Barcode decoding chip and method integrating sensing and computing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a barcode decoding chip and method with integrated sensing and computing, wherein the barcode decoding chip includes: a CMOS image acquisition unit, a barcode decoding unit and a UART / USB communication interface; the CMOS image acquisition unit is used to acquire barcode image data and convert it into an electrical signal; the barcode decoding unit is used to receive the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image acquisition unit, and decode the barcode image data to extract the barcode information; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit the decoding information to a host device; the CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the UART / USB communication interface realize the sensing and computing in an integrated manner. The present invention solves the problems of poor electromagnetic compatibility, high PCB design complexity and insufficient integration of miniaturized products caused by the discrete architecture of the existing CMOS sensor and decoding chip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of barcode recognition, and in particular relates to a barcode decoding chip and method integrating sensing and computing. Background Art

[0002] Barcode technology is the abbreviation of barcode auto-identification technology. Barcode technology is a symbol automatic recognition technology that was generated and developed on the basis of contemporary information technology. It integrates the functions of symbol encoding, data collection, automatic identification, input, and information storage, and can effectively solve the problem of collecting and automatically inputting a large amount of data in real work and life. Barcode technology has been widely used in the fields of retail, intelligent traceability, logistics, engineering warehousing management, hospital medicine, etc. At present, the most widely used barcodes are one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes.

[0003] One-dimensional barcode is a graphic symbol composed of a group of regularly arranged black and white stripes. The barcode information is transmitted by the different widths and positions of black and white. This group of graphic symbols is used to represent information such as numbers, characters and symbols. This barcode technology can only store information in one direction through the combination of black and white, so it is called "one-dimensional barcode".

[0004] Two-dimensional barcodes record data symbol information through black and white graphics distributed on a plane (horizontally and vertically) according to a certain pattern; in the compilation of the code, the concept of 0 and 1 bit streams that constitute the internal logic basis of the computer is cleverly used, and several geometric figures corresponding to binary are used to represent textual numerical information. Two-dimensional barcodes use error correction coding in the generation process, making them highly resistant to contamination. Two-dimensional barcodes can express information in both horizontal and vertical directions at the same time, so they can express a large amount of information in a very small area.

[0005] Barcode reading is a technology that converts barcode images into data information. It mainly consists of two parts: barcode image acquisition and decoding processing. Barcode image acquisition scans the barcode image through an optical image sensor and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. Decoding processing is the process of translating the collected electrical signal into corresponding data information according to certain rules. Barcode reading equipment can be divided into laser reading equipment, linear CCD reading equipment, and area array CMOS / CCD reading equipment according to different reading principles.

[0006] At present, the core components of decoding equipment include CMOS sensor and decoding chip. CMOS sensor and decoding chip are connected through peripheral circuits to realize image acquisition and decoding functions. Image acquisition is completed by CMOS sensor, while barcode decoding is done by decoding chip. Decoding chip can be divided into two types: CPU-based decoding chip and hardware accelerated decoding chip.

[0007] The CMOS sensor and the decoding chip transmit image data through the image data interface. Common interface standards include DVP, MIPI, LVDS and HISPI. Although these high-speed data interfaces have high transmission rates, they are often accompanied by electromagnetic compatibility issues, which put forward high requirements for PCB design. Usually, a PCB design with a higher number of layers is required, which not only increases the design difficulty, but also increases the cost of the product. In addition, for some miniaturized products, the product solution implemented by two discrete chips may not meet the requirements of their volume and integration.

[0008] A Chinese patent with publication number CN101859365A discloses a barcode decoding chip, which includes: a data storage device for storing barcode images; at least two barcode operation logics for parallel processing of barcode images stored in the data storage device; and a selection logic gate disposed between the data storage device and the at least two barcode operation logics. The selection logic gate enables the at least two barcode operation logics to sequentially call the barcode images in the data storage device. Although the method described in the invention realizes the parallelization of the barcode image recognition process, the image acquisition and decoding functions are still implemented by two separate chips, resulting in a larger decoding chip size and higher power consumption. It may also face problems such as electromagnetic compatibility and signal stability, thereby increasing the overall design complexity and cost. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a barcode decoding chip and method that integrates sensing and computing, so as to solve the problems of poor electromagnetic compatibility, high complexity of PCB design and insufficient integration of miniaturized products caused by the discrete architecture of existing CMOS sensors and decoding chips.

[0010] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0011] On the one hand, the present invention provides a barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing, comprising: a CMOS image acquisition unit, a barcode decoding unit and a UART / USB communication interface; the CMOS image acquisition unit is used to acquire barcode image data and convert it into an electrical signal; the barcode decoding unit is used to receive the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image acquisition unit, and decode the barcode image data to extract the barcode information; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit the decoding information to an upper computer device; the CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the UART / USB communication interface realize the integrated sensing and computing through the following integration method:

[0012] a. The Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are integrated into the same package through the sealing technology; the Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are respectively connected to the chip substrate through wires, and the internal signals are interconnected through the chip substrate; the Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit is stacked on the Die of the barcode decoding unit, and a space is maintained between the two to prevent the two from short-circuiting; the top layer of the package is encapsulated with a transparent structural material to encapsulate the entire barcode decoding chip so that light can irradiate the photosensitive surface of the CMOS image acquisition unit, thereby realizing image photoelectric conversion.

[0013] The CMOS image acquisition unit includes: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit, a system control unit, a register configuration and status unit, an I2C SLAVE configuration control unit and an image data transmission interface unit.

[0014] b. The CMOS image acquisition unit, barcode decoding unit and communication interface are connected through a shared internal bus.

[0015] The CMOS image acquisition unit comprises: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit and a system control unit.

[0016] Preferably, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by method a is a hardware barcode decoding chip, and the hardware barcode decoding chip includes: an MCU control unit, an XIP FLASH, a program RAM, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, an image BMP storage unit, a barcode hardware decoding logic unit, and an I2C MASTER control unit.

[0017] The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the internal units of the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIPFLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE; the program RAM is used to store the program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit reads and writes the variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive the image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor chip, using DVP / MIPI as the transmission interface, and sends the image data to the image BMP storage unit after parsing the data; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit, and the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus; the I2C MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit.

[0018] Accordingly, the present invention provides a barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, comprising the following steps:

[0019] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the hardware barcode decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work, initializes each internal functional sub-module, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2CMASTER control unit.

[0020] After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration.

[0021] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0022] The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the hardware barcode decoding chip through the image data transmission interface.

[0023] After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the hardware barcode decoding chip analyzes the line field signal and stores the image data into the image BMP storage unit; the image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding.

[0024] The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information result through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0025] Preferably, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way a is a CPU soft decoding chip, and the CPU soft decoding chip includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, general RAM / DDR, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, and an I2CMASTER control unit.

[0026] The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs; the general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit, and the program storage is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs when the CPU soft decoding chip is running; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor, and transfer the image data to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated DMA channel; the I2C MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit.

[0027] Accordingly, the present invention provides a barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, comprising the following steps:

[0028] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the CPU soft decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work, initializes each internal functional sub-module, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2C MASTER control unit.

[0029] After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses the configuration data and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration.

[0030] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0031] The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the CPU soft decoding chip through the image data transmission interface.

[0032] After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the CPU soft decoding chip analyzes the line field signal and stores the image data into the image BMP storage; the image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding.

[0033] The CPU processing unit sends the decoding information results to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0034] Preferably, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way b includes: an MCU control unit, an XIP FLASH, a program RAM, an image BMP storage unit, and a barcode hardware decoding logic unit.

[0035] The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the work of each unit inside the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIPFLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE; the program RAM is used to store the program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit reads and writes the variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit through the bus; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit, and the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus.

[0036] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, comprising the following steps:

[0037] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work and initialize various functional sub-modules inside the barcode decoding chip.

[0038] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0039] The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the image BMP storage unit through the bus. The image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding.

[0040] The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information result through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0041] Preferably, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way b includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, and general RAM / DDR.

[0042] The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs; general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit, and the program storage is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs when the CPU soft decoding chip is running.

[0043] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, comprising the following steps:

[0044] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work and initialize various functional sub-modules inside the barcode decoding chip.

[0045] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0046] The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal and transmits the processed image data to the image BMP storage through the bus. The image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding.

[0047] The CPU processing unit sends the decoding information results to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0048] On the other hand, the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the barcode decoding method of parallel decoding as described in any embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

[0049] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0050] The present invention proposes a barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing. The barcode decoding chip can adopt four different integrated architectures, namely: CMOS sensor and hard decoding chip sealing mode, CMOS sensor and soft decoding chip sealing mode, CMOS sensor and hard decoding function integrated mode, and CMOS sensor and soft decoding function integrated mode. Each architecture design optimizes performance and cost for different application requirements.

[0051] In the CMOS sensor and hard decoding chip co-sealing method and the CMOS sensor and soft decoding chip co-sealing method, the CMOS sensor and decoding function achieve compact layout and simplified electrical connection through chip-level co-sealing design. This co-sealing method effectively reduces the physical connection between chips, reduces the delay in signal transmission, and also improves the reliability and stability of the chip, further reducing the complexity of external connection and packaging.

[0052] In the integration of CMOS sensor and hard decoding chip and CMOS sensor and soft decoding chip, the sensor and decoding functions are highly integrated on the same chip. The integrated design not only reduces the overall size and layout complexity of the chip, but also significantly reduces power consumption and cost, shortens the processing time from image acquisition to barcode decoding, and improves barcode processing efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Figure 1 This is the internal structure diagram of the barcode decoding chip integrated by method a;

[0054] Figure 2 is an overall architecture diagram of the barcode decoding chip described in Example 1;

[0055] Figure 3 is an overall architecture diagram of the barcode decoding chip described in Example 3;

[0056] Figure 4 This is the internal structure diagram of the barcode decoding chip integrated by method b;

[0057] Figure 5 is an overall architecture diagram of the barcode decoding chip described in Example 5;

[0058] Figure 6 This is the overall architecture diagram of the barcode decoding chip described in Example 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in combination with specific embodiments of the present application and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] Embodiment 1

[0061] This embodiment provides a barcode decoding chip integrating sensing and computing, see Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a CMOS image acquisition unit, a barcode decoding unit and a UART / USB communication interface; the CMOS image acquisition unit is used to acquire barcode image data and convert it into an electrical signal; the barcode decoding unit is used to receive the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image acquisition unit, and decode the barcode image data to extract the barcode information; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit the decoding information to the upper computer device, and can also be used for image upload and download, user parameter configuration, etc. The CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the UART / USB communication interface realize the integration of sensing and computing through the following integration methods:

[0062] a. The Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are integrated in the same package through the sealing technology; the PAD of the Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are respectively connected to the chip substrate through wires, and the internal signals are interconnected through the chip substrate. After the interconnection, the DIE, substrate and wires of the chip are all sealed together through the packaging mold, and then filled with packaging materials to form an integrated packaged chip. The Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit is stacked on the Die of the barcode decoding unit, and a space is maintained between the two to prevent the short circuit between the two. The constraint on the size of the space is not limited here. When the specific design is implemented, the wire width between the Die and the Die, between the wires and the wires, and between the wires and the Die (the part without electrical connection) is preferably greater than 2 times. The uppermost layer of the package uses a transparent structural material to encapsulate the entire barcode decoding chip so that light can irradiate the photosensitive surface of the CMOS image acquisition unit, thereby realizing image photoelectric conversion. Furthermore, the sealing technology used in this embodiment is preferably SiP (System in Package), which is a technology that highly integrates multiple integrated circuits (ICs) into a single package. The SiP packaging process specifically includes the following steps: chip preparation, substrate preparation, die attach, interconnection formation, package construction, and testing and post-packaging processing.

[0063] The CMOS image acquisition unit in the barcode decoding chip includes: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit, a system control unit (including a timing control function: the entire image forming process is carried out in an orderly manner and works in a pipeline manner), a register configuration and status unit, an I2C SLAVE configuration control unit and an image data transmission interface unit.

[0064] The row input unit and the column input unit are used for timing control of photoelectric conversion; the optical array is used for photoelectric conversion to convert photons into electrical signals; the analog processing unit is used to amplify and remove noise from the electrical signals after exposure; the A / D conversion unit is used to quantize and encode the electrical signals after analog processing and convert them into digital signals; the digital image processing unit is used to perform various image processing such as GAMMA correction, white balance, and boundary enhancement on the digital images converted by the A / D conversion unit; the system control unit is used to coordinate the optical array unit, the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the digital image processing unit to work in a unified manner; the register configuration and status unit is used to control the working parameter configuration of the CMOS image sensor and provide status information of each module; the I2C SLAVE configuration control unit is used for the communication interface of the external chip to access the internal register unit; the image data sending interface unit is used to send the image data to the lower-level receiving chip in a certain format.

[0065] As a preferred implementation of this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by method a is a hardware barcode decoding chip, and the hardware barcode decoding chip includes: an MCU control unit, XIPFLASH, a program RAM, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, an image BMP storage unit, a barcode hardware decoding logic unit, and an I2CMASTER control unit.

[0066] The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the internal units of the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIPFLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE. The CACHE structure can greatly improve the speed at which the MCU control unit reads instructions and data in XIP FLASH; the program RAM is used to store program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit reads and writes variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor chip, using DVP / MIPI as the transmission interface, and sending the image data to the image BMP storage unit after parsing the data; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit. The entire storage process of the image BMP storage unit is automatically transmitted through DMA, without the participation of the MCU; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit. The barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus. The dedicated bus can be selected according to actual needs, and 32Bit is preferred here; I2C The MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit. Specifically, the image data transmission interfaces of the image data transmission interface unit and the image data receiving interface unit include but are not limited to DVP, MIPI, LVDS, HISPI and other interfaces.

[0067] Embodiment 2

[0068] Accordingly, this embodiment provides a barcode decoding method with integrated sensing and computing. The method is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing described in Embodiment 1, and includes the following steps:

[0069] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the hardware barcode decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work, initializes the internal functional sub-modules, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2CMASTER control unit. The program instructions specifically include initialization, system scheduling, decoding process control, command communication, etc.

[0070] After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration.

[0071] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0072] The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal. In order to make the image have a better display effect, the digital image processing unit will perform digital image processing on the digital image data, including lens shading correction, bad pixel correction, gamma correction, automatic white balance, exposure gain control, etc.; and transmit the processed image data to the hardware barcode decoding chip through the image data sending interface.

[0073] After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the hardware barcode decoding chip analyzes the row and field signals and stores the image data in the image BMP storage unit; the image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding. The decoding method of the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is not limited here, and can be selected according to actual needs to perform serial decoding / parallel decoding, one or more barcode type decoding and other settings. At the same time, the image BMP storage unit can also perform read and write operations on the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit starts the decoding logic according to the user configuration. The MCU control unit writes the start signal to the corresponding decoding logic control register, and the corresponding barcode hardware decoding logic unit starts to read the image data of the image BMP storage unit for decoding operations. Once the module decoding is completed, the completion flag and the flag of whether the decoding is successful will be sent to the status register, and the completion flag will generate an interrupt signal.

[0074] The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information results through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information results to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface. At the same time, during the barcode decoding process, the MCU control unit will analyze whether the image data meets the decoding requirements, and dynamically adjust the image imaging process by sending parameters through the I2C MASTER control unit.

[0075] Embodiment 3

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, the barcode decoding chip provided in this embodiment is different from that in Embodiment 1 in that the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by method a is a CPU soft decoding chip, and the CPU soft decoding chip includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, a general RAM / DDR, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, and an I2C MASTER control unit.

[0077] The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs. Specifically, the program stored in FLASH is provided to the CPU processing unit for use during operation. When the chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit will first import the system program in FLASH into the general RAM / DDR, and then run the program; the general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store the image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit, and the program storage is used to store the system program and decoding algorithm program when the CPU soft decoding chip is running; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive the image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor, and transfer the image data to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated DMA channel; the I2C MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit.

[0078] Specifically, the image data transmission interface of the CMOS image receiving interface unit includes but is not limited to DVP, MIPI, LVDS, HISPI and other interfaces.

[0079] Embodiment 4

[0080] Accordingly, this embodiment provides a barcode decoding method with integrated sensing and computing, which is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing described in Embodiment 3 and includes the following steps:

[0081] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the CPU soft decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work, initializes the internal functional sub-modules, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2C MASTER control unit. The program instructions specifically include initialization, system scheduling, decoding process control, command communication, etc.

[0082] After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration.

[0083] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0084] The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the CPU soft decoding chip through the image data transmission interface.

[0085] After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the CPU soft decoding chip analyzes the line field signal and stores the image data into the image BMP storage; the image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding.

[0086] Specifically, the decoding method of the CPU processing unit is not limited here, and serial decoding / parallel decoding, one or more barcode type decoding, etc. can be selected according to actual needs. The CPU processing unit starts the decoding logic according to the user configuration, calls the corresponding type of barcode decoding algorithm stored in FLASH, runs the barcode decoding algorithm and reads the image data stored in the image BMP for decoding operations, and after waiting for the decoding to be completed, the CPU processing unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0087] Embodiment 5

[0088] This embodiment provides a barcode decoding chip integrating sensing and computing, see Figure 4 As shown, it includes: a CMOS image acquisition unit, a barcode decoding unit and a UART / USB communication interface; the CMOS image acquisition unit is used to acquire barcode image data and convert it into an electrical signal; the barcode decoding unit is used to receive the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image acquisition unit, and decode the barcode image data to extract the barcode information; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit the decoding information to the upper computer device, and can also be used for image upload and download, user parameter configuration, etc. The CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the UART / USB communication interface realize the integration of sensing and computing through the following integration methods:

[0089] b. The CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the communication interface are connected through a shared internal bus. In this embodiment, the three functional modules of the barcode decoding chip are integrated into the same wafer. The advantage of this design is that all signals are transmitted through the system internal bus without the need for external pin connection. At the same time, it simplifies the redundant interface design, effectively reduces the time for image data transmission, and shortens the processing delay from image acquisition to barcode decoding. In addition, the integrated design also effectively reduces the overall area of ​​the chip and reduces the manufacturing cost. It truly realizes a barcode decoding chip that integrates sensing and computing from photosensitive image acquisition to barcode decoding.

[0090] The CMOS image acquisition unit comprises: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit and a system control unit.

[0091] As a preferred implementation of this embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way b includes: an MCU control unit, an XIP FLASH, a program RAM, an image BMP storage unit, and a barcode hardware decoding logic unit.

[0092] The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the internal units of the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIPFLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE; the program RAM is used to store the program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit reads and writes the variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit through the bus; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit, and the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit decoding information to the host device, and can also be used for image upload and download, user parameter configuration, etc.

[0093] Embodiment 6

[0094] Accordingly, this embodiment provides a barcode decoding method with integrated sensing and computing, which is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing described in Embodiment 5 and includes the following steps:

[0095] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work and initialize various functional sub-modules inside the barcode decoding chip.

[0096] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0097] The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal. In order to make the image have a better display effect, the digital image processing unit will perform digital image processing on the digital image data, including lens shading correction, bad pixel correction, gamma correction, automatic white balance, exposure gain control, etc.; and transmit the processed image data to the image BMP storage unit through the bus, and the image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding. Specifically, the decoding method of the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is not limited here, and can be selected according to actual needs. Serial decoding / parallel decoding, one or more barcode type decoding settings, etc.

[0098] The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information result through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface. At the same time, during the barcode decoding process, the MCU control unit will analyze whether the image data meets the decoding requirements and dynamically adjust the image imaging process.

[0099] Embodiment 7

[0100] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between the barcode decoding chip provided in this embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that the barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way b includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, and general RAM / DDR.

[0101] The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs; general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit, and the program storage is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs when the CPU soft decoding chip is running.

[0102] Embodiment 8

[0103] Accordingly, this embodiment provides a barcode decoding method with integrated sensing and computing, which is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing described in Embodiment 7 and includes the following steps:

[0104] After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work and initialize various functional sub-modules inside the barcode decoding chip.

[0105] Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal.

[0106] The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal and transmits the processed image data to the image BMP storage through the bus. The image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding.

[0107] Specifically, the decoding method of the CPU processing unit is not limited here, and can be selected according to actual needs to perform serial decoding / parallel decoding, one or more barcode type decoding, etc. The CPU processing unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

[0108] Embodiment 9

[0109] This embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the barcode decoding method as described in any embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

[0110] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can be represented by: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0111] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in a combination of electronic hardware, computer software, and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0112] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0113] In several embodiments provided in the present application, if any function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory; hereinafter referred to as: ROM), random access memory (Random Access Memory; hereinafter referred to as: RAM), disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0114] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A barcode decoding chip integrating sensing and computing, characterized in that: include: CMOS image acquisition unit, barcode decoding unit and UART / USB communication interface; the CMOS image acquisition unit is used to collect barcode image data and convert it into electrical signals; The barcode decoding unit is used to receive the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image acquisition unit, and decode the barcode image data to extract the barcode information; the UART / USB communication interface is used to transmit the decoded information to the host device; the CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the UART / USB communication interface are integrated to achieve sensing and computing in one through the following integration: a. The Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are integrated into the same package through the sealing technology; the Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit and the Die of the barcode decoding unit are respectively connected to the chip substrate through wires, and the internal signals are interconnected through the chip substrate; the Die of the CMOS image acquisition unit is stacked on the Die of the barcode decoding unit, and a space is maintained between the two to prevent the two from short-circuiting; the uppermost layer of the package is encapsulated with a transparent structural material to encapsulate the entire barcode decoding chip so that light can irradiate the photosensitive surface of the CMOS image acquisition unit, thereby realizing image photoelectric conversion; The CMOS image acquisition unit includes: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit, a system control unit, a register configuration and status unit, an I2C SLAVE configuration control unit, and an image data transmission interface unit; b. The CMOS image acquisition unit, the barcode decoding unit and the communication interface are connected via a shared internal bus; The CMOS image acquisition unit comprises: a row input unit, a column input unit, an optical array, an analog processing and A / D conversion unit, a digital image processing unit and a system control unit.

2. The barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way a is a hardware barcode decoding chip, and the hardware barcode decoding chip includes: an MCU control unit, an XIP FLASH, a program RAM, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, an image BMP storage unit, a barcode hardware decoding logic unit, and an I2C MASTER control unit; The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the internal units of the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIP FLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE; the program RAM is used to store the program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit reads and writes the variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive the image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor chip, using DVP / MIPI as the transmission interface, and sends the image data to the image BMP storage unit after parsing the data; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit, and the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus; the I2C MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit.

3. The barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way a is a CPU soft decoding chip, and the CPU soft decoding chip includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, a general RAM / DDR, a CMOS image receiving interface unit, and an I2C MASTER control unit; The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs; the general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store image data transmitted by the CMOS image receiving interface unit, and the program storage is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs when the CPU soft decoding chip is running; the CMOS image receiving interface unit is used to receive image data transmitted by the CMOS image sensor, and transfer the image data to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated DMA channel; the I2C MASTER control unit is used to configure and read the control / status registers inside the CMOS image acquisition unit.

4. The barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by way b includes: an MCU control unit, an XIP FLASH, a program RAM, an image BMP storage unit, and a barcode hardware decoding logic unit; The MCU control unit is used to coordinate and unify the work of each unit inside the hardware barcode decoding chip; XIP FLASH is used to store the program run by the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit is connected to XIP FLASH through CACHE; the program RAM is used to store the program variables during the operation of the MCU control unit, and the MCU control unit reads and writes the variables in the program RAM through the AHB bus; the image BMP storage unit is used to store the image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit through the bus; the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is used to perform barcode analysis and decoding on the image data in the image BMP storage unit, and the barcode hardware decoding logic unit is connected to the image BMP storage unit through a dedicated bus.

5. The barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode decoding unit in the barcode decoding chip integrated by mode b includes: a CPU processing unit, FLASH, and general RAM / DDR; The CPU processing unit is used to run the barcode decoding algorithm, system scheduling, and coordinate the orderly operation of each unit inside the CPU soft decoding chip; FLASH is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs; general RAM / DDR is divided into two parts: image BMP storage and program storage. The image BMP storage is used to store image data transmitted by the digital image processing unit, and the program storage is used to store system programs and decoding algorithm programs when the CPU soft decoding chip is running.

6. A barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, characterized in that: The method is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 2, and comprises the following steps: After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the hardware barcode decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work, initializes each internal functional sub-module, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2C MASTER control unit; After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration; Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the hardware barcode decoding chip through the image data transmission interface; After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the hardware barcode decoding chip analyzes the line field signal and stores the image data into the image BMP storage unit; the image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding; The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information result through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

7. A barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, characterized in that: The method is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 3, and comprises the following steps: After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the CPU soft decoding chip obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work, initializes each internal functional sub-module, and sends the configuration data of the configuration parameters of the CMOS image acquisition unit through the I2C MASTER control unit; After receiving the configuration data transmitted by the I2C MASTER control unit, the I2C SLAVE control unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit parses the configuration data and writes it into the configuration area of ​​the register configuration and status unit; each unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs orderly image acquisition work according to the issued register configuration; Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital image processing unit of the CMOS image acquisition unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the CPU soft decoding chip through the image data transmission interface; After receiving the processed image data, the CMOS image receiving interface of the CPU soft decoding chip analyzes the line field signal and stores the image data into the image BMP storage; the image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding; The CPU processing unit sends the decoding information results to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

8. A barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, characterized in that: The method is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing according to claim 4, and comprises the following steps: After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the MCU control unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the XIP FLASH to work and initialize each functional sub-module inside the barcode decoding chip; Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal, and transmits the processed image data to the image BMP storage unit through the bus, and the image BMP storage unit provides the image data to the barcode hardware decoding logic unit for barcode decoding; The barcode hardware decoding logic unit notifies the MCU control unit of the decoding information result through an interrupt, and the MCU control unit sends the decoding information result to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

9. A barcode decoding method integrating sensing and computing, characterized in that: The method is implemented based on the barcode decoding chip with integrated sensing and computing function as claimed in claim 5, and comprises the following steps: After the barcode decoding chip is powered on, the CPU processing unit of the barcode decoding unit obtains the program instructions of the FLASH to work and initialize each functional sub-module inside the barcode decoding chip; Under the coordinated control of the system control unit, the optical array converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the row input unit and the column input unit. The converted electrical signal is amplified and quantized by the analog processing and A / D conversion unit, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital image processing unit performs digital image processing on the digital signal and transmits the processed image data to the image BMP storage through the bus. The image BMP storage provides the image data to the CPU processing unit for barcode decoding; The CPU processing unit sends the decoding information results to the host computer through the UART / USB communication interface.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the sensing and computing integrated barcode decoding method as described in any one of claims 6 to 9 is implemented.

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