Color Image Sensor Array High-Resolution Optical Code Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Color image-based optical code readers do not achieve high optical resolution comparable to monochrome readers, despite having the same number and size of pixels, due to their design and manufacturing costs being higher than monochrome imagers.
Innovation Solution
A color image sensor array with sensor elements sensitive to visible wavelength bands and infrared light, combined with artificial infrared illumination, allows all sensor elements to contribute to image data production, achieving high-resolution imaging equivalent to monochrome sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a color image sensor array is used in an optical code reading device, then the device can use more affordable and widely available color image sensors, but the optical resolution cannot achieve the high resolution comparable to monochrome readers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral response of the color image sensor by dividing the sensor elements into different wavelength sensitivity groups (first wavelength band, second wavelength band, and infrared band). This segmentation allows each group to contribute to image formation at its optimal wavelength range, thereby achieving high optical resolution comparable to monochrome sensors while using color sensor arrays.
2Ease of manufacture
If a color image sensor array is used, then cost and availability are improved, but the number of sensor elements contributing to image data is reduced due to wavelength-specific sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the color image sensor array multi-functional by enabling sensor elements to respond to multiple wavelength bands. Through the use of infrared illumination and appropriate filtering, all sensor elements (regardless of their primary color sensitivity) contribute to image data production, achieving full utilization of the sensor array similar to monochrome sensors.
3Measurement precision
If narrowband visible light illumination is used with monochrome imagers, then high optical resolution is achieved by avoiding chromatic aberration and polychromatic diffraction effects, but the system cannot use affordable color image sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination wavelength parameter from narrowband visible light to infrared wavelengths. This parameter change allows color image sensors to achieve high optical resolution similar to monochrome sensors, as infrared illumination avoids the chromatic aberration and polychromatic diffraction effects that plague visible light imaging with color sensors.
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
The solution enables color image sensor arrays to produce image data with resolution comparable to monochrome imagers, improving optical code reading performance while utilizing more affordable and widely available color image sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The color image sensor array has a first set of sensor elements that are sensitive to a first visible wavelength band of light, and a second set of sensor elements that are sensitive to a second visible wavelength band of light. The first and second sets of sensor elements are also sensitive to light within an infrared wavelength band.
Implementation Method 2
The illumination source is operable to produce infrared light having wavelengths within the infrared wavelength band so that, upon illumination of the field of view, at least some sensor elements of each of the first and second sets are sensitive to the infrared light and contribute to production of the image data.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical code or other data reading device (100) includes a color image sensor array (102) positioned to sense light reflected from an object (114), and to produce image data. In one configuration, the sensor array has multiple sets (e.g., first set (104) and second set (106)) of sensor elements that are sensitive to corresponding visible wavelength bands of light (e.g., first and second wavelength bands), the sets also being sensitive to light within an infrared wavelength band. An artificial illumination source (108) is positioned to illuminate the field of view (116) with light that is reflected off the object toward the sensor array, the illumination source being operable to produce infrared light having wavelengths within the infrared wavelength band so that, upon illumination, at least some sensor elements of each of the sets are sensitive to the infrared light and contribute to production of the image data.