Patent Publication Number: US-8978983-B2

Title: Indicia reading apparatus having sequential row exposure termination times

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to optical based registers, and particularly is related to an image sensor based indicia reading apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Indicia reading apparatus for reading decodable indicia are available in multiple varieties. For example, minimally featured indicia reading apparatus devoid of a keyboard and display are common in point of sale applications. Indicia reading apparatus devoid of a keyboard and display are available in the recognizable gun style form factor having a handle and trigger button (trigger) that can be actuated by an index finger. Indicia reading apparatus having keyboards and displays are also available. Keyboards and display equipped indicia reading apparatus are commonly used in shipping and warehouse applications, and are available in form factors incorporating a display and keyboard. In a keyboard and display equipped indicia reading apparatus, a trigger button for actuating the output of decoded messages is typically provided in such locations as to enable actuation by a thumb of an operator. Indicia reading apparatus in a form devoid of a keyboard and display or in a keyboard and display equipped form are commonly used in a variety of data collection applications including point of sale applications, shipping applications, warehousing applications, security check point applications, and patient care applications. 
     Some indicia reading apparatus are adapted to read bar code symbols including one or more of one dimensional (1D) bar codes, stacked 1D bar codes, and two dimensional (2D) bar codes. Other indicia reading apparatus are adapted to read OCR characters while still other indicia reading apparatus are equipped to read both bar code symbols and OCR characters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination pattern assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features described herein can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. 
         FIG. 1  is a block design illustrating an exemplary imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a physical form view illustrating an exemplary imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a timing diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a timing diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary imaging apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus  1000  having an image sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor array can include a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row exposure periods have common exposure initiation times and sequential exposure termination times. An indicia reading apparatus can be controlled so that a light source bank of an illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is energized during an illumination period that overlaps a frame exposure period. The apparatus can be further controlled so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure termination time of the certain row. 
     Configured or described, the apparatus allows for use of a low cost high resolution image sensor integrated circuit and operative with significantly increased motion tolerance, resulting in improved image quality of captured frames of image data substantially free of motion blur. 
     An exemplary hardware platform for support of operations described herein with reference to an image sensor based indicia reading apparatus is shown and described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     Indicia reading apparatus  1000  can include an image sensor  1032  comprising a multiple pixel image sensor array  1033  having pixels arranged in rows and columns of pixels, associated column circuitry  1034  and row circuitry  1035 . Associated with the image sensor  1032 , can be amplifier circuitry  1036  and an analog to digital converter  1037 . Analog to digital converter  1037  converts image information in the form of analog signals read out of image sensor array  1033  into image information in the form of digital signals. Image sensor  1032  can also have an associated timing and control circuit  1038  for use in controlling, for e.g., the exposure period of image sensor  1032 , gain applied to the amplifier  1036 . The noted circuit components  1032 ,  1036 ,  1037 , and  1038  can be packaged into a common image sensor integrated circuit  1040 . In one example, image sensor integrated circuit  1040  can be provided by an Aptina MT9P031 image sensor integrated circuit available from Aptina Imaging Corporation of San Jose, Calif. The noted image sensor integrated circuit from Aptina includes a global reset release function which when activated results in an exposure period for a plurality of rows being initiated at a common time with the exposure period termination times for the plurality of rows being sequential. Image sensor integrated circuit  1040  can incorporate a Bayer pattern filter. In such an embodiment, CPU  1060  prior to subjecting a frame to further processing can interpolate pixel values intermediate of a certain channel of pixel values, (e.g., red, green, or blue) pixel values at pixel positions of the single channel (e.g., red, green, blue) for development of a monochrome frame of image data. 
     In the course of operation of apparatus  1000 , image signals can be read out of image sensor  1032 , converted and stored into a system memory such as RAM  1080 . A memory  1085  of apparatus  1000  can include RAM  1080 , a nonvolatile memory such as EPROM  1082  and a storage memory device  1084  such as may be provided by a flash memory or a hard drive memory. In one embodiment, apparatus  1000  can include CPU  1060  which can be adapted to read out image data stored in memory  1080  and subject such image data to various image processing algorithms. Apparatus  1000  can include a direct memory access (DMA) unit  1070  for routing image information read out from image sensor  1032  that has been subject to conversion to RAM  1080 . In another embodiment, apparatus  1000  can employ a system bus providing for bus arbitration mechanism (e.g., a PCI bus) thus eliminating the need for a central DMA controller. A skilled artisan would appreciate that other embodiments of the system bus architecture and/or direct memory access components providing for efficient data transfer between the image sensor  1032  and RAM  1080  are within the scope and the spirit of the invention. 
     Referring to further aspects of apparatus  1000 , lens assembly  200  can be adapted for focusing an image of a decodable indicia  15  located within a field of view  1240  on a substrate  1250  onto image sensor array  1033 . Imaging light rays can be transmitted about imaging axis  25 . Lens assembly  200  can be adapted to be capable of multiple focal lengths and multiple best focus distances. A combination of image sensor array  1033  and imaging lens assembly  200  can be regarded as an imaging assembly  1100 . 
     Apparatus  1000  can also include an illumination pattern light source bank  1204  and associated light shaping optics  1205  for generating an illumination pattern  1260  substantially corresponding to a field of view  1240  of apparatus  1000 . The combination of bank  1204  and optics  1205  can be regarded as an illumination assembly  1206  for projection of an illumination pattern  1260 . Light source bank  1204  can be energized for projection of illumination pattern  1260 . Apparatus  1000  can also include an aiming pattern light source bank  1208  and associated light shaping optics  1209  for generating an aiming pattern  1270  on substrate  1250 . The combination of bank  1208  and optics  1209  can be regarded as an aiming assembly  1210  for projection of an aiming pattern  1270 . In use, apparatus  1000  can be oriented by an operator with respect to a substrate  1250  bearing decodable indicia  15  in such manner that aiming pattern  1270  is projected on a decodable indicia  15 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , decodable indicia  15  is provided by a 1D bar code symbol. Decodable indicia  15  could also be provided by a 2D bar code symbol or optical character recognition (OCR) characters. Each of illumination pattern light source bank  1204  and aiming pattern light source bank  1208  can include one or more light sources. In one embodiment, apparatus  1000  can be adapted so that illumination assembly  1206  can project light in a narrow wavelength band, e.g., a set of wavelengths in the red band (or green band, or blue band), and further so that apparatus  1000  includes a wavelength selective optical filter  2110  that filters light outside of the narrow wavelength band. Optical filter  2110  can be disposed in the optical receive path about above imaging axis  25 . 
     Lens assembly  200  can be controlled with use of electrical power input unit  55  which provides energy for changing a plane of optimal focus of lens assembly  200 . In one embodiment, an electrical power input unit  55  can operate as a controlled voltage source, and in another embodiment, as a controlled current source. Illumination pattern light source bank  1204  can be controlled with use of illumination pattern light source control circuit  1220 . Aiming pattern light source bank  1208  can be controlled with use of aiming pattern light source bank control circuit  1222 . Illumination pattern light source bank  1204  can comprise one or more light source. Aiming pattern light source bank  1208  can comprise one or more light source. The one or more light source of light source bank  1204  and/or light source bank  1208  can be provided by, e.g., one or more light emitting diode, LED. 
     Electrical power input unit  55  can apply signals for changing optical characteristics of lens assembly  200 , e.g., for changing a focal length and/or a best focus distance of (a plane of optimum focus of) lens assembly  200 . Illumination pattern light source bank control circuit  1220  can send signals to illumination pattern light source bank  1204 , e.g., for changing a level of illumination output by illumination pattern light source bank  1204 . Aiming pattern light source bank control circuit  1222  can send signals to aiming pattern light source bank  1208 , e.g., for changing a level of illumination output by aiming pattern light source bank  1208 . 
     Apparatus  1000  can also include a number of peripheral devices including trigger  1120  which may be used to make active a trigger signal for activating frame readout and/or certain decoding processes. Apparatus  1000  can be adapted so that activation of trigger  1120  activates a trigger signal and initiates a decode attempt. Specifically, apparatus  1000  can be operative so that in response to activation of a trigger signal, a succession of frames can be read out and captured by way of read out of image signals from image sensor array  1033  (typically in the form of analog image signals) and then storage of image signals (in the form of digital image signals) after conversion into memory  1080  (which can buffer one or more of the succession of frames at a given time). 
     CPU  1060  can be operative to subject one or more of the succession of frames to a decode attempt. For attempting to decode a bar code symbol, CPU  1060  can process image data of a frame corresponding to a line of pixel positions (e.g., a row, a column, or a diagonal set of pixel positions) to determine a spatial pattern of dark and light cells and can convert each light and dark cell pattern determined into a character or character string via table lookup. 
     Apparatus  1000  can include various interface circuits for coupling various of the peripheral devices to system address/data bus (system bus)  1500 , for communication with CPU  1060  also coupled to system bus  1500 . Apparatus  1000  can include interface circuit  1028  for coupling image sensor timing and control circuit  1038  to system bus  1500 , interface circuit  1118  for coupling electrical power input unit  55  to system bus  1500 , interface circuit  1218  for coupling illumination light source bank control circuit  1220  to system bus  1500 , interface circuit  1224  for coupling aiming light source bank control circuit  1222  to system bus  1500 , and interface circuit  1119  for coupling trigger  1120  to system bus  1500 . Apparatus  1000  can also include a display  1122  coupled to system bus  1500  and in communication with CPU  1060 , via interface  1121 , as well as pointer mechanism  1124  in communication with CPU  1060  via interface  1123  connected to system bus  1500 . Apparatus  1000  can also include keyboard  1126  in communication with CPU  1060  via interface  1125  connected to system bus  1500 . Apparatus  1000  can also include range detector  1128  in communication with CPU  1060  via interface  1127  connected to system bus  1500 . Range detector  1128  can be e.g., an ultrasonic range detector. Apparatus  1000  can also include a communication interface  1050  coupled to system bus  1500  and in communication with CPU  1060 . Interface  1050  can be e.g., an Ethernet USB or IEEE 802.11 interface. Apparatus  1000  can be in TCP/IP communication with one or more external processor equipped apparatus. 
     Apparatus  1000  can capture frames of image data at a rate known as a frame rate. A typical frame rate is 60 frames per second (FPS) which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 16.6 ms. Another typical frame rate is 30 frames per second (FPS) which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 33.3 ms per frame. 
     A physical form view of apparatus  1000  in one embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2 . Trigger  1120 , display  1122 , pointer mechanism  1124 , and keyboard  1126  can be disposed on a common side of a hand held housing  1014  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Display  1122  and trigger  1120  and pointer mechanism  1124  in combination can be regarded as a user interface of apparatus  1000 . Display  1122  in one embodiment can incorporate a touch panel for navigation and virtual actuator selection a virtual trigger display in which case a user interface of apparatus  1000  can be provided by display  1122 . A user interface of apparatus  1000  can also be provided by configuring apparatus  1000  to be operative to be reprogrammed by decoding of programming bar code symbols. A hand held housing  1014  for apparatus  1000  can in another embodiment be devoid of a display and can be in a gun style form factor. Imaging assembly  1100 , illumination assembly  1206  and aiming assembly  1210  can be disposed in hand held housing  1014 . 
     In one embodiment, there are a succession of frames exposed, read out, stored into memory  1080  and subject to processing by CPU  1060  during a time that trigger signal  5504  is active. The processing of each frame can include a decode attempt as described herein. As explained, a trigger signal  5504  can be made active by depression of trigger  1120  and can be de-activated by release of trigger  1120  or a successful decode or expiration of a timeout. A timing diagram illustrating operation of imaging apparatus  1000  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to the timing diagram of  FIG. 3 , signal  5504  is a trigger signal which can be made active by actuation of trigger  1120 , and which can be deactivated by releasing of trigger  1120 . A trigger signal may also become inactive after a time out period or after a successful decode of a decodable indicia. Signal  5510  is a frame exposure signal. Logic high periods of signal  5510  define frame exposure periods  5320 ,  5322 ,  5324 . Signal  5512  is a read out signal. Logic high periods of signal  5512  define read out periods  5420 ,  5422 , and  5424 . Processing periods  5520 ,  5522 , and  5524  can represent processing periods during which time CPU  1060  of apparatus  1000  processes stored (e.g., buffered) frames representing a substrate that can bear decodable indicia. Such processing can include processing for attempting to decode a decodable indicia as described herein. 
     With further reference to the timing diagram of  FIG. 3 , an operator at time, t 0 , can activate trigger signal  5504  (e.g., by depression of trigger  1120 ). In response to trigger signal  5504  being activated, apparatus  1000  can expose a succession of frames. During each frame exposure period  5320 ,  5322 ,  5324 ,  5326  a frame of image data can be exposed. 
     Referring further to the timing diagram of  FIG. 3 , signal  5508  is a light pattern control signal. Logic high periods of signal  5508 , namely periods  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224 ,  5226  define “on” periods for projected illumination pattern  1260 . A light source bank  1204  of illumination assembly  1206  can be energized to project illumination pattern  1260  during illumination periods  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224  that overlap frame exposure periods  5320 ,  5322 ,  5324  so that at least a portion of an illumination period occurs during an associated frame exposure period and further that a portion of a frame exposure period occurs during an associated illumination period. Regarding illumination period  5220 , illumination period  5220  commences at a time in common with commencement of frame exposure period  5320  and terminates at or prior to a termination time of a row exposure period for a certain row of pixels (certain row) of array  1033 . The certain row of pixels can be a first row of pixels of array  1033 . The certain row of pixels can be a first row of pixels of array  1033  subject to readout. Regarding illumination period  5222 , illumination period  5222  commences prior to frame exposure period  5322  and terminates at or prior to a time of termination of a row exposure period of a certain row of array  1033 . Regarding illumination period  5224 , illumination period  5224  commences after an exposure commencement time of frame exposure period  5324  and terminates at a time at or prior to a termination time of a row exposure period for a certain row of array  1033 . At time t 1 , trigger signal  5504  can be deactivated e.g., responsively to a successful decode, a timeout condition being satisfied, or a release of trigger  1120 . Regarding illumination periods  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224 , the illustrated on times in one embodiment can be “continuously on” on times. The illustrated on times in another embodiment can be strobed on times wherein light source bank  1204  is turned on and off rapidly during an illumination period. Light source bank  1204  for a duration of an illumination period, e.g., period  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224  can be energized on and off at a strobing rate. In one embodiment, a strobing rate can be established so that there are two or more cycles per illumination period, which in one embodiment is less than or equal to 10.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 8.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 5.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 4.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 3.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 2.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 1.0 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 0.5 Hz. In another embodiment less than or equal to 0.10 Hz. In one example a strobing rate is greater than 1.0 Hz e.g., 2.0 Hz. In one example a strobing rate is between 2.0 Hz and 4.0 KHz, e.g., 30.0 Hz. In one example a strobing rate is greater than or equal to 4.0 KHz, e.g., 4.0 Hz to 1000 KHz or more, e.g., to 10 MHz or more. In one specific embodiment, the strobing rate is between 20 KHz and 40 KHz. In one embodiment the strobing rate is 30 KHz. 
     Further description of a frame exposure period is set forth with reference to the timing diagram of  FIG. 4 . The frame exposure period labeled with three reference numerals  5320 ,  5322 ,  5324  indicated in  FIG. 4  can be in accordance with any one of frame exposure periods  5320 ,  5322 ,  5324  and can have an associated illumination period as described in connection with any of frame exposure period  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224  as referenced in the timing diagram of  FIG. 3 . Exposure of each row of image sensor array  1033  can commence at a common initiation time E i  and each row of image sensor array  1033  can have a different exposure termination time. In the example as shown in  FIG. 4  each row of image sensor array  1033  can have an exposure termination time that is sequential to the exposure termination time of the preceding row. For example, row  1  of array  1033  can have an exposure termination time at time Et 1 , row  2  can have and exposure termination time at time Et 2  after time Et 1  and row  3  of array  1033  can have an exposure termination time at time Et 3  after time Et 2 . In the timing diagram of  FIG. 4  timelines labeled Row  1 , Row  2 , and Row  3  illustrate row exposure periods for the first three rows of an M column and N row (M×N) image sensor array, timelines labeled Row J, Row J+1, Row J+2 illustrate row exposure periods for middle rows Row J, Row J+1, Row J+2 of image sensor array  1033  and timelines labeled Row N−2, Row N−1, and Row N illustrate row exposure periods for the last three rows, Row N−2, Row N−1, Row N of image sensor array  1033 , having an M+N array of pixels. 
     In connection with  FIG. 3  it was described that an illumination period start time can be before (period  5222 ) at (period  5220 ) or after (period  5224 ) a frame exposure start time. In connection with the timing diagram of  FIG. 3  in reference to signal  5508  it was described that a termination time of illumination period e.g., illumination period  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224  can be at various times within a frame exposure period e.g., period  5220 ,  5222 ,  5224 . In connection with the timing diagram of  FIG. 4 , there is shown signal  5508  having on and off (energization and de-energization times) that define an illumination period. The illumination period is shown as having a certain start time and termination time (solid lines). However, it is described that the start time and termination time can be varied as indicated by the dashed lines shown in association with signal  5508 . Regarding exemplary illumination period termination time I 1 , illumination period termination time I 1  illustrates that an illumination period can terminate prior to a time that a row exposure period for first row, Row  1  ends. Regarding exemplary illumination period termination time I 2 , illumination period termination time I 2  illustrates that an illumination period can terminate at a time in common with a time that a row exposure period for row  1 . Regarding exemplary illumination period termination time I 3 , illumination period termination time I 3  illustrates that an illumination period can terminate at time after time I 2 . It can be useful to control apparatus  1000  so that an illuminaton period terminates at time I 3  where a first row of image sensor array  1033  subject to readout is not Row  1 , but a row of array  1033  after Row  1 . For example, if a frame subject to readout is a windowed frame and a first row of image sensor array  1033  subject to readout is Row J it can be useful to terminate illumination period at time I 3 , a time at or before an exposure period termination time for Row J. Regarding exemplary illumination start time I A , exemplary illumination start time I A  indicates that an illumination period can commence subsequent to a commencement of a frame exposure period. Regarding exemplary illumination start time I B , exemplary illumination start time I B  indicates that an illumination period can commence at a time in common with a frame exposure commencement time. Regarding exemplary illumination start time I C , exemplary illumination start time I C  illustrates that an illumination period can commence prior to commencement of a frame exposure period. 
     By controlling an illumination period so that an illumination period terminates at or prior to an exposure period termination time for a first row of image sensor array  1033  subject to readout of a frame having image data representing light incident on array  1033  during a frame exposure period, a quality of a captured frame of image data can be improved. For example, image blurring problems caused by movement between an apparatus  1000  and a target  1250  during frame exposure can be reduced to improve a motion tolerance of apparatus  1000 . 
     A quality of a captured frame can be improved further by adapting apparatus  1000  to filter out light of a certain wavelength band. In one embodiment, as set forth in connection with  FIG. 1 , apparatus  1000  can be adapted so that illumination assembly  1206  projects light forming illumination pattern  1260  in a certain narrow wavelength band and further so that apparatus  1000  includes an optical filter  210  in a receive optical path that filters light outside of the certain narrow wavelength band. In such manner, an amount of light incident on image sensor array  1033  originating external to illumination assembly  1206  (i.e., ambient light) is reduced resulting in a reduction of motion blur artifacts attributed to sequential exposure period termination times. 
     For further reduction of a ratio of ambient light to light emitted by illumination assembly  1206 , and further reduction of motion artifacts, an amplitude of light emitted by illumination assembly  1206  can be increased. In one embodiment, illumination light source bank control circuit  1220  is a “flash” circuit configured to overdrive the one or more light source of bank  1204  above their maximum continuous operation rating. Illumination light source bank control circuit  1220  can include a boost capacitor that stores energy for quick discharge to energize the one or more light source of light source bank  1204 . In one embodiment, the light source(s) of light source bank  1204  can be overdriven to 200% or more of their maximum continuous current rating; in another embodiment, 300% or more; in another embodiment 400% or more; in another embodiment 1000% or more. In one embodiment, light source bank  1204  comprises one or more LED. 
     For further reduction of a ratio of ambient light to light emitted by illumination assembly  1206 , and corresponding reduction of motion artifacts imaging lens assembly  2000  can be provided to include an F# of greater than a certain value. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 5.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 6.0. In one embodiment the F# is greater than or equal to 7.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 8.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 9.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 10.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 15.0. In one embodiment, the F# is greater than or equal to 20.0. 
     A small sample of systems, methods and apparatus that are described herein is as follows:
     A1. An imaging apparatus comprising:   

     an imaging assembly having an image sensor array and a lens assembly for focusing an image onto the image sensor array, the image sensor array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and pixels, the imaging assembly defining a field of view; 
     an illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern during an illumination period, wherein at least a portion of the illumination pattern is projected in an area within the field of view; 
     wherein pixels of the image sensor array are exposed during a frame exposure period in which a certain subsequent and further subsequent row of pixels of the image sensor array have common row exposure initiation times and respectively sequential exposure termination times; 
     wherein the imaging apparatus is operative to process for attempting to decode decodable indicia image data representative of light incident on the image sensor array during the frame exposure period; 
     wherein the illumination period and the frame exposure period are coordinated so that at least a portion of the illumination period occurs during the frame exposure period and further so that the illumination period ends at a time in common with or earlier than an exposure termination time of the certain row.
     A2. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein light forming the illumination pattern is light within a certain narrow wavelength band and wherein the apparatus includes a wavelength selective filter filtering light outside of the certain narrow wavelength band.   A3. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein light forming the illumination pattern is light within a certain narrow wavelength band and wherein the apparatus includes a wavelength selective filter filtering light outside of the certain narrow wavelength band, and wherein the lens assembly includes an F# greater than or equal to 5.0.   A4. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the certain row is the first row of the image sensor array.   A5. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the certain row is a first row of the image sensor array subject to readout for capture of a frame of image data representing light incident on the image sensor array during the frame exposure period.   A6. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the certain row and the subsequent row are successive rows.   A7. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a hand held housing in which the image sensor array is disposed.   A8. The imaging apparatus of claim A6, wherein the certain row is the first row of the image sensor array subject to readout of a frame of image data representing light incident on the image sensor array during the frame exposure period.   A9. The imaging apparatus of claim A7, wherein the illumination period and the frame exposure period are coordinated so that the illumination period ends at a time in common with the exposure termination time of the certain row.   A10. The imaging apparatus of claim A7, wherein the illumination period and the frame exposure period are coordinated so that the illumination period ends at a time earlier than an exposure termination time of the certain row.   A11. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination period and the frame exposure period are coordinated so that the illumination period ends at a time in common with the exposure termination time of the certain row.   A12. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination period and the frame exposure period are coordinated so that the illumination period ends at a time earlier than an exposure termination time of the certain row.   A13. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination period commences prior to the common exposure initiation time of the certain subsequent and further subsequent rows of the image sensor array.   A14. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination period commences at a time in common with the common exposure initiation time of the certain subsequent and further subsequent rows of the image sensor array.   A15. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination period commences subsequent to the common exposure initiation time of the certain subsequent and further subsequent rows of the image sensor array.   A16. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the illumination assembly is controlled to strobe light forming the illumination pattern during the illumination period.   A17. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the lens assembly includes an F# greater than or equal to 5.0.   A18. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the lens assembly includes an F# greater than or equal to 9.0.   A19. The imaging apparatus of claim A1, wherein the apparatus overdrives a light source of the illumination assembly during the illumination period.   A20. The imaging apparatus of claim A3, wherein the apparatus overdrives a light source of the illumination assembly during the illumination period.   

     While the present invention has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the true spirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respect to claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further, while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses and methods are described as having a certain number of elements it will be understood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practiced with fewer than or greater than the mentioned certain number of elements. Also, while a number of particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that features and aspects that have been described with reference to each particular embodiment can be used with each remaining particularly described embodiment.