Bioptic Barcode Reader Rotated Field-of-View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical bioptic barcode readers have a horizontal window that is wider than it is long, making it difficult for users to aim accurately due to the split field-of-view design, which necessitates a wider horizontal window and a rotated portion of the field-of-view to fill it effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bioptic barcode reader design with a housing featuring a generally horizontal window and an upright window, utilizing an optical element arrangement, such as a dove prism or mirror configurations, to rotate a portion of the primary field-of-view by 90 degrees, allowing the horizontal window to be longer than it is wide and oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, providing a larger target area for scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the field-of-view is split between vertical and horizontal windows, then both windows can capture scanning regions, but the horizontal window becomes wider than it is long, reducing the target area for users to aim at
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional transformation by rotating a portion of the field-of-view by 90 degrees using optical elements (dove prism or mirror arrangements). This rotation changes the orientation of the field-of-view portion directed through the horizontal window, allowing the window to be longer than wide while still capturing the necessary scanning region, thereby increasing the target area for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric window configuration where the horizontal window is longer than it is wide, contrary to conventional designs. This asymmetry is achieved by rotating specific portions of the field-of-view independently, allowing each window to have optimized dimensions for its specific function while maintaining overall system versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the horizontal window is made wider to accommodate the split field-of-view, then the field-of-view can be distributed to both windows, but the window width increases while length decreases, making it harder for users to aim accurately
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the field-of-view portion by 90 degrees, the patent transforms the dimensional orientation of the optical path. This allows the horizontal window to have a longer dimension in the horizontal direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing) while still capturing the required vertical scanning region, thereby improving user aiming accuracy.
3Area of moving object
If the field-of-view portion is rotated by 90 degrees to fill a longer horizontal window, then the target area increases, but the optical system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical intermediary elements (dove prism or mirror arrangements) that act as mediators to rotate the field-of-view portion. These intermediaries enable the 90-degree rotation necessary to achieve the longer horizontal window configuration while managing the complexity through standardized optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The 90-degree rotation of the field-of-view portion using optical elements transforms the spatial orientation, enabling the horizontal window to be optimized for user interaction (longer than wide) while maintaining the necessary field-of-view coverage through dimensional transformation of the optical path.
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 design enhances user accuracy by providing a larger target area for swiping products across the horizontal window while maintaining an effective field-of-view through both windows, improving the overall scanning efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The dove prism comprises a reflective bottom surface, a diffractive entry surface extending from the reflective bottom surface at an angle between 40 degrees and 50 degrees to the reflective bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
a diffractive entry surface extending from the reflective bottom surface at an angle between 40 degrees and 50 degrees to the reflective bottom surface, and a diffractive exit surface opposite the diffractive entry surface
Implementation Method 3
a first mirror is positioned within the housing and is configured to redirect a first portion of the primary FOV towards the upper housing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An example bioptic barcode reader includes a housing having a lower housing portion with an upper surface facing a product scanning region, an upper housing portion extending above the lower housing portion, a generally horizontal window positioned at the upper surface, a generally upright window positioned in the upper housing portion, an imaging assembly with a primary field-of-view (FOV), and a first mirror configured to redirect a first portion of the primary FOV towards the upper housing portion. An optical element arrangement is configured to rotate a second portion of the primary FOV by 90 degrees about a central axis of the second portion of the primary FOV.