Patent ID: 7227117

Claim:
An imager that processes indicia comprising: a two-dimensional array of sensors capable of collecting data corresponding to an amount of light collected by the sensors during an exposure time to produce an image of a target surface at which the scanner is aimed and wherein the two-dimensional array of sensors is capable of outputting array segment data corresponding to a segment of the two-dimensional array of sensors, the segment corresponding to a set of adjacent rows of sensors located about a center of the array of sensors, the set of adjacent rows of sensors comprising not more than 10% of a total number of rows of sensors of the array, and enlarged array data corresponding to data from a predetermined increased number of the sensors in the array; a decoder that inputs the array segment data during a data input period that is shorter than a period of time required to input the enlarged array data and wherein the decoder determines a modified exposure time based on an exposure quality of the array segment data; an exposure quality controller that controls a subsequent collection of light data to occur during a modified exposure time duration; and wherein the decoder selectively sends control signals to the array to cause it to output the enlarged array data for subsequent indicia processing.