Patent ID: 8381985
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: G02B,G03B,G06F,G06K,G06Q,H04L,H04M,H04N

Abstract:
1. A camera for processing a bar code image, comprising: an optical sensor to sense an optical image as a rectangular array of pixels; a storage element coupled to the optical sensor to store the image as values for the rectangular array of pixels; a processor coupled to the storage element to analyze the stored image; and an optical lens system coupled to the optical sensor having a first position and a second position for at least one optical component in the optical lens system, the optical lens system including a primary lens to focus a distant object on the optical sensor, the at least one optical component including a movable auxiliary lens; wherein the moveable auxiliary lens permits the camera to focus on the distant object when the auxiliary lens is in the first position and permits the camera to focus on a bar code at a close distance when the auxiliary lens is in the second position, the auxiliary lens being in an optical path of the primary lens in the second position and not in the optical path of the primary lens in the first position; wherein the first position permits the optical lens system to focus on the distant object and the second position permits the optical lens system to focus on the bar code at the close distance from the camera; wherein the moveable auxiliary lens is physically stable in the first and second positions and physically unstable between the first and second positions.