Patent ID: 8292183

Claim:
A bar code reading terminal comprising: an image sensor having a plurality of pixels; a multiple setting imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of target bar code onto an active surface of said image sensor, the multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements; a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed within said hand held housing; at least one hollow stepper motor for moving at least one lens element of said multiple setting imaging lens assembly; and wherein said terminal is further adapted so that said terminal in an active reading state subjects each of a first and subsequent frame of image data to a decode attempt for attempting to decode said target bar code; wherein said imaging lens assembly includes at least first, second, and third lens settings, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said first lens setting has a first best focus distance and a first focal length, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said second lens setting has a second best focus distance different from said first best focus distance and a focal length constant relative to said first focal length, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said third lens setting has a third best focus distance different from either of said first or second best focus distance and a focal length different from said first focal length, and wherein said terminal is adapted so that in an active reading state said terminal automatically cycles a lens setting of said multiple setting imaging lens assembly between said first, second, and third lens settings.