Adaptive Data Reader for Reflective Optical Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose data readers struggle to decode optical codes on highly or relatively highly reflective surfaces due to insufficient contrast caused by reflection of artificial illumination, leading to saturated images that are difficult to process.
Innovation Solution
A data reader system that automatically adjusts operating parameters such as gain, exposure time, and illumination direction to capture non-saturated images by analyzing the surface type, allowing for effective decoding of optical codes on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If artificial illumination is used to illuminate the optical code, then the optical code can be captured, but the highly reflective surface reflects the illumination causing saturated images with insufficient contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts illumination parameters based on detected surface reflectivity. The controller modifies illumination intensity and exposure time in real-time according to the reflective characteristics of the surface, transforming a static illumination system into an adaptive one that prevents saturation while maintaining code visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including illumination intensity, exposure time, and gain settings based on the detected surface type. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system adapts to highly reflective surfaces to prevent saturation while ensuring sufficient contrast for code decoding.
2Illumination intensity
If the illumination amount is increased to improve image capture, then the image brightness increases, but the contrast decreases due to saturation on reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs coordinated parameter adjustments including decreasing illumination intensity, reducing exposure time, and lowering gain settings when highly reflective surfaces are detected. This multi-parameter approach maintains image brightness at acceptable levels while preventing saturation and preserving contrast necessary for accurate code measurement and decoding.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable decoding of optical codes on both highly reflective and other surfaces by optimizing image capture settings, resulting in improved reading performance across different surface types.
Implementation Method 1
highly, or relatively highly, reflective surfaces bearing optical codes commonly reflect a large amount of such artificial illumination resulting in a saturated, or partially saturated, image
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed systems (10) and methods preferably capture one or more images of an item (32) bearing an optical code (31) and analyze such images to determine whether the item (32) has a highly, or relatively highly, reflective surface (30) or not. Based on such a determination, operating parameters of the system (10), such as the gain, exposure time, and amount of illumination, are preferably automatically adjusted by the system (10) to capture a subsequent image of the item (32) where the subsequent image has sufficient contrast to decode the optical code (31). The subsequent image may include a plurality of images, and different operating parameters may be used to capture several, or each, of the plurality of images based on the determination of whether the item (32) has a highly, or relatively highly, reflective surface (30) or not.