Aiming Beam for Barcode Scanner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data collection devices face challenges in accurately reading machine-readable symbols due to directional limitations and the invisibility of acquisition beams, especially in environments with clustered symbols or high ambient light, which complicates user positioning and data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose aiming beam is used that provides both target locating and data acquisition capabilities, with a wavelength in the visible electromagnetic spectrum, adaptable illumination patterns, and the ability to illuminate 1D or 2D symbols, allowing for faster decoding and eliminating the need for separate aiming and illumination sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate aiming beam and illumination source are used, then target locating and data acquisition can be performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aiming beam source and illumination source into a single integrated light source that can operate in different modes. The same light source provides both the visible aiming beam for target location and the illumination for data acquisition, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is designed to serve multiple functions: it can operate as a visible aiming beam for target location, as an illumination source for data acquisition, or in combination modes where it performs both functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require separate components.
2Measurement precision
If the acquisition beam is made invisible, then data acquisition precision is improved, but user positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching between different operational modes of the light source. The system alternates between providing a visible aiming beam for user positioning and providing illumination for data acquisition, or uses different wavelengths periodically. This allows the acquisition beam to remain effectively invisible during data collection while the visible aiming beam assists user positioning at other times.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source changes its parameters (wavelength, intensity, or mode of operation) to provide a visible aiming beam when user positioning is needed and provides illumination when data acquisition is needed. By changing the operational parameters of the same light source, the system maintains data acquisition precision while assisting user positioning.
3Ease of operation
If a visible aiming beam is used, then user alignment is improved, but data acquisition accuracy deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source operation into distinct functional modes or time periods. The visible aiming beam function and the illumination function are separated in time or wavelength, allowing the system to provide user alignment assistance without the visible beam interfering with the data acquisition process. The decoder is configured to ignore or filter out the aiming beam signals during data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic switching between visible aiming beam mode and illumination mode, or uses different wavelengths for each function. The visible aiming beam is provided during periods when data acquisition is not occurring, or at different wavelengths that the decoder can distinguish and filter out, thereby maintaining user alignment capability without compromising data acquisition accuracy.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the aiming beam is activated during image acquisition, then continuous illumination is provided, but the target image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching between different operational modes. The light source provides visible aiming beam illumination during periods when image acquisition is not occurring, and provides illumination during periods when image acquisition is occurring. This temporal segmentation ensures continuous overall illumination while preventing the visible aiming beam from degrading image quality during critical acquisition moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the light source based on the current mode. During image acquisition, the light source operates in illumination mode with parameters optimized for image quality. During non-acquisition periods, it switches to visible aiming beam mode. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains both continuous illumination and image quality.
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 solution enables accurate and efficient data acquisition by providing a visible aiming beam for user alignment and illumination, reducing errors and simplifying the decoding process, while adapting to various environments and symbol types.
Implementation Method 1
producing a stationary aiming beam having a wavelength in a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of light of the aiming beam that has been returned from the illuminated area of the target symbol is received
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic data collection device is provided for reading barcodes, matrix codes, stacked codes, or other machine-readable symbol. The data collection device generates an aiming beam that serves a dual purpose of target locating and data acquisition, such as data acquisition using imaging methods. The aiming beam defines the field of view of the data collection device for imaging. The illumination pattern provided by the aiming beam for imaging can have its shape, size, and/or intensity adaptively changed depending on conditions.