the cavity and configured to diffusingly reflect light that impinges thereon. The attachment also includes a first optical element configured to direct a first amount of a total amount of the illumination light to impinge on the diffuser.