Marking reading device and method for decoding decodable markings using stereoscopic imaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mark reading device and method for decoding decodable marks using stereoscopic imaging. A mark reading device for decoding decodable marks includes an illumination subsystem, an aimer subsystem, an imaging subsystem, a memory, and a processor. The illumination subsystem is operative to project an illumination pattern. The aimer subsystem is operative to project an aimer pattern. The imaging subsystem includes a stereoscopic imager. The memory is in communication with the stereoscopic imager and is capable of storing image data frames representing light incident on the stereoscopic imager. The processor is in communication with the memory and is operative to decode a decodable mark represented in at least one of the image data frames. The stereoscopic imager is configured to capture a plurality of images at separate baseline distances to create a three-dimensional image having depth information of the decodable mark.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to mark reading devices, and more particularly, to mark reading devices and methods for decoding decodable marks employing stereoscopy or stereocameras and imagery. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, mark reading devices (also referred to as scanners, laser scanners, image readers, mark readers, mobile computers, terminals, etc.) typically read data represented by printed or displayed marks (also referred to as symbols, symbologies, barcodes, etc.) that carry information. Barcodes, such as UPC codes, use thin and thick bar patterns to represent data, while more complex symbologies, referred to as 2D matrix codes, use complex block patterns and arrangements to store information.

[0003] One-dimensional (ID) or linear optical barcode readers are characterized by reading data encoded in the presence and / or width of bars and spaces along a single axis, such that such symbols can be read from a single scan along that axis.

[0004] Two-dimensional (2D) or area optical barcode readers utilize a lens to focus an image of a barcode onto a multi-pixel image sensor array, typically provided by a CMOS- or CCD-based image sensor array that converts optical signals into electrical signals.

[0005] Conventional ID and 2D mark reading devices or barcode scanners / readers are known and come in many different shapes and sizes, such as ID and / or 2D wireless handheld barcode scanners for scanning codes. As should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the more user-friendly and the better the reader works, the better. As such, there is an explicit need or desire to create a more user-friendly and / or faster mark reading device or barcode scanner. Additionally, the accuracy of the reader or scanner is critical. Many scenarios result in inaccurate or unreadable marks or barcodes. For example, geometric distortion, specular reflection, direct part marking (such as dot peen or laser etching), on-screen reading, and the like can result in inaccurate or unreadable data. As such, there is always a need / desire to improve the reading and accuracy of mark reading devices or barcode scanners.

[0006] Bar code scanners can include a number of different options or features for improving the reading and accuracy of data. One such feature is error checking, or the ability to verify a scanned bar code or marking. As an example, a portable wireless 3D imaging handheld bar code reader can scan / read a bar code and can have the ability for error correction. However, the standard imaging used in known bar code scanners to scan 2D bar codes and decode 2D bar code information is based on 2D imagery, including features for error checking. These 2D imagery for decoding and error checking are limited by the displayed 2D imagery and, as a result, do not include any 3D imagery and associated depth information of the image.

[0007] Stereoscopy, also known as stereography or 3D imaging, is a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by means of stereopsis for binocular vision. Most stereoscopic methods present two offset images separately to the viewer's left and right eyes. These 2D images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3D depth. In this way, stereoscopy creates the illusion of 3D depth from the given two-dimensional images. Prior to the present disclosure, there did not exist a known marking reading device or bar code scanner that employed stereoscopic imagery to decode markings or read bar codes and / or for error checking of a read bar code or decoded image based on 3D imagery generated from the stereoscopic images and associated depth information from such 3D imagery.

[0008] Another feature or option that is increasingly growing in demand for conventional ID and 2D marking readers or bar code scanners is the ability to not only read standard printed form markings or bar codes, but also the ability to read markings or bar codes from electronic displays or screens, such as reading bar codes on cell phones, tablet devices, etc. For example, in many applications, such as airport check-in, a user must read both a regular printed bar code and an electronically displayed bar code (smart phone, tablet device, etc.). Because electronic displays are typically backlit to display their contents, lighting of the electronic display is not required in order to read or decode the display. In fact, if lighting is directed at a backlit electronic display, decoding is difficult because standard lighting from a bar code reader creates glare and / or specular reflections. This corresponds to a need for two different modes of operation. In order to accomplish this with a single image reader, the user needs to enter a mode of operation that continuously turns the lighting on and off, resulting in a very unpleasant flicker. Thus, there is a clear need to provide a reader that is user-friendly and capable of easily scanning both regular printed bar codes and electronically displayed bar codes.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a user-friendly mark reader and / or barcode scanner for more accurately decoding 2D mark or barcode information. Additionally, there is a need for a barcode reader that can operate in one mode but can process illuminated & non-illuminated marks for normal reading vs. electronic display reading. SUMMARY

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention encompasses a mark reading device for decoding decodable marks using stereovision. The mark reading device includes an illumination subsystem, an aimer subsystem, an imaging subsystem, a memory, and a processor. The illumination subsystem is operative to project an illumination pattern. The aimer subsystem is operative to project an aimer pattern. The imaging subsystem includes a stereo imager. The memory is in communication with the stereo imager and is capable of storing image data frames representing light incident on the stereo imager. The processor is in communication with the memory and is operative to decode a decodable mark represented in at least one of the image data frames. The stereo imager is configured to capture multiple images at separate baseline distances (creating different angles) to create a three-dimensional image with depth information of the decodable mark.

[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, a mark reading device for decoding decodable marks in both standard printed form and electronic display form in a single mode or operation. The mark reading device includes an illumination subsystem, an imaging subsystem, a memory, and a processor. The illumination subsystem is operative to project an illumination pattern. The aimer subsystem is operative to project an aimer pattern. The memory is in communication with the imaging subsystem and is capable of storing image data frames representing light incident on the imaging subsystem. The processor is in communication with the memory and is operative to decode a decodable mark represented in at least one of the image data frames. In this exemplary embodiment, the mark reading device is configured to take an illuminated image for a decodable mark in standard printed form and a non-illuminated image for a decodable mark in electronic display form simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously).

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention encompasses a method of decoding a decodable mark. The method includes the steps of:

[0013] • projecting an illumination pattern on the decodable mark;

[0014] • capturing a stereo image of the illuminated decodable mark with a stereo imager;

[0015] • storing image data frames representing light incident on the stereo imager into a memory;

[0016] • decoding the decodable indicia via a processor from image data stored in the memory, the processor operative to decode the decodable indicia represented in at least one of the frames of image data.

[0017] The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and / or advantages of the application, and a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic physical form view of one embodiment of an imaging device, such as a mark reading device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrates other types of imaging devices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic physical form view of one embodiment of an imaging subsystem used in the devices of Figure 1 , 2 and 3; and

[0021] Figure 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the imaging device of Figure 1 , 2 or 3.

[0022] Figure 6 graphically depicts a flowchart illustrating a method for decoding decodable indicia in accordance with embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present application encompasses imaging devices, such as optical readers or mark reading devices, for use in reading decodable indicia, where stereoscopy or stereoscopy is employed in various aspects. In selected embodiments, stereoscopy can include capturing two or more images at different angles. Such data provides three-dimensional ("3D") additional information having relative depth information of a scanned indicia, object, scene or barcode compared to conventional optical readers or mark reading devices. In various aspects, the operation of the imaging device can be configured to operatively process or use one or more portions of the stereoscopic 3D image data for reading out and / or for decoding representations of the decodable indicia. As described in greater detail below, the use of stereoscopy or stereoscopic image data can allow for improved reading of decodable indicia, barcodes, scenes and objects compared to conventional imaging devices.

[0024] Figure 1One embodiment of an imaging device, such as a mark reading device 1000, for use in reading decodable marks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The mark reading device 1000 can be operable to read decodable marks, such as bar codes, disposed on a non-backlit substrate 17, such as paper, attached, for example, to a product 19. The decodable marks can include, but are not limited to:

[0025] • One-dimensional linear symbologies, such as Code 3-of-9, Interleaved 2-of-5, Code 128, UPC / EAN, and stacked linear codes, such as PDF-417, 16K, and Code 49, also commonly denoted as two-dimensional symbologies, in both cases using the width and spacing of bars and spaces to contain information.

[0026] • True two-dimensional matrix codes, such as Code 1, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, QR-Code, and Axtec Code, in which information is contained in the presence or absence of a mark at predefined locations on a two-dimensional coordinate system.

[0027] • Human-readable fonts, such as OCR and printed text. Many of these marks have standardized definitions that have been developed and endorsed by one or more international standards bodies, such as AIM and ISO.

[0028] Still referring to Figure 1 The mark reading device 1000 can also be operable to read decodable marks, such as bar codes, displayed on an electronic display 125, such as a backlit screen, like the displays, monitors, LCD displays, or other screens commonly employed in mobile phones, cellular phones, satellite phones, smart phones, telemetry devices, personal data assistants, or other devices, of an electronic device 120. While a single decodable mark is illustrated as being read at one time, it will be appreciated that the image can be operable to capture one or more decodable marks on a single object or on multiple objects at the same time.

[0029] For example, the device 1000 can include, in one embodiment, a trigger 1220, a display 1222, an indicator mechanism 1224, and a keypad 1226 disposed on a common side of the handheld housing 1014. The display 1222 and the indicator mechanism 1224, in combination, can be considered the user interface of the device 1000. The display 1222 can incorporate a touchpad for navigation and virtual actuation selection, in one embodiment, in which case the user interface of the device 1000 can be provided by the display 1222.

[0030] In other embodiments, the hand-held housing 1015 of the marker reading device 1001 can be devoid of a display and a keyboard and can be in a gun form factor with a trigger 1220 as shown in Figure 2 In other embodiments, the hand-held housing 1016 of the marker reading device 1002 can include a display 1223 and a keyboard 1227 and can be in a gun form factor with a trigger 1220 as shown in Figure 3

[0031] The following description uses terminology associated with marker reading devices and can generally include hand-held marker reading devices, fixed marker reading devices, however one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that aspects of the present disclosure can be incorporated into other electronic devices having imagers for image capture and / or marker reading, which can be configured as, for example, mobile phones, cellular phones, satellite phones, smart phones, telemetry devices, personal data assistants, cameras, and other devices.

[0032] Referring to the marker reading devices 1000, 1001, 1002 as shown in Figures 1-5 In accordance with the present disclosure, a marker reading device can be used to decode decodable markers and can generally include an illumination subsystem 800, an aimer subsystem 600, an imaging subsystem 900, a memory 1085, and a processor 1060. The illumination subsystem 800 can be operable to project an illumination pattern 1260. The aimer subsystem 600 can be operable to project an aimer pattern (not shown). The imaging subsystem 900 can include a stereo imager 2000. The memory 1085 can be in communication with the stereo imager 2000 and can be capable of storing image data frames representative of light incident on the stereo imager 2000. The processor 1060 can be in communication with the memory 1085, wherein the processor 1060 can be operable to decode decodable markers 15 and / or 115 represented in at least one of the image data frames.

[0033] ​The stereo imager 2000 can be configured to capture multiple images at a baseline distance 2030 (creating different angles of the image) to create a three-dimensional image with depth information of the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115, or to accurately determine the length and width of the 2D decodable indicia 15 and / or 115, or to extract barcode absolute dimensions with bar and space widths. The stereo imager 2000 can include two or more sensors or cameras (such as a tricamera, quad camera, etc.) for capturing multiple images at different angles to create a 3D image with depth information. The resulting 3D image with depth information of the 2D image of the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 and more accurate length and width (such as barcode absolute dimensions with bar and space widths) can result in many new uses and benefits compared to conventional readers and scanners that are limited to 2D information without depth information. As an example, and without being limited to this explicitly, the processor 1060 can be further operative to decode the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115, which can include geometric distortion, specular reflection, direct part marking, dot peening, laser etching, electronic display, and combinations thereof, by using the three-dimensional image with depth information of the decodable indicia from the stereo imager 2000.

[0034] More specifically, the processor 1060 can be operative to decode geometric distortion using information from the captured three-dimensional image of the stereo imager 2000 to result in missing length and width information of the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115.

[0035] More specifically, the processor 1060 can be operative to determine absolute dimensions of bar and space widths of a barcode using depth information from the captured three-dimensional image of the stereo imager 200.

[0036] In another specific example, the processor 1060 can be operative to decode specular reflection using different viewing angles from the stereo imager 2000 to reconstruct a specular free image from different viewing angles.

[0037] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further operative to filter or deblur the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 based on a distance to the decodable indicia determined from the captured three-dimensional image from the stereo imager 2000.

[0038] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further operative to verify the decodable indicia based on a size of the decodable indicia determined from the captured three-dimensional image from the stereo imager 2000.

[0039] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further operative to decode dot-etch or laser-etch markings (series of holes in metal, or leaving raised surfaces) based on 3D depth information from the captured 3D images (from the stereo imager 2000). In these embodiments, the dot-etch or laser-etch markings can be decoded based on 3D depth, not just light intensity. This feature can reduce or eliminate problems associated with difficulties in decoding direct part markings (such as dot-etch or laser-etch markings, especially those with a rough or noisy background).

[0040] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further configured for 3D scanning of a scene based on pairs of scene images from the stereo imager 2000.

[0041] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further configured for object recognition based on the scanned 3D scene images, and for verifying that the object is consistent with the decoded markings 15 and / or 115.

[0042] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be further configured for anti-counterfeiting by recognizing object textures and / or specific tags, including but not limited to random dimples / bumps (e.g. BubbleTag TM ), random microchips of metal embedded in a polymer, stereoscopic views of security holograms (which will look different from different angles of the stereo imagery), and so on.

[0043] In yet another specific example, the processor 1060 can be configured for modeling and / or dimensioning small objects in the scene S.

[0044] Referring again to Figures 1-5The mark reading apparatus 1000, 1001, 1002 shown in FIG. 1 1 1 can be configured to decode decodable marks in normal print form and electronic display form (i.e., cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) in accordance with the present application. In this embodiment, the mark reading apparatus 1000, 1001, 1002 can be configured to take illuminated and non-illuminated images simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) for decoding normal print form marks 15 and electronic display form marks 1 15, respectively. The mark reading apparatus 1000, 1001, and 1002 can be configured to take illuminated and non-illuminated images simultaneously in any means. In one embodiment, the use of a global shutter sensor 2010 in conjunction with a stereo imager 2000 can create illuminated and non-illuminated images simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. In this way, the processor 1060 can operate in a single mode to decode decodable marks 15 in normal print form from illuminated images and decodable marks 1 15 in electronic display form from non-illuminated images. Along with the stereo imager 2000 and global shutter 2010, the illumination subsystem 800 can include pulsed LED illumination (with lens 300) controlled by an LED driver. Additionally, the aimer subsystem 600 can include an aimer 620 (with lens 630) and an objective speckle and / or a diffractive optical element projector 610 for optional effective stereoscopy. These features can reduce problems associated with specular reflections when reading decodable marks and barcodes in electronic display form.

[0045] The stereo imager 2000 can be any type of imager that utilizes stereoscopy in order to capture and create 3D images with depth information. In selected embodiments, the stereo imager 2000 can include a left sensor 2020R (with lens 2021R) and a right sensor 2020L (with lens 2021L) separated by a baseline distance 2030. The baseline distance 2030 can be set to any desired distance in order to vary the angle between the left sensor 2020R and the right sensor 2020L. For example, the baseline distance 2030 can be approximately or equal to 2 cm. In this example, 3D accuracy at a scan angle of 36 degrees horizontal can have a depth accuracy of approximately:

[0046] • 62 pm at 7 cm with ¼ pixel resolution and 4.5 cm field of view - baseline of 3.4 cm;

[0047] • 125 pm at 10 cm with ¼ pixel resolution and 6.5 cm field of view - baseline of 4.8 cm;

[0048] • 0.50 mm at 20 cm with ¼ pixel resolution and 13 cm field of view - baseline of 9.7 cm; and / or

[0049] • 1.12 mm at 30 cm with 1 / 4 pixel resolution and a field of view of 19.5 cm - baseline of 14.5 cm.

[0050] Bar code reading can thus have the following characteristics: a resolution of about 0.1 mm or 4 mils, a depth of field ("DOF") of about 100% UPC at 34 cm and / or greater than 40 cm with a specialized decoder (i.e., Vesta TM Decoder). However, the present application is not so limited to these exact 3D accuracies or bar code reading characteristics, and other results can be obtained with various settings, including but not limited to varying baseline distance 20 30 and / or scan angle.

[0051] Referring again to the marker reading apparatus 1000, 1001, 1002 shown in Figures 1-5 In selected embodiments, the stereo imager 2000 can be housed in a low profile housing 2040. As schematically shown in Figure 4 The low profile housing 2040 can enclose at least the illumination subsystem 800, the aimer subsystem 600, and the imaging subsystem 900, in selected embodiments. The low profile housing 2040 can further enclose the memory 1085 and / or the processor 1060, in selected embodiments. The low profile housing 2040 can be designed with minimal dimensions to easily fit into a handheld or portable electronic device or scanner. In selected embodiments, the low profile housing 2040 can have a height H of about 12 mm or less. In other selected embodiments, the low profile housing 2040 can have a height H of about 6 mm or less. For example, the low profile housing can have a width W of about 26 mm, a height H of about 6 mm, and a depth D of about 12 mm.

[0052] Referring now to Figure 6 In operation, the marker reading apparatus 1000, 1001, 1002, as shown in any embodiment described herein or Figures 1-5 The marker reading apparatus 1000, 1001, 1002, utilized with the method can generally include the following steps:

[0053] • a step 5002 of illuminating the decodable marker;

[0054] • a step 5004 of capturing a stereo image of the illuminated decodable marker with the stereo imager 2000;

[0055] • a step 5006 of storing an image data frame representing light incident on the stereo imager into a memory 1085; and

[0056] • a step 5008 of decoding the decodable indicia from image data stored in the memory 1085 via a processor 1060 operating to decode decodable indicia represented in at least one of the image data frames.

[0057] In selected embodiments, the method 5000 of decoding decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 can further include a step 5010 of capturing a plurality of images with a stereo imager 2000 at a baseline distance 2030, and a step 5012 of creating a three-dimensional image with depth information of the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115.

[0058] In other selected embodiments, the step 5008 of decoding decodable indicia can further include using a three-dimensional image with depth information of the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 from the stereo imager 2000 to decode the indicia 15 and / or 115, wherein the indicia can include geometric distortion, specular reflection, direct part marking such as dot peening or laser etching, electronic display, and combinations of these.

[0059] In yet another embodiment, the method 5000 can further include a step 5014 of verifying the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 based on a size of the decodable indicia determined from the captured three-dimensional image from the stereo imager 2000.

[0060] In other selected embodiments, the step 5004 of capturing stereo images of the illuminated decodable indicia with the stereo imager 2000 can include a step 5016 of simultaneously capturing an illuminated image and a non-illuminated image with a global shutter sensor 2010 working in conjunction with the stereo imager. In these embodiments, the step 5008 of decoding decodable indicia from image data can include a step 5018 of decoding normally printed decodable indicia 15 from the illuminated image, and a step 5020 of decoding electronically displayed decodable indicia 115 from the non-illuminated image. Additionally, the step 5002 of illuminating the decodable indicia 15 and / or 115 includes pulsed LED illumination controlled by an LED driver.

[0061] Other embodiments can include devices without an aimer or projected illumination and / or neither an aimer nor projected illumination, relying on screen feedback and or ambient lighting to create an image. Typical devices operating without an aimer and / or projected illumination include some bar code scanners, cellular telephones, tablet devices, personal assistants, and the like.

[0062] Reference will now be made in detail toFigure 5 , depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a marker reading device, such as marker reading device 1000, 1001, or 1002. In general, a marker reading device can include an illumination subsystem 800, a sight subsystem 600, a hand-held housing 1014, 1015, or 1016, a memory 1065, and a processor 1060. As described in more detail below, a stereo imager 2000 allows 3D image data of a scene S( Figure 1 ) to be captured onto a sensor array 1033. For example, the stereo imager 2000 can include a main lens 200 and a microlens array 250. The microlens array can include several thousand microlenses and the microlens array can be disposed between the main lens and the image sensor array. Analog signals read out of the image sensor array 1033 of a scene or portion thereof can be amplified by a gain block 1036, converted to digital form by an analog-to-digital converter 1037, and sent to a DMA unit 1070. The DMA unit 1070, in turn, can transfer the digitized image data to a volatile memory 1080. The processor 1060 can address one or more frames of image data held in the volatile memory 1080 for processing of the frames, as described below for marker decoding. Images captured by stereoscopy are referred to as stereo images. Data captured on an image sensor by stereo imaging optics is referred to as stereo image data.

[0063] Referring again to Figure 5 , the devices 1000, 1001, 1002, and 5000 can include an image sensor 1032 that includes a plurality of pixel image sensor arrays 1033 having pixels arranged in rows and columns of pixels, associated column circuitry 1034 and row circuitry 1035. Associated with the image sensor 1032 can be an amplifier circuit 1036 (amplifier), and an analog-to-digital converter 1037 that converts image information in the form of analog signals read out of the image sensor array 1033 to image information in the form of digital signals. The image sensor 1032 can also have associated timing and control circuitry 1038 for controlling, for example, exposure periods of the image sensor 1032, gain applied to the amplifier 1036, and the like. The referenced circuit components 1032, 1036, 1037, and 1038 can be packaged into a common image sensor integrated circuit 1040. The image sensor integrated circuit 1040 can incorporate fewer than the referenced number of components. The image sensor integrated circuit 1040, including the image sensor array 1033 and imaging lens assembly, can be incorporated into a hand-held housing.

[0064] In one embodiment, the image sensor integrated circuit 1040 can be provided by, for example, an MT9V022 (752 x 480 pixel array) or MT9V023 (752 x 480 pixel array) image sensor integrated circuit available from Micro Technology, Inc. In one example, the image sensor array 1033 can be a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array having a first subset of monochrome pixels without color filter elements and a second subset of color pixels with color sensitive filter elements. In one example, the image sensor integrated circuit 1040 can incorporate a Bayer pattern filter such that what is defined at the image sensor array 1033 are red pixels at red pixel locations, green pixels at green pixel locations, and blue pixels at blue pixel locations. A frame provided with such an image sensor array incorporating a Bayer pattern can include red pixels at red pixel locations, green pixels at green pixel locations, and blue pixels at blue pixel locations. In embodiments incorporating a Bayer pattern image sensor array, the processor 1060 can interpolate pixel values at frame pixel locations intermediate the green pixel locations with green pixel values prior to subjecting the frame to further processing for developing a monochrome image data frame. Alternatively, the processor 1060 can interpolate pixel values intermediate the red pixel locations with red pixel values prior to subjecting the frame to further processing for developing a monochrome image data frame. The processor 1060 can alternatively interpolate pixel values intermediate the blue pixel locations with blue pixel values prior to subjecting the frame to further processing. The imaging subsystem of the devices 1000 and 5000 can include an image sensor 1032 and a plenoptic lens assembly for projecting a plenoptic image onto the image sensor array 1033 of the image sensor 1032.

[0065] In the operational process layer of the device, image signals can be read out from the image sensor 1032, converted, and stored into system memory such as RAM 1080. The memory 1085 of the device can include the RAM 1080, non-volatile memory such as EPROM 1082, and storage memory devices 1084 such as can be provided by flash or hard drive memory. In one embodiment, the device can include a processor 1060 which can be adapted to read out image data stored in the memory 1080 and subject such image data to various image processing algorithms. The device can include a direct memory access unit (DMA) 1070 for routing image information read out from the image sensor 1032 that has been subjected to conversion to the RAM 1080. In another embodiment, the device can employ a system bus which provides a bus arbitration mechanism such as a PCI bus, eliminating the need for a central DMA controller. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of system bus architectures and / or direct memory access components which provide efficient data transfer between the image sensor 1032 and the RAM 1080 are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0066] Still referring to Figure 5 And referring to further aspects of the device, the imaging lens assembly can be adapted for projecting an image of the decodable mark 15 located within the light field or space S( Figure 1 ) onto the image sensor array 1033.

[0067] The device can include an illumination subsystem for illuminating a target and projecting an illumination pattern 1260. The illumination pattern 1260 in the illustrated embodiment can be projected as proximate to but larger than the area defined by the field of view 1240, but can also be projected in an area smaller than the area defined by the field of view 1240. The illumination subsystem 800 can include a light source assembly 500 which includes one or more light sources. The light source assembly 800 can further include one or more light source assemblies, each of which for example includes one or more light sources. In illustrative embodiments, such light sources can illustratively include light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs having any of a wide variety of wavelengths and filters or combinations of wavelengths or filters can be used in various embodiments. Other types of light sources can also be used in other embodiments. The light sources can illustratively be mounted to a printed circuit board. This can be the same printed circuit board on which the image sensor integrated circuit 1040 having the image sensor array 1033 can illustratively be mounted.

[0068] The device can also include an aiming subsystem 600 for projecting an aiming pattern (not shown). The aiming subsystem 600, which can include a light source set, can be coupled to an aiming light source set power input unit 1208 for providing electrical power to the light source set of the aiming subsystem 600. The power input unit 1208 can be coupled to the system bus 1500 via the interface 1108 for communication with the processor 1060.

[0069] In one embodiment, the illumination subsystem 800 can include the illumination lens assembly 300 in addition to the light source set 500. The illumination subsystem 800 can include alternative light shaping optics, such as one or more diffusers, mirrors, and prisms, in addition to or in place of the illumination lens assembly 300. In use, a device such as the devices 100, 1001, and 1002 can be oriented by an operator with respect to a target (e.g., a piece of paper, a package, another type of substrate, a screen, and so on) bearing a decodable mark 15 in such a way that the illumination pattern 1260 is projected on the decodable mark 15. In one example, the decodable mark 15 is provided by a 1D barcode symbol. The decodable mark 15 can also be provided by a 2D barcode symbol, or an optical character recognition (OCR) character, or other encoding means such as a Figure 1 The light source set electrical power input unit 1206 can provide energy to the light source set 500. In one embodiment, the electrical power input unit 1206 can operate as a controlled voltage source. In another embodiment, the electrical power input unit 1206 can operate as a controlled current source. In another embodiment, the electrical power input unit 1206 can operate as a combined controlled voltage and controlled current source. The electrical power input unit 1206 can vary the level of electrical power provided to the light source set 500 (of energization level) for example for varying the level of illumination output by the light source set 500 of the illumination subsystem 800 for generating the illumination pattern 1260.

[0070] In another aspect, the device can include a power source 1402 that provides power to a power grid 1404 to which electrical components of the device 1000 can be connected. The power source 1402 can be coupled to various power sources, such as a battery 1406, a serial interface 1408 (e.g., USB, RS232), and / or an AC / DC transformer 1410.

[0071] Further, with respect to the electrical power input unit 1206, the electrical power input unit 1206 can include a charging capacitor that is continuously charged by the power source 1402. The electrical power input unit 1206 can be configured to output energy at a range of energization levels. The average energization level of the illumination subsystem 800 during an exposure period for which the first illumination and exposure control configuration is active can be higher than the average energization level for which the illumination and exposure control configuration is active. ​

[0072] The device can also include a number of peripheral devices, including, for example, a trigger 1220, which can be used to assert a trigger signal for activating frame readout and / or certain decoding processes. The device can be adapted such that activation of the trigger 1220 activates the trigger signal and initiates a decoding attempt. In particular, the device 1000 can operate such that, in response to activation of the trigger signal, a series of frames can be captured by reading out image information (typically in the form of analog signals) from the image sensor array 1033, and then storing the converted image information into the memory 1080 (which can buffer one or more of the series of frames at a given time). The processor 1060 can operate to subject one or more of the series of frames to a decoding attempt.

[0073] To attempt to decode a barcode symbol (e.g., a one-dimensional barcode symbol), the processor 1060 can process image data of a frame corresponding to a line of pixel positions (e.g., a set of rows, columns, or diagonals of pixel positions) to determine spatial patterns of dark and light cells, and can convert each determined dark and light cell pattern to a character or string of characters via table lookup. In the case of a decodable indicia representation being a 2D barcode symbology, a decoding attempt can include the steps of using a feature detection algorithm to locate a finder pattern, locating matrix lines intersecting the finder pattern according to a predetermined relationship with the finder pattern, determining patterns of dark and light cells along the matrix lines, and converting each light pattern to a character or string of characters via table lookup.

[0074] The device can include various interface circuits for coupling various peripheral devices to the system address / data bus 1500 for communicating with the processor 1060 also coupled to the system bus 1500. The device can include an interface circuit 1028 for coupling the image sensor timing and control circuit 1038 to the system bus 1500, an interface circuit 1106 for coupling the light source group electrical power input unit 1206 to the system bus 1500 and an interface circuit 1120 for coupling the trigger 1220 to the system bus 1500. The device can further include a display 1222 coupled to the system bus 1500 and in communication with the processor 1060 via an interface 1122, and an indicator mechanism 1224 in communication with the processor 1060 via an interface 1124 connected to the system bus 1500. The device can also include a keyboard 1226 coupled to the system bus 1500 and in communication with the processor 1060 via an interface 1126. The device can further include a range detector unit 1210 coupled to the system bus 1500 via an interface 1110. In one embodiment, the range detector unit 1210 can be an acoustic range detector unit. The various interfaces of the device can share circuit components. For example, a common microcontroller providing control inputs to the circuit 1038 as well as to the electrical power input circuit 1206 can be provided to coordinate timing between image sensor array control and illumination subsystem control.

[0075] The series of image data that can be captured and subjected to the described processing can be a full frame (including pixel values corresponding to every pixel of the image sensor array 1033 or a maximum number of pixels read out from the image sensor array 1033 during operation of the device). The series of image data frames that can be captured and subjected to the described processing can also be a "window frame" including pixel values corresponding to less than a full frame of pixels of the image sensor array 1033. The series of image data frames that can be captured and subjected to the described processing can also include a combination of full frames and window frames. A full frame can be read out for capture by selectively addressing pixels of the image sensors 1032 of the image sensor array 1033 corresponding to a full frame. A window frame can be read out for capture by selectively addressing pixels or a range of pixels of the image sensors 1032 of the image sensor array 1033 corresponding to a window frame. In one embodiment, the number of pixels subjected to addressing and read out determines the frame's picture size. Accordingly, a full frame can be considered to have a first, relatively large picture size, and a window frame can be considered to have a relatively small picture size relative to the picture size of a full frame, which can vary depending on the number of pixels subjected to addressing and read out for capturing the window frame.

[0076] The device can capture frames of image data at a rate known as the frame rate. A typical frame rate is 60 frames per second (FPS), which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 16.6 ms. Another typical frame rate is 30 frames per second (FPS), which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 33.3 ms per frame. The frame rate of the device 1000 can be increased by reducing the frame picture size (and the frame time is reduced).

[0077]

[0078] To supplement this disclosure, the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety:

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[0175] U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 416,147, filed January 21, 2015, for "OPTICAL READING APPARATUS HAVING VARIABLE SETTINGS" (Chen et al.);

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[0238] ***

[0239] In the description and / or drawings, typical embodiments of the application have been disclosed. The application is not limited to such example embodiments. The use of the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. The drawings are schematic representations and therefore are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise indicated, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A mark reading device, comprising: an imaging subsystem comprising a stereo imager, wherein the stereo imager comprises a left sensor and a right sensor separated by a baseline distance and is configured to capture a plurality of image data frames of a surface at different angles to create a three-dimensional image comprising depth information of decodable marks on the surface; a memory in communication with the stereo imager capable of storing the plurality of image data frames representing light incident on the stereo imager; and a processor in communication with the memory, wherein the processor operates to decode decodable marks represented in the plurality of image data frames.

2. The mark reading device of claim 1, wherein: the processor further operates to decode decodable marks comprising geometric distortion, specular reflection, direct component plus mark, dot peen, laser etching, electronic display, and combinations of these by using three-dimensional images from the stereo imager with depth information of the decodable marks; the processor further operates to decode geometric distortion using depth information from the captured three-dimensional images of the stereo imager to derive missing length and width information of decodable marks; the processor further operates to determine absolute dimensions of bar and space widths of a barcode using depth information from the captured three-dimensional images of the stereo imager; the processor further operates to validate decodable marks based on dimensions of the decodable marks determined from the captured three-dimensional images from the stereo imager; the processor further operates to decode dot peen or laser etching plus marks using 3D depth information; the processor is further configured for three-dimensional scanning of a scene based on scene images from the stereo imager; the processor is further configured for object recognition based on the scanned three-dimensional scene images, and for validating that the object is consistent with the decoded mark; the processor is further configured for anti-counterfeiting by recognizing object texture and / or specific labels; the processor is configured for modeling and / or dimensioning small objects in the scene; the processor is further configured to recognize stereo views of random indentations / protrusions, microchips of metal embedded in polymers, or security holograms in the plurality of image data frames; the processor is further configured to decode specular reflection using different viewing angles from the stereo imager to reconstruct a specular free image from different viewing angles; and the processor is further configured to filter or clarify decodable marks in the plurality of image data frames based on depth information of the decodable marks on the surface.

3. The mark reading device of claim 1, wherein the mark reading device is configured to decode decodable marks in normal printed form and electronic display form in a single mode.

4. The mark reading device of claim 3, comprising a global shutter sensor, wherein the stereo imager is configured to take an illuminated image and a non-illuminated image simultaneously by means of the global shutter sensor, wherein the processor is operative to decode decodable marks in normal print form from the illuminated image and decodable marks in electronic display form from the non-illuminated image.

5. The mark reading device of claim 4, comprising: an illumination subsystem operative to project an illumination pattern, the illumination subsystem comprising at least a first light emitting diode (LED) having a first wavelength and a second LED having a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.

6. The mark reading device of claim 1, wherein the stereo imager comprising a left sensor and a right sensor are separated by a baseline distance of 2 cm, wherein a three- dimensional accuracy at a scan angle of 36 degrees horizontal has a depth accuracy of: 62 pm at 7 cm, with 1 / 4 pixel resolution and a field of view of 4.5 cm - baseline of 3.4 cm; 125 pm at 10 cm, with 1 / 4 pixel resolution and a field of view of 6.5 cm - baseline of 4.8 cm; 0.50 mm at 20 cm, with 1 / 4 pixel resolution and a field of view of 13 cm - baseline of 9.7 cm; and / or 1.12 mm at 30 cm, with 1 / 4 pixel resolution and a field of view of 19.5 cm - baseline of 14.5 cm, wherein barcode reading has: a resolution of 0.1 mm or 4 mils; a depth of field of 100% UPC to 34 cm and / or greater than 40 cm; a motion tolerance of less than 2.5 m / s or greater than 100 inches / second.

7. A method for decoding decodable marks, comprising: illuminating a decodable mark; capturing a stereo image of the illuminated decodable mark with a stereo imager, wherein the stereo imager comprises a left sensor and a right sensor separated by a baseline distance; storing image data frames representing light incident on the stereo imager into a memory; decoding the decodable mark from image data stored in the memory via a processor, the processor operative to decode the decodable mark represented in at least one of the image data frames; capturing one or more images of a surface at different angles with the stereo imager at a separate baseline distance; and creating a three-dimensional image comprising depth information of the decodable mark on the surface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein decoding the decodable mark comprises: decoding decodable marks comprising geometric distortion, specular reflection, direct part marking, dot peening, laser etching, electronic display, and combinations of these of decodable marks by using a three-dimensional image from the stereo imager comprising depth information of the decodable mark; decoding geometric distortion using depth information from the captured three- dimensional image of the stereo imager to derive missing length and width information of the decodable mark; ​ using depth information from the captured three-dimensional images from the stereo imager to determine the absolute size of the bar and space widths of the barcode; three-dimensional scanning of a scene based on scene images from the stereo imager; object recognition based on the scanned three-dimensional scene images, and verifying that the object is consistent with the decoded indicia; anti-counterfeiting by recognizing object textures and / or specific labels; modeling and / or dimensioning small objects in the scene; stereoscopic view of random indentations / protrusions, microchips of metal embedded in polymers, or security holograms in the plurality of image data frames; filtering or clarifying the decodable indicia in the plurality of image data frames based on depth information of the decodable indicia on the surface; decoding mirror reflections using different viewing angles from the stereo imager to reconstruct a mirror-free image from different viewing angles; and verifying the decodable indicia based on the size of the decodable indicia determined from the captured three-dimensional images from the stereo imager.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein: the step of capturing stereoscopic images of the illuminated decodable indicia with a stereo imager includes capturing illuminated and non-illuminated images with a global shutter sensor working in conjunction with the stereo imager; and the step of decoding the decodable indicia from the image data includes: decoding normally printed decodable indicia from illuminated images; and decoding electronically displayed decodable indicia from non-illuminated images.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of projecting an illumination pattern on the decodable indicia includes pulsed LED illumination controlled by an LED driver. ​ ​ ​

Images