Apparatus comprising image sensor

A bar code decoding device comprising:na portable housing;a lens assembly focusing an image onto a two dimensional image sensor;a control circuit in communication with said illumination assembly and said imaging assembly, wherein said control circuit is configured to operate in a “decode mode†and a “picture taking mode;†anda user interface facilitating selection between said decode mode and said picture taking mode;wherein said control circuit, when operating in said “decode mode†loads a “decode mode†initial exposure period value, captures a frame of image data utilizing said “decode mode†initial exposure period value, builds a histogram summarizing said captured frame, evaluates said histogram according to a “decode mode†histogram evaluation, and adjusts said initial exposure period value depending on an outcome of said evaluation;wherein said control circuit, when operating in said “picture taking†mode loads a “picture taking mode†initial exposure period value, captures a frame of image data utilizing said initial “picture taking mode†initial exposure period value, builds a histogram summarizing said captured frame, evaluates said histogram according to a “picture taking mode†histogram evaluation criteria, and adjusts said initial exposure period value depending on an outcome of said evaluation,wherein said “decode mode†initial exposure period value is less than said “picture taking mode†initial exposure period value.

An optical reader comprising:na portable housing;an illumination assembly;an imaging assembly;a control circuit;a user interface enabling selection between modes of operation;a picture taking mode executable by said control circuit in which said optical reader captures a frame of image data and without attempting to decode decodable symbol therein outputs said frame of image data;a decode mode executable by said control circuit in which said control circuit captures a frame of image data and decodes a decodable symbol represented therein;a picture improvement mode in which said optical reader improves a visual output quality of a last captured frame, wherein said optical reader is configured to be driven into said picture improvement mode irrespective of the mode of operation of the optical reader in during a most recent frame capture period.

An optical reader comprising:na two-dimensional image sensor including pixels;a lens assembly;an aiming and illumination system comprising at least one aiming light source and at least one illumination light source, wherein said reader is configured so that actuation of said at least one aiming light source projects an aiming pattern, and further so that actuation of said at least one illumination light source projects an illumination pattern, wherein said aiming pattern and said illumination pattern at least partially overlap;a control circuit in communication with said two dimensional image sensor and said illumination system, said control circuit configured to operate in linear decode mode in which, during a frame exposure period, said aiming and illumination system projects said aiming pattern without projecting said illumination pattern.

A portable bar code reading apparatus comprising:na two-dimensional image sensor including pixels;a lens assembly;at least one aiming light source;at least one illumination light source;wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured so that when said at least one aiming light source is turned ON said portable bar code reading apparatus projects an aiming pattern, and further so that when said at least one illumination light source is turned ON said portable bar code reading apparatus projects an illumination pattern;wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured to operate in an operating mode in which, during a succession of frame exposure periods, said portable bar code reading apparatus projects said aiming pattern without projecting said illumination pattern, wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured so that said portable bar code reading apparatus, when operating in said operating mode, utilizes image data corresponding to image signals affected by light from said at least one aiming light source for attempting to decode a bar code symbol.

A portable bar code reading apparatus comprising:na two-dimensional image sensor including pixels;a lens assembly;a first pattern light source for use in projecting a first light pattern over a first area;a second pattern light source for use in projecting a second light pattern over a second area, the second area being smaller than the first area;wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured so that when said first pattern light source is turned ON said portable bar code reading apparatus projects said first light pattern, and further so that when said second pattern light source is turned ON said bar code reading apparatus projects said second light pattern;wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured to operate in an operating mode in which, during a succession of frame exposure periods, said bar code reading apparatus projects said second light pattern without projecting said first light pattern, wherein said portable bar code reading apparatus is configured so that said portable bar code reading apparatus, when operating in said operating mode, utilizes image data corresponding to image signals affected by light from said second pattern light source for attempting to decode a bar code symbol.