Compensated Virtual Scan Lines for Optical Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical distortion in imaging systems limits the effectiveness of virtual scan lines in reading encoded symbols, particularly for bar codes with small row heights, as it causes virtual scan lines to miss the start and stop columns, preventing accurate decoding.
Innovation Solution
Compensated virtual scan lines are generated to follow the curvature of the distorted image, either by pre-configuring patterns to match typical distortion or dynamically adjusting based on measured distortion, using curved or segmented lines that approximate the distortion, allowing for accurate tracking of encoded symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If straight virtual scan lines are used in an imaging system with optical distortion, then the system structure remains simple, but the scan lines fail to intercept the entire row of encoded symbols, preventing accurate decoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to virtual scan lines to match the distorted image geometry. Instead of using straight scan lines, the system employs curved or segmented scan lines that follow the distortion pattern caused by optical components, ensuring complete interception of encoded symbol rows despite the distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters of virtual scan lines (curvature, segmentation, positioning) based on measured or pre-configured distortion characteristics. This allows the scan lines to adapt to the specific distortion pattern of the imaging system, improving decoding reliability without requiring a complete redesign of the scanning mechanism
2Productivity
If virtual scan lines are mapped onto a raster pattern to process only selected pixels, then data throughput increases, but optical distortion causes the scan lines to miss critical columns of the code
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the virtual scan line geometry from straight to curved/segmented to match the distorted image. This ensures that even when processing only selected pixels from the raster pattern, the curved scan lines successfully intercept the entire row of encoded symbols including start and stop columns, maintaining measurement precision while preserving throughput benefits
3Ease of manufacture
If the virtual scan line pattern is pre-configured to match typical distortion, then the system setup is simplified, but it may not adapt to variations in distortion under different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the actual optical distortion under current operating conditions, then dynamically configures the virtual scan line pattern to match the measured distortion. This preliminary measurement step enables the system to adapt to variations in distortion while maintaining ease of operation through automated configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that measure actual distortion and use this information to dynamically adjust the virtual scan line pattern. This feedback loop ensures the system maintains high adaptability to different operating conditions while keeping the user interface simple and automated
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for providing virtual scan lines in an imaging system that compensate for the optical distortion associated with the system. In some embodiments, the virtual scan lines may be curved or angled according to their position in the Field of View (FOV) of the imaging system to compensate for the distortion. Some embodiments may provide for virtual scan lines that are preconfigured to compensate for a typical or pre-selected level and type of optical distortion. Other embodiments may be configured to measure or otherwise ascertain the actual distortion of the optical lens and/or other components of the system and generate a virtual scan line pattern that compensates for the measured distortion.