Patent · US Expired

Range-finding system for a portable image reader

US7416127B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
16References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 2005
Grant dateAug 26, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 20, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K7/10851
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A range-finding system for a portable image reader is described. The range-finding system uses a distance-measuring device, such as an ultrasonic transducer, to determine the distance between the reader and a target, such as a label containing a bar code. An operator receives a visual indication which will assist in positioning the image reader within the optimal reading range of the target. The visual indicator may include three LED's of different color or with different blinking rates which will indicate to the operator that the reader is short, long or in the optimal reading range of the reader. In one embodiment, the reader would automatically cycle through an image acquisition or decode sequence when range finder detects that the target is within the optimal reading range of the reader. In another embodiment, the visual indicator will prompt the operator to manually trigger the image acquisition or decode sequence once the reader is positioned within the optimal reading range.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.