Hand-held dataform reader having multiple target area illumination sources for independent reading of superimposed dataforms

A dataform reader for a portable data collection device, the dataform reader utilizing a single two dimensional imaging assembly adapted to independently image and decode first and second overlying dataforms, the first dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a first wavelength and the second dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being different, the dataform reader comprising:

• a) the single two dimensional imaging assembly including a two dimensional photosensor array, the imaging assembly actuatable to generate a signal representative of an image of a target area of the imaging assembly, the target area image resulting from an illumination pattern received from the target area;
• b) the imaging assembly including signal and image processing circuitry for processing and decoding an image of a dataform positioned in the target area;
• c) an optic assembly positioned with respect to the imaging assembly to focus the reflected illumination from the target area onto the photosensor array;
• d) an illumination assembly including a first illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a first range of wavelengths and a second illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a second range of wavelengths, the first range of wavelengths including the first wavelength and not including the second wavelength and the second range of wavelengths including the second wavelength and not including the first wavelength, the first and second illumination sources being positioned to illuminate the target area when actuated;
• e) control and selection circuitry electrically coupled to the imaging assembly and the illumination assembly to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the first illumination source to image and decode the first dataform and to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the second illumination source to image and decode the second dataform;
• and
• f) wherein the signal representative of the target area image is a composite video signal and the signal and image processing circuitry further includes:
• 1) signal processing circuitry receiving the composite video signal and converting a portion of the signal corresponding to an image frame into a set of digital data representative of an image of the target area, the set of digital data including a plurality of digital data values corresponding to respective different image pixels of the imaged target area, each of the plurality of digital data values comprising a plurality of bits;
• and
• 2) digital signal processing circuitry selectively actuatable to receive the set of digital data generated by the signal processing circuitry, the digital signal processing circuitry including binarization and zoning circuitry to:
• i) convert selected digital data values in the plurality of digital data into a set of binary data values, a single bit binary data value being generated for each digital data value;
• ii) identify a subset of binary data values of the set of binary data values corresponding to an image of the target object;
• and
• iii) processing the identified subset of binary data values to generate a set of output data.

A portable data collection device comprising:

• a) a housing defining an interior region;
• b) a dataform reader assembly at least partially supported within the housing interior region, the dataform reader assembly including a single two dimensional imaging assembly adapted to independently image and decode first and second overlying dataforms, the first dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a first wavelength and the second dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being different, the dataform reader assembly including:
• 1) the single two dimensional imaging assembly including a two dimensional photosensor array, the imaging assembly actuatable to generate a signal representative of an image of a target area of the imaging assembly, the target area image resulting from an illumination pattern received from the target area;
• 2) the imaging assembly including signal and image processing circuitry for processing and decoding an image of a dataform positioned in the target area;
• 3) an optic assembly positioned with respect to the imaging assembly to focus the target area image onto the photosensor array;
• 4) an illumination assembly including a first illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a first range of wavelengths and a second illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a second range of wavelengths, the first range of wavelengths including the first wavelength and not including the second wavelength and the second range of wavelengths including the second wavelength and not including the first wavelength, the first and second illumination sources being positioned to illuminate the target area when actuated, the first illumination source generating illumination having a spectral output centered about a wavelength in the visible spectrum;
• and
• 5) control and selection circuitry electrically coupled to the imaging assembly and the illumination assembly to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the first illumination source to image and decode the first dataform and to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the second illumination source to image and decode the second dataform, the second illumination source being deenergized while the first illumination source is energized and the first illumination source being deenergized while the second illumination source is energized.

A portable data collection device comprising:

• a) a housing defining an interior region;
• b) a dataform reader assembly at least partially supported within the housing interior region, the dataform reader assembly including a single two dimensional imaging assembly adapted to independently image and decode first and second overlying dataforms, the first dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a first wavelength and the second dataform being imaged when illuminated by illumination having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being different, the dataform reader assembly including:
• 1) the single two dimensional imaging assembly including a two dimensional photosensor array, the imaging assembly actuatable to generate a signal representative of an image of a target area of the imaging assembly, the target area image resulting from an illumination pattern received from the target area;
• 2) the imaging assembly including signal and image processing circuitry for processing and decoding an image of a dataform positioned in the target area;
• 3) an optic assembly positioned with respect to the imaging assembly to focus the target area image onto the photosensor array;
• 4) an illumination assembly including a first illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a first range of wavelengths and a second illumination source energizable to generate illumination having a second range of wavelengths, the first range of wavelengths including the first wavelength and not including the second wavelength and the second range of wavelengths including the second wavelength and not including the first wavelength, the first and second illumination sources being positioned to illuminate the target area when actuated;
• and
• 5) control and selection circuitry electrically coupled to the imaging assembly and the illumination assembly to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the first illumination source to image and decode the first dataform and to actuate the imaging assembly and selectively energize the second illumination source to image and decode the second dataform;
• and
• c) wherein the signal representative of the target area image is a composite video signal and the signal and image processing circuitry further includes:
• 1) signal processing circuitry receiving the composite video signal and converting a portion of the composite video signal corresponding to an image frame into a set of digital data representative of an image of the target area, the set of digital data including a plurality of digital data values corresponding to respective different image pixels of the imaged target area, each of the plurality of digital data values comprising a plurality of bits;
• and
• 2) digital signal processing circuitry selectively actuatable to receive the set of digital data generated by the signal processing circuitry, the digital signal processing circuitry including binarization and zoning circuitry to:
• i) convert selected digital data values in the plurality of digital data into a set of binary data values, a single bit binary data value being generated for each digital data value;
• ii) identify a subset of binary data values of the set of binary data values corresponding to an image of the target object;
• and
• iii) process the identified subset of binary data values to generate a set of output data.