Barcode Reader Dual Imaging Optics Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barcode readers have a limited distance range over which they can capture a decodable image due to their limited depth of field, leading to insufficient focus and resolution for barcodes outside this range, and increasing the depth of field often results in insufficient illumination or requires intensive processing.
Innovation Solution
A barcode reader with two sets of imaging optics, one with a simple fixed spherical lens system and another using wavefront coding or adjustable lens technology, allowing for a greater effective depth of field and enabling decoding of barcodes at varying distances with appropriate processing to remove imaging effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optics with a larger depth of field are used, then the distance range for capturing decodable barcode images is increased, but illumination intensity and image contrast become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode reader is divided into multiple imaging systems, each with different depth of field characteristics. The first imaging system captures images with a first depth of field while the second imaging system captures images with a second, larger depth of field. This segmentation allows the system to handle both close-range and far-range barcodes effectively without compromising illumination intensity in either system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optics with a larger depth of field are used, then the distance range for capturing decodable barcode images is increased, but intensive image processing or repositioning of the focal plane is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging function into multiple parallel paths with different depth of field characteristics. Each imaging system processes images independently, and the processor selects from multiple candidate images those that are decodable. This approach distributes the processing complexity across multiple simpler systems rather than requiring one complex system to handle all depth ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple copies of the imaging system with different optical configurations. Instead of using a single complex system that requires intensive processing, the patent uses multiple simpler imaging systems that capture images simultaneously, allowing the processor to select the best image without extensive processing of a single image.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a smaller aperture is used to increase depth of field, then the depth of field is increased, but illumination intensity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging function into multiple systems with different aperture sizes and depth of field characteristics. The first imaging system uses a smaller aperture for greater depth of field while the second imaging system uses a larger aperture for better illumination. This segmentation allows both systems to operate at their optimal settings without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters (aperture size, focal length) between different imaging systems to optimize for different conditions. The first imaging system is configured with parameters optimized for greater depth of field, while the second imaging system is configured with parameters optimized for better illumination, allowing the system to adapt to different scanning scenarios.
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
Enables the capture and decoding of barcodes over a wider distance range with improved focus and resolution, while maintaining efficient processing and illumination, by utilizing multiple imaging systems and processing techniques to handle images from both sets of optics effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of imaging optics which produces a first image of the barcode on the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
a second set of imaging optics that produces a second image of the barcode on the image sensor
Implementation Method 3
the second set of imaging optics may include a wavefront coding optic configured to cause a path length of the second set of imaging optics to vary spatially
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a barcode reader including a second set of imaging optics having a larger effective depth of field than a first set of imaging optics and requiring a larger amount of time to process a resulting image of a barcode into a decodable format. The barcode reader also includes a processor providing a decoded output based on an image acquired with the second set of imaging optics if an image acquired with the first set of imaging optics is not decodable.