Barcode Scanner Illumination Masking to Limit Decode Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide fields of view in barcode scanners and machine vision systems increase the likelihood of accidental barcode scans in regions outside the desired scanning area, leading to inefficient and repeated decoding of indicia.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a first illumination assembly to illuminate only a specific region of the field of view, capturing image data and decoding indicia only within that region, while ignoring data from areas outside the illumination, using spatially masked light and structured light patterns to determine distances and prevent accidental decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide field of view is used in barcode scanners, then scanning coverage and machine vision tracking are improved, but the likelihood of accidental barcode scans in regions outside the desired scanning area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple regions of interest (ROIs), each with different decoding thresholds and parameters. The imaging sensor captures the entire wide FOV, but the processor selectively applies different decode thresholds to different spatial regions, allowing the system to maintain wide coverage while preventing accidental scans in regions outside the desired scanning area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements region-specific decoding parameters where different portions of the field of view have different decode thresholds, sensitivity settings, and validation criteria. This allows the system to be highly sensitive in the desired scanning region while being less sensitive or completely blocking scans in peripheral regions, thus resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and accidental scan prevention.
2Productivity
If high resolution imaging sensors are used with wide fields of view, then barcode detection efficiency is improved, but the decode volume and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task by applying region-of-interest masking and selective decoding to different portions of the captured image. Instead of processing the entire high-resolution wide FOV image uniformly, the system identifies and processes only relevant regions with appropriate decode parameters, reducing overall processing load while maintaining detection efficiency in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by selectively applying full decoding processing only to regions where barcodes are detected and meet certain criteria, while using lighter processing or no processing in other regions. This approach maintains high detection efficiency in critical areas while reducing unnecessary processing overhead across the entire wide field of view.
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
Prevents unintentional decoding of indicia outside the intended scanning region, improving scanning efficiency and accuracy by limiting the decode volume to a sub-region of the field of view.
Implementation Method 1
The first illumination may be provided by one or more light emitting diodes, and the one or more light emitting diodes provide the first illumination
Implementation Method 2
capturing, by an imaging assembly associated with the FOV, image data representative of an environment appearing within the FOV
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for decoding data appearing within a field of view (FOV) of an indicia reader includes providing first illumination to a first region of the FOV, the FOV further having a second region of the FOV that does not receive the first illumination. An imaging assembly captures image data of an environment within the FOV. Responsive to determining a presence of an indicia within the first region of the FOV, the method further includes at least one of (i) transmitting the image data to a decoder module, (ii) decoding the indicia by the decoder module, or (iii) generating a successful decode operation. Responsive to determining a presence of indicia within the second region of the FOV, the method includes performing at least one of (i) not transmitting the image data to the decoder module, (ii) not decoding the indicia by the decoder module, or (iii) not generating a successful decode operation.