Decodable indicia reading terminal with combined illumination

Abstract

A decodable indicia reading terminal can comprise a laser-based scanner, an imager-based scanner, a central processing unit (CPU), and an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly can include an indicator light bar and an illumination light bar. The ON/OFF state and color of the indicator light bar can reflect the state of the decodable indicia reading terminal. The illumination light bar can be configured to generate a high intensity illumination for illuminating the substrate bearing the decodable indicia. The wavelength of the light generated by the indicator light bar can be substantially equal to the wavelength of the light generated by the illumination light bar, and the light generated by the illumination light bar can have a very low perceived intensity.

1 . A decodable indicia reading terminal comprising:
 an illumination assembly comprising:
 an indicator light bar configured to emit first light having a first wavelength; and 
 an illumination light bar configured to generate illumination for illuminating a surface bearing an indicia by emitting second light having a second wavelength; 
   a central processing unit (CPU) configured to decode the indicia; and   optics for diffusing the first light;   wherein the first wavelength is substantially equal to the second wavelength; and   wherein the indicator light bar is located spatially close to the illumination light bar such that the indicator light bar camouflages the illumination light bar.   
     
     
         2 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , comprising a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal. 
     
     
         3 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , comprising an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal. 
     
     
         4 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia through a horizontal window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal; and   an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal.   
     
     
         5 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia through a horizontal window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal;   a first imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal; and   a second imager-based scanner for generating a third signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the third signal.   
     
     
         6 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the decodable indicia reading terminal is configured so that the indicator light bar is capable of being in an on state while the illumination bar is in an off state; and   the indicator light bar changes the color emitted and/or its state responsive to scanning indicia.   
     
     
         7 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 1 , comprising a horizontal surface that is textured to diffuse the first light and the second light. 
     
     
         8 . A decodable indicia reading terminal comprising:
 a light bar housing;   an illumination assembly comprising:
 an indicator light bar within the light bar housing configured to emit first light having a first wavelength; and 
 an illumination light bar within the light bar housing configured to generate illumination for illuminating a surface bearing an indicia by emitting second light having a second wavelength; 
   a central processing unit (CPU) configured to decode the indicia; and   optics for diffusing the first light;   wherein the first wavelength is substantially equal to the second wavelength; and   wherein the indicator light bar is located spatially close to the illumination light bar such that the indicator light bar camouflages the illumination light bar.   
     
     
         9 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , comprising a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal. 
     
     
         10 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , comprising an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal. 
     
     
         11 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , comprising:
 a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia through a horizontal window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal; and   an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal.   
     
     
         12 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , comprising:
 a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia through a horizontal window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal;   a first imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal; and   a second imager-based scanner for generating a third signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the third signal.   
     
     
         13 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the decodable indicia reading terminal is configured so that the indicator light bar is capable of being in an on state while the illumination bar is in an off state; and   the indicator light bar changes the color emitted and/or its state responsive to scanning indicia.   
     
     
         14 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 8 , comprising a horizontal surface that is textured to diffuse the first light and the second light. 
     
     
         15 . A decodable indicia reading terminal comprising:
 an illumination assembly comprising:
 an indicator light bar configured to emit first light having a first wavelength; and 
 an illumination light bar configured to generate illumination for illuminating a surface bearing an indicia by emitting second light having a second wavelength; 
   a central processing unit (CPU) configured to decode the indicia; and   optics for diffusing the first light;   wherein the first wavelength is substantially equal to the second wavelength;   wherein the indicator light bar is located spatially close to the illumination light bar such that the indicator light bar camouflages the illumination light bar; and   wherein the indicator light bar is responsive to a scanning of decodable indicia.   
     
     
         16 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 15 , comprising an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal. 
     
     
         17 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 15 , comprising:
 a laser-based scanner for generating a first signal representative of light reflected from the indicia through a horizontal window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the first signal; and   an imager-based scanner for generating a second signal representative of an image of the indicia captured through a vertical window, wherein the CPU is configured to decode the indicia based on the second signal.   
     
     
         18 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the decodable indicia reading terminal is configured so that the indicator light bar is capable of being in an on state while the illumination bar is in an off state; and   the indicator light bar changes the color emitted and/or its state responsive to scanning indicia.   
     
     
         19 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 15 , comprising a horizontal surface that is textured to diffuse the first light and the second light. 
     
     
         20 . The decodable indicia reading terminal of  claim 15 , wherein the illumination light bar is activated using illumination pulses with an illumination pulse being active during an integration time of the imager-based scanner.