Patent ID: 7490778
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A method of reading code symbols using a hand-supportable digital image capturing and processing device, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an imaging-based bar code symbol reader having a hand-supportable housing containing a micro-computing platform having a microprocessor, a memory architecture, and a three-tier modular software architecture characterized by an Operating System (OS) layer, a System CORE (SCORE) layer, and an application layer, wherein said OS layer includes one or more software modules selected from the group consisting of an OS kernel module, an OS file system module, and device driver modules; wherein said SCORE layer includes one or more of software modules selected from the group consisting of a tasks manager module, an events dispatcher module, an input/output manager module, a user commands Manager module, the Timer Subsystem module, an Input/Output Subsystem module and an Memory Control Subsystem module; and wherein said application layer includes one or more software modules selected from the group consisting of a code symbol decoding module, a function programming module, an application events manager module, a user commands table module, and a command handler module, (b) prior to reading one or more code symbols on an object, said microprocessor rapidly initializing said micro-computing platform by (1) accessing one or more software modules in said OS layer and executing code contained in the software modules in said OS layer, (2) accessing one or more software modules in said SCORE layer and executing code contained in the software modules in said SCORE layer; and (3) accessing one or more software modules in said application layer and executing contained in the software modules in said application layer; (c) positioning said imaging-based bar code symbol reader in proximity to the object so that the object is within a field of view (FOV) of image formation optics associated with an image formation and detection subsystem disposed in said hand-supportable housing and having an area-type image sensing array for detecting imaged light reflected off the object during illumination operations when rows of sensor elements in said area-type image sensing array are enabled so as to detect a 2D digital image of the object formed on said area-type image sensing array; (d) after said micro-computing platform has been initiated, generating a triggering event so as to cause rows of sensor elements in said area-type image sensing array to become ready for integration of light imaged on said area-type image sensing array; (e) when rows of sensor elements in said area-type image sensing array are ready for integration of light imaged on said area-type image sensing array, (1) automatically producing a field of illumination within said FOV, from an illumination subsystem having an illumination array disposed in said hand-supportable housing, and illuminating the object within said FOV, and (2) automatically detecting a 2D digital image of the illuminated object formed on said area-type image sensing array while said object is being illuminated by said field of illumination; (g) automatically capturing and buffering the detected 2D digital image of the object using an image capturing and buffering subsystem disposed in said hand-supportable housing; (h) processing the captured and buffered 2D digital image using an image-processing subsystem disposed in said hand-supportable housing, and producing processed image data; (i) outputting processed image data to an external host system or other information receiving or responding device, using an input/output subsystem disposed in said hand-supportable housing; and (j) using a system control subsystem disposed in said hand-supportable housing, for controlling and/or coordinating the operation of the subsystem components described during steps (a) through (i).