Barcode Scanner Gain Control Saturation Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional barcode reading devices face challenges in accurately decoding barcodes due to signal saturation, as they often fail to adapt quickly between saturated and non-saturated areas, leading to reduced gain and illumination, which compromises the scanning quality.

Innovation Solution

A method that switches between automatic and fixed gain control settings based on detected saturation areas in the scan data, using a histogram to identify saturation and adjusting exposure and gain to improve barcode readability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automatic gain control is used to handle saturated signals, then the device can adapt to varying signal conditions, but it fails to adapt quickly enough when transitioning from saturated to non-saturated areas, compromising barcode decoding accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to signal conditionsVSAvoidadaptation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between automatic gain control mode and fixed gain control mode based on saturation detection. When saturation is detected in the reflected light signal, the system transitions to a predetermined fixed gain sequence that is optimized for quickly transitioning from saturated to non-saturated signal areas, thereby maintaining both adaptability and fast response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the device reduces gain or illumination to avoid saturated areas, then it can prevent signal saturation, but it further weakens the true barcode signal that needs to be scanned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidbarcode signal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different gain control strategies to different portions of the signal. When saturation is detected, instead of uniformly reducing gain or illumination across the entire signal, the system uses a predetermined fixed gain sequence that selectively addresses saturated areas while preserving the strength of non-saturated barcode-containing signals, thereby maintaining local signal quality without weakening the true barcode signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If conventional gain control methods are used, then the system maintains simple operation, but it cannot distinguish between saturated and non-saturated areas, leading to failed barcode decoding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsaturation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects saturation in the reflected light signal and self-adjusts by switching to an appropriate fixed gain sequence without requiring manual intervention. The saturation detection mechanism automatically identifies when the signal is saturated and triggers the predetermined fixed gain sequence, enabling the system to distinguish between saturated and non-saturated areas while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9679178B2Scanning improvements for saturated signals using automatic and fixed gain control methods

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

A method controls the exposure of an image containing a barcode for a barcode reading device. The method obtains a line of scan data from the image and identifies areas of saturation within the scan data. If there are saturated areas within the scan data, the method switches from an automatic gain control to a predetermined gain control. The method then resumes automatic gain control after a predetermined time.