Optical accessory for attachment to mobile device

#Not applicable.

#The present invention relates to devices for optically acquiring data, and in particular, to optical barcode scanning devices.

#Handheld image and barcode scanning devices are well known and used in a wide range of enterprise applications. Barcode scanners are regularly used in connection with checkout stations at supermarkets and other retail establishments for reading barcodes on consumer goods. They are also useful in inventory collection and control for warehousing, shipping and storage of products.

#The features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIGS. 1A and 1B, collectively referred to herein as FIG. 1, show a diagram depicting aspects of a mobile device such as a smartphone;

#FIG. 2 is an illustrative topology for components of the mobile device of FIG. 1;

#In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

#Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus that permit users of mobile devices, such as a smartphone, to perform “blind and targeted scanning” of barcodes and other information bearing symbols. Generally, the methods and apparatus include an aimer module that collimates diffuse light from a lamp (LED or flash mechanism) on a mobile device for use in capturing a barcode image. The aimer module may also be integrated into a given mobile device or a protective case. Alternatively, the aimer module may be configured as an attachment for retrofit of a mobile device. Operation of the mobile device may be complemented with additional software to take advantage of the functionality of the aimer module. In order to provide some background for the teachings herein, some context is first provided.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown aspects of an illustrative mobile device 10. In this example, the mobile device 10 is a “smartphone.” Alternatively, the mobile device may be a tablet, an electronic pad, a laptop computer, or other mobile device. Salient aspects of the mobile device 10 include a home button 6, an on/off switch 3, a display 5, a camera 7, and a lamp 9. Generally, the foregoing components are conventional and provide functionality that is well known in the art. The mobile device 10 may be referred to herein as “smartphone 10” and by other similar terms. Illustrative smartphones include the IPHONE from Apple Corp. of Cupertino, Calif., devices operating on the ANDROID platform of Google Corp. of Mountain View, Calif., as well as devices operating in the WINDOWS environment provided by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash.