Patent ID: 8899484

Claim:
An image capture system for reading an optical code during a reading mode, comprising: an aiming assembly including a laser operative to emit a laser beam having a variable intensity, and operative to generate an aiming pattern from the laser beam during an aiming mode prior to the reading mode; an imager operative to detect and capture an image of the aiming pattern and the code over a field of view by exposure over an exposure time period during the aiming mode, and operative to detect and capture an image of the code over the field of view during the reading mode; and a controller operative to control the intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode by having an increased intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period of the aiming mode to enhance detection and capture of the aiming pattern by the imager, and by having a decreased average intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode while outside the exposure time period of the aiming mode for user safety, wherein the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period of the aiming mode is higher than the average intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode while outside the exposure time period of the aiming mode with said average intensity of the laser beam being larger than zero, and the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period of the aiming mode is higher than the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period of the reading mode.