Dual mode reader and method of reading DPM codes therewith

1. An apparatus for reading barcodes and direct part marking (DPM) codes, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first imaging assembly housed within the housing, the first imaging assembly including a first image sensor, wherein the first imaging assembly (i) has a first field of view (FOV) with a first FOV central axis and (ii) is configured to have a working range extending beyond about 5 inches;

a second imaging assembly housed within the housing, the second imaging assembly including a second image sensor, wherein the second imaging assembly (i) has a second FOV with a second FOV central axis and (ii) is configured to have a working range extending up to about 5 inches; and

an illumination assembly configured to provide an illumination light having a central illumination axis, the central illumination axis being substantially parallel to the first FOV central axis,

wherein at least two of the first FOV central axis, the second FOV central axis, and the central illumination axis pass through a plane within a first distance of no greater than about 40 mm of each other, the plane being normal to the first FOV central axis and being a second distance between about 0 to about 5 inches from a nose of the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first FOV central axis, the second FOV central axis, and the central illumination axis pass through the plane within the first distance of no greater than about 40 mm of each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

an intersection angle between the second FOV central axis and the central illumination axis at the normal plane is about 50° to about 70°.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a head cavity and a base cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein:

the first image sensor and at least one of the second image sensor or the illumination assembly are disposed within the head cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the second image sensor is disposed in the base cavity, and

the illumination assembly is disposed in the head cavity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the second image sensor is disposed in the head cavity, and

the illumination assembly is disposed in the base cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second FOV central axis intersects the plane at about the same angle at which the central illumination axis intersects the plane.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a second distance from the nose of the housing to the plane defines an optimal distance for reading DPM codes, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

one or more processors configured to:

analyze a first set of image data captured by the first imaging assembly to detect a presence of a feature of a DPM code on an object;

determine a third distance from the nose of the housing to the DPM code; and

compare the second distance to the third distance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to:

analyze a first set of image data captured by the first imaging assembly to determine a first position of a feature of the DPM code with respect to the first set of image data;

analyze a second set of image data captured by the second imaging assembly to determine a second position of the feature of the DPM code with respect to the second set of image data;

compare (i) a difference between the first position and the second position to an angular offset between the first FOV central axis and the second FOV central axis or (ii) a displacement of the first position from a central pixel of the first set of image data to a displacement of the second position from a central pixel of the second set of image data; and

based on the comparison, determine a direction to move to move at least one of the apparatus or the object to reduce the difference between the first position and the second position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:

the apparatus further includes a feedback unit, and

the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine that the third distance to the DPM code is not within a threshold distance of the second distance, and

cause the feedback unit to provide an indication of a direction to move at least one of the apparatus or the object to reduce a difference between the second distance and the third distance.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:

the feedback unit includes one or more of (i) a speaker, (ii) one or more light emitting diodes, and (iii) a vibrator, and

the one or more processors are configured to provide one or more of (i) an audio indication, (ii) a visual indication of the direction to move at least one of the apparatus or the object, and (iii) a haptic indication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second imaging assembly has a higher pixel density than the first imaging assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second FOV of the second imaging assembly is narrower than the first FOV of the first imaging sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:

one or more processors configured to:

analyze the second set of image data decode a DPM code on an object;

determine an identifier of the object encoded by the DPM code; and

transmit the identifier to a remote server to update a database of parts associated with the object.