Patent ID: 6860428
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. An optical symbology imager, comprising: a multiple line charge coupled device (CCD) having an active area; a focusing apparatus comprising a focusing disk with multiple optical positions to provide different focal lengths, said disk being rotatable so that each of said multiple optical positions can move into an optical path of said imager; a microprocessor for controlling said focusing apparatus and operation of said CCD, so that said CCD performs image capture producing image data for each of said multiple optical positions; said microprocessor controlling said CCD to shift out said image data substantially serially; said microprocessor evaluating transitions between light and dark data in a central set of multiple lines to produce a representative value for each of said multiple optical positions, wherein a largest representative value corresponds to one of said optical positions producing optimum focus; and wherein said CCD disposes of a first set of multiple lines without reading and digitizing said first set of multiple lines at a first rate of speed during focusing, and then samples a second subsequent set of multiple lines from said central set of scan lines at a second rate of speed less than said first rate of speed during focusing.