Bi-optic imaging scanner with preprocessor for processing image data from multiple sources

A method of operating a multicamera imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object, the steps of the method comprising:

• providing a reader including a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code;
• an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position and defining a field of view, each camera assembly including a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing the field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array;
• for each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, the sensor array being read out to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly at periodic intervals;
• providing an image processing system including a preprocessor and a preprocessor memory coupled to the preprocessor, an image process system including a main processor and a main system memory coupled to the processor;
• operating the reader to image a target bar code on a target object, for each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, the sensor array being read out at a predetermined frame rate to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly at periodic intervals, the preprocessor simultaneously receiving captured image data corresponding to image frames of each of the plurality of camera assemblies and storing the captured image data in the preprocessor memory;
• the preprocessor generating statistical information regarding the captured image data stored in the preprocessor memory, the statistical information being analyzed by a selected one of the preprocessor and the main system processor to identify regions of the image frames wherein an image of the target bar code or a part thereof may be present;
• the preprocessor transferring portions of captured image data corresponding to identified regions of the image frames to the main system memory;
• and the main system processor operating on the portions of the captured image data transferred to the main system memory and attempting to decode an image of the target bar code.

An imaging system for use in multicamera imaging-based bar code reader having a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code on a target object, the imaging system comprising:

• a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position and defining a field of view, each camera assembly including a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing the field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array, for each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, the sensor array being read out to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly;
• an image process system including a preprocessor and a preprocessor memory coupled to the preprocessor, a main processor and a main system memory coupled to the processor, the preprocessor simultaneously receiving captured image data corresponding to image frames of each of the plurality of camera assemblies and storing the captured image data in the preprocessor memory;
• the preprocessor generating statistical information regarding the captured image data stored in the preprocessor memory, the statistical information being analyzed by a selected one of the preprocessor and the main system processor to identify regions of the image frames wherein an image of the target bar code or a part thereof may be present;
• the preprocessor transferring portions of captured image data corresponding to identified regions of the image frames to the main system memory;
• and
• the main system processor operating on the portions of the captured image data transferred to the main system memory and attempting to decode an image of the target bar code.

A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object, the bar code reader comprising:

• a housing means supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code;
• an imaging system means including a plurality of camera assemblies means coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly means of the plurality of camera assemblies means being positioned within the housing interior position and defining a field of view, each camera assembly means including a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing the field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array, for each camera assembly means of the plurality of camera assemblies means, the sensor array being read out to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly means;
• an image process system means including a preprocessor means and a preprocessor memory means coupled to the preprocessor means, a main processor means and a main system memory means coupled to the processor means, the preprocessor means simultaneously receiving captured image data corresponding to image frames of each of the plurality of camera assemblies means and storing the captured image data in the preprocessor memory means;
• the preprocessor means generating statistical information regarding the captured image data stored in the preprocessor memory means, the statistical information being analyzed by a selected one of the preprocessor means and the main system processor means to identify regions of the image frames wherein an image of the target bar code or a part thereof may be present;
• the preprocessor means transferring portions of captured image data corresponding to identified regions of the image frames to the main system memory means;
• and
• the main system processor means operating on the portions of the captured image data transferred to the main system memory means and attempting to decode an image of the target bar code.

Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of operating a multicamera imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object wherein the reader includes a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code;

• an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position and defining a field of view, each camera assembly including a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing the field of view of the camera assembly onto the sensor array, for each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, the sensor array being read out to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly;
• and an image process system including a preprocessor and a preprocessor memory coupled to the preprocessor, a main processor and a main system memory coupled to the processor, the steps of the method comprising:
• operating the reader to image a target bar code on a target object, for each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, the sensor array being read out at a predetermined frame rate to generate image frames of the field of view of the camera assembly at periodic intervals, the preprocessor simultaneously receiving captured image data corresponding to image frames of each of the plurality of camera assemblies and storing the captured image data in the preprocessor memory;
• the preprocessor generating statistical information regarding the captured image data stored in the preprocessor memory, the statistical information being analyzed by a selected one of the preprocessor and the main system processor to identify regions of the image frames wherein an image of the target bar code or a part thereof may be present;
• the preprocessor transferring portions of captured image data corresponding to identified regions of the image frames to the main system memory;
• and the main system processor operating on the portions of the captured image data transferred to the main system memory and attempting to decode an image of the target bar code.