BACKGROUND

Handheld imagers (e.g., barcode imagers) can be used to capture images when a person pulls a trigger on the handheld imager or in response to a command received from a host. In some instances, a mount includes a paging button that can be actuated by a person to actuate a paging feature of the mount and handheld imager to help locate a misplaced handheld imager.

SUMMARY

Images captured using a handheld imager in handheld mode may be blurry or out of focus due to, for example, movement of the handheld imager during image capture. Handheld imager are often used in a presentation mode in which the handheld imager is docked (e.g., mounted, engaged, secured, etc. a base, a cradle, a mount, etc.) and a trigger of the handheld imager is actuated (pressed, depressed, activated, etc.) by a person. However, manual actuation of a trigger of a handheld imager while it is docked is often difficult or results in blurry or out of focus images because the trigger isn't positioned for use while the handheld imager is docked.

To reduce or eliminate some or all of these, or other problems of conventional handheld imagers, example methods and apparatus to image objects using docked handheld imagers are disclosed. When a disclosed example handheld imager is docked to a mount, i.e., in a presentation mode, a button (e.g., a paging button, a trigger, etc.) of the mount is reused to trigger capture of an image by the handheld imager. Triggering image capture via the button reduces unintended movement of the handheld imager during image capture as it is positioned on a stationary mount. Images of items such as driver licenses, prescriptions, checks and other documents can be taken by placing them in front of the docked handheld imager and actuating the button. In some examples, there is a configured amount of time between button actuation and image capture to allow a person time to position an item to be imaged in front of the handheld imager. In some examples, the button can be actuated according to sequences to configure aspects of the camera in the handheld imager. For example, one sequence can be used to configure a field-of-view, another sequence can be used to configure a shutter release time, and still another sequence can be used to control zoom, etc. In some examples, a sensor of the mount detects the presence of a handheld imager in the mount before the button can be used to trigger image capture. In some examples, a conventional mount and a handheld imager are firmware upgradable to configure a button of the mount to control image capture by the handheld imager when docked.

Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to image objects using docked handheld imagers are disclosed herein. Further examples and combinations thereof include at least the following.

In an embodiment, the invention is an imaging apparatus including: a handheld imager configured to capture images; a mount configured to selectively receive the handheld imager; and a button disposed in the mount, the button configured to, when the handheld imager is disposed in the mount and the button actuated, direct the handheld imager to capture an image and, when the handheld imager is not disposed in the mount and the button is actuated, direct the handheld imager to perform a function other than capture of an image.

In a variation of this embodiment, the function other than capture of an image includes a paging function.

In a variation of this embodiment and its variations, a processor is disposed in the mount, the processor configured to sense different types of inputs on the button, and to adjust an aspect of the capture of the image based on a sensed type of input.

In a variation of this embodiment and its variation, the aspect of the capture of the image includes a selection between a type of object, and an image capture resolution for the type of object.

In a variation of this embodiment and its variation, the type of the object is at least one of a barcode or a non-barcode object, and the image resolution is a higher resolution for the non-barcode object than for the barcode.

In a variation of this embodiment and its variations, the different types of inputs include at least one of different button actuation durations or different patterns of button actuations.

In another embodiment, the invention is a method of operating an imaging apparatus having a handheld imager and a mount configured to removably receive the handheld imager, the method comprising: sensing whether the handheld imager is received in the mount; when a button disposed in the mount is actuated while the handheld imager is received in the mount, directing the handheld imager to capture an image; and when the button is actuated while the handheld imager is not received in the mount, actuating a location finding function of the handheld imager.

In a variation of this embodiment includes sensing different types of inputs on the button; and adjusting an aspect of the capture of the image based on a sensed type of input.

In a variation of this embodiment and its variations, wherein the different types of inputs include at least one of different button actuation durations or different patterns of button actuations.

In yet embodiment, the invention is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an imaging apparatus having a handheld imager and a mount configured to removably receive the handheld imager to: sense whether the handheld imager is received in the mount; when a button disposed in the mount is actuated while the handheld imager is received in the mount, direct the handheld imager to capture an image; and when the button is actuated while the handheld imager is not received in the mount, actuate a location finding function of the handheld imager.

In a variation of this embodiment, the storage medium includes further instructions that, when executed, cause the machine to sense different types of inputs on the button; and adjusting an aspect of the capture of the image based on a sensed type of input

