Aimer accessory for capturing a coded image

1. An aimer accessory for a mobile device, the aimer accessory comprising:

a body configured for being affixed to the mobile device, the body comprising a collimator terminating with a grating disposed in a distal portion thereof, the grating configured to receive light from a lamp of the mobile device, and to generate a light pattern on a surface containing a barcode;

wherein registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area precedes capture of a barcode image by the mobile device and enhances the ability of the mobile device to capture the barcode image;

wherein the aimer accessory is configured to operate, selectively, in blind mode scanning and in targeted mode scanning;

wherein the registration occurs, in the blind mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern and the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device; and

wherein the registration occurs, in the targeted mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile device.

2. The accessory as in claim 1 , further comprising an optical element for receiving light from the lamp and providing the light to the grating.

3. The accessory as in claim 2 , wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a lens, a reflective surface, a light pipe and an optical fiber.

4. The accessory as in claim 1 , further comprising a collector configured for collecting light incident upon the camera.

5. The accessory as in claim 1 , wherein the grating comprises at least one of a pair of substantially parallel slits and a substantially rectangular array of holes.

6. The accessory as in claim 1 , configured to offset light from the lamp away from the camera.

7. The accessory as in claim 6 , wherein the offset is configured to extend an optical range for reading the barcode.

8. The accessory as in claim 1 , configured as one of a simple offset aimer, a basic aimer, an elongated offset aimer, a standard offset aimer, a tube offset aimer, and a fitted aimer.

9. The accessory as in claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a retainer for retaining the accessory on the mobile device.

10. The accessory as in claim 9 , wherein the retainer terminates in a clip.

11. The accessory as in claim 1 , configured as a clip-on accessory.

12. The accessory as in claim 1 , wherein the barcode comprises a plurality of colors.

13. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically initiate the capture of the barcode image after the registration occurs.

14. A mobile device configured for scanning of a barcode on a surface, the mobile device comprising:

a body configured for being clipped onto the mobile device, the body comprising a collimator terminating with a grating disposed in a distal portion thereof, the grating configured to receive light from a lamp of the mobile device, and to generate a light pattern on the surface containing the barcode;

wherein registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area triggers capture of a barcode image by the mobile device and enhances the ability of the mobile device to capture the barcode image;

wherein the body and the mobile device is configured to operate for scanning the barcode, selectively, in blind mode scanning and in targeted mode scanning;

wherein the registration occurs, in the blind mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern and the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device; and

wherein the registration occurs, in the targeted mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile device.

15. The mobile device as in claim 14 , wherein the mobile device comprises one of a smart phone, a tablet computer and a special purpose device.

16. The mobile device as in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the blind mode scanning and the targeted mode scanning enables reliable readout of the barcode without use of a display.

17. The mobile device as in claim 14 , wherein the light pattern comprises at least one of substantially parallel lines, an array of dots, and a set of crosshairs.

18. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically initiate the capture of the barcode image after the registration occurs.

19. A method for configuring a mobile device for scanning a barcode on a surface, the method comprising:

selecting an aimer accessory for the mobile device, the aimer accessory comprising a body configured for being affixed to the mobile device, the body comprising a collimator terminating with a grating disposed in a distal portion thereof, the grating configured to receive light from a lamp of the mobile device, and to generate a light pattern on the surface containing a barcode, wherein registration of the light pattern and the barcode in a scan area precedes capture of a barcode image by the mobile device and enhances the ability of the mobile device to capture the barcode image;

affixing the aimer accessory to the mobile device; and

capturing the barcode image;

wherein the mobile device and the aimer accessory are configured for scanning the barcode, selectively, in blind mode scanning and in targeted mode scanning;

wherein the registration occurs, in the blind mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern and the barcode in a viewing angle of a camera of the mobile device; and

wherein the registration occurs, in the targeted mode scanning, on a detection of the light pattern hovering over the barcode in the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically initiate the capture of the barcode image after the registration occurs.