Barcode Scanner Dynamic Timing Feedback for Accurate Width Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent velocity during barcode scanning can lead to incorrect identification of wide bars as narrow bars or vice versa, affecting scanning accuracy in barcode scanners.
Innovation Solution
A barcode scanner that continually adjusts timing data for each wide and narrow bar as the scanner or barcode is moved, using an LED-driven sensor to determine bar width independently of speed by comparing elapsed times and updating delta values for accurate readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the scanner or barcode is moved at inconsistent velocity, then the scanning process can be completed faster, but the barcode identification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the timing parameters adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the expected timing windows for wide and narrow bars based on the actual scanning velocity. This allows the scanner to maintain accurate bar width identification even when moved at inconsistent speeds, as the timing criteria automatically adapt to the current motion state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured transition times between bars to update and refine the timing data for subsequent bar identifications. The system continuously monitors the actual scanning velocity through timing measurements and uses this feedback to adjust the expected timing windows, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accuracy despite velocity variations.
2Productivity
If the scanner moves slowly and then speeds up, then the scanning process becomes more efficient, but the timing-based bar width identification becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static timing thresholds to dynamic timing windows that adapt to changing scanning velocities. As the scanner accelerates or decelerates, the expected timing ranges for wide and narrow bars are automatically adjusted, maintaining reliable identification throughout the scanning process regardless of efficiency variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameters (expected time ranges for wide and narrow bars) based on the observed scanning velocity patterns. By modifying these critical parameters in response to velocity changes, the system maintains accurate bar width differentiation even when scanning efficiency varies due to speed changes.
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
This approach significantly improves scanning accuracy by dynamically adjusting to varying speeds, ensuring precise identification of bar widths even when the scanner or barcode is moved at inconsistent velocities.
Implementation Method 1
using an LED-driven sensor to determine bar width independently of speed by comparing elapsed times
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are described for accurately reading barcodes. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a sensor to detect transitions between bars on a barcode having bars with N different widths as the barcode passes by the sensor; a timer to associate a time value with each of the transitions; a delta calculation module to determine a current delta value for a current bar; a bar identification module to compare the current delta value with N delta values stored in a memory, each of the N delta values associated with a different one of N different bar widths, the bar identification module to identify the current bar as being one of the N widths based on a difference between the current delta value and each of the N delta values, the bar identification module to update the memory to include the current delta value as a representative value for the one of the N widths which the current bar is determined to be; and a code translation module to receive a sequence of detected bar widths from the bar identification module and responsively translate the sequence of detected bars into a code.