# US 8,740,084 B2 · Method and apparatus for projecting illumination patterns from barcode readers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,084 B2 - Document ID: US8740084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/616,804 - Filed: 2009-11-12 - Published: 2011-05-12 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-12 - Assignees: Symbol Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Christopher Brock; Edward Barkan - Inventors: Christopher Brock; Edward Barkan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740084B2 ## CPC - G06K 7/10544: {by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum} - G06K 7/10732: {Light sources} - G06K 7/10792: {Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned} - G06K 7/12: using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract A method and apparatus for projecting illumination patterns from barcode readers. The apparatus includes a housing, an invisible illumination light source, and a visible illumination light source. The housing comprises a first window located in a generally horizontal plane and a second window located in a generally upright plane that intersects the generally horizontal plane. The invisible illumination light source is operative to project an invisible illumination pattern that is at least partially incident upon the first window or the second window after the invisible illumination pattern is projected out of the housing. The visible illumination light source operative to project a visible illumination pattern out of the housing, and the visible illumination pattern has a visible center ray propagating in a direction different from the invisible center ray of the invisible illumination pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: placing a plurality of solid-state imagers within a housing for capturing light from a plurality of predetermined fields of view, wherein the housing comprises a first window located in a generally horizontal plane and a second window located in a generally upright plane that intersects the generally horizontal plane; starting an initial decoding process with an invisible illumination pattern after the presence of an object is detected; wherein the initial decoding process includes the steps of imaging and decoding one or more barcode on the object; and starting a subsequent decoding process with an accompanying visible illumination pattern by turning on the accompanying visible illumination light source if no barcode is successfully decoded with the initial decoding process after a predetermined time period, wherein the subsequent decoding process includes the steps of imaging and decoding one or more barcode on the object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the invisible illumination pattern is at least partially incident upon the first window or the second window after the invisible illumination pattern is projected out of the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the invisible illumination pattern by turning on an infrared illumination light source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the invisible illumination pattern by turning on an invisible illumination light source after the presence of an object is detected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the invisible illumination pattern by keeping an invisible illumination light source turned on continuously. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the accompanying visible illumination pattern propagates generally in the same direction that the invisible illumination pattern propagates. ### Claim 7 An apparatus comprising: a housing defining a housing interior region, wherein the housing comprises a first window located in a generally horizontal plane and a second window located in a generally upright plane that intersects the generally horizontal plane; an imaging system including a plurality of solid-state imagers, located within the housing interior region, operative to capture light from a plurality of predetermined fields of view; an invisible illumination light source operative to project an invisible illumination pattern; an accompanying visible illumination light source associated with the invisible illumination light source for projecting accompanying a visible illumination pattern propagates generally in the same direction that the invisible illumination pattern propagates; and a controller operative to (1) start an initial decoding process with the invisible illumination pattern after the presence of an object is detected, wherein the initial decoding process includes the steps of imaging and decoding one or more barcode on the object, and (2) start a subsequent decoding process with the accompanying visible illumination pattern by turning on the accompanying visible illumination light source if no barcode is successfully decoded with the initial decoding process after a predetermined time period, wherein the subsequent decoding process includes the steps of imaging and decoding one or more barcode on the object. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the invisible illumination light source is operative to project an invisible illumination pattern that is at least partially incident upon the first window or the second window after the invisible illumination pattern is projected out of the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is operative to turn on the invisible illumination light source after the presence of an object is detected. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is operative to turn on the invisible illumination light source continuously. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the invisible illumination light source includes an infrared illumination light source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of solid-state imagers includes a solid-state imager that has a two-dimensional sensor arrays.