RENTON, WA- Microscan, a global technology leader for track, trace, and control solutions, announces that it recently received its 100th U.S. patent, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history as a pioneer in barcode, machine vision and machine vision lighting technologies. Since its start in 1982, the company has had a strong tradition of innovation that includes the invention of the first laser diode barcode scanner (U.S. 4,855,581) and the industry-standard 2D symbology, Data Matrix (U.S. 4,939,354).

The 100th patent (U.S. 8,000,594) protects Microscan’s innovative dome light used in its Mobile Hawk handheld reader, which gives the imager its best-in-class read performance on direct part marks. With the growing need for item-level traceability in many industries, companies are increasingly adding 1D or 2D barcodes on their products using a direct marking method such as inkjet, dot-peen, or laser marking. Robust decode algorithms plus the Mobile Hawk’s powerful lighting technology make it ideal for reading these low-contrast, reflective, or otherwise hard-to-read marks.

“Microscan continues to focus on simple, precise technology to meet complex needs in industries as diverse as packaging, life sciences and electronics,” says Bruce Scharf, vice president of engineering. “We are now at the 100-patent milestone and our engineers have not slowed down development of straightforward solutions for complex barcode, machine vision and machine vision lighting applications.”

For more information about Microscan’s comprehensive line of barcode, machine vision, and machine vision lighting products, visit the company’s website at www.microscan.com.