Bioptic Indicia Reader With Multi-Camera Housing Protrusions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioptic indicia reader assemblies with overhead cameras are not compatible with all furniture layouts, necessitating a solution that provides expanded vision capabilities within the standard footprint without external cameras.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating multiple cameras into protrusions on the housing of the bioptic indicia reader assembly, positioned to cover the product scanning area, user's face, input, and output areas, while maintaining a form factor compatible with existing furniture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If overhead cameras are used to provide expanded vision capabilities, then vision coverage is improved, but device footprint and installation compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single overhead camera view to a multi-dimensional array of cameras positioned at various angles and heights within the reader assembly. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive vision coverage without requiring external overhead mounting, resolving the contradiction between vision coverage and footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cameras are nested within the housing structure of the bioptic indicia reader assembly. The cameras are integrated into the existing form factor, with each camera positioned in strategic locations within the housing to achieve expanded vision capabilities while maintaining compatibility with standard furniture layouts.
2Loss of information
If multiple cameras are added to expand vision capabilities, then scanning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple cameras within the reader assembly serve multiple functions: scanning products on the platter, monitoring the user's face for verification, capturing input areas, and covering output areas. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive scanning coverage while managing device complexity through consolidated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple camera functions into a single integrated reader assembly housing. Rather than separate devices, the cameras are merged into one unit that performs scanning, verification, and monitoring functions simultaneously, improving coverage while controlling complexity through integration.
3Loss of information
If camera protrusions extend forward to improve field-of-view, then vision capability is improved, but device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing features localized protrusions at specific positions where cameras are mounted, rather than uniformly extending the entire device. These targeted local extensions provide necessary field-of-view for each camera while minimizing overall device dimension increases, allowing vision improvement with controlled dimensional growth.
Data Source
AI summary
An example bioptic indicia reader assembly includes: a housing having an upper housing portion and a generally upright window positioned in the upper housing portion; and a platter having a proximal edge adjacent the upper housing portion. The upper housing portion comprises a first protrusion located on a first side of a longitudinal centerline of the bioptic indicia reader assembly and a second protrusion located on a second side of the longitudinal centerline. The first protrusion comprises a first camera having a first field-of-view (FOV) having an inner first lateral boundary that extends behind and at an angle to the proximal edge of the platter and the second protrusion comprises a second camera having a second FOV having an inner third lateral boundary that extends behind and at an angle to the proximal edge of the platter.