Image reader having image sensor array

A bar code reading device for minimizing ambient light image degradation, the bar code reading device comprising:nan integrated circuit including at least an image sensor array, the image sensor array providing a signal suitable for light intensity determination;a hand held housing encapsulating said image sensor array;a rolling shutter control module configured to sequentially expose a plurality of lines of pixels in the image sensor array;a global electronic shutter control module configured to simultaneously expose the plurality of lines of pixels in the image sensor array,a bar code processing module configured to identify the presence of a bar code symbol represented in collected image data;wherein said bar code reading device is programmable to operate in a mode in which said bar code reading device selects one of the rolling shutter control module and the global electronic shutter control module in response to the signal suitable for light intensity determination.

A method for operating a portable bar code reading device, the method comprising:ndetermining at least one parameter related to an ambient light intensity;analyzing the at least one parameter;switching control of an image sensor array in the portable bar code reading device from a global electronic shutter control module to a rolling shutter control module in response to the analysis of the at least one parameter;collecting image data while said image sensor array is being controlled by said rolling shutter control module; andtransferring collected image data collected while said image sensor array is controlled by said rolling shutter control module to a bar code decode module.

A bar code reading device for reading a bar code disposed on a target, said bar code reading device comprising:nan integrated circuit including an image sensor array, said image sensor array having a plurality of rows of pixels;a memory;a hand held housing encapsulating said image sensor array;an imaging lens capable of directing light reflected from a target onto said image sensor array, wherein said imaging lens is capable of first and second focus settings, wherein said bar code reading device when said imaging lens is at a first focus setting has a first best focus distance, and wherein said bar code reading device when said imaging lens is at said second focus setting has a second best focus distance;a trigger for initiating reading of said bar code;wherein said bar code reading device is adapted so that subsequently to said trigger being depressed, said bar code reading device is operative for determining a read attempt focus setting of said imaging lens;wherein responsively to said determining, said bar code reading device captures a frame of image data representing light incident on said image sensor array when said focus setting is at said read attempt focus setting;wherein further responsively to said determining, said bar code reading device attempts to decode said bar code utilizing said frame of image data representing light incident on said image sensor array when said focus setting is at said read attempt focus setting;wherein said bar code reading device is operative to output decoded data from data responsively to a successful decoding of the bar code;wherein said bar code reading device is operative to one of store into said memory or transmit from said bar code reading device said frame of image data responsively to a determination that said frame of image data does not include a representation of a bar code.