System of coded package and apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems using code readers for processing products, such as coffee beans, face difficulties in efficiently capturing two-dimensional codes like QR codes due to orientation and surface scratches, leading to inconvenient and irritating operations for operators.
Innovation Solution
A system with a code reader positioned within a housing structure featuring a cavity that surrounds the image capturing device's horizontal and vertical angles of view, including a hole on the external surface for code placement, ensuring the code is within the focal range and preventing scratches, with optional light source illumination for improved capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the code reader is positioned on the external surface of the housing structure, then the code can be easily accessed by the operator, but the surface becomes scratched leading to difficult and irritating reading over time
Solution Approach 1:
The code reader is extracted from the external surface and positioned inside the housing structure within a cavity. This separates the code reading function from the external surface, preventing scratches while maintaining accessibility through the opening at the front side of the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the code reader. It provides a protected environment for the code reader while allowing code access through the opening, mediating between the need for protection and the need for accessibility.
2Reliability
If the operator must present the code multiple times with different orientations, then the code reading can be achieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is designed with dimensions and positioning that create an equipotential reading zone, where the code can be read successfully regardless of minor position variations. The opening surface area is optimized to accommodate the code at various orientations within the focal range, making the reading process robust to positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The code reader is pre-positioned within the cavity at optimal orientation and focal distance. The cavity structure pre-establishes the reading geometry, so when the operator presents the code to the opening, the reading conditions are already optimized, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment attempts.
3Ease of operation
If the image capturing device is exposed to the external environment, then code access is easy, but dust and scratches affect the reading quality
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into the main housing and a cavity with an opening. This segmentation creates a protected internal environment for the image capturing device while providing a controlled access point for code reading, separating the device from harmful external factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity opening acts as a flexible interface that allows code access while the cavity walls provide rigid protection. The opening surface can be made of transparent material that protects against scratches while allowing optical access, combining protection with accessibility.
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
Enables intuitive and immediate capture of codes without repositioning, protecting the image capturing device from dust and scratches, and providing clear, undamaged surfaces for code reading, enhancing operational convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the image capturing device is positioned at the back side of the cavity and the optical axis of the image capturing device extends in direction of the middle of the front side of the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a system (10) of a package (2) containing a product and an apparatus (1) using said product, the apparatus being refilled by the product contained in the package, wherein a code (21) related to the contained product is associated to the package, said code being a two dimension code and said code presenting a predetermined surface Scode, and wherein the apparatus comprises a code reader (11) to read the code associated to the package, said code reader being an image capturing device, said image capturing device being defined by: —a predetermined focal range, —a horizontal angle of view α and a vertical angle of view β, wherein the apparatus comprises a housing structure (16) and a cavity (12) inside the housing structure, wherein the image capturing device is positioned at the back side of the cavity.