A reduced size optical code identifier includes a transparent body having a flat bottom surface with a rounded or domed top surface that meets the bottom surface around the perimeter of the bottom surface. An optical code is provided in the body adjacent the bottom surface and is visible through the top surface. The top surface is configured to reduce reflection to facilitate optical recognition and decoding of the optical code. The body has a maximum length or diameter of about twelve millimeters or less. The identifier can be placed on an object or structure and then used to associate information with the optical code of the identifier so that the information can be retrieved using a computing device that can optically recognize the code and communicate with a remote server.

Indicia readers may be configured with two illumination light sources: a primary light source for illuminating primary indicia (e.g., a barcode) and a secondary ultraviolet (UV) light source for revealing secondary indicia (e.g., UV fluorescent watermarks) that are used to protect against counterfeit and fraud. Ultraviolet light can be harmful. The present invention embraces methods and a device for controlling the secondary UV light source to limit UV exposure. When an exposure risks is detected, the UV light source is deactivated.

An optical code reader (10) is provided that has a light transmitter (12) having a transmission optics (14) for transmitting a reading beam (16) in a reading region (18); a focus adjustment unit (28) for focusing the reading beam (16) in a distance range; a light receiver (24) for generating a received signal from the reading beam (20) reflected in the reading region (18); and an evaluation unit (26) to read code information from the received signal. In this respect, the focus adjustment unit (28) has a pivot arm (30) that holds the transmission optics (14) at a different distance from the light transmitter (12) in dependence on the pivot position of the pivot arm (30) and that has a moving coil unit (34) to pivot the pivot arm (30).

Barcode readers with transflective mirrors are disclosed herein. An example barcode reader includes a housing and a window positioned within the housing, an imaging sensor and an illumination source positioned within the housing, and a transflective mirror positioned within the housing. The field-of-view of the imaging sensor is directed through the window along a first central axis of the field-of-view of the imaging sensor and the illumination pattern from the illumination source is directed through the window along a second central axis of the illumination pattern that is substantially parallel to the first central axis of the field-of-view of the imaging sensor.

A device includes: an image sensor to capture images of an object within an FOV, a guide projector and a processor. The processor is to analyze some of the images to detect entry of an encoded data marking carried by the object into the FOV, and in response to detecting such entry into the FOV: operate the guide projector to project a visual guide onto the object to guide movement of the encoded data marking to a first location indicated by the visual guide within the FOV; analyze more of the images to detect such movement to the first location, and then to a second location within the FOV; and in response to the movement to the second location, interpret the movement to the second location as receipt of manual input; and in response to the manual input, transmit data decoded from the encoded data marking to another device.

A wearable computing device reads near-invisible one- or two-dimensional barcodes having a size of 100 microns to one millimeter. The device includes a magnifying lens, a digital camera, a processor, program memory and a wireless communication module, all supported on a wearable device body. The wearable device body may be an eyeglass frame, a watch body or wristband, a headband or sweatband or a cap or other headgear, among other possibilities. Applications of the wearable computing device include unattended shopping in a physical retail store.

A bioptic barcode reader has a housing having a lower housing portion with an upper surface and an upper housing portion extending above the lower housing portion. A generally horizontal window is positioned at the upper surface, a generally upright window is positioned in the upper housing portion, and an imaging assembly having a primary field-of-view and a set of optical components are positioned within the interior region. The housing has a width greater than or equal to 5 inches and less than or equal to 7 inches, the lower housing portion has a height greater than or equal to 3 inches, the upper housing portion has a height greater than or equal to 4 inches and less than or equal to 6 inches, and the upper surface has a length greater than or equal to 6 inches and less than or equal to 8 inches.

Recommended installation position and posture of a stationary code reader can be proposed to a user to facilitate installation work of the code reader by the user. An installation support device for the stationary code reader acquires camera information including a camera parameter of the code reader, code information to be read, and environment information including a conveying speed of a line, determines required field of view and depth of the code reader required to read a code under an environment specified by the environment information, and determines an installation pattern which is recommended installation position and posture of the code reader that can satisfy the required field of view and depth based on the camera information and the code information.

Barcode readers with transflective mirrors are disclosed herein. An example barcode reader includes a housing and a window positioned within the housing, an imaging sensor and second imaging sensor positioned within the housing, and a transflective mirror positioned within the housing and in a path of a field-of-view of the imaging sensor. The field-of-view of the imaging sensor passes through the transflective mirror and out the window with the transflective mirror in a transmissive state and the field-of-view of the second imaging sensor is reflected off of the transflective mirror and out the window with the transflective mirror in a reflective state.

A method and apparatus for manipulating an aiming light of a reader to indicate the field-of-view (FOV) of an imager within the reader includes an optical element. The optical element receives the aiming light from an aiming assembly and redirect the aiming light such that the central axis of the aiming light exiting the optical element is non-coaxial with the central aiming axis of the aiming assembly at the entry of the optical element. The optical element may be configured to project an image on a target that indicates the boundary of the FOV or project an image on the target that indicates the center of the FOV.