Nearly coaxial polarized illumination device and its use

Abstract

To improve a small-sized form factor reader using an almost coaxial polarized illumination device for detecting and / or decrypting a machine readable signal of a barcode or the like.SOLUTION: A reader 300 includes a DPM channel image sensor 308A, a standard range channel image sensor 308B, an almost coaxial polarizer light source arranged adjacently to the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor, an almost coaxial polarizer positioned to the almost coaxial polarizer light source, and an analyzer positioned to the DPM channel image sensor and / or the standard range channel image sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to machine-readable symbol readers, and more particularly to an improved machine-readable symbol reader including a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator and uses thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Machine-readable symbol readers often capture an image representation of an environment for processing. For example, a reader may capture an image of the environment and process the image to detect and / or decode machine-readable symbols represented therein. Some readers utilize various illuminators to sufficiently illuminate the target object to enable accurate image processing. However, such illuminators may in various cases adversely affect the image captured by the reader and / or require the reader to be designed in a large size to accommodate the illuminators.

[0003] Applicant has discovered problems with current implementations of machine-readable symbol readers, and through exerted diligence, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved many of these identified problems by developing what is embodied in the present disclosure, which is described in detail below. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for improved readers, other improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination devices, and uses thereof. Other implementations of the improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination devices and uses thereof will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. All such additional implementations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for projection of substantially coaxial polarized illumination is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary apparatus includes a DPM channel image sensor. The exemplary apparatus further includes a standard range channel image sensor. The exemplary apparatus further includes a substantially coaxial polarizer light source disposed adjacent to the DPM channel image sensor and adjacent to the standard range channel image sensor. The exemplary apparatus includes a substantially coaxial polarizer aligned with the substantially coaxial polarizer light source. The exemplary apparatus further includes an analyzer aligned with the DPM channel image sensor and / or the standard range channel image sensor.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a substantially coaxial polarizer lens aligned with the substantially coaxial polarizer light source.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a protective window aligned in front of the DPM channel image sensor, the standard range channel image sensor, and the substantially coaxial polarizer light source.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a protective window, and the polarizer and the analyzer are secured to the protective window.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the analyzer is aligned with the DPM channel image sensor.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes an illuminator substrate including a protrusion, a first hole, and a second hole, the protrusion adjacent a midpoint between the first hole that accepts the DPM channel image sensor and the second hole that accepts the standard range channel image sensor, and the substantially coaxial polarizer light source is electronically coupled to the protrusion.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes at least one additional illuminator.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a ring illuminator.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a diffuse illuminator.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a substantially coaxial sight light source positioned adjacent to the DPM channel image sensor and adjacent to the standard range channel image sensor, the substantially coaxial sight light source being positioned across a midpoint between the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a housing that houses the DPM channel image sensor, the standard range channel image sensor, the approximately coaxial polarizer light source, the approximately coaxial polarizer, and the analyzer.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a processor that controls activation of the DPM channel image sensor, the standard range channel image sensor, and / or the substantially coaxial polarizer light source.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the DPM channel image sensor and / or the standard range channel image sensor, where the processor receives captured images from the standard range channel image sensor and / or the standard range channel image sensor, and where the processor processes the captured images via at least one image processing algorithm.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor are vertically aligned and the approximately coaxial polarizer light source is positioned adjacent to the midpoint between the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, where the DPM channel image source and the standard range channel image source are electronically coupled to the first substrate, and the substantially coaxial polarizer light source is electronically coupled to the second substrate. In some such embodiments, the exemplary apparatus further includes a third substrate and at least one ring illuminator light source, where the at least one ring illuminator light source is electronically coupled to the third substrate.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a DPM channel lens aligned with the DPM channel image sensor and a standard range channel lens aligned with the standard range channel image sensor.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary device, the exemplary device further includes a sight light source and a plurality of sight bending optics aligned to receive the sight light generated by the sight light source and redirect the sight light so that it is approximately coaxially aligned with the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the exemplary apparatus, the exemplary apparatus further includes a ring illuminator assembly having a ring lens, a ring illuminator substrate, and at least one ring illuminator light source electronically coupled to the ring illuminator substrate, the ring lens aligned in front of the at least one ring illuminator light source; a diffuse illuminator assembly having a diffuse illuminator and a diffuser backlight reflector; a protective assembly having a protective window, a substantially coaxial polarizer, and an analyzer; at least one backlight illuminator substrate having a substantially coaxial polarizer light electronically coupled to the at least one backlight illuminator substrate; a substantially coaxial polarizer lens aligned with the substantially coaxial polarizer light source; a lens assembly having a sight lens, a DPM channel imager lens, and a standard range channel imager lens; an aiming illuminator aligned with the sight lens; at least one sight folded optic; and at least one imager substrate having a DPM channel image sensor and a standard range channel image sensor.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for projecting and using substantially coaxial polarized illumination is provided. The computer-implemented method may be executed by any of a myriad of computing devices embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the exemplary computer-implemented method includes activating a polarized illuminator disposed adjacent to at least each of a DPM channel imager and a standard range channel imager via a reader. The exemplary computer-implemented method further includes exposing the DPM channel imager adjacent to the polarized illuminator via the reader to light projected through an analyzer aligned with the DPM channel imager. The exemplary computer-implemented method further includes outputting a captured image from the DPM channel imager via the reader based at least in part on the exposure of the DPM channel imager.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product for projecting and using substantially coaxial polarized illumination is provided. In one exemplary embodiment of the computer program product, the exemplary computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer program code stored thereon, the computer program code, when executed by the at least one processor, configuring the at least one processor to perform any one of the exemplary computer-implemented methods described herein.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, another apparatus for projecting and using substantially coaxial polarized illumination is provided. In one exemplary embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory having computer-coded instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform any one of the exemplary computer-implemented methods described herein. In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus includes means for performing each step of any one of the exemplary computer-implemented methods described herein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example scenario for use of an improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination apparatus in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example device that may be specially configured in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary generally coaxial polarized illumination device embodying an improved reader in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a field of view and illumination of the field of view of a substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a front view of a field of view and illumination of the field of view of a substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary substantially coaxial polarized illumination device embodying an improved reader in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a subassembly and projected polarized illumination of a substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an illuminator substrate subassembly in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary process for use of an improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0028] overview Readers are useful for performing any of a myriad of image processing tasks. For example, a barcode reader may be utilized to capture images of an environment and attempt to detect and decode a barcode captured in such an image. In this regard, a handheld, mobile, or stationary barcode reader may be activated to initiate the capture of images and the processing of such images to detect and decode a barcode. Once an image representation has been captured, it may be processed to determine whether a barcode (or another machine-readable symbol) has been detected as depicted in the image, and to decode the barcode (or other machine-readable symbol).

[0029] In some situations, a reader includes multiple imagers. Each of the imagers may be configured differently in one or more ways. For example, in some embodiments, a reader includes two or more imagers that are associated with different fields of view that can be captured using the imagers. In one such exemplary situation, a reader may include at least a DPM channel imager and at least a standard range channel imager, where the DPM channel imager is focused to a narrower and / or closer range in one or more directions than the standard range channel imager so that close objects in the field of view remain sharp, and the standard range channel imager is focused to a wider and / or farther range in one or more directions than the DPM channel imager so that far objects in the field of view remain sharp.

[0030] To increase the likelihood that an image can be successfully processed, the reader can project one or more lights onto the field of view being imaged. In various circumstances, the field of view may be illuminated differently depending on the characteristics of the field of view and / or the illuminators utilized to project the lights. For example, multiple edge illuminators in a ring shape may be utilized to indirectly illuminate a central region of the field of view. Alternatively or additionally, a diffuse illuminator may be activated to project light evenly across the field of view. Such different lights may thus enable the same reader to successfully read machine-readable symbols that are generated in different ways.

[0031] One such exemplary illuminator available to the reader includes a polarized illuminator. A polarized illuminator projects polarized illumination that is polarized in a particular direction. The reader may utilize a corresponding analyzer that filters light that is polarized opposite the polarization. Polarized illumination may be utilized to reduce the effects of specular reflections from an object on which the machine-readable symbol is printed or otherwise formed. In a direct part marking situation, polarized illumination may be utilized to minimize the effects of specular reflections from the material of an object on which the machine-readable symbol is etched, printed, etc.

[0032] It is desirable for the polarized illumination to be uniformly projected across the machine-readable symbol. However, polarized illuminators are often placed near the edge of the reader due to the size and configuration of the components. Such placement of the polarized illuminator provides enough space for the components of the polarized illuminator to fit within the reader. However, edge placement of the polarized illuminator presents the problem of a large angular difference between the normal axis of the imager of the reader and the polarized illumination generated via the polarized illuminator. Such angular difference causes a decrease in the uniformity of the projected polarized illuminator as the range between the reader and the target object being imaged increases. The lack of uniformity can cause a decrease in the ability to capture an image sufficient to accurately detect and / or decode the machine-readable symbol therein.

[0033] Some readers may utilize additional components to improve the coaxiality of the polarized illumination compared to the normal axis of the imager of the reader. However, such additional components increase the overall size of the reader due to the tolerances and dimensions of such components. Furthermore, the additional components also add cost and complexity to the manufacture of the reader. For example, beam splitters can be utilized to improve the coaxiality of these axes, but this adds space, which prevents the use of such component configurations in small form factor readers. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize an improved near-coaxial polarized illuminator that reduces the angular difference between the imager normal axis and the central axis of the polarized illumination that points in the same direction (e.g., the forward direction of the reader), while minimizing the overall size required to fit all such components into a small form factor.

[0034] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved substantially coaxial polarized illuminator. The improved substantially coaxial polarized illuminator is specifically designed to place the polarized illuminator in suitable close substantially coaxial alignment with the imager of such embodiments. The improved substantially coaxial polarized illuminator reduces the angular difference between the imager and polarized illuminator of the reader with a minimal form factor and without significant additional components. In this regard, the embodiments of the present disclosure allow uniform and improved illumination from the polarized illuminator over a wider range (e.g., closer when illuminating objects closer to the reader, closer when illuminating objects at a greater distance, etc.) with a smaller offset from the corresponding imager while maintaining a small form factor. Such smaller offset reduces polarized illumination orientation errors to improve image contrast and uniformity when used for machine-readable symbols on certain objects, especially on the surfaces of highly reflective objects. Such embodiments can be utilized in a variety of situations, including single imager readers having only polarized illuminators or a combination of polarized illuminators and additional illuminator types, dual imager readers having only polarized illuminators or a combination of polarized illuminators and additional illuminator types, and multi-imager readers having only polarized illuminators or a combination of polarized illuminators and additional illuminator types, each maintaining a smaller form factor than existing configurations.

[0035] definition The term "substantially coaxial" refers to the alignment of two or more axes within an acceptable angular difference with respect to one another. In some embodiments, substantially coaxial alignment includes a polarized illuminator with a minimal angular difference between the normal angle to the DPM channel image sensor and the normal angle to the standard range channel image sensor.

[0036] The term "DPM channel field of view" refers to a defined field of view that is narrower in at least one dimension than the other capturable field of view. In some embodiments, the other capturable field of view represents a standard range channel field of view. In some embodiments, the DPM channel field of view is defined by an 11 mm field of view focused for 2 mil enhancement.

[0037] The term "standard range channel field of view" refers to a defined field of view that is wider in at least one dimension than the other capturable field of view. In some embodiments, the other capturable field of view represents a DPM channel field of view. In some embodiments, the standard range channel field of view defines a 48 degree field of view for capturing at a more focused distance.

[0038] The term "DPM channel image sensor" refers to a sensor embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that captures image data corresponding to light incident on the sensor from within a field of view that represents a DPM channel field of view defined by a corresponding DPM channel lens. Non-limiting examples of DPM channel image sensors include CMOS sensors and CCD sensors.

[0039] The term "standard range channel image sensor" refers to a sensor embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that captures image data corresponding to light incident on the sensor from within a field of view that represents a standard range channel field of view defined by a corresponding standard range channel lens. Non-limiting examples of standard range channel image sensors include CMOS sensors and CCD sensors.

[0040] The term "DPM channel lens" refers to one or more optical components that define a DPM channel field of view that can be captured by a corresponding DPM channel image sensor. In some embodiments, a DPM channel field of view is narrower in at least one dimension than a corresponding standard range channel field of view and / or has a longer focal length than the standard range channel field of view.

[0041] The term "standard range channel lens" refers to one or more optical components that define a standard range channel field of view that can be captured by a corresponding standard range channel image sensor. In some embodiments, the standard range channel field of view is wider in at least one dimension and / or has a shorter focal length than the corresponding DPM channel field of view.

[0042] The term "nearly coaxial polarizer light source" refers to a circuit embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that generates light toward a polarizer that is aligned approximately coaxially with one or more image sensors. A non-limiting example of a near-coaxial polarizer light source refers to one or more LEDs that, upon activation, generate light toward a corresponding polarizer.

[0043] The term "nearly coaxial polarizer" refers to at least one polarizing filter that polarizes light generated through a near-coaxial polarizer light source.

[0044] The term "near-coaxial polarizer lens" refers to at least one optical component that projects light from a near-coaxial polarizer light source in a particular pattern.

[0045] The term "illuminator board" refers to a printed circuit board that includes a defined portion for electronically coupling to a substantially coaxial polarizer light source in substantially coaxial alignment with at least one image sensor.

[0046] The term "protrusion" refers to a portion of a printed circuit board that extends from the main portion of the printed circuit board and is surrounded on most sides by open space.

[0047] The term "near-coaxial sight light source" refers to the light generating circuitry utilized to generate the sight illumination. Non-limiting examples of near-coaxial sight light sources include lasers or high power LEDs.

[0048] The term "processor" refers to circuitry embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that executes computer-implemented processes using received and / or generated data signals. Non-limiting examples of processors include microprocessors, integrated circuits, and central processing units.

[0049] The term "image processing algorithm" refers to a computer-implemented process that processes image data for a specific, defined task.

[0050] The term "laterally adjacent" refers to the alignment of parts with a specific midpoint between two or more parts.

[0051] The term "substrate" refers to a circuit that receives electrical components and electronically couples such components to enable the transmission of electronic signals between such components. Non-limiting examples of substrates include flexible printed circuit boards and rigid printed circuit boards.

[0052] The term "sight deflection optics" refers to one or more optical components that redirect the light utilized to generate the sight illumination.

[0053] The term "assembly" refers to any combination of two or more parts that are physically and / or chemically connected, attached, secured, and / or otherwise attached.

[0054] The terms "machine-readable symbol" and "code" refer to a coded representation of data that is detectable and decodable by hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof via an image that contains a depiction of the coded representation. A machine-readable symbol may be detectable and / or decodable by both a computing device and a human user, or may be detectable and / or decodable only by a computing device. Non-limiting examples of machine-readable symbols include quick response codes, bar codes, data matrix codes, and coded image representations of data.

[0055] Typical Use Situations and Implementations of Exemplary Nearly Coaxial Polarized Illumination Devices 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary scenario for use of an improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary substantially coaxial polarized illumination device 100 utilized to read one or more machine-readable symbols. In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illumination device 100 embodies a reader configured to detect and decode machine-readable symbols in a captured image representation.

[0056] In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illumination device 100 includes multiple imagers and / or multiple illuminators that enable capture and / or processing of machine-readable symbols in a variety of situations. For example, in some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illumination device 100 utilizes one or more illuminators and / or one or more imagers to capture an image representation of a machine-readable symbol 102 that is printed on, affixed to, or otherwise associated with a particular object 104. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illumination device 100 utilizes one or more illuminators and / or one or more imagers to capture an image representation of a machine-readable symbol 106 that embodies direct part marking on an object 108.

[0057] It will be appreciated that different ways in which a machine-readable symbol is presented in association with a corresponding object may alter the impact of different illumination on the ability of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 to capture a processable image. For example, the machine-readable symbol 102 may be printed on the material of the object 104 itself, such as paper, a tag, a label, or may be separate from such material. In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 includes any number of illuminators capable of sufficiently illuminating the machine-readable symbol 102 to capture via an image representation suitable for successful processing. By comparison, in some embodiments, direct part marking of a machine-readable symbol 106 on an object 108 may be significantly affected by the specular reflectance properties of the material of the object 108. In one example situation in which the object 108 is highly speculative, for example, some illumination projected by the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 may cause significant specular reflectance that makes processing of the captured image for machine-readable symbol detection and / or decoding impractical or impossible. In some such situations, the use of a particular illuminator in the approximately coaxial polarized illumination device 100 makes it possible to capture an image including a representation of the machine-readable symbol 106 illuminated in such a way that it is sufficiently illuminated for further processing.

[0058] In certain circumstances, a polarized illuminator is utilized to illuminate the machine-readable symbol and capture a representation of the machine-readable symbol that is illuminated sufficiently to allow accurate processing for detection and / or decoding of the machine-readable symbol. For example, in some embodiments, a polarized illuminator is desirable for illuminating the machine-readable symbol 106 to minimize or eliminate the adverse effects of specular reflections from the surface of the object 108. Similarly, in some embodiments, a polarized illuminator is desirable for illuminating the machine-readable symbol 102 to minimize the effects of, for example, the tag or label on which the machine-readable symbol 102 is printed. However, the angle at which the polarized illuminator projects the polarized illumination greatly affects the effectiveness of the polarized illumination to adequately illuminate a particular machine-readable symbol, such as, for example, to adequately illuminate a machine-readable symbol on a highly reflective surface without reflection. In this regard, it is advantageous to include a polarized illuminator while minimizing the offset of the polarized illumination from the normal axis of the image sensor that captures the image representation of the machine-readable symbol for processing.

[0059] The substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 includes a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator that is specifically designed to reduce the angular offset between the normal axis of the image sensor and the projected polarized illumination. In this regard, certain configurations of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 allow for minimizing such offsets as compared to alternative configurations that include a polarized illuminator. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, certain configurations of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 100 allow for a reduction in the overall size of the assembly in one or more directions by fitting the polarized illuminator within the dimensions required to accommodate the imager, other illuminators, and / or their processing circuitry.

[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus that may be specially configured in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary substantially coaxial polarized illumination apparatus 200 ("apparatus 200") that is specially configured in accordance with at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, an intermediate integration system M2. Apparatus 200 includes a processor 202, a memory 204, input / output circuitry 206, communication circuitry 208, an imager 210, an illuminator 212, and control circuitry 214. In some embodiments, apparatus 200 is configured to use one or more of the set of circuits 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and / or 214 to execute and perform the operations described herein.

[0061] In general, the terms computing entity (or "entity" other than a user), device, system, and / or similar words used interchangeably herein may refer to, for example, one or more computers, computing entities, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, phablets, notebooks, laptops, distributed systems, items / devices, terminals, servers or server networks, blades, gateways, switches, processing devices, processing entities, set-top boxes, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, etc., and / or any combination of devices or entities adapted to perform the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein. Such functions, operations, and / or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating on, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating / generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein. In an embodiment, these functions, operations, and / or processes may be performed on data, content, information (and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein). In this regard, apparatus 200 embodies certain specially configured computing entities that are modified to enable certain operations described herein and to provide certain advantages associated therewith, as described herein.

[0062] Although the components are described in terms of functional limitations, it should be understood that a particular implementation necessarily involves the use of specific computing hardware. It should also be understood that in some embodiments, some of the components described herein include similar or common hardware. For example, in some embodiments, two sets of circuits both leverage the use of the same processor, network interface, storage medium, etc. to perform their associated functions, such that duplicate hardware is not required for each set of circuits. Thus, the use of the term "circuitry" as used herein with respect to components of the apparatus described herein should be understood to include specific hardware configured to perform the functions associated with the particular circuitry described herein.

[0063] In particular, the term "circuitry" should be broadly understood to include hardware and, in some embodiments, software for configuring hardware. For example, in some embodiments, "circuitry" includes processing circuitry, storage media, network interfaces, input / output devices, etc. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, other elements of device 200 provide or complement the functionality of another particular set of circuits. For example, in some embodiments, processor 202 provides processing functionality for any of the sets of circuits, memory 204 provides storage functionality for any of the sets of circuits, and communication circuitry 208 provides network interface functionality for any of the sets of circuits.

[0064] In some embodiments, the processor 202 (and / or a co-processor, or any other processing circuitry that assists or is otherwise associated with the processor) communicates with the memory 204 via a bus for passing information between components of the device 200. In some embodiments, for example, the memory 204 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, in some embodiments, the memory 204 includes or embodies an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium). In some embodiments, the memory 204 is configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, etc. to enable the device 200 to perform various functions according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] Processor 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, processor 202 includes one or more processing devices configured to function independently. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, processor 202 includes one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelines, and / or multithreads. Use of the term "processor" or "processing circuitry" should be understood to include a single core processor, a multicore processor, multiple processors internal to device 200, and / or one or more remote or "cloud" processors external to device 200.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 202 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 204 or otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 202 is configured to execute hard-coded functions. Thus, whether configured by hardware methods, software methods, or a combination thereof, the processor 202 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in a circuit) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, as another example in some exemplary embodiments, when the processor 202 is embodied as an execution body of software instructions, the instructions specifically configure the processor 202 to perform algorithms embodied in specific operations described herein when such instructions are executed.

[0067] As a particular example embodiment, the processor 202 is configured to perform various operations related to a read operation using a substantially coaxially polarized illuminator. In some embodiments, the processor 202 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof to generate a signal to control activation of at least one illuminator to generate illumination, including a substantially coaxially polarized illuminator to generate a corresponding substantially coaxially polarized illumination. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 202 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof to generate a signal to control activation of at least one image sensor to capture image data representative of a particular field of view. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 202 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof to receive image data from an image sensor that captured the image. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 202 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof to process the captured image using one or more particular image processing algorithms, for example, to perform detection and / or decoding of at least one machine-readable symbol represented in the captured image. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 202 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that output data resulting from one or more image processing algorithms.

[0068] In some embodiments, device 200 includes input / output circuitry 206, which provides output to a user and, in some embodiments, receives indications of user input. In some embodiments, input / output circuitry 206 communicates with processor 202 to provide such functionality. Input / output circuitry 206 may include one or more user interfaces, and in some embodiments includes a display with an interface rendered as a web user interface, an application user interface, a user device, a back-end system, or the like. In some embodiments, input / output circuitry 206 also includes a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a touch area, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker, or other input / output mechanisms. Processor 202 and / or input / output circuitry 206, including a processor, may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements via computer program instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory 204, etc.). In some embodiments, input / output circuitry 206 includes or utilizes user-facing applications to provide input / output functionality to client devices and / or other displays associated with the user.

[0069] In some embodiments, the device 200 includes communications circuitry 208. The communications circuitry 208 includes any means, such as devices or circuits embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software, configured to receive and / or transmit data from and / or to a network and / or any other device, circuit, or module in communication with the device 200. In this regard, in some embodiments, the communications circuitry 208 includes a network interface, for example, to enable communication with a wired or wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the communications circuitry 208 includes one or more network interface cards, antennas, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware, firmware, and / or software, or any other devices suitable for enabling communication over one or more communications networks. Additionally or alternatively, the communications circuitry 208 may include circuitry for interacting with an antenna to cause transmission of signals via the antenna and / or other hardware or software, or to control reception of signals received via the antenna. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 208 enables transmission of data to and / or reception of data from a system associated with the converted data access application system and / or the user access application system, and / or another external device in communication with the apparatus 200.

[0070] Imager 210 includes any number of imagers, each of which allows for the capture of image data embodying an image. Each imager in some embodiments includes optical components and / or circuitry embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that operate to capture and / or output an image representing a particular field of view. In some embodiments, imager 210 includes a single imager. In some embodiments, imager 210 includes multiple imagers, each configured to capture a different field of view. In some embodiments, imagers 210 are aligned such that normal axes of imagers 210 are parallel to one another, e.g., each facing forward. In some embodiments, for example, device 200 includes a DPM channel imager and a standard range channel imager that abut one another and face parallel to a forward-facing axis of device 200. In some embodiments, each imager of imager 210 includes at least one optical component (e.g., lens, reflector, mirror, refractor, etc.) and at least one image sensor aligned with the at least one optical component to define a captureable field of view associated with that imager. The image sensor of the imager can generate an image corresponding to the attenuation of light on the image sensor. In some embodiments, the imager 210 includes one or more CMOS or CCD image sensors aligned with one or more lenses that define the field of view that can be captured.

[0071] The illuminator 212 includes any number of illuminators, each of which allows for the projection of illumination within the field of view. Each illuminator in some embodiments includes a light source and at least one optical component that projects a particular illumination pattern into the field of view. In some embodiments, the illuminators 212 are aligned in different ways that allow for the generation of particular desired illumination. In some embodiments, the illuminators 212 include at least one bounce illuminator, at least one dark field illuminator, at least one diffuse illuminator, and / or at least one edge illuminator, at least one DPM channel illuminator, and / or at least one substantially coaxial polarized illuminator. In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminators of the illuminator 212 are aligned substantially coaxially with one or more of the imagers 210 such that the polarized illumination has a reduced angular offset from the normal axis of the imagers 210. In this regard, the polarized illumination projected via the polarized illuminators of the illuminator 212 may be projected within the field of view that can be captured via the imagers 210 with a minimum angular difference between the normal axis of the field of view and the polarized illumination. In some embodiments, the illuminator 212 includes one or more light emitting diodes aligned with one or more lenses that define the particular lighting pattern that is projected.

[0072] Optional control circuitry 214 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that facilitate, in whole or in part, operations related to controlling the activation of one or more components of device 200. For example, in some embodiments, control circuitry 214 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that receive an input signal indicative of a user-initiated trigger of device 200. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, control circuitry 214 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that generate and / or transmit signals to activate or deactivate one or more illuminators. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, control circuitry 214 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that generate and / or transmit signals to activate or deactivate one or more imagers to capture an image. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, control circuitry 214 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that process user inputs to adjust the operational mode of device 200, for example, to activate certain illuminators and / or imagers in a particular order. In some embodiments, control circuitry 214 includes a separate processor, a specially configured field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a specially programmed application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0073] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, two or more of the sets of circuits 202-214 can be combined. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of the sets of circuits perform some or all of the functions described in connection with another component. For example, in some embodiments, two or more of the sets of circuits 202-214 are combined into a single module embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the sets of circuits, e.g., control circuitry 214, are combined with processor 202 such that processor 202 performs one or more of the operations described above with respect to each of these sets of circuits 210-214.

[0074] Exemplary Reader Devices and Configurations of Nearly Coaxial Polarized Illumination Devices of the Present Disclosure Having described exemplary contexts for the use and configuration of substantially coaxial polarized illumination devices according to the present disclosure, specific examples of substantially coaxial polarized illumination devices, configurations, and readers including such devices and / or configurations will now be described. It will be understood that the substantially coaxial polarized illumination devices in other embodiments may include alternative and / or additional components. In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illumination device embodies an imaging engine that is integrated within a reader, for example, such that the imaging engine can also be utilized in one or more additional and / or alternative applications.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary substantially coaxial polarized illumination device embodying an improved reader according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary improved reader 300 including a substantially coaxial polarized illumination device according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the improved reader 300 embodies an implementation of the device 200. FIG. 3 is a front view of the improved reader 300 in a fully assembled state. The figure illustrates the openings depicting various components that face outward so that light can be generated through the components by an illuminator therein from an internal cavity of the improved reader 300 and / or reflected light can flow toward an imager of the improved reader 300.

[0076] The improved reader 300 is specially configured to also include a number of other illuminator types to enable the projection of different illumination types for use in illuminating, for example, machine-readable symbols provided via different media and / or in different contexts (e.g., highly inferential machine-readable symbols as opposed to high contrast machine-readable symbols as opposed to indented machine-readable symbols as opposed to laser marked machine-readable symbols). In other embodiments, the improved reader 300 may include a substantially coaxially polarized illuminator and a different combination of alternative illuminator types, such as, for example, only one of the other illuminator types shown and / or described, or a subset of one or more of the other illuminator types shown and / or described. In this regard, it will be understood that the improved reader 300 should not be limited to requiring all of the alternative illuminator types shown and described with respect to FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the reader 300 includes a ring illuminator assembly with multiple illuminators surrounding an aperture of the reader 300. The aperture in some embodiments is defined by a diffuse illuminator. As shown, the ring illuminator assembly includes multiple narrow field illuminators 310A, 310B, 310C, and 310D. In some embodiments, each narrow field illuminator produces focused illumination with a high intensity and / or focused light beam that extends over a wider range than the wider field illuminators. In some embodiments, each narrow field illuminator 310A-310D includes at least one optical lens and a narrow field light source (e.g., without a polarizer). It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the reader 300 includes multiple narrow field illuminators positioned opposite each other on a particular axis, for example, at each corner of the ring illuminator assembly.

[0078] The ring illuminator assembly further includes a plurality of edge illuminators, each edge illuminator embodying a dark field illuminator of the improved reader 300. Specifically, the ring illuminator assembly includes edge illuminators 312A, 312B, 312C, and 312D. Each of the edge illuminators 312A-312D is disposed along a different edge of the ring illuminator assembly, e.g., top edge illuminator 312A, right edge illuminator 312B, bottom edge illuminator 312C, and left edge illuminator 312D. In some embodiments, the edge illuminators 312A-312D are each configured to generate the same or similar illumination that combines to illuminate a particular field of view near the reader 300 uniformly and at a high angle of incidence.

[0079] The reader 300 further includes a diffuse illuminator 306. The diffuse illuminator 306 is disposed behind the ring illuminator assembly such that an opening defined by the ring of the ring illuminator assembly allows the diffuse illuminator 306 to project diffuse illumination toward the front of the improved reader 300. In this regard, the diffuse illuminator 306 projects diffuse illumination into one or more fields of view that can be captured by the improved reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, the diffuse illuminator 306 receives light from behind the diffuser and generates uniform scattered illumination from such light through a corresponding opening defined by the diffuser and inside the ring illuminator assembly. In some embodiments, the diffuse illuminator 306 includes a narrower opening at the rear of the diffuse illuminator that allows the light to reach the imager therein.

[0080] The reader 300 further includes a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 302. The substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 302 includes a polarizer, a polarized light source, and one or more optical components that define polarized illumination. The polarized illumination illuminates one or more fields of view that can be captured by an imager of the improved reader 300. The polarized illumination is polarized in a specific orientation defined by the polarizer of the polarized illuminator 302, and the improved reader 300 includes an analyzer that removes light in such orientation.

[0081] The substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 302 is positioned adjacent to the midpoint between the imagers 308A and 308B. In this regard, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 302 is specifically positioned to minimize the angular difference between the normal axes of the imagers 308A and 308B and the normal axis of the polarized illumination. Such a configuration works in situations where the size of the reader 300 prevents components from being placed directly between the imagers 308A and 308B without offsetting the field of view captured by such imagers by an unacceptable amount. In addition, this proximity of the imagers 308A and 308B allows the overall size of the improved reader 300 to be reduced to accommodate all such components therein.

[0082] The improved reader 300 further includes a plurality of imagers. Each imager defines a field of view that can be captured by the imager. Specifically, the improved reader 300 includes a narrow field of view imager 308A that embodies a DPM channel imager and a wide field of view imager 308B that embodies a standard range channel imager. In this regard, the narrow field of view imager 308A in some embodiments captures a DPM channel field of view that is narrower in one or more directions than the standard range channel field of view that can be captured via the wide field of view imager 308B. Additionally or alternatively, the narrow field of view imager 308A in some embodiments captures a DPM channel field of view that has a focal length that is longer than the focal length that corresponds to the wide field of view. When light reflects into the aperture defined by the ring illuminator assembly and returns through the aperture defined by the rear of the diffuse illuminator 306, such light impinges or otherwise interacts with one of the imagers 308A or 308B. In this regard, illuminators 302, 310A-310D, 312A-312 D , and / or 306 may reflect off of objects and / or machine-readable symbols within the field of view of reader 300 (e.g., a machine-readable symbol or object containing a symbol being scanned) and then captured by the imager to generate an image representative of such field of view. In some embodiments, narrow field of view imager 308A and wide field of view imager 308B are positioned in any orientation, such as, for example, narrow field of view imager 308A is positioned above wide field of view imager 308B, or in other embodiments, wide field of view imager 308B is positioned above narrow field of view imager 308A.

[0083] The improved reader 300 further includes an aiming illuminator 304. The aiming illuminator 304 includes a sight light source and at least one optical component for projecting the sight illumination. The aiming illuminator 304 projects the sight illumination through an aperture of the diffuse illuminator 306 and an aperture of the ring illuminator assembly. In some embodiments, the aiming illuminator 304 includes one or more reflectors that redirect the sight illumination generally coaxially with respect to a central axis of the field of view captured by the narrow field of view imager 308A and / or the wide field of view imager 308B, as described herein. In some embodiments, the reflector and / or the sight light source of the sight 304 are positioned such that the sight illumination is generated with a reduced offset from the visual axis of the improved reader 300 defined by the imager of the improved reader 300. In this regard, in some embodiments, the reflector is positioned adjacent to a midpoint between the imagers 308A and 308B. Such a configuration will function in situations where the size of reader 300 prevents a component from being placed directly between imagers 308A and 308B without causing an unacceptable amount of offset in the fields of view captured by such imagers. In other embodiments where the size of reader 300 is larger and such a small offset between the fields of view is acceptable, for example, the sight light source and / or reflector are placed between imagers 308A and 308B.

[0084] It will be appreciated that the particular configuration of the sight 304 as shown is merely exemplary, and that in other embodiments, one or more subcomponents of the sight 304 may be rearranged, moved, substituted, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the positions of the narrow field of view imager and the wide field of view imager are swapped. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the positions of the polarized illuminator and the aiming illuminator are swapped. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, an analyzer is disposed on either one of the imagers, or on both imagers.

[0085] FIG 4A is a perspective view of a field of view and illumination of the field of view of a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG 4B is a front view of a field of view and illumination of the field of view of a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG 4A and FIG 4B are different views of the improved reader 300 during operation of the improved reader 300. Specifically, FIG 4A and FIG 4B show a field of view that can be captured by the improved reader 300, along with polarized illumination projected by a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator and borehole illumination projected by a substantially coaxial borehole illuminator.

[0086] As shown, the improved reader 300 captures a standard range channel field of view 408 and a DPM channel field of view 406. The standard range channel field of view 408 represents a first wide field of view that is wider in one or more directions than a second narrow field of view embodied by the DPM channel field of view 406. The standard range channel field of view 408 is aligned with the DPM channel field of view 406 in a forward direction of the improved reader 300. In this regard, the standard range channel field of view 408 and the DPM channel field of view 406 are sufficiently aligned such that the standard range channel field of view 408 includes the DPM channel field of view 406. In some embodiments, the standard range channel field of view 408 is defined at least in part based on optics, e.g., one or more lenses, of a standard range channel imager of the improved reader 300 that directs light to a corresponding standard range channel image sensor. In some embodiments, the DPM channel field of view 406 is defined based at least in part on the optics, e.g., one or more lenses, of the DPM channel imager of the improved reader 300 that redirects light to a corresponding DPM channel image sensor. The lenses or other optics may differ between the DPM channel imager and the standard range channel imager to define different dimensions and / or focal lengths of such imagers. It will be appreciated that the standard range channel field of view 408 may be associated with a first focal length that is more focused on the improved reader 300 than the DPM channel field of view 406.

[0087] The improved reader 300 projects polarized illumination 402. As shown, the polarized illumination 402 is projected in approximately coaxial alignment with each of the DPM channel field of view 406 and the standard range channel field of view 408. In this regard, the polarized illuminator projects approximately coaxial polarized illumination 402 that illuminates at least a portion of each of the DPM channel field of view 406 and the standard range channel field of view 408 in a manner that maintains an approximately coaxial relationship between each of the fields of view and the illumination itself. The improved reader 300 is configured to utilize the approximately coaxial alignment with the DPM channel imager and the standard range channel imager that project the standard range channel field of view 408 and the DPM channel field of view 406, respectively, to project the polarized illumination 402 in a manner that maintains coaxial alignment with both the field of view 406 and the field of view 408 at greater distances. Specifically, as shown, the polarized illumination 402 illuminates the entire DPM channel field of view 406 and at least a corresponding portion of the standard range channel field of view 408.

[0088] In some embodiments, the improved reader 300 further includes a sight that projects sight illumination, such as sight illumination 404. As shown, the improved reader 300 projects sight illumination that is substantially coaxially aligned with each of the fields of view 406 and 408 and the polarized illumination 402. In this regard, the substantially coaxial sight illumination 404 may be utilized to direct the improved reader 300 at the machine-readable symbol in a manner that enables capture of a representation of the machine-readable symbol by an imager associated with the fields of view 406 and / or 408 illuminated by the polarized illumination 402.

[0089] 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary substantially coaxial polarized illumination device embodying an improved reader in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary implementation of an improved reader 300. The exploded view shows multiple components configured to form the reader 300. As described herein, in some embodiments, the components of the reader 300 are configured to reduce the overall size of the reader 300 while allowing for the projection of substantially coaxial polarized illumination into multiple fields of view, for example as shown.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, reader 300 includes a device housing (e.g., "housing") that houses the components of reader 300. Specifically, reader 300 includes housing portion 502A embodying a top of the housing and housing portion 502B embodying a bottom of the housing. In some embodiments, housing portion 502A and housing portion 502B are configured to be affixed, connected, or otherwise coupled to form a complete housing, for example, by snapping together to enclose all components of reader 300. In some embodiments, housing portion 502A and housing portion 502B encapsulate all such components, such as by mechanical fastening or chemical sealing. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the housing of reader 300 includes multiple other housing portions.

[0091] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the housing embodies or includes one or more portions that represent external components utilized to hold, position, and / or operate the reader 300. For example, as shown, the housing portion 502B includes a handle. The handle embodies an elongated portion of the housing exterior designed to allow a user to place their hand around the reader 300 and orient the reader 300 toward the code to be read. In some embodiments, the handle is angled to allow a user to comfortably tilt the reader 300 in a manner that allows illumination generated through the reader 300 to reach the code to be scanned while minimizing the chance that direct light reflections from such illumination will affect the reader 300's sensors. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more portions of the housing embodies, houses, or otherwise includes components for activating (e.g., triggering) the reader 300, setting the reader 300's operating mode, etc.

[0092] The reader 300 further includes a ring lens 504. In some embodiments, the ring lens 504 includes optics for generating a particular illumination from the light generated by any number of illuminators of the ring illuminator assembly. In some embodiments, for example, the ring lens 504 includes edge optics relatively centrally located along the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the ring lens 504 to generate one or more dark field illuminations from illuminators aligned relative to such edge optics. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the ring lens 504 includes corner optics associated with standard range channel illuminators that output focused light to such lenses, which is then utilized to illuminate one or more fields of view.

[0093] The reader 300 further includes a substrate 506. In some embodiments, the substrate 506 includes a single specific circuit board (e.g., PCB) that includes multiple activatable illuminators. The substrate 506 is configured as a ring that defines a gap or hole in the center of the ring that allows light to pass in and / or out of one or more components behind the ring, for example, via a diffuser 508 as described herein. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the ring shape also allows for alignment of the illuminators of the substrate 506 with corresponding optical components of the ring lens 504 having the same or a similar ring shape without impeding the passage of light through the gap or hole in the ring.

[0094] In some embodiments, the substrate 506 includes one or more edge illuminators located, for example, centrally or relatively centrally (e.g., within a determinable acceptable tolerance distance) from the center of the left, right, top, and bottom edges of the substrate 506. Such illuminators in some embodiments embody dark field illuminators used for dark field imaging by providing high incident light at a close distance from a particular field of view. These dark field illuminators in some embodiments are aligned with particular corresponding optics of the ring lens 504, for example, optical lenses located at each of the top, right, bottom, and left edges of the ring lens 504. In this regard, the associated dark field illuminators of the substrate 506 and the corresponding optics of the ring lens 504 form a plurality of dark field illuminator assemblies, each producing dark field illumination.

[0095] Additionally, in some embodiments, substrate 506 includes at least one illuminator embodying a narrow field illuminator, e.g., at least one illuminator disposed at the bottom left corner of substrate 506 and at least one illuminator disposed at the bottom right corner of substrate 506. These illuminators are aligned with corner optics of ring lens 504, e.g., to form a narrow field illuminator assembly, each generating narrow field illumination. For example, in some embodiments, light is generated through the narrow field illuminator of substrate 506 and corresponding concentrated narrow field illumination is generated through corresponding optics of ring lens 308 aligned with the illuminator.

[0096] In some embodiments, the particular configurations, orientations, and locations of the illuminator assemblies described with respect to parts 504 and / or 506 may differ from those shown in the figures herein. For example, in some embodiments, fewer corner illuminators may be utilized. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more of the darkfield illuminator assemblies may differ from one another (e.g., illuminators of different intensities, different optics to generate different illumination, etc.), while in other embodiments, the darkfield illuminator assemblies may each be the same except for varying rotations from a central axis of the field of view that can be captured via reader 300.

[0097] The reader 300 further includes a diffuser 508. The diffuser 508 scatters the incident light to produce more balanced or uniform illumination (e.g., without noticeable pockets of dark or bright spots). In some embodiments, the diffuser 508 embodies a dome diffuser that generally embodies a dome-like structure. In such embodiments, the dome-like structure scatters the light in various directions, thus spreading the light across the field of view. In some such embodiments, the dome structure defines a perimeter that allows for the passage of light from the diffuser (e.g., diffuse illumination generated via the diffuser 508 and corresponding parts of the diffuser assembly, as well as the passage of light inwardly toward an image sensor behind the diffuser 508). In some such embodiments, one or more parts of the ring illuminator assembly, e.g., the ring lens 504 and / or the substrate 506, are affixed to the diffuser 508 along the periphery or corners of the diffuser 508's perimeter to ensure alignment of such parts. It should be understood that in some embodiments, other light diffuser mechanisms may be utilized in place of or in addition to diffuser 508. In some embodiments, diffuser 508 is translucent to allow incident light to be spread through diffuser 508 into a more uniform illumination.

[0098] The reader 300 further includes a diffuser backlight reflector 516. The diffuser backlight reflector 516 receives incident light from one or more illuminators (e.g., diffuse illuminators) and directs such light into the diffuser 508. For example, in some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 includes one or more optical components that direct light from any number of illuminators to one or more points along the diffuser 508 such that the diffuser 508 receives the light and utilizes such incident light to generate diffuse illumination. In some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 embodies a single molded optical component. In other embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 embodies separate optical components that are attached to each other or positioned in alignment with each other.

[0099] In some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 performs various fastening and illumination functions. For example, in some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 is aligned with the diffuser 508 such that incident light (e.g., from one or more illuminators of the substrate 520, as described herein) is reflected or otherwise directed to the back surface of the diffuser 508 to generate corresponding uniform diffuse illumination. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 aligns and couples or otherwise fastens one or more components of a diffuse illuminator assembly with one or more other components. For example, in some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 securely fastens the protective window 514 to the back surface of the diffuser 508. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the diffuser backlight reflector 516 is configured to receive one or more fastening features of another component, e.g., one or more illumination lenses and / or a ring illuminator assembly, to align and fasten such components with one or more other components.

[0100] Reader 300 further includes a protective window 514. In some embodiments, protective window 514 includes one or more optical elements that allow light to pass through the protective window while protecting the imager and / or other components of reader 300 from external objects, obstacles, etc. In some embodiments, protective window 514 includes tempered or safety glass, or a clear plastic lens, within a fixed housing. In this regard, protective window 514 can prevent objects from colliding with components behind protective window 514 without affecting the light passing through protective window 514.

[0101] The reader 300 further includes a polarizer 512. In some embodiments, the polarizer 512 embodies an optical filter that passes light of a particular polarization and filters light of other polarizations. In this regard, the polarizer 512 generates polarized illumination from one or more illuminations shining toward the polarizer 512, e.g., generated by one or more polarized illuminator light sources. In this regard, the polarizer 512 may be part of a polarized illuminator that projects polarized illumination of a particular polarization into a field of view that can be captured by the improved reader 300.

[0102] In some embodiments, the polarizer 512 is affixed to the protective window 514. For example, in some embodiments, the protective window 514 includes a defined slot or fastening mechanism that attaches to and / or positions the polarizer 512. In some embodiments, the polarizer 512 is affixed to the protective window 514 in such a manner as to align the polarizer with one or more other components of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator, such as the polarized illuminator lens 518 and / or the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 as shown and described herein. In this regard, in some such embodiments, the protective window 514 embodies a polarizer holder that secures the polarizer 512.

[0103] The reader 300 further includes an analyzer 510. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 includes polarizing optics that remove light of a particular polarization. In this regard, the analyzer 510 blocks light of undesired polarizations to eliminate or reduce the effect of the undesired light on an image sensor disposed behind the analyzer 510. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 includes a polarizer that is more permissive of cross-polarized light than the polarizer of the reader 300's substantially coaxially polarized illuminator. For example, as shown, in some embodiments, the analyzer 510 blocks the same polarization from the first polarization allowed by the polarizer 512. In this regard, the analyzer 510 prevents the incidence of undesired light from reaching an image sensor therein. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 is optionally included.

[0104] In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 is affixed to the protective window 514. For example, in some embodiments, the protective window 514 includes a defined slot or fastening mechanism for mounting and / or positioning the analyzer 510. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 is affixed to the protective window 514 in such a manner as to align the analyzer 510 with one or more other components of the generally coaxial polarized illuminator, such as a DPM channel imager and / or a standard range channel imager as shown and described herein. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 is specifically positioned in front of the DPM channel imager to further minimize the effects of off-axis illumination affecting the corresponding DPM channel imager. In this regard, in some such embodiments, the protective window 514 embodies an analyzer holder that secures the analyzer 510. In some embodiments, the analyzer 510 is positioned toward the rear end of the diffuser 508, for example, in alignment with an opening in the diffuser 508 and one or more lenses associated with an imager of the reader 300.

[0105] The reader 300 further includes a substrate 520. In some embodiments, the substrate 520 includes a single specific circuit board (e.g., PCB) that includes one or more activatable light sources that are utilized in generating diffuse illumination via the diffuser 508 and the diffuser backlight reflector 516. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate 520 includes one or more diffuser light sources aligned with the diffuser backlight reflector 516. In some embodiments, the substrate 520 defines a void or hole that allows one or more lenses to be positioned near the center of the substrate 520. In this regard, the substrate 520 may include one or more diffuse illuminator light sources at either and / or the sides of the hole in the substrate 520, at the top or bottom of the hole in the substrate 520, etc., to provide sufficient light to be directed through the diffuser backlight reflector 516. In some embodiments, the substrate 520 includes multiple diffuse illuminators that provide relatively uniform light at various points across the diffuser backlight reflector 516. These diffuse illuminators on the substrate 520, together with the corresponding diffuser 508 and diffuser backlight reflector 516, form a diffuser assembly that produces diffuse illumination.

[0106] The substrate 520 further includes a substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534. In some embodiments, the improved reader 300 includes the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 in a position that reduces or minimizes an angular difference between the axis of the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 and one or more image sensors of the improved reader 300, for example, at the DPM channel imager and the standard range channel imager. In some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 is positioned laterally adjacent the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor of the improved reader 300. In this regard, the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 may be adjacent a forward-directed axis of the improved reader 300 between the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor.

[0107] In some embodiments, the substrate 520 includes a specific location where the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 can be secured. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate 520 includes a protrusion that extends into a hole in the substrate 520 and allows a lens and / or light to pass through such hole in the substrate 520. The protrusion in the substrate 520 defines a hole in the substrate 520 with sufficient space for a DPM channel illuminator lens and / or a standard range channel illuminator lens, along with a minimum tolerance space between the substrate 520 and such lenses. In some embodiments, the protrusion in the substrate 520 embodies a peninsula shape that tapers inwardly toward the lens of the imager of the improved reader 300. In some embodiments, the protrusion in the substrate 520 includes a specific location where the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 is attached, secured, or otherwise electronically coupled to be aligned with one or more corresponding other components of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator, such as the polarizer 512 and / or the polarized illuminator lens 518.

[0108] The improved reader 300 further includes a polarized illuminator lens 518. In some embodiments, the polarized illuminator lens 518 embodies one or more optical components that project a specific illumination from the incident light. In some embodiments, the polarized illuminator lens 518 projects a specific pattern of illumination based at least in part on the light received from the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534. In some such embodiments, the polarized illuminator lens 518 defines the dimensions, angles, and / or other characteristics of the substantially coaxial polarized illumination projected by the improved reader 300. In some embodiments, the polarized illuminator lens 518 is aligned with components that direct the incident light to the lens, for example, directly aligned with a corresponding substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534 and fixed. In some such embodiments, the polarized illuminator lens 518 is fixed on top of the substantially coaxial polarizer light source 534.

[0109] The improved reader 300 further includes an imager lens 528. In some embodiments, the imager lens 528 embodies a narrow field of view lens that is associated with a corresponding narrow field of view image sensor and defines a particular narrow field of view that can be captured by the narrow field of view image sensor. In this regard, in some embodiments, the imager lens 528 is aligned with a corresponding narrow field of view image sensor such that light travels through the imager lens 528 to impinge on the corresponding narrow field of view image sensor. In some embodiments, for example, the imager lens 528 is aligned with an image sensor 536 as described further herein, and the imager lens 528 and image sensor 536 form a narrow field of view imager.

[0110] The improved reader 300 further includes an imager lens 526. In some embodiments, the imager lens 526 embodies a wide field of view lens associated with a corresponding wide field of view image sensor and defining a particular wide field of view that can be captured by the corresponding wide field of view image sensor, e.g., image sensor 538. In this regard, in some embodiments, the imager lens 526 is aligned with the corresponding wide field of view image sensor such that light travels through the imager lens 526 to impinge on the corresponding wide field of view image sensor. In some embodiments, for example, the imager lens 526 is aligned with the image sensor 538 as described further herein, and the imager lens 526 and image sensor 538 form a wide field of view imager. In some such embodiments, the wide field of view is wider than the narrow field of view in at least one dimension (or dimensions). In some embodiments, the lenses 526 and 528 are constructed differently to define different fields of view based on different focal lengths or are positioned at different distances from the corresponding image sensors 536 and 538.

[0111] Reader 300 further includes multiple reflectors, specifically reflector 522A and reflector 522B. In some embodiments, each reflector includes a reflective material and / or a lens that redirects incident light in a particular direction. For example, in some embodiments, reflectors 522A and 522B each embody a mirror that is angled to reflect light in a particular direction. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, reflector 522A and / or reflector 522B are embodied by another optical component that similarly redirects incident light in a particular direction.

[0112] In some embodiments, one or more reflectors of the improved reader 300 are positioned and aligned to redirect incident light from the aiming illuminator toward or along the forward, or "looking" axis of the improved reader 300. For example, in this regard, reflector 522A, in some embodiments, first bends the light generated by the aiming illuminator toward the central axis of the reader 300. The redirected light is then directed specifically toward reflector 522B. Reflector 522 Breflector 522A and / or reflector 522B redirect light along the visual axis of reader 300 generally coaxial with the field of view captureable via reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, reflector 522B redirects light along the visual axis of the device that is generally coaxial and relatively central (e.g., within a defined tolerance) between the narrow and wide fields of view captureable via reader 300 toward a corresponding sight lens for projection into such field of view. It should be appreciated that reflector 522A and / or reflector 522B may be embodied with smaller components than the corresponding sight illuminator that ultimately generates the light projected as the sight illumination, thereby allowing the sight illumination to be projected into a more central location of the field of view captureable via reader 300 without requiring the sight to actually be positioned in such a location, since the size of the sight may preclude positioning the sight in such a location without offsetting the field of view captureable by the multiple imagers of reader 300 by an unacceptable amount. The reflector thus enables smaller reader configurations to generate aimer illumination at defined locations within the field of view without adding undesirable offsets to the image sensor associated with such field of view that would adversely affect the ability to successfully perform scanning operations utilizing the sensor. In this regard, the aimer illuminator may be located opposite the midpoint between the imagers from the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator such that both illuminations may be projected substantially coaxially.

[0113] The reader 300 further includes a sight lens 524. In some embodiments, the sight lens 524 embodies one or more optical components that generate sight illumination from the incident light. In some embodiments, the sight lens 524 generates a specific pattern of sight illumination from the incident light generated, for example, from a sight light source. In an exemplary embodiment, the sight lens 524 embodies a collimating lens. For example, in some embodiments, the sight lens 524 generates a linear illumination pattern from the incident light and / or collimates the incident light to generate a specific aiming pattern. In some embodiments, the sight lens 524 is fixed in a position aligned with a component that directs the incident light to the sight lens 524, such as directly aligned with the sight light source, or in some embodiments aligned with one or more reflectors that direct light from the sight light source to the sight lens 524.

[0114] Reader 300 further includes a component holder 530. In some embodiments, component holder 530 includes a physical structure that positions one or more components of reader 300 in a specific location for aligning such components with other components located behind component holder 530. For example, in some embodiments, component holder 530 is shaped to position lenses 526 and 528 in alignment with a corresponding image sensor. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, component holder 530 positions sight lens 524 in a prescribed location for receiving light from a corresponding sight light source. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, component holder 530 positions reflector 522A and / or reflector 522B in a prescribed location for enabling redirection of light along a specific viewing axis of the device. In some embodiments, the component holder 530 includes a single molded part that defines a cavity, or multiple individual parts that are affixed or secured to one another, and the cavity receives each component as described above and / or secures the component within its respective cavity.

[0115] Reader 300 further includes a substrate 532. Substrate 532 includes imaging and illumination components disposed rearward-most from the optical and illumination components described above. In some embodiments, substrate 532 includes or embodies a circuit board (e.g., PCB) including one or more activatable image sensors utilized to capture image representations of one or more fields of view. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, substrate 532 includes one or more sight light sources associated with generating sight illumination, e.g., via sight lens 524 and / or reflectors 522A and 522B. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, substrate 532 includes processing circuitry utilized to control one or more components and / or process certain data (e.g., captured images of one or more fields of view to detect and decode certain captured codes). In some embodiments, substrate 532 is embodied by a single circuit board. In other embodiments, substrate 532 includes multiple interconnected circuit boards. In some other embodiments, substrate 532 includes only a single image sensor associated with a single imager capturing a single field of view. Alternatively or additionally, in some other embodiments, substrate 532 includes three or more image sensors, each associated with a different field of view and may have the same or different focal ranges.

[0116] In some embodiments, reader 300 further includes a sight light source electronically coupled to substrate 532. The sight light source is communicatively coupled to substrate 532 to enable activation of the light source via substrate 532. The sight light source outputs light that is utilized to generate a corresponding sight illumination, for example, of a particular pattern. For example, in some embodiments, the sight light source is aligned with one or more reflectors that redirect the light to one or more sight lenses, such as reflector 522A. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the sight light source is aligned directly with sight lens 524. In some embodiments, the sight light source includes one or more lasers and / or highly concentrated LEDs that output a focused beam of light.

[0117] The reader 300 further includes an image sensor 536 electronically coupled to the substrate 532. The image sensor 536 is communicatively coupled to the substrate 532, for example, to enable actuation of the image sensor 536 via the substrate 532. The image sensor 536 captures an image based on light incident on or otherwise impinging on or otherwise incident on the image sensor 536. In some embodiments, the image sensor 536 captures an image representative of a particular field of view, for example, an image representation of a field of view defined by one or more associated optical components. In some embodiments, the image sensor 536 is aligned with the lens 528 to define a particular field of view that can be captured by the components as an imager.

[0118] The reader 300 further includes an image sensor 538 electronically coupled to the substrate 532. The image sensor 538 is communicatively coupled to the substrate 532, for example, to enable actuation of the image sensor 538 via the substrate 532. The image sensor 538 similarly captures images based on light incident or otherwise impinging on the image sensor 538. In some embodiments, the image sensor 538 captures an image representative of a second field of view, for example, an image representation of a field of view defined by one or more associated optics. In some embodiments, the image sensor 538 is aligned with the lens 526 to define a particular field of view.

[0119] In some embodiments, image sensor 536 and image sensor 538, alone or together with lens 526 and / or lens 528, define multiple fields of view. For example, in some embodiments, image sensor 536 and lens 528 embody a first imager that defines a first field of view, and image sensor 538 and lens 526 embody a second imager that defines a second field of view. The fields of view may differ in at least one dimension, angle, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the first field of view corresponds to a narrow field of view and the second field of view corresponds to a wide field of view, the wide field of view being wider than the narrow field of view in at least one direction. In some embodiments, the fields of view are defined at least in part based on optics associated with each image sensor. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the fields of view are defined at least in part based on the configuration of the image sensors themselves, e.g., at least in part based on the resolution of each image sensor. In this regard, it will be appreciated that an image generated via image sensor 536 may differ from an image generated via image sensor 538.

[0120] In some embodiments, the reader 300 further includes a processor electronically coupled to the substrate 532. The processor, in some embodiments, is electronically coupled to enable transmission of data from other components of the reader 300 to the processor and / or from the processor to other components of the reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, the processor is communicatively coupled to one or more illumination sources, such as a gunsight light source, one or more illuminator light sources of the other substrates 520 and / or 506, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor is electronically coupled to the image sensors 536 and / or 538, for example, to enable activation of the image sensors 536 and / or 538 and / or to receive image data captured by the image sensors 536 and / or 538.

[0121] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor executes computer coded instructions embodying one or more computer implemented processes and / or software applications. The computer implemented processes and / or software applications in some embodiments control one or more aspects of the reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, the processor executes one or more software applications that determine when to activate one or more image sensors of the reader 300, when to activate one or more light sources of the reader 300, which light sources of the reader 300 to activate, etc. For example, in some embodiments, upon startup, the processor executes a software application that executes one or more predefined algorithms, machine learning models, and / or artificial intelligence models that determine when to activate the reader 300 and / or which components of the reader 300 to activate.

[0122] In some embodiments, the various boards of reader 300 can communicate with each other. For example, in some embodiments, board 532 is communicatively coupled to board 520 and / or board 506. In such embodiments, signals and / or data may be transmitted from a particular board to one or more other boards. For example, in some embodiments, an activation signal may be transmitted from board 532 to board 520 and / or board 506, such as to activate an illuminator on the board. In some embodiments, the various boards of reader 300 are separate from each other and may be activated via the same mechanism (e.g., a trigger of reader 300, not shown).

[0123] In some embodiments, one or more components of the reader 300 are connected to form an assembly of the reader 300. Similarly, in some embodiments, the assembly of the reader 300 is connected to one another to fit all components within a portion of the housing. For example, in some embodiments, the ring lens 504 and the substrate 506 form a ring illuminator assembly in which each component is physically or chemically fixed to the component behind it. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the protective window 514, the analyzer 510, and the polarizer 512 embody a protective window assembly in which each component is physically or chemically fixed to the component behind it. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the diffuser 508, the protective window assembly, and the backlight reflector 516 form a diffuser assembly in which each component is physically or chemically fixed to the component behind it. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, optical sight lens 524, lens 526, lens 528, reflector 522A, and reflector 522B form a lens assembly with each lens and reflector physically or chemically secured to component holder 530. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, substrate 532, image sensor 536, image sensor 538, and / or processor form an imager substrate. Various assemblies, such as the ring illuminator assembly, diffuser assembly, lens assembly, and imager substrate, are each physically or chemically affixed.

[0124] In some embodiments, the various illustrated components of reader 300 are affixed to or otherwise connected to a housing of reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, one or more fastening components (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) are utilized to secure the assembly to the housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the housing includes one or more outwardly extending portions to allow one or more components of reader 300 to snap-fit ​​into a particular portion.

[0125] It will be appreciated that the various components of the reader 300 may be aligned and / or secured in any of a myriad of ways. In some embodiments, the substrate 520 and the substrate 532 are secured to the device housing, e.g., the housing portions 502A and / or 502B, respectively. In this regard, such components secured to the device housing may be further secured (e.g., directly or indirectly) to other components of the reader 300. For example, in some embodiments, various lenses (e.g., associated with one or more image sensors and / or sights), sight reflectors, etc. are secured to a component holder 530, which may be secured to the substrate 532 as described herein. In some embodiments, the ring illuminator assembly is secured to the front of the diffuse illuminator assembly (e.g., along the perimeter of the opening of the diffuser 508) to form a front illuminator assembly. In this regard, by securing a single component of the front illuminator assembly, e.g., the substrate 520, within the device, the position and relative alignment of the components of the front illuminator assembly are maintained. In this regard, the various components of the reader 300 may be aligned and secured in place without requiring each component to be individually secured via an enclosure.

[0126] 6 is an exploded view of the subassemblies and projected polarized illumination of a substantially coaxial polarized illumination device in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a protective window assembly 608, a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator board assembly 610, and an imager-aimer board assembly 612. In some embodiments, the protective window assembly 608, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator board assembly 610, and the imager-aimer board assembly 612 are aligned with one another within an apparatus housing, such as reader 300, to enable operation of the various components thereof.

[0127] As shown, the protective window assembly 608 includes a protective window, an analyzer, and a polarizer. The substantially coaxial polarized illuminator board assembly 610 includes a substantially coaxial illuminator 602 disposed on the intermediate substrate protrusion 604. The sight board 612 includes at least the image sensor and sight light source aligned with the component holder assembly that forms the illuminator and / or its imager.

[0128] The components of the various subassemblies are arranged in a manner that arranges the components for operation. For example, in some embodiments, the protective window assembly 608 aligns the polarizer with the substantially coaxial illuminator 602 to form a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the protective window assembly 608 aligns the analyzer with a particular imager of the imager-aimer board 612. In some embodiments, the analyzer is aligned with and placed in front of the DPM channel imager such that the analyzer filters light from reaching the DPM channel imager. The imager-aimer board assembly 612 positions and aligns the imager to position through a hole in the board of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator board assembly 610. In this regard, the distance and angular offset between the aimer illumination from the substantially coaxial aimer illuminator and the polarized illumination from the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator is minimized.

[0129] The offset between the imager, sight, and polarized illuminator is reduced to provide for approximately coaxial illumination projected through the various subassemblies. As shown, the approximately coaxial polarized illuminator formed from the various subassemblies projects polarized illumination 606. Similarly, the approximately coaxial aim illuminator formed from the various subassemblies projects sight illumination 614. Both such illuminations may be projected in approximately coaxial alignment with a viewing axis that defines the field of view that can be captured through the device. In this regard, the particular configuration and design of the subassemblies allows for such illumination to be projected in approximately coaxial alignment.

[0130]

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates an illuminator board subassembly in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 7 illustrates an illuminator board subassembly 700. In some embodiments, the illuminator board subassembly 700 embodies the substantially coaxially polarized illuminator board assembly 610 as shown and described herein.

[0131] The illuminator board subassembly 700 includes multiple diffuser light sources, specifically, diffuser light sources 708A, 708B, 708C, and 708D (collectively, "diffuser light sources 708"). In some embodiments, each of the diffuser light sources 708 generates light that is directed toward one or more components of the diffuse illuminator assembly. For example, in some embodiments, each diffuser light source 708 illuminates a diffuser backlight reflector, which redirects such light to the diffuser for uniform projection of diffuse illumination.

[0132] The illuminator board subassembly 700 further includes a protective window 706. The protective window prevents objects, particles, fluids, etc. from impacting components located behind the protective window 706. For example, in some embodiments, the protective window 706 is disposed in front of at least a first image sensor and at least a second image sensor, embodying, for example, a DPM channel image sensor and a standard range channel image sensor, to protect such image sensors from impact. In some embodiments, the protective window 706 includes one or more defined portions and / or components for fixing the protective window 706 in a particular position. In some embodiments, for example, the protective window 706 includes a fixation cavity that fixes the protective window 706 in a particular position. 710 A~ 710 In some embodiments, the fixed cavity includes one or more fixed cavities, such as C. 710 A~ 710 C receives a fastening feature extending from the circuit board of the illuminator board subassembly 700 to lock the protective window 706 in a particular position relative to the board. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a fastening cavity 710 A~ 710C receives a fixation feature extending from another substrate, such as an aimer-illuminator substrate disposed behind the illuminator substrate subassembly 700. In yet some other embodiments, the fixation cavity 710 A~ 710 C is soldered, chemically fixed, or otherwise joined in a specific location.

[0133] The illuminator board subassembly 700 further includes a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 702. As described herein, in some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 702 is positioned to the right of the protective window 706 such that all subcomponents of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 702 are aligned and not blocked by other components. For example, in some embodiments, the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 702 includes at least one substantially coaxial polarized illuminator light source, at least one substantially coaxial illuminator lens, and at least one polarizer. Such components are located on a protrusion of the circuit board of the illuminator board subassembly 700 to allow the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator to be located closer to the midpoint of the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the protrusion and / or corresponding location of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator 702 can be located on the other side of the protective window 706 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, e.g., the location may be swapped with the substantially coaxial boresight light source.

[0134] The illuminator board subassembly 700 further includes an analyzer 704. As described herein, the analyzer 704 may be located in front of one or more imagers. For example, as shown, the analyzer 704 in some embodiments is located in front of a standard range channel imager, e.g., to filter out light of a particular orientation from reaching the corresponding imager. In some other embodiments, the analyzer 704 is located and / or sized in front of both and / or all imagers of the device. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the analyzer 704 is located only in front of another imager, e.g., toward the bottom of a protective window 706 that is located in front of the corresponding DPM channel imager.

[0135] Exemplary Processes of the Present Disclosure Having described the exemplary systems, apparatus, readers, and subassemblies of the present disclosure, an exemplary process according to the present disclosure will now be described. It will be understood that each of the flowcharts illustrates an exemplary computer-implemented process that may be performed by, e.g., utilizing one or more of the specially configured components thereof, of one or more of the apparatus, systems, devices, and / or computer program products described herein. For example, in some embodiments, an apparatus 200 embodying an improved reader 300 utilizes one or more memories and / or processors described herein to perform the processes described herein.

[0136] In some embodiments, the processes described herein provide improved operation of the improved readers described herein. For example, the processes may be utilized to improve the likelihood that an initiated scanning operation will be successful (e.g., by activating one or more particular components that maximize the likelihood that a captured image will contain a detectable and decodable representation of a code). In this regard, in some embodiments, the processes describe operations for controlling a reader, such as reader 300, in a particular manner. In some other embodiments, reader 300 is controlled utilizing one or more other processes that utilize predefined or prescribed algorithms for activating its components based, for example, on a selected operating mode, previously stored historical data, etc.

[0137] The illustrated blocks represent operations of the respective processes. Such operations may be performed in any of several ways, including, but not limited to, in the order and manner as illustrated and described herein. In some embodiments, one or more blocks of any of the processes described herein occur during one or more blocks of another process, before one or more blocks of another process, in parallel with one or more blocks of another process, and / or as a sub-process of a second process. Additionally or alternatively, any of the processes in various embodiments may include some or all of the operational steps described and / or illustrated, including one or more optional blocks in some embodiments. With respect to the flowcharts depicted herein, one or more of the illustrated blocks in some embodiments may be optional in some or all embodiments of the present disclosure. Optional blocks are depicted with dashed lines (or "dashed lines"). Similarly, it should be understood that one or more of the operations of each flowchart may be combined, interchanged, and / or otherwise modified as described herein.

[0138] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary process for the use of an improved substantially coaxial polarized illumination device according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary operation of the exemplary process 800. In some embodiments, the process 800 is embodied by computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of a computer program product configured for execution to perform the process as shown and described. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the process 800 is executed by one or more specially configured computing devices, such as the improved reader 300 embodied by the apparatus 200 alone or in communication with one or more other components, devices, systems, etc. In this regard, the apparatus 200 is specially configured by computer coded instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored, for example, in the memory 204 and / or in another component as shown and described, to perform the operations illustrated and described in FIG. 8.

[0139] In operation 802, the apparatus 200 includes means for activating a polarized illuminator adjacent at least each of the DPM channel imager and the standard range channel imager, such as the imager 210, the illuminator 212, the control circuitry 214, the communication circuitry 208, the input / output circuitry 206, the processor 202, etc., or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the polarized illuminator embodies a substantially coaxial polarized illuminator. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 generates and sends one or more control signals to a polarizer light source of the polarized illuminator to activate the light source and cause it to generate light. Such activation may occur as part of a scanning process or other operation for capturing and / or processing an image representation of one or more fields of view illuminated by the polarized illuminator.

[0140] In operation 804, the apparatus 200 includes means for exposing at least a selected imager of the apparatus 200, such as the imager 210, the illuminator 212, the control circuitry 214, the communication circuitry 208, the input / output circuitry 206, the processor 202, etc., or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus 200 exposes one of the DPM channel imager or the standard range channel imager adjacent to the polarized illuminator. During exposure, the selected imager can generate image data based on light incident on the image sensor of the selected imager. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 specifically exposes the DPM channel imager associated with an analyzer that corresponds to a polarizer of the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator. In this regard, the offset between the DPM channel imager and the substantially coaxial polarized illuminator is minimized to reduce the adverse effects of the angular difference between the imager and the illumination on the exposure of the DPM channel imager.

[0141] In operation 806, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the imager 210, the illumination device 212, the control circuitry 214, the communication circuitry 208, the input / output circuitry 206, the processor 202, etc., or a combination thereof, for outputting a captured image from a selected imager. In some embodiments, the captured image is output from an image sensor of the selected imager. Specifically, the captured image may represent electrical signals captured by the selected imager during an exposure period. In some embodiments, the apparatus specifically outputs a captured image from a DPM channel imager exposed during step 804.

[0142] In optional operation 808, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the imager 210, the illuminator 212, the control circuitry 214, the communication circuitry 208, the input / output circuitry 206, the processor 202, etc., or combinations thereof, for processing the captured image utilizing at least one image processing algorithm. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 processes the captured image utilizing a machine-readable symbol detection algorithm and / or a machine-readable symbol decoding algorithm. In this regard, the apparatus 200 may process the captured image to determine whether any machine-readable symbols have been detected in the captured image and / or to decode data from any detected machine-readable symbols. Such data may be output, displayed via a user interface, transmitted to an external device or system, and / or utilized in one or more subsequent processes.

[0143] conclusion In some embodiments, some of the above operations may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, amplifications, or additions to the above operations may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0144] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or features, it is to be understood that different combinations of elements and / or features may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or features different from those set forth above are also contemplated as may be set forth in the appended claims. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0145] Although an exemplary processing system has been described above, implementations of the subject matter and functional operations described herein can be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.

[0146] Embodiments of the subject matter and operations described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or in a combination of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by or for controlling the operation of an information / data processing apparatus. Alternatively, or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information / data for transmission to a suitable receiver apparatus for execution by the information / data processing apparatus. The computer storage medium can be or be included in a computer readable storage device, a computer readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. Furthermore, although a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal. A computer storage medium may also be, or be contained in, one or more separate physical components or media (eg, multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

[0147] The operations described herein may be implemented as operations performed by an information / data processing apparatus on information / data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

[0148] The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including, for example, programmable processors, computers, systems on chips, or a plurality or combination of the foregoing. The apparatus may include special purpose logic circuitry, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). In addition to hardware, the apparatus may also include code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, for example, code constituting a processor firmware, a protocol stack, a repository management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of these. The apparatus and execution environment may implement a variety of different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing, and grid computing infrastructures.

[0149] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or information / data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple cooperating files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0150] The processes and logic flows described herein can be implemented by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform actions by operating on input information / data and generating output. Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, for example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and information / data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing actions according to the instructions, and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes one or more mass storage devices, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, for storing data, or is operably coupled to receive information / data from them, transmit information / data to them, or both. However, a computer does not necessarily have to have such devices. Suitable devices for storing computer program instructions and information / data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, including exemplary semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0151] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information / data to the user, as well as a keyboard and pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to provide for interaction with a user, e.g., feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Additionally, a computer can interact with a user by sending and receiving documents to a device used by the user, e.g., by sending a web page to a web browser on the user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0152] An embodiment of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes back-end components (e.g., as an information / data server), or includes middleware components (e.g., an application server), or includes front-end components (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital information / data communication, e.g., a communications network. Examples of communications networks include local area networks ("LANs") and wide area networks ("WANs"), internetworks (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad-hoc peer-to-peer networks).

[0153] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communications network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In some embodiments, a server sends information / data (e.g., HTML pages) to a client device (e.g., for the purpose of displaying the information / data to a user interacting with the client device and receiving user input from the user). Information / data generated at the client device (e.g., results of user interaction) can be received at the server from the client device.

[0154] Although the present specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any disclosure or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to certain embodiments of a particular disclosure. Certain features described in the present specification in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, even if features are described above as acting in a particular combination and initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may, in some cases, be deleted from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination.

[0155] Similarly, although operations are shown in a particular order in the figures, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order or sequence shown, or to perform all of the operations shown, in order to achieve desirable results. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the program components and systems described may generally be integrated into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0156] Thus, certain embodiments of the present subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus comprising: A DPM channel image sensor; a standard range channel image sensor; a substantially coaxial polarizer light source disposed adjacent to the DPM channel image sensor and adjacent to the standard range channel image sensor; a substantially coaxial polarizer aligned with the substantially coaxial polarizer light source; an analyzer aligned with the DPM channel image sensor and / or the standard range channel image sensor; An apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an illuminator substrate including a protrusion, a first hole, and a second hole, the protrusion adjacent a midpoint between the first hole that receives the DPM channel image sensor and the second hole that receives the standard range channel image sensor, and the substantially coaxial polarizer light source is electronically coupled to the protrusion.

3. The apparatus comprises: a ring illuminator assembly including a ring lens, a ring illuminator substrate, and at least one ring illuminator light source electronically coupled to the ring illuminator substrate, the ring lens aligned in front of the at least one ring illuminator light source; a diffuse illuminator assembly including a diffuse illuminator and a diffuser backlight reflector; a protection assembly including a protection window, the substantially coaxial polarizer, and the analyzer; at least one backlight illuminator substrate, the substantially coaxial polarizer light source being electronically coupled to the at least one backlight illuminator substrate; a substantially coaxial polarizer lens aligned with the substantially coaxial polarizer light source; a lens assembly including a boresight lens, a DPM channel imager lens, and a standard range channel imager lens; a sighting illuminator aligned with the sight lens; at least one sight folded optic; at least one imager board including the DPM channel image sensor and the standard range channel image sensor; The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

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