Interface for interfacing an imaging engine to an optical code reader

A method for interfacing an imaging engine removably positioned within an optical code reader to a circuitry assembly of an optical code reader system, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting in a first direction from the circuitry assembly toward the imaging engine at least one focus control signal for controlling a lens assembly of the imaging engine for selecting a focus position of at least two focus positions, a focus control motor power signal, an illumination power signal, a combined CCD/aiming power signal, an illumination enable signal for controlling an illumination assembly of the imaging engine and an aim enable signal for controlling an aiming assembly of the imaging engine, wherein transmitting the at least one focus control signal includes transmitting two signals for selecting a focus control mode from at least three focus control modes, and wherein the at least three focus control modes are selected from the group of focus control modes consisting of a first mode for operating a motor of the lens assembly for selecting a first focus distance, operating the motor for selecting a second focus distance, not operating the motor and not selecting a focus distance, and operating the motor to switch between the first and second focus distances for image acquisition of a series of at least two image acquisitions;
• and
• transmitting at least one pixel data signal indicative of light sensed by a photo sensor array of the imaging engine in a second direction from the imaging engine toward the circuitry assembly.

An interface assembly for interfacing an imaging engine having an adjustable lens assembly to a circuitry assembly of an optical code reader system, the interface assembly comprising:

• coupling circuitry comprising:
• first coupling circuitry for transmitting at least one master clock signal in a first direction from the circuitry assembly toward the imaging engine;
• second coupling circuitry for transmitting at least one horizontal pixel valid synchronization clock signal in a second direction from the imaging engine toward the circuitry assembly;
• third coupling circuitry for transmitting in the second direction at least one vertical frame valid synchronization clock signal;
• fourth coupling circuitry for transmitting in the second direction a plurality of bits of pixel data indicative of light sensed by a photo sensor array of the imaging engine;
• and
• fifth coupling circuitry for transmitting in the first direction at least one focus control signal for controlling the lens assembly for selecting a focus position.

An interface assembly for interfacing an imaging engine having an adjustable lens assembly to a circuitry assembly of an optical code reader system, the interface assembly comprising:

• a connector having at least a first and second end, one of the of the first and second ends including a plurality of contacts including a first through a thirty-first contact for transmitting at least one signal;
• first coupling circuitry for transmitting at least one focus control signal and at least one focus and motor power in a first direction from the circuitry assembly toward the imaging engine for controlling the lens assembly for selecting a focus position of at least two focus positions of the lens assembly, the first coupling circuitry including four contacts of the plurality of contacts;
• second coupling circuitry for transmitting at least one of at least one illumination enable signal in the first direction for controlling an illumination assembly of the optical code reader system and at least one aim enable signal in the first direction for controlling an aiming assembly of the optical code reader system, the second coupling including at least two of the contacts of the plurality of contacts;
• and
• third coupling circuitry for transmitting a plurality of bits of pixel data indicative of light sensed by a photo sensor array of the imaging engine in a second direction from the imaging engine toward the circuitry assembly, the third coupling circuitry including eight contacts of the plurality of contacts;
• wherein each of the contacts included in the first through the third coupling circuitry are different contacts.

An interface assembly for interfacing an imaging engine having an adjustable lens assembly to a circuitry assembly of an optical code reader system, the interface assembly comprising:

• at least one of an input/output (I/O) means of the imaging engine, an I/O means of the circuit assembly, and a transmission assembly connected between the imaging engine and the circuitry assembly configured for transmitting at least one signal from one of the imaging engine and the circuitry assembly toward the other of the imaging engine and the circuitry assembly;
• wherein the at least one signal includes at least one pixel data signal indicative of light sensed by a photo sensor array of the imaging engine;
• at least one clock signal for synchronization of the imaging engine and circuitry assembly;
• a focus control motor power signal;
• an illumination power signal;
• a combined CCD/aiming power signal;
• an illumination enable signal for controlling an illumination assembly of the imaging engine;
• an aim enable signal for controlling an aiming assembly of the imaging engine;
• at least one focus control signal for controlling adjustment of the lens assembly including selecting a focus control mode from at least three focus control modes;
• and at least one ground signal, wherein the transmission assembly includes a connector having a plurality of contacts, two contacts of the plurality of contacts transmit the at least one focus control signal, two contacts of the plurality of contacts transmit the CCD/aiming power signal, and one contact of the plurality of contacts transmits each of the focus control motor power signal, illumination power signal, illumination enable signal and aim enable signal, respectively.