Barcode Reader Off-Platter Detection Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barcode readers with weigh platters face issues in accurately measuring the weight of products that extend off the platter, leading to incorrect pricing due to variations in shape and size.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an off-platter detection assembly with dual imaging assemblies and a controller that captures images of the product's footprint relative to the platter's edges, allowing accurate determination of whether the product extends beyond the measurement boundaries, preventing incorrect weight recording and alerting users if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a weigh platter is used to measure product weight, then weight measurement function is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates when products extend off the platter
Solution Approach 1:
An imaging assembly is introduced as an intermediary device between the weigh platter and the control system. The imaging assembly captures images of products on the platter, and image processing algorithms determine whether products extend off the platter edges. This intermediary detection mechanism enables the system to identify off-platter conditions and prevent inaccurate weight measurements, thereby maintaining measurement precision while adapting to varied product shapes and sizes.
2Measurement precision
If imaging assemblies are added for off-platter detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging assembly serves multiple functions: it captures images of products for off-platter detection, and can potentially be used for other scanning or identification purposes. By making the imaging assembly multi-functional, the system achieves improved measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware component serves multiple operational roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with an optical imaging-based detection system. Instead of using additional mechanical sensors or complex mechanical structures to detect off-platter conditions, the system uses image processing algorithms to analyze product position and extent, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping the added complexity relatively low.
3Device complexity
If weight measurement is performed without off-platter detection, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to incorrect pricing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image capture and analysis before completing the weight measurement and pricing process. By detecting whether products extend off the platter edges in advance through image processing, the system can prevent inaccurate weight measurements and incorrect pricing from occurring, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A barcode reader has a housing, weigh platter, and off-platter detection assembly including first and second imaging assemblies in communication with a controller. The first imaging assembly has a first imager configured to capture an image of a first lateral edge of the weigh platter. The second imaging assembly has a second imager configured to capture an image of a second lateral edge of the weigh platter. The controller is configured to: identify and locate the first and second lateral edges; receive first and second images from the imagers; allow the weight of an object to be recorded if determined that a footprint of the object does not extend over the first or second lateral edges; and prevent the weight of the object from being recorded and/or providing an alert to a user if determined that the footprint of the object does extend over the first or second lateral edges.