Miniature long-range imaging engine with automatic focus, zoom and illumination system

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for implementing a miniature long-range imaging engine with autofocus, autozoom, and autoillumination.An example method includes detecting, by a microprocessor, the presence of an aiming light pattern in the FOV; determining, by the microprocessor and in response to the detection, a target distance of an object in the FOV based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance between the imaging engine and the object; causing, by the microprocessor, a zoom optical element to focus on the object based on the target distance; in response to the microprocessor making a first determination, selecting, based on the target distance, a zoom operating mode from a plurality of zoom operating modes; and in response to the microprocessor making a second determination, selecting, based on the target distance, an illumination mode from a plurality of illumination modes. Figure: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Miniature long-range imaging engine with automatic focusing, zooming and illumination system Background

[0001] Industrial scanning devices and / or barcode readers may be used in warehouse environments and / or other similar environments. These scanning devices may be used to scan barcodes and other objects. In some environments, it may be desirable to have scanning devices capable of scanning or resolving barcodes (e.g., Code 128 barcodes from 5 millimeters to 100 millimeters wide) over a wide range of distances, for example, from a few first units to tens of second units, or more wherein: - a first unit equals approximately 0.0254 meters; and - a second unit equals approximately 0.3048 meters. Such systems require larger optics (e.g., imaging lens systems with an overall diameter greater than approximately 6 millimeters) to meet performance requirements, but they remain a compromise among lens systems that have a specific size while being constrained by the overall dimensions of the housing and chassis. In addition, compact imaging systems require high-precision alignment of optics to avoid optical distortion, which can lead to reduced scanning rate efficiency or faulty equipment. In addition, accurately scanning barcodes over a wide range of distances in various environments requires appropriate focusing, illumination, and zoom capabilities.

[0002] Accordingly, there is a need for improved accessories having improved functionality. Summary

[0003] In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging and detecting and imaging objects using an imaging engine having an imaging assembly having a field of view (FOV). The method includes detecting, by a microprocessor, the presence of an aiming light pattern in the FOV; determining, by the microprocessor and in response to the detection, a target distance of an object in the FOV based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance between the imaging engine and the object; causing, by the microprocessor, a zoomable optical element to focus on the object based on the target distance; in response to the making a first determination by the microprocessor, selecting, based on the target distance, a zoom operating mode from a plurality of zoom operating modes; and in response to making a second determination by the microprocessor, selecting, based on the target distance, a lighting mode from a plurality of lighting modes.

[0004] In a variation of this embodiment, the plurality of zoom operating modes includes at least two of: (i) an image grouping mode, (ii) an image cropping mode, and (iii) an image interlacing mode.

[0005] In another variation of this embodiment, selecting a zoom operating mode from the plurality of zoom operating modes includes: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold value, selecting the image grouping mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than an upper threshold value, selecting the image cropping mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting the image interlacing mode.

[0006] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the lower threshold value is at most 12 first units, and the upper threshold value is at least 24 first units.

[0007] Still in a further variation of this embodiment, the plurality of lighting operating modes comprises at least two of: (i) an energy saving mode, (ii) a near lighting mode, and (iii) a far lighting mode.

[0008] In another variation of this embodiment, selecting a lighting operating mode from the plurality of lighting operating modes includes: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold value, selecting the power saving mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than an upper threshold value, selecting the far lighting mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting the near lighting mode.

[0009] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the lower threshold value is at most 24 first units and the upper threshold value is at least 24 first units.

[0010] Still in a further variation of this embodiment, the microprocessor transmits a signal to cause the imaging engine to switch to one of the plurality of lighting operating modes after a predetermined delay period has elapsed after performing the de- termination.

[0011] In another variation of this embodiment, the microprocessor determines to transition to a different lighting operating mode of the plurality of lighting operating modes during the predetermined delay period, and the method further comprises changing the signal based on the different lighting operating mode of the plurality of lighting operating modes before transmitting the signal; and resetting the predetermined delay period in response to the update.

[0012] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the variable focal length optical element is a ball bearing electric motor lens. Always in a new other variant of this production method, the object is a barcode and also includes: the cropping of a region of interest (king) comprising the barcode and the decoding of the bar code.

[0014] In another variation of this embodiment, the method further comprises displaying, to a user, the target distance on a display communicatively coupled to the microprocessor.

[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention is a ranging and object detection imaging engine, the imaging engine having an imaging assembly having a field of view (FOV). The imaging engine includes a variable focal length optical element disposed along an optical axis to receive light from an object of interest; an imaging sensor disposed along the optical axis to receive light from the variable focal length optical element; a digital zoom module configured to modify an image received from the imaging sensor; an aiming module configured to generate and direct an aiming light pattern; an illumination module configured to provide first illumination along a first illumination axis and second illumination along a second illumination axis, the illumination axis not being coaxial with the first illumination axis;and a microprocessor and a computer-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the imaging engine to: detect the presence of the aiming light pattern in the FOV; in response to the detection, determine a target distance of the object in the FOV based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance between the imaging engine and the object; in response to making a first determination, select, based on the target distance, a zoom operating mode from a plurality of zoom operating modes; and in response to making a second determination, select, based on the target distance, an illumination operating mode from a plurality of illumination operating modes; wherein the zoom optical element, the zoom module; digital, the aiming module, and the illumination module are communicatively coupled to the microprocessor.

[0016] In a variation of this embodiment, selecting a zoom operating mode from the plurality of zoom operating modes includes: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold, selecting an image grouping mode; in response to determining that the target distance is larger than an upper threshold value, selecting an image cropping mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting an image interlacing mode.

[0017] In another variation of this embodiment, the digital zoom module is configured to, in response to the selection of the image clustering mode, cluster the pixels of the image using at least one of: 2x2 pixel clustering, 3x3 pixel clustering, or 4x4 pixel clustering.

[0018] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the digital zoom module is configured to, in response to selection of the image cropping mode, crop a portion of the image sized to at least one-quarter of the image.

[0019] Still in a further variant of this embodiment, the digital zoom module receives the image with a resolution of at least 3 megapixels and zooms the image with a resolution in a range of 0.5 to 2 megapixels.

[0020] In another variation of this embodiment, selecting a lighting operating mode from the plurality of lighting operating modes includes: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold, selecting a reduced power mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than an upper threshold value, selecting a far lighting mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting a near lighting mode.

[0021] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, selecting the zoom operating mode comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a first lower threshold, selecting an image grouping mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than a first upper threshold value, selecting an image cropping mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the first lower threshold value and the first upper threshold value, selecting an image interlacing mode; and wherein selecting the illumination operating mode comprises: in response to determining the causing the target distance to be smaller than a second lower threshold, selecting a reduced power mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than a second upper threshold value, selecting a far lighting mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the second lower threshold value and the second upper threshold value, selecting a near lighting mode.

[0022] Still in a further variant of this embodiment, the first upper threshold value and the second upper threshold value are equal.

[0023] In another variation of this embodiment, the first upper threshold value and the second upper threshold value are at least 40 first units, the first lower threshold value is at most 8 first units, and the second lower threshold value is at most 24 first units.

[0024] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the imaging sensor is a rolling shutter sensor configured to operate in at least (i) a first state in which an obscurator of the rolling shutter sensor obscures a majority of radiation propagating along the optical axis and (ii) a second state in which the obscurator of the rolling shutter sensor transmits a majority of radiation propagating along the optical axis.

[0025] In yet another variation of this embodiment, the rolling shutter sensor is communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine to cause the rolling shutter sensor to transition between the first state and the second state.

[0026] In another variation of this embodiment, the rolling shutter sensor has a pixel size of at most 2.0 micrometers.

[0027] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the illumination module comprises at least: a first illumination source configured to provide the first illumination; a second illumination source configured to provide the second illumination; a collimator element configured to collimate the first illumination and the second illumination; and a microlens array element configured to receive the first illumination and the second illumination from the collimator element and to further provide a first output illumination field and a second output illumination field.

[0028] Still in a new other variant of this embodiment, the first lighting source comprises a first white LED and the second lighting source comprises a second white LED.

[0029] In another variant of this embodiment, the first output illumination field corresponds to a first modification of the image and the second field output lighting corresponds to a second modification of the image.

[0030] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, at least one of the first illumination field or the second output illumination field extends over at least 170 first units without ambient light.

[0031] Still in a further variation of this embodiment, the aiming module comprises at least one beam source assembly having a beam source for generating the aiming light pattern from an output surface, wherein the output surface defines a central axis along which an input light is to propagate; and a collimator assembly having a lens group that defines a tilt axis, wherein the tilt axis has a tilt angle relative to the central axis and the lens group is positioned over the aiming light pattern from the central axis onto the tilt axis.

[0032] In another variation of this embodiment, the aiming module generates and directs the aiming light pattern in a pulsed laser drive mode.

[0033] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the aiming light pattern has a wavelength of at least 505 nanometers and at most 535 nanometers.

[0034] Still in a further variant of this embodiment, the variable focal length optical element is a ball bearing electric motor lens.

[0035] In another variation of this embodiment, the ball bearing electric motor lens has a pupil diameter of at least 2.0 millimeters and a focusing range of first 3 units to infinity.

[0036] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the object of interest is a barcode and wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine to decode the barcode.

[0037] Still in a further variation of this embodiment, the system further comprises a display communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine to display the distance to a user on the display.

[0038] In another variation of this embodiment, the imaging engine further comprises a chassis having a body defining at least one cavity, wherein each of the variable focal length optical element, the imaging sensor, the digital zoom module, the aiming module, the illumination module, and the microprocessor and the computer readable medium are each at least partially disposed within the at least one cavity.

[0039] In a further alternative embodiment of this embodiment, the imaging sensor is a single imaging sensor. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or functionally similar elements in separate views, and the detailed description below, are incorporated in and made a part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of the concepts which comprise the claimed invention, and to explain various principles and advantages of such embodiments.

[0041] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary device for scan containing an example of an imaging assembly for capturing images of an object in accordance with various embodiments;

[0042] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary imaging assembly of [Fig.l] in accordance with various embodiments;

[0043] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] illustrates a perspective view of an example of a lens holder for use with the example of an imaging assembly of [Figs. 1] and 2 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0044] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary scanning device containing the exemplary imaging assembly of [Fig.2] and 3 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0045] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates a top plan view of the exemplary scanning device of [Figs.1] to 4 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0046] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a sighting module incorporated into the imaging assembly of [Figs.1]-5 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0047] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of an imaging system implemented as a rolling shutter lens scanner and incorporated into the scanner of [Figs.1]-5 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0048] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of an illumination module incorporated into the scanning device of [Figs.1] to 5 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0049] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a block diagram of an example of a digital zoom module incorporated into the imaging assembly of [Figs.l]-5 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0050] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is an exemplary flowchart of a method of configuring and controlling various modules of the scanning device of [Figs. 1] to 5 in accordance with various embodiments;

[0051] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] illustrates a perspective view of the front and rear of an optical imaging reader in accordance with various embodiments; and

[0052] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] illustrates a block diagram of various components of the reader of [Fig.l] in accordance with various embodiments.

[0053] Skilled craftsmen will understand that the elements of the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of certain elements of the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help enhance understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] The components of the apparatus of the method have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only the specific details which are relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details which will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present description. Detailed description

[0055] Generally, in accordance with these various embodiments, a high performance autofocus barcode scanning device is provided, with reduced dimensional requirements and a wide range of autofocus distances. The scanning device also incorporates optical alignment features that provide very high precision alignment of the imaging optics allowing the use of smaller and more compact lenses and optical elements.Additionally, the scanning device incorporates aiming units that generate aiming beams or aiming patterns using a compact, low-profile assembly that protects the aiming unit from harmful back reflections of the aiming beam, which back reflections can otherwise cause compact scanning devices to blow up, and illumination units that enable imaging of targets with little or no ambient light. To accurately focus and / or zoom on a target and control the illumination and aiming units, a controller of the scanning device actuates and adjusts various modules based on the distance of a target being scanned.

[0056] In particular, it is desirable to have a miniature imaging engine capable of providing high-resolution image capture for barcode scanning and / or long-range ranging. Existing engines use multiple cameras to achieve varied fields of view (FOVs), which requires a larger and less efficient device. A single imaging sensor system is therefore preferable to existing engines. To achieve a pixel FOV small enough to enable long-range scanning for such a system, an illumination system is required to provide light for imaging. Although While increasing the pupil of the lenses in an imaging engine can increase efficiency, such an increase requires autofocusing capabilities to mitigate the resulting decrease in depth of focus. Thus, an imaging engine having a single imaging sensor, a variable focusing lens, and a controller and / or microprocessor for controlling the zoom, aiming, and focusing functions is described below.

[0057] With respect to the figures, an imaging engine device 100 or scanning engine for capturing at least one image of an object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV) is provided. The imaging engine device 100 includes a printed circuit board 102, an imaging system 110 operatively coupled to the printed circuit board 102, and a chassis 150. Further, the system 100 includes an aiming system or aiming module 170 and an illumination system or illumination module 180, as well as any number of additional components used to assist in capturing an image or images of an object.

[0058] The printed circuit board 102 may include any number of electrical and / or electromechanical components (e.g., capacitors, resistors, transistors, power supplies, etc.) used to communicatively couple and / or control various electrical components of the imaging engine device 100. For example, the printed circuit board 102 may include any number of component mounting portions 103, illustrated in [Fig. 2], for receiving components (e.g., the imaging system 110) to be operatively coupled thereto, and may further include a board mounting region 104 used to secure the printed circuit board 102 with the housing scanner (not shown). In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the printed circuit board 102 further includes a first flexible tail connector 105 and a second flexible tail connector 106.As will be seen, the first flexible tail connector 105 is used to communicatively couple components disposed in the chassis 150 with the printed circuit board 102, and the second flexible tail connector 106 is used to communicatively couple the printed circuit board 102 to portions of the imaging system 110 and / or the aiming module 170.

[0059] In particular, the imaging system 110 may be communicatively coupled to a controller 107 of the printed circuit board 102. In some implementations, an optical sensor of the imaging system 110 receives light from one or more lenses of the imaging system 110, and in response, transmits data such as one or more images to or via the controller 107. The controller 107 may cause the imaging system 110 or a digital zoom module 108 of the imaging system 110 to digitally zoom in on some or all of the one or more images. Depending on the implementation, the one or more images may have a resolution of 4 megapixels, and the zoom may produce images with a resolution of 1 megapixel for analysis by the controller 107. Those skilled in the art will understand that megapixels are approximate resolutions of a sensor and cover a range of potential pixel sizes. In some implementations, the controller 107 may cause the digital zoom module 108 of the imaging system 110 to operate in multiple zoom operating modes. In some implementations, the digital zoom module 108 may refer to a software module implemented on the controller 107 that causes the imaging system 110 to perform particular functions.Depending on the implementation, some modes of operation include a binning mode, a cropping mode, and an interlaced mode. The imaging system 110 may operate in a binning mode by binning the pixels in the image (e.g., by binning the pixels into 2 x 2 pixel squares). Similarly, the imaging system 110 may operate in a cropping mode by cropping an ROI of the image (e.g., a quarter of the image). The imaging system 110 may also operate in an interlaced mode by combining the data binning and cropping modes of operation. The controller 107 determines the mode as described in more detail in [Fig. 10] below.

[0060] The imaging system 110 is also operatively coupled to the printed circuit board 102. The imaging system 110 includes an autofocus system or autofocus module 220 and a rear lens holder 112, both containing lenses for imaging. In some implementations, the autofocus module 220 includes a variable focus optical element. Depending on the implementation, the lenses for imaging may be or may include the variable focus optical element. In a preferred embodiment, the variable focus optical element is a lens actuated and / or adjusted by a ball bearing electric motor lens or a voice coil electric motor (VCM) actuator (i.e., a VCM lens).In implementations in which the variable focus optical element is a ball bearing electric motor or VCM lens, the ball bearing electric motor or VCM lens may have a pupil diameter of at least 2.0 millimeters and a focus range extending from 3.0 first units to infinity (i.e., optical infinity). In additional embodiments, the variable focus optical element may be any lens or optical element having a similar focus adjustment capability, such as a liquid lens, a T-lens, a ball bearing focus actuator, and any . other similar lens known in the art. Depending on the implementation, the controller 107 may control the autofocus module 220 and / or the variable focal length optical element.

[0061] The autofocus module 220 is positioned adjacent to and / or operatively coupled to the rear lens holder 112. The rear lens holder 112 is in the form of a generally hollow body that defines a lower portion 112a, an upper portion 112b, and a sidewall 112c extending between the lower and upper portions 112a, 112b. The rear lens holder 112 may have any number of features such as shapes and / or cutouts 113, such that the sidewall 112c has a generally uniform thickness despite its particular shape that matches the shape of the lens or lenses disposed therein.These cutouts 113 reduce the overall weight of the rear lens holder 112, and because of the uniform thickness of the sidewall 112c, the rear lens holder 112 is easier to manufacture (e.g., to mold via an injection molding machine) compared to lens holders having varying thickness.

[0062] In some examples, the rear lens holder 112 is coupled to the printed circuit board 102 via the component mounting portion 103. As a non-limiting example, the component mounting portion 103 may be in the form of a pad onto which the lower portion 112a of the rear lens holder 112 is pressed. The component mounting portion 103 may include an adhesive to assist in securing the rear lens holder 112 to the printed circuit board 102. In other examples, the component mounting portion 103 may include any number of electrical interconnects that receive corresponding electrical interconnects disposed on or otherwise coupled to the rear lens holder 112. Other examples are possible.

[0063] Referring next to [Fig. 3], the rear lens holder 112 further comprises a lens holder mounting portion 114 positioned on an outer periphery of the side wall 112c. The lens holder mounting portion 114 has any number of upper tabs 116 and any number of lower tabs 120. As illustrated in [Fig. 2] and 3, each of the upper tabs 116 has a generally planar face surface 116a, a curved top surface 116b positioned adjacent the face surface 116a, an angled surface 116c positioned adjacent the curved top surface 116b, and an interior sidewall 116d positioned adjacent the face surface 116a, the curved top surface 116b, and the angled surface 116c.In the illustrated example, the respective inner side walls 116d of each of the upper tabs 116 are arranged to form a . face. The angled surface 116c is a generally planar surface that forms an angle of about 30° relative to the face surface 116a. However, other examples of suitable angles are possible.

[0064] The upper tabs 116 are separated by a cavity 117 at least partially defined by the interior sidewall 116d. The cavity 117 is further defined by the lower tab 120, which has a generally planar face surface 120a, an upper surface 120b positioned adjacent the face surface 120a, and an angled surface 120c positioned adjacent the upper surface 120b. The angled surface 120c is a generally planar surface that forms an angle of about 30° relative to the face surface 120a. However, other examples of suitable angles are possible. Furthermore, although the upper surface 120b of the lower tab 120 is illustrated as a generally planar surface, in some examples, the upper surface 120b of the lower tab 120 may be curved.Thus configured, the cavity 117 is at least partially defined by the inner sidewalls 116d of the upper tabs 116, the sidewall 112c, and the angled surface 120c of the lower tab 120. In some examples, the width of the cavity 117 may gradually decrease from the upper portion 112b to the lower portion 112a. The lens holder mounting portion 114 also includes a window 266 configured to pass light to a lens or lens group. In some implementations, the window 266 includes at least an outer shell 266a and an inner shell 266b. In additional implementations, a lens attached to or forming part of the window 266 is controlled by an actuator such as a VCM actuator or a ball bearing focusing actuator.In further implementations, window 266 may operate in an open state, a closed state, or a partially open state based on instructions from controller 107. Depending on the implementation, window 266 may be part of a rolling shutter lens barcode reader as described below in [Fig.7].

[0065] The chassis 150 may be constructed from a rigid material such as a metal or metal alloy (e.g., zinc). The chassis 150 includes a body 151 that defines any number of cavities 152 in which components may be partially or fully disposed. For example, the aiming module 170 and / or the illumination module 180 may be at least partially disposed within the cavity 152 of the chassis 150. The aiming module 170 may include components to generate a pattern or similar visual indication such as an aiming point to help identify the location being aimed at by the imaging system 110. In some examples, the aiming module 170 may include laser-based and / or light-emitting diode (“LED”) illumination sources. The illumination module 180 helps illuminate the target so that the desired imaging system 110 can capture the desired image accurately. The illumination module 180 may include an LED or an arrangement of LEDs, lenses, and the like. The aiming module 170 and the illumination module 180 are described in more detail with respect to [Fig. 6] and 8 below.

[0066] The body 151 of the chassis 150 may include a recessed portion 153 that is adapted to receive a portion of the first flexible tail connector 105 (e.g., a sub-card or an interconnect member). The chassis 150 further includes a chassis mounting portion 154 disposed or positioned on an outer periphery of the body 151 of the cavity 150. The chassis mounting portion 154 further includes any number of upper hooks 156 and any number of lower hooks 160.

[0067] Referring to [Fig. 4], the second flexible tail connector 106 has a mounting hole 106a and a number of interconnects 106b. The rear lens holder 112 has a flexible attachment tab 122 that projects upwardly from the rear lens holder 112. The flexible attachment tab 122 has an angled engagement surface 122a that is angled in a direction toward the autofocus module 220. Upon electrically coupling the autofocus module 220 with the printed circuit board, the second flexible tail connector 106 is pushed upward, and the mounting hole 106a is aligned with the flexible attachment tab 122.As the engagement surface 122a of the flexible attachment tab 122 is angled toward the autofocus module 220, the interconnects 106b are displaced or positioned against corresponding interconnects 220a positioned on the autofocus module 220, thereby communicatively coupling the autofocus module 220 to the printed circuit board 102. In some examples, the flexible attachment tab 122 may include a notch or other feature used to retain the second flexible tail connector 106.

[0068] So configured, and as illustrated in [Fig. 4] and 5, the imaging system 110 described herein can occupy all of the available height between the large, opposing, flat mounting surfaces of the chassis 150, as compared to being constrained by the body 151 of the chassis 150. Furthermore, instead of the chassis 150 being mounted directly to the printed circuit board 102, the imaging system 110 is mounted to the printed circuit board 102 while the chassis 150 is coupled to the imaging system 110. Advantageously, such an arrangement isolates the heat from the aiming module 170 and the illumination module 180 disposed in the chassis 150 from the optical sensor mounted on the printed circuit board 102, while also providing additional optical path length for the imaging system 110.

[0069] [Fig.6] illustrates an example of implementation of the aiming module 170. The module aiming assemblies 170 is configured to generate an aiming light pattern to serve as a visual guide to users during operation of the imaging engine device 100, particularly for precise positioning of the imaging system 110 and the illumination module 180. In some implementations, the aiming light pattern is an aiming beam. While conventional aiming assemblies are capable of generating bright, central aiming points or patterns, they typically do so on an axis offset from that of the illumination module field of view and the imaging system field of view. And for configurations where the aiming assemblies are designed to tilt the axis of an aiming beam, the configurations are too large, requiring shims or similar optics, to be compatible with integrated scanner assemblies, such as those described herein.In contrast, in various examples, the aiming modules provide low stack height designs capable of generating aimpoint or aiming light pattern axis tilt without increasing the overall height of an integrated scanning device assembly.

[0070] In the example of [Fig. 6], the aiming module 170 includes a beam source assembly 202 that has a frame 204 having a mounting plate 206 on which a beam source 208 is positioned. The beam source 208 may be a laser-based or LED-based beam source. In some examples, the beam source 208 is a vertically emitting beam source, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. In some examples, the beam source 208 is an edge-emitting beam source or an edge-emitting beam source. Depending on the implementation, the aiming module 170 may steer the beam source 208 to generate the light pattern and / or aiming beam in a pulsed laser drive mode with a fixed or variable frequency. In some implementations, the pulsed laser drive mode pulses the laser at a frequency of 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 60 Hz, 80 Hz, or 100 Hz.

[0071] In additional implementations, the aiming light pattern may be red (e.g., the aiming light pattern has a wavelength of 630 nanometers to 670 nanometers) or green (e.g., the aiming light pattern has a wavelength of 505 to 535 nanometers). Depending on the implementation, the aiming light pattern may be limited to an average power of less than or equal to 1 milliwatt but is visible in sunlight at a distance of at least 40 first units.

[0072] The frame 204 may be an integrated part having a mounting surface 210 mountable to a mounting surface 214 of a mounting plate 211, which may be formed with or attached to a chassis 212, to serve as a chassis mounting portion. In other examples, the frame 204 may be mounted (e.g., glued or pressed) directly to the chassis 212, without a mounting plate 211. For example, the walls of the lower cavity 221 may be sized to receive the mounting plate 206 of the frame 204 and securely hold the frame 204 in place. In some examples, the mounting plate 211 and / or the mounting plate 206 may provide a heat dissipation function for the laser 208.

[0073] The frame 204 includes a transparent window 215 sealing the environment of the laser 208 and positioned adjacent a port 216 that functions as an aperture through which the generated aiming light pattern is provided along a beam axis 218. The frame 204 is located in a lower cavity 221 of the chassis 212. In some examples, the lower cavity 221 may be sealed from the environment by using a transparent window at an upper end (not shown). The chassis 212 further includes an outer cavity 223 having chassis mounting portions (surfaces) 225 onto which the collimator assembly 222 may be placed during assembly and held in place by an adhesive, such as a UV-curable adhesive 227 surrounding a lower outer edge of the assembly 222.Additionally a transparent window 248 may be mounted on an output end of the frame 212, above the collimator assembly, for transmission of the aiming pattern along a tilt axis as described below.

[0074] The collimator assembly 222 is a low profile assembly having a body 224 that has an outer surface 224A and an inner surface 224B parallel thereto. The collimator assembly further includes a lens group 226 that is positioned between the outer surface 224A and the inner surface 224B. More particularly, the lens group 226 defines a tilt axis 228. In the illustrated example, the tilt axis 228 forms an acute angle relative to the parallel outer and inner surfaces 224A, 224B. Furthermore, the tilt axis 228 defines a tilt angle α relative to the beam axis 218, which can also be considered a central axis. Additionally, the lens group 226 is positioned relative to the beam source 208 such that the pattern and / or aiming light beam, incident along the beam axis 218, is deflected onto the tilt axis 228 by the lens group 226.In various examples, the tilt angle a is confined by the expression a > 0.5*atan(h / F), where F is a focal length of the lens group 226 and h is a clearance height of the beam source 208, so as to prevent back-reflection of the pattern and / or the aiming light beam from returning from an exit window to the beam source 208.

[0075] In various examples, the lens group 226 includes a first lens 230 at an output end and a second lens 232 at an input end. Both lenses 230 and 232 may be tilted, i.e., have a shared central axis that is tilted relative to the beam axis 218. In some examples, one or both of the first lens 230 and the second lens 232 is a semi-spherical lens, i.e., a lens having at least a portion of its surface profile formed from a sphere or a cylinder. In some examples, one or both of the first lens 230 and the second lens 232 is an aspherical lens, i.e., a lens having surface profiles that are not portions of a sphere or a cylinder. In some examples, the lens group 226 may be formed from a double convex lens having a central axis inclined to be parallel to the axis 228. In some examples, the lens group 226 may be formed from a lens having symmetrical aspherical surfaces, where the first lens 230 and the second lens 232 have aspherical curvatures. In other examples, the second lens 232 is implemented as a generally planar surface instead of, for example, an inclined planar face.In various examples, the lens group 226 is integrally formed with the body 224 so as to constitute a continuous piece.

[0076] As shown in [Fig. 6], in various examples, the optical element 236 is a diffractive optical element and may have a planar outer surface 236A and a diffractive element at an inner surface 236B, the latter being positioned to receive the input beam from the lens group 226. Accordingly, not only does the sealing adhesive 238 retain the optical element 236 in the recess 234, but it also provides an environmental seal that prevents contamination of the diffractive element located on the inner surface 236B. In other examples, the optical element 236 may be a refractive optical element or a combination of diffractive and refractive elements. The optical element 236 is configured to convert the input beam into an aiming pattern that appears at a focal distance of the lens group 226.This configuration provides a compact design while allowing an input beam to be converted into a complex far-field aiming beam or light pattern, where these patterns may be geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles, circles, etc., but also more complex shapes such as logos, text, images, etc. The optical element 236, which is part of the lens group 226, may further cooperate with the aspherical surface 230 to collimate the incident input beam while tilting the beam propagation axis. An optical element retainer 243, also referred to as an eye safety retainer, is affixed to the top surface 224A, for example, using an adhesive, to provide additional protection against dislodgement of the optical element 236 from the aiming module 170.The retainer 243 may include an aperture positioned and sized to allow transmission of the deflected aiming beam or aiming light pattern, wherein the remainder of the retainer 243 may be non-transparent. The retainer 243 may, for example, be formed of a material. black or other opaque support or even a partially transparent support, such as a diffuser. The retainer 243 thus allows the deflected aiming light pattern to pass through its opening, but blocks or minimizes the penetration of back reflections and stray light into the lower cavity 221 and their incidence on the laser 208. Thus, the retainer 243 prevents stray light from causing stray reflections and flares. The retainer 243 further prevents the optical element 236 from being in the path of the aiming beam or the deflected aiming light pattern, in the event of failure of the adhesive 238.In some examples, the optical element retainer 243 further includes sensing electrodes positioned thereon to enable an external circuit to determine whether the window itself has been dislodged (e.g., in response to a received signal, a change in measured impedance, or other electrical sensing) providing a warning signal to an operator.

[0077] In various examples, a beamforming aperture 240 is first placed in the recess 234 to provide protection for the lens group 222 from extraneous off-axis backscatter light, ambient light, or other illumination. The optical element 236 may then be placed on top of this aperture 240.

[0078] Referring to [Fig.7], an exemplary rolling shutter sensor system 300 shown uses an obscuring element or obscurator 303 to operate as a rolling shutter sensor system 300 for imaging an object of interest 302. The obscurator 303 is disposed within a housing 305 along an optical path A of a field of view 320 of an imaging sensor 325. Depending on the implementation, the obscurator 303 may be an external physical optical or mechanical shutter. In such implementations, the obfuscator 303 enhances the performance of the rolling shutter sensor system 300. In additional implementations, the obfuscator 303 is part of the imaging sensor 325 and enables the rolling shutter sensor system 300 to operate as a rolling shutter sensor system 300.In other implementations, the obfuscator 303 is not present and the rolling shutter sensor system 300 operates using electronic means instead (e.g., by filtering the light received by the imaging sensor).

[0079] In some implementations, the housing 305 is contained within and / or is part of the rear lens holder 112. In additional implementations, the housing is a separate part of the chassis 150. Also, depending on the implementation, the imaging sensor 325 is the sensor of or includes the imaging assembly 110. A controller 107 controls a state of the obfuscator between an obscuring state and a transmitting state. The obscuring state is an optical state in which the obfuscator obscures or masks a majority of radiation to the imaging sensor 325 along the optical axis A, and the transmission state is an optical state in which the obscurator transmits a majority of radiation to the imaging sensor 325 along the optical axis A. In implementations in which the imaging sensor 325 is a rolling shutter sensor, the obscurator may move to allow some radiation to the imaging sensor 325 in smaller subsets—i.e., the imaging sensor 325 receives light in a rolling pattern. In additional implementations, the imaging sensor 325 may be arranged and / or configured to receive light in a rolling pattern without the obscurator 303.

[0080] The imaging sensor 325 is mounted on an imaging circuit board such as the circuit board 327, which may provide power to the imaging sensor 325, control operation of the sensor 325, and on-board and off-board data communications to and from the imaging sensor 325, among other operations and purposes. In some implementations, the imaging circuit board 327 is or is part of the circuit board 102. The imaging sensor 325 may be a CMOS device or another imaging sensor capable of functioning as a rolling shutter sensor. In some implementations, the imaging sensor 325 is the optical sensor on the circuit board 102 and / or is part of the imaging system 110.The imaging sensor 325 may have a fixed exposure time, or the exposure time and rolling shutter functionality may be tuned to change the exposure time based on an object of interest, a distance from the object of interest, illumination of the object of interest, etc. For example, in some implementations, the exposure time and rolling shutter functionality of the imaging sensor 325 may be tuned to operate in various modes depending on the speed of a target (e.g., low speed, high speed, and very high speed modes). In a particular preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor has a pixel size of at most 2.0 micrometers.

[0081] A lens 308 is disposed along the optical path A for bridging images received by the rolling shutter sensor system 300 onto an imaging plane at the imaging sensor 325. A window 310 is disposed along the optical axis to provide a transmissive surface for optical radiation to pass along the optical axis into the housing 305. In some implementations, the window 310 is the window 266 discussed in [Fig. 3] above. The window 310 acts as an aperture and may be useful in preventing stray light and optical noise from entering the housing 305. Further, the window may be a material or have coatings acting as a filter to reduce noise or to protect the optical path. select wavelengths of light for imaging at the imaging sensor 325. The window 310, the lens 308 and the obscurator 303 are arranged for imaging the object of interest 302 on the imaging sensor 325.

[0082] Although not illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional or fewer optical elements may be implemented along the optical axis for imaging the object of interest. For example, one or more additional lenses, wavelength filters, spatial filters, polarizers, beam splitters, mirrors, waveplates, apertures, or other optical elements may be employed for imaging the object of interest 302. In one configuration, the object of interest 302 includes one or more indicia indicating information about the object of interest, the indicia being one or more of a 1D or 2D barcode, a QR code, a dynamic QR code, a UPC code, a serial number, an alphanumeric code, a graphic, or another indicia.

[0083] The obscurator 303 may be a transflective mirror positioned within the housing 305 along the optical path A. As a transflective mirror, the obscurator 303 may be switched between a transmissive state in which a majority of the light can pass through the transflective mirror, and a reflective state in which a majority of the light is reflected by the transflective mirror. For example, the obscurator 303 may switch between the states in response to an electrical control signal received from the controller 107. When the transflective mirror is in the reflective state, the transflective mirror reflects at least a first portion of radiation into the field of view 320 of the imaging sensor 325. In the transmissive state, the transflective mirror allows optical radiation in the field of view 320 to pass through the transflective mirror 355 along the optical path A to the imaging sensor 325.Optionally, the transflective mirror may be switched to a partially reflective state in which the transflective mirror reflects a portion of the light and transmits a portion of the light at a time. Such an example may be useful in a system that performs imaging of the object of interest 302 while targeting radiation is provided to the bar code or object of interest. For example, the rolling shutter sensor system 300 may further include a target radiation source 313 that provides radiation 330 to the object of interest 302 for a user of the bar code reader to refer to when positioning the object of interest for scanning, or when positioning the rolling shutter sensor system 300 in the case of a handheld bar code reader.

[0084] Although described above as a transflective device, the obfuscator 303 need not reflect optical radiation. In the obscuration state, the obfuscator 303 may absorb the radiation, or otherwise mask the radiation. optical to prevent radiation from reaching the imaging sensor 325, while the obfuscator 303 allows radiation to pass to the imaging sensor 325 when in the transmissive state. In some configurations, the obfuscator 303 may include one or more of a transflective mirror, a different transflective element, an electrochromic device, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film, or another electrically controllable shutter element (e.g., an external shutter) capable of transitioning between states on a timescale functional for a rolling shutter sensor system 300.

[0085] Further, although [Fig. 7] illustrates an imaging engine 100 with a rolling shutter sensor system 300 using an exemplary rolling shutter sensor, the imaging engine 100 and / or the rolling shutter sensor system 300 may include any similar sensor. For example, a full shutter sensor—i.e., one in which all pixels in an array are exposed simultaneously rather than individual subsets of pixels exposed at different times—may be used. Similarly, a lens or sensor system capable of operating in both rolling shutter and full shutter mode may also be used.

[0086] Next, [Fig. 8] illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a ray trace of one embodiment of an optical assembly 400 of a dual illumination module 180. The optical assembly 400 includes a first illumination source 402a and a second illumination source 402b. The first illumination source 402a is disposed along a first optical axis A to provide first illumination 404a along the first optical axis A. The second illumination source 402b is disposed along a second optical axis B and configured to provide second illumination 404b along the second optical axis B. In some implementations, the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may include one or more LEDs, laser diodes, lasers, black body radiation sources, or other such illumination sources.In some embodiments, the first and second illuminations 404a and 404b may comprise one or more of infrared radiation, near infrared radiation, visible light, optical radiation, ultraviolet radiation, or another type of radiation for illuminating a target for imaging the target.

[0087] The first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may be square light sources, and the centers of the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may be arranged between 1 and 5 millimeters apart, between 5 and 10 millimeters apart, less than 10 millimeters apart, or more than 1 centimeter apart. Further, the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may be 1 millimeter by 1 millimeter squares, 2 millimeter by 2 millimeter squares, 5 millimeter by 5 millimeter squares, or greater than 5 millimeter by 5 millimeter squares. In a particular implementation, the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b are 1 millimeter by 1 millimeter square white LED lights. Depending on the implementation, the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may have sufficient luminance to enable reading of bar codes at a distance of up to 170 first units in ambient darkness, and / or at greater distances in at least low ambient light levels (e.g., 5 to 10 foot candles, where one foot candle is approximately 10.57 lux).Similarly, depending on the implementation, the first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b provide illumination fields 425a and 425b of rectangular, conical, or other suitable shape.

[0088] The first and second illumination sources 402a and 402b may also be circular, rectangular, or of another geometric shape. The optical assembly includes an aperture element 405 having a first aperture 405a and a second aperture 405b. The first illumination 404a propagates along the first optical axis A through the first aperture 405a, and the second illumination 404b propagates along the second optical axis B through the second aperture 405b. Depending on the implementation, the optical axis A may or may not be the same optical axis A as that of [Fig. 7]. The first and second apertures 405a and 405b may be independent apertures, or they may be two apertures of a single larger aperture element, such as two holes or orifices in a single material, the two holes being independent and spatially separated by a certain distance.Further, the first and second apertures 405a and 405b may be a single large aperture that transmits both the first and second illuminations 404a and 404b.

[0089] A collimator element 408 is disposed along the first and second optical axes A and B for collimating the first and second illuminations 404a and 404b. The collimator element 408 has a first collimator 408a and a second collimator 408b. The first collimator 408a has a first collimator input surface 410a configured to receive the first illumination 404a from the first aperture 405a, and the second collimator 408b has a second collimator input surface 410b configured to receive the second illumination 404b from the second aperture 405b. The first and second collimator input surfaces 410a and 410b may be separated by a separator element 409 that prevents at least a portion of the first illumination 404a from entering the second collimator 408b, and further prevents at least a portion of the second illumination 404b from entering the first collimator 408a.The separating element 409 may comprise a wedge or a wall of air, metal, etc. of plastic, glass, or other material. The first collimator 408a has a first collimator output surface 412a disposed along the first optical axis A for providing first collimated illumination 404a to a microlens array element 415. The second collimator 408b has a second collimator output surface 412b disposed along the second optical axis B for providing second collimated illumination 404b to the microlens array element 415.

[0090] The microlens array element 415 is disposed along the first and second optical axes A and B, respectively, for receiving the first and second collimated illuminations 404a and 404b from the collimator element 408. The microlens array element 415 has a first microlens array 415a and a second microlens array 415b. The first microlens array 415a has a first microlens input surface 418a disposed along the first optical axis A for receiving the first illumination 404a. The first microlens array 415a also has a first microlens output surface 420a for providing the first illumination 404a as a first output illumination field 425a, shown in solid lines in [Fig.8], to a target for imaging the target.The second microlens array 415b has a second microlens input surface 418b disposed along the second optical axis B for receiving the second illumination 404b. The second microlens array 415b also has a second microlens output surface 420b for providing the second illumination 404b as a second output illumination field 425b, shown in broken lines in [Fig. 8], to a target for imaging the target. In some implementations, each of the first output illumination field 425a and the second output illumination field 425b corresponds to an illumination module 180 mode of operation as described in [Fig. 10] below. For example, the first output illumination field 425a may illuminate a portion of the FOV near the overall FOV while the second output illumination field 425b illuminates a portion of the far FOV.

[0091] Each of the first and second microlens arrays 415a and 415b may independently spread input radiation or stretch an input radiation field to provide an output illumination field with one or more dimensions having a wider field angle than the collimated input illumination. The microlens array element 415 may be a plastic material such as Zeonex, acrylic polycarbonate, K26R, E48R, or another such material. In some implementations, the microlens array element 415 may be a glass material or another optical material capable of transmitting light. Further, the distance between either of the first and / or second illumination sources 402a and 402b and the second surface of either of the first and / or second microlens output surfaces 420a and 420b may be 5 millimeters, 7 millimeters, 10 millimeters, or 15 millimeters. millimeters, 12 millimeters, less than 15 millimeters, less than 10 millimeters or less than 8 millimeters to provide a compact form factor for the 400 optical assembly.

[0092] [Fig. 9] illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the digital zoom module 108. As noted above, depending on the implementation, the digital zoom module 108 may be implemented in a separate piece of hardware from the controller 107 or may be a software module implemented on the controller 107. The digital zoom module 108 receives an image 450 taken by the imaging system 110 or otherwise received by the controller 107. The image may have a resolution of 1 megapixel, 2 megapixels, 4 megapixels, 6 megapixels, 8 megapixels, or any other resolution suitable for imaging. In a particular preferred embodiment, the image has a resolution of at least 3 megapixels. The digital zoom module 108 also receives a target distance 460.Depending on the implementation, the controller 107 may calculate or otherwise determine the target distance 460 using the methods described above and then analyze the target distance 460 using the digital zoom module 108. In other implementations, the digital zoom module 108 may receive the target distance 460 from the controller 107 or another piece of hardware in the digital imaging engine 100. Based on the target distance 460, the digital zoom module begins operating in one mode of operation. In some implementations, the digital zoom module 108 may operate in multiple modes of operation and the controller 107 determines in which mode of operation the digital zoom module 108 should operate.In additional implementations, the digital zoom module 108 may operate in one of three modes of operation: a binning mode 108a, a cropping mode 108b, and an interlacing mode 108c. In the binning mode 108a, the digital zoom module 108 takes individual pixels and combines them into larger pixels (i.e., superpixels). In some implementations, the digital zoom module 108 may group the pixels into superpixels with a size of 2x2 pixels, 3x3 pixels, or other suitable superpixel sizes. In the cropping mode 108b, the digital zoom module 108 crops a portion of the overall image, e.g., a quarter, a third, a half, or other suitable crop sizes. In interlacing mode 108c, digital zoom module 108 combines the techniques of binning mode 108a and cropping mode 108b.Depending on the implementation, the digital zoom module 108 may determine appropriate binning, cropping, or interlacing based on the resolution of the input image 450 and a desired output image resolution. The output image resolution . may be based on a resolution suitable for barcode decoding. Thus, the output image resolution may be 0.25 megapixel, 0.5 megapixel, 1 megapixel, 2 megapixel, 3 megapixel, 4 megapixel, or any other image suitable for barcode decoding. In a particular preferred embodiment, the output image resolution is between 0.5 megapixel and 2 megapixel.

[0093] Referring next to [Fig. 10], a flowchart 1000 illustrates a method for controlling object imaging and ranging by the controller 107, which controls each of the autofocus module 220, the aiming module 170, and the illumination module 180. For clarity, [Fig. 10] is discussed with respect to the controller 107, the autofocus module 220, the aiming module 170, and the illumination module 180. However, any similarly suitable controller, autofocus module, aiming module, and illumination module may be used.

[0094] At block 1002, the imaging engine device 100 detects the presence of an aiming light pattern in the FOV. In some implementations, the imaging engine device 100 detects presence via communication between the controller 107 and the aiming module 170. In additional implementations, the controller 107 receives an indication of presence from the imaging system 110. Depending on the implementation, the imaging engine device 100 detects the presence of an aiming light pattern (e.g., an aiming point and / or a visual indication of a beam) emitted by the imaging engine device 100 and controlled by the aiming module 170. After detecting the presence of the aiming light pattern, the flow proceeds to block 1004. At block 1004, the controller 107 determines a parallax target distance of an object of interest using the position of the aiming light pattern.In some implementations, the controller 107 determines the target distance based on the size of the aiming light pattern in the FOV. In still other implementations, the controller 107 determines the target distance based on the brightness of the aiming light pattern. In still other implementations, the aiming light pattern is a complex pattern on the target, and the controller 107 determines the target distance based on the pattern. For example, the pattern may be a series of vertical lines over which the controller 107 determines the target distance using the apparent distance between the lines.

[0095] Depending on the implementation, the imaging engine device 100 may include or be communicatively coupled to a display, such as a mobile device display, a computer display, or a display included within the housing of the imaging engine. In some such implementations, the controller 107 causes the display to display the determined target distance to a user. Thus, the Imaging engine device 100 may operate as a rangefinder. In some implementations, controller 107 causes the display to display the determined target distance only when a ranging mode is activated by the user. In additional implementations, controller 107 may cause the assembly to output an audio cue instead of or in addition to causing the display to display the determined target distance. For example, imaging engine device 100 may read the target distance aloud to the user or may output different noises to indicate different ranges (i.e., for first 0-5 units, first 5-20 units, first 20-50 units, etc.).

[0096] Next, at block 1006, controller 107 causes a lens assembly of imaging system 110 to focus a variable-focal optical element on the object of interest. In some implementations in which imaging system 110 includes a ball-bearing electric motor lens, controller 107 sends an indication to the ball-bearing electric motor lens to focus on the object based on the target distance. Depending on the implementation, block 1006 may occur before, after, or substantially simultaneously with a portion of block 1004.

[0097] At block 1008, the controller 107 causes a digital zoom module 108 and / or the imaging system 110 of the imaging engine 100 to select and operate in a zoom mode of operation based on the target distance. The selection and operation may be based on a determination by the controller 107 to begin or change operation of the zoom mode. In some implementations, the image captured by the imaging system 110 has a resolution higher than the preferred resolution for barcode decoding. For example, the image captured by the imaging system may have a resolution of 4 megapixels while a preferred resolution for barcode decoding is 1 megapixel. The zoom mode of operation may be one of multiple different zoom modes.In some implementations, the zoom operating modes include at least a near FOV mode, a far FOV mode, and an interlaced mode. Depending on the implementation, the zoom operating modes may correspond to the level of digital zoom. For example, the imaging system 110 may be fully zoomed out (i.e., no zoom) when operating in the near FOV mode and may be fully zoomed in (i.e., zoomed 2 to 3 times) when operating in the far FOV mode.

[0098] While operating in near FOV mode, the controller 107 or the imaging engine 100 may operate by binning the pixels in images taken by the imaging system 110. In some implementations, the imaging engine 100 performs 2x2 binning, i.e., combines the pixels into a 2 pixel by 2 pixel square into a single superpixel. The imaging engine 100 may perform 3x3 binning, 4x4 binning, or any other suitable binning. In still other implementations, the imaging engine 100 performs binning proportional to the difference factor between the image reading resolution and the barcode decoding resolution (i.e., a 2x2 binning is preferable for a resolution difference of 4 megapixels versus 1 megapixel).

[0099] While operating in far FOV mode, controller 107 or imaging engine 100 may operate by cropping a portion of the image. In some implementations, imaging engine 100 crops a smaller portion of the image based on object distance, up to one-quarter of the total image area. In additional implementations, such as for near FOV mode binning, imaging engine 100 performs cropping proportional to the difference factor between the image reading resolution and the barcode decoding resolution (i.e., a minimum crop size of one-quarter is preferable for a resolution difference of 4 megapixels versus 1 megapixel).

[0100] While operating in interlaced mode, the controller 107 or the imaging engine 100 may operate by interlacing and cropping a portion of the image and binning the pixels as described above. In some implementations, the imaging engine 100 may crop up to a quarter of the image and may bin the pixels up to a 2x2 binning process, depending on the resolution of the images taken by the imaging system 110 and the preferred resolution for barcode decoding. Depending on the implementation, the cropping and binning may be performed alternately, simultaneously, or one after the other.

[0101] The controller 107 determines in which operating mode the imaging engine 100 should operate based on the determined target distance of the object of interest. In some implementations, the controller 107 compares the determined target distance of the object to one or more threshold values ​​to determine in which zoom operating mode a zoom module 108 and / or an imaging system 110 of the imaging engine 100 should operate. For example, the controller 107 may cause the imaging engine 100 to operate in a near FOV mode when the target distance is below a first threshold value, a far FOV mode when the target distance is above a second threshold value, and an interlaced mode when the target distance is between the two threshold values. In some of these implementations, the imaging engine operates in a near FOV mode when the target distance is less than or equal to 8 first units, in far FOV mode when the target distance is greater than or equal to 40 first units, and in interlaced mode when the target distance is between 8 and 40 first units, not inclusive.

[0102] Similarly, at block 1010, the controller 107 causes the imaging engine 100 to select and operate in an illumination mode of operation based on the target distance. The illumination mode of operation may be one of multiple different illumination modes. In some implementations, the illumination modes of operation include at least a reduced power mode, a near illumination mode, and a far illumination mode. In some such implementations, the illumination module 180 alternates between two fields of illumination depending on the illumination mode of operation. For example, the illumination module 180 may provide a first field of illumination when operating in either the reduced power or near illumination modes and may provide a second field of illumination when operating in the far illumination mode.Similarly, the lighting module 180 may instead provide a first field of illumination when operating in the near lighting mode and a second field of illumination when operating in the low power or far lighting modes.

[0103] The controller 107 determines in which operating mode the imaging engine 100 should operate based on the determined target distance from the object of interest. In some implementations, the controller 107 compares the determined target distance from the object to one or more threshold values ​​to determine in which illumination operating mode the imaging engine 100 should operate. For example, the controller 107 may cause the imaging engine 100 to operate in a reduced power mode when the target distance is below a first threshold value, in a far illumination mode when the target distance is above a second threshold value, and in a near illumination mode when the target distance is between the first and second threshold values.In some of these implementations, the imaging engine 100 operates in a reduced power mode when the target distance is less than or equal to 24 first units, in a far illumination mode when the target distance is greater than or equal to 40 first units, and in a near illumination mode when the target distance is between 24 and 40 first units, but not inclusive.

[0104] In some implementations, the controller 107 may determine that an object is switching between two zoom and / or lighting operating modes. In these implementations, the controller 107 may change the operating mode accordingly. In some of these implementations, rather than immediately switching between lighting modes, the controller 107 instead implements a delay period. Thus, when the controller 107 determines that the imaging engine 100 should change illumination operating modes (i.e., determines that the target distance is greater than or less than a threshold value), the controller 107 waits a predetermined period before switching modes. Depending on the implementation, the delay period may be 0.1 seconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 5 seconds, or any other similar suitable duration. In additional implementations, the delay period is reset each time the controller 107 determines that the imaging engine 100 should change illumination operating modes. For example, a target may be located approximately a threshold distance between two modes.A user operating the imaging motor can move the reader back and forth, causing the controller 107 to read the target distances in both operating mode slots before settling on one of them. After the delay period has fully elapsed in the last operating mode slot, the controller 107 changes the illumination operating mode.

[0105] Although blocks 1008 and 1010 are described in a certain order, each of blocks 1008 and 1010 may occur substantially simultaneously or in any order with each other. Similarly, in some implementations, blocks 1008 and 1010 may occur substantially simultaneously with, before, or after block 1006.

[0106] After determining the mode(s) of operation in which the imaging engine device 100 is to operate, the controller 107 may cause one or more elements of the imaging engine device 100 to capture an image including the target in the FOV. For example, the controller 107 may cause the aiming module 170 to direct an aiming light pattern onto a target before causing the autofocus module 220 to focus on the target. The controller 107 may then cause the illumination module 180 to operate in an illumination mode before causing the digital zoom module 108 and / or the imaging system 110 to zoom in on the target and capture an image.In implementations where the target is a barcode, QR code, or other similar encoded image, the controller 107 decodes the target after the imaging engine device 100 captures the image and / or crops an ROI of the image.

[0107] The imaging engine device 100 identified above may be implemented in the barcode reader of [Fig. 11] and 12. [Fig. 11] and 12 are exemplary embodiments of an optical imaging reader 500 (also referred to as a barcode reader) and components thereof. However, it will be understood that the imaging engine identified above is not exclusively implemented in barcode readers 500, and that instead it can be implemented in any such device employing a set of images with a field of view (FOV). With respect more specifically to barcode readers, it will be further understood that, although a particular embodiment of a barcode reader 500 is disclosed, this disclosure is applicable to a variety of barcode readers, including, but not limited to, handheld gun-type readers, mobile computer-type readers, presentation readers, etc.

[0108] Referring now to the drawings, [Fig. 11] illustrates an exemplary barcode reader 500 having a housing 502 with a handle portion 504, also referred to as handle 504, and a head portion 506 (also referred to as scan head 506). Depending on the implementation, the housing 502 is or includes the chassis 150. The head portion 506 includes a window 508, and is configured to be positioned on top of the handle portion 504. In some implementations, the window 508 may be the window 266 and / or the window 310 discussed in [Fig. 3] and 7 above. The handle portion 504 is configured to be grasped by a reader user (not shown) and includes a trigger 510 for user activation.Optionally, one embodiment includes a base (not shown), also referred to as a base portion, which may be attached to the handle portion 504 opposite the head portion 506, and which is configured to rest on a surface and support the housing 502 in a generally upright position. The barcode reader 500 may be used in a hands-free mode as a stationary workstation when placed on a counter or other workstation surface. The barcode reader 500 may also be used in a handheld mode when unhooked from the counter or base station, and held in the hand of an operator. In the hands-free mode, products may be swiped, swiped, or presented to the window 508 for the reader to initiate barcode reading operations.In the handheld mode, the barcode reader 500 can be moved toward a barcode on a product, and the trigger 510 can be manually pressed to initiate imaging of the barcode.

[0109] Still other implementations may provide handheld-only or hands-free-only configurations. In the embodiment of [Fig. 1 1], the reader 500 is ergonomically configured for a user's hand in the form of a pistol-shaped housing 502, although other configurations may be used as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. As shown, the lower handle 504 extends below and rearwardly from the body 502 along a centroid axis oblique to a central FOV axis of an FOV of an imaging assembly within the scan head 502.

[0110] For at least some of the reader embodiments, an imaging assembly includes a light detection sensor or imager 511 operatively coupled to or mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 514 in the reader 500 as shown in [Fig. 12]. Depending on the implementation, the imaging assembly may be or may include an imaging system 110. Similarly, the PCB 514 may be the PCB or printed circuit board 102 of the scan engine device 100.In one embodiment, the imager 511 is a solid-state device, e.g., a CCD or CMOS imager, having a one-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in a single row, or a two-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in mutually orthogonal rows and columns, and operating to detect returning light captured by an imaging lens assembly 515 over a field of view along an imaging axis 517 through the window 508. In some implementations, the imaging lens assembly 515 comprises elements or all of the rolling shutter sensor system 300. Similarly, in some implementations, the imager 511 is the imager 325 and / or an imager of the imaging system 110. The returning light is scattered and / or reflected by a target 513 on the field of view along an imaging axis 517. of vision.The imaging lens assembly 515 functions to focus the returning light onto the image sensor array to enable reading of the 513. In particular, light striking the pixels is detected and the output of these pixels produces image data that is associated with the environment that appears in the FOV (which may include the target 513). This image data is typically processed by a controller (usually by being sent to a decoder) that identifies and decodes decodable indicia captured in the image data. Upon successful decoding, the reader may signal a successful "read" of the target 513 (e.g., a bar code). The target 513 may be located anywhere within a range of working distances: a near working distance (WD1) and a far working distance (WD2).In one embodiment, WD1 is about 0.5 first units from window 508, and WD2 is about 30 first units from window 508.

[0111] An illumination light assembly may also be mounted in the imaging reader 500. The illumination light assembly includes an illumination light source, such as at least one light emitting diode (LED) 519 and at least one illumination lens 521, and preferably a plurality of illumination LEDs and illumination lenses, configured to generate a substantially uniformly distributed illumination pattern of illumination light on and along the target 513 to be read by image capture. In a preferred embodiment, the illumination light assembly is the illumination module 180 described in detail in the optical assembly 400 of the illumination module 180 in [Fig.8] above. At least a portion of the scattered and / or reflected return light is derived from the illumination pattern illuminating the light onto and along the target 513.

[0112] An aiming light assembly may also be mounted in the imaging reader 500 and preferably includes an aiming light source 523, e.g., one or more aiming LEDs or laser light sources, and an aiming lens 525 for generating and directing a visible aiming light beam from the reader 500 onto the target 513 in the direction of the FOV of the imager 511. In a preferred embodiment, the aiming light assembly is the aiming module 170 as described in [Fig. 6] above.

[0113] Further, the imager 511, the illumination source 519, and the aiming source 523 are operatively connected to a programmed controller or microprocessor 107 for controlling the operation of these components. A memory 529 is connected to and accessible from the controller 107. Preferably, the microprocessor 107 is the same one used to process the captured return light from the illuminated target 513 to obtain data relating to the target 513. Although not shown, additional optical elements, such as collimators, lenses, apertures, compartment walls, etc. as discussed in [Fig. 1] through [Fig. 9] are provided in the head portion 506 of the housing. Although [Fig.12] shows the imager 511, the illumination source 519 and the aiming source 523 as being mounted on the same PCB 514, it should be understood that different embodiments of the reader 500 may have these components each on a separate PCB, or in different combinations on separate PCBs. For example, in one embodiment of the reader, the LED illumination source is provided as an off-axis illumination (i.e., it has a central illumination axis that is not parallel to the central FOV axis).

[0114] The above description refers to potential embodiments of the accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the examples represented by the drawings include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes, and / or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the blocks of the example diagrams may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. The components represented by the blocks of the diagrams are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by the blocks is implemented by a logic circuit. As used herein, the term "logic circuit" is expressly defined as a physical device having at least one hardware component configured (e.g., via operation in accordance with a predetermined configuration and / or viathe execution of stored machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and / or perform operations of one or more machines. Examples of logic circuits include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more control devices, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-chip (SoC) devices.Some example logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are hardware specifically configured to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present). Some example logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present). Some example logic circuits include a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes machine-readable instructions. The above description refers to various operations described herein and to the flowcharts that may be attached to illustrate the flow of those operations.These flowcharts are representative of the example methods described herein. In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams. Alternative implementations of the example methods described herein may include additional or alternative operations. In addition, operations of the alternative implementations of the method implementations described herein may be combined, split, rearranged, or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., one or more processors).In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., one or more ASICs). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of one or more specifically designed logic circuits and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits.

[0115] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium", "non-transitory machine-readable medium", and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a digital versatile disc, a compact disc, flash memory, read-only memory, random access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of software and / or firmware, for example) are stored for a suitable duration (e.g., permanently, for an extended period, for example, while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is being executed), and / or for a short period (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and / or during a buffering process).Further, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined to exclude propagation signals. That is, as used in any claim of this patent, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" can be read as being implemented by a propagation signal.

[0116] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the current teachings. Furthermore, the described embodiments / examples / implementations should not be construed as mutually exclusive, and rather should be understood as being capable of being combined if such combinations are permissive in any way.In other words, any feature disclosed in one of the aforementioned embodiments / examples / implementations may be included in any of the other aforementioned embodiments / examples / implementations.

[0117] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as crucial, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The claimed invention is defined only by the appended claims, including all amendments made during the life of this application and all equivalents of these claims. instructions as delivered.

[0118] Further, herein, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying an actual relationship or order between those entities or actions. The terms "includes," "comprising," "has," "having," "comprises," "comprising," "contains," "containing," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes, has, comprises, contains a list of elements does not only include those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in that process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "includes...a," "has...a," "comprises...a," "contains...a" does not exclude, without further constraints, the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, comprises, contains the element. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any other version of these terms, are defined as being close to what is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined as being within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled", as used herein is defined as being connected, but not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured at least in that way, but can also be configured in ways not listed.

[0119] The abstract of the disclosure is provided to enable the reader to quickly establish the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the inventive subject matter may reside in fewer than all of the features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, each claim being considered separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of ranging and detecting and imaging objects using an imaging engine (100) having an imaging assembly (110) having a field of view (FOV), the method comprising: detecting, by a microprocessor (107), the presence of an aiming light pattern in the FOV; determining, by the microprocessor (107) and in response to the detection, a target distance of an object (302) in the FOV based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance between the imaging engine (100) and the object; causing, by the microprocessor (107), a variable focus optical element (236) to focus on the object based on the target distance; in response to the microprocessor (107) making a first determination, selecting, based on the target distance, one zoom operating mode from a plurality of zoom operating modes;and in response to the microprocessor making a second determination, selecting, based on the target distance, one of a plurality of lighting modes.;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zoom operating modes comprises at least two of: (i) an image grouping mode (108a), (ii) an image cropping mode (108b), and (iii) an image interlacing mode (108c).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting a zoom operation mode from the plurality of zoom operation modes comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold value, selecting the image grouping mode (108a); in response to determining that the target distance is larger than an upper threshold value, selecting the image cropping mode (108b); and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting the image interlacing mode.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold value in- lower threshold value is at most 12 first units, and the upper threshold value is at least 24 first units, with one first unit being equal to approximately 0.0254 meters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting operating modes comprises at least two of: (i) a power saving mode, (ii) a near lighting mode, and (iii) a far lighting mode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein selecting one lighting operation mode from the plurality of lighting operation modes comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold value, selecting the power saving mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than an upper threshold value, selecting the far lighting mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting the near lighting mode.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the lower threshold value is at most 24 first units and the upper threshold value is at least 24 first units.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor (107) transmits a signal to cause the imaging engine (100) to switch to one of the plurality of lighting operating modes after a predetermined delay period has elapsed after making the determination.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the microprocessor (107) switches to a different lighting operating mode of the plurality of lighting operating modes during the predetermined delay period, further comprising: changing the signal based on the different lighting operating mode of the plurality of lighting operating modes before transmitting the signal; and resetting the predetermined delay period in response to the update.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable focal length optical element (236) is a ball bearing electric motor lens.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the object (302) is a barcode, further comprising: cropping a region of interest (ROI) comprising the barcode; and decoding the barcode.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, to a user, the target distance on a display communicatively coupled to the microprocessor (107).

13. An object detection and ranging imaging engine, the imaging engine (100) having an imaging assembly (110) having a field of view (FOV) and comprising: a variable focal length optical element (236) disposed along an optical axis for receiving light from an object (302); an imaging sensor (325) disposed along the optical axis for receiving light from the variable focal length optical element (236); a digital zoom module (108) configured to modify an image received from the imaging sensor; an aiming module (170) configured to generate and direct an aiming light pattern; a lighting module (180) configured to provide first lighting (404a) along a first lighting axis and second lighting (404b) along a second lighting axis, the second lighting axis not being coaxial with the first lighting axis;and a microprocessor (107) and a computer-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the imaging engine (100) to: -detect the presence of the aiming light pattern in the FOV; -in response to the detection, determine a target distance of the object in the FOV based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance between the imaging engine (100) and the object; -in response to making a first determination, select, based on the target distance, a zoom operating mode from a plurality of zoom operating modes; and in response to making a second determination, select, based on the target distance, an illumination operating mode from a plurality of illumination operating modes; wherein the variable focal length optical element (236), the digital zoom module (108), the aiming module (170) and the illumination module (180) are communicatively coupled to the microprocessor (107).

14. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein selecting a zoom operation mode from the plurality of zoom operation modes comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold, selecting an image grouping mode (108a); in response to determining that the target distance is larger than an upper threshold value, selecting an image cropping mode (108b); and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting an image interlacing mode.

15. The imaging engine (100) of claim 14, wherein the digital zoom module (108) is configured to, in response to selecting the image binning mode (108a), bin the pixels of the image using at least one of: 2x2 pixel binning, 3x3 pixel binning, or 4x4 pixel binning.

16. The imaging engine (100) of claim 14, wherein the digital zoom module (108) is configured to, in response to selecting the image cropping mode (108b), crop a portion of the image sized to at least one-quarter of the image.

17. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the digital zoom module (108) receives the image with a resolution of at least 3 megapixels and zooms the image with a resolution in a range of 0.5 to 2 megapixels.

18. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein selecting an illumination operating mode from the plurality of illumination modes comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a lower threshold, selecting a reduced power mode; in response to determining that the target distance is greater than an upper threshold value, selecting a far illumination mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, selecting a near illumination mode.

19. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein selecting the zoom operation mode comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a first lower threshold, selecting an image grouping mode (108a); in response to determining that the target distance is greater than a first upper threshold value, selecting an image cropping mode (108b); and in response to determining that the target distance is between the first lower threshold value and the first upper threshold value, selecting an image interlacing mode; and wherein selecting the illumination operation mode comprises: in response to determining that the target distance is smaller than a second lower threshold, selecting a reduced power mode;in response to determining that the target distance is greater than a second upper threshold value, selecting a far lighting mode; and in response to determining that the target distance is between the second lower threshold value and the second upper threshold value, selecting a near lighting mode.;

20. The imaging engine (100) of claim 19, wherein the first upper threshold value and the second upper threshold value are equal.

21. The imaging engine (100) of claim 20, wherein the first upper threshold value and the second upper threshold value are at least 40 first units, the first lower threshold value is at most 8 first units, and the second lower threshold value is at most 24 first units.

22. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the imaging sensor (325) is a rolling shutter sensor configured to operate in at least (i) a first state in which an obfuscator (303) of the rolling shutter sensor obscures a majority of radiation propagating along the optical axis and (ii) a second state in which the obscurator (303) of the rolling shutter sensor transmits a majority of radiation propagating along the optical axis.

23. The imaging engine (100) of claim 22, wherein the rolling shutter sensor is communicatively coupled to the microprocessor (107), and wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine (100) to cause the rolling shutter sensor to transition between the first state and the second state.

24. The imaging engine (100) of claim 22, wherein the rolling shutter sensor has a pixel size of at most 2.0 micrometers.

25. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the illumination module (180) comprises at least: a first illumination source (402a) configured to provide the first illumination (404a); a second illumination source (402b) configured to provide the second illumination (404b); a collimator element configured to collimate the first illumination and the second illumination; and a microlens array element configured to receive the first illumination (404a) and the second illumination (404b) from the collimator element and to further provide a first output illumination field and a second output illumination field.

26. The imaging engine (100) of claim 25, wherein the first illumination source (402a) comprises a first white LED and the second illumination source (402b) comprises a second white LED.

27. ​​The imaging engine (100) of claim 25, wherein the first output illumination field corresponds to a first modification of the image and the second output illumination field corresponds to a second modification of the image.

28. The imaging engine (100) of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first illumination field or the second output illumination field extends over at least 170 first units without ambient light.

29. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the aiming module comprises at least: a beam source assembly (202) having a beam source (208) for generating the aiming light pattern from an output surface, wherein the output surface defines a central axis along which an input light is to propagate; and a collimator assembly (222) having a lens group (226) that defines a tilt axis (228), wherein the tilt axis has a tilt angle relative to the central axis and the lens group is positioned to deflect the aiming light pattern from the central axis onto the tilt axis (228).

30. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the aiming module (170) generates and directs the aiming light pattern in a pulsed laser drive mode.

31. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the aiming light pattern has a wavelength of at least 505 nanometers and at most 535 nanometers.

32. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the variable focal length optical element (236) is a ball bearing electric motor lens.

33. The imaging engine (100) of claim 32, wherein the ball bearing electric motor lens has a pupil diameter of at least 2.0 millimeters and a focus range of first 3 units to infinity.

34. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the object (302) is a barcode and wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine (100) to decode the barcode.

35. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, further comprising a display communicatively coupled to the microprocessor (107), wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the imaging engine to display the distance to a user on the display.

36. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, further comprising a chassis having a body defining at least one cavity, wherein each of the variable focal length optical element (236), the imaging sensor (325), the digital zoom module (108), the aiming module (170), the illumination module (180) and the microprocessor (107) and the computer readable medium are each at least partially disposed within the at least one cavity.

37. The imaging engine (100) of claim 13, wherein the imaging sensor (325) is a single imaging sensor.

Images