Curved Window Redirecting Illumination Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical readers face issues with internal reflections from illumination light creating hot spots, which degrade image quality and reader performance, and external illuminators are prone to breakage and non-uniform illumination.
Innovation Solution
A non-planar, curved optical element is integrated into the reader's window to redirect reflected illumination light away from the imager, using light-transmissive materials like plastic or glass with spherical surfaces to focus the light to a focal point, minimizing internal reflections and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an internal illuminator is used to provide uniform illumination, then illumination uniformity is improved, but internal reflections create hot spots that degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The window is configured as a non-planar, curved optical element with spherical surfaces that redirect reflected illumination light away from the imager. The curved surface geometry focuses reflected light to a focal point spaced from the imager, eliminating hot spots while maintaining uniform illumination across the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful internal reflections into a beneficial focusing effect. The curved window surface redirects the reflected illumination light to a focal point away from the imager, transforming the harmful hot spots into a controlled light distribution that improves illumination uniformity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an external illuminator is used to avoid internal reflections, then hot spots are eliminated, but the illuminator becomes prone to breakage and provides non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illuminator with the reader housing, integrating it internally rather than externally. This combination provides the protection and reliability of an internal component while using the curved window design to eliminate the harmful reflections, achieving both reliability and hot spot elimination.
3Ease of manufacture
If a planar window is used for simple construction, then manufacturing is easier, but internal reflections create hot spots that degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The window is configured as a non-planar, curved optical element with spherical surfaces that redirect reflected illumination light away from the imager. The curved surface geometry focuses reflected light to a focal point spaced from the imager, eliminating hot spots while maintaining uniform illumination across the target.
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 configuration enhances reader performance by eliminating hot spots, providing more flexible design options, and ensuring uniform illumination across the target, regardless of distance, while protecting the illuminator from damage.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the illumination light incident on the window is reflected therefrom into the housing away from the window
Implementation Method 2
the window is configured as a non-planar optical element for redirecting the reflected portion of the illumination light away from the imager
Data Source
AI summary
A target is illuminated with illumination light for image capture by a solid-state imager of an imaging reader. Internal reflections of the illumination light at a window are minimized, if not eliminated, by configuring the window as a non-planar optical element operative for redirecting the internal reflections away from the imager to enhance reader performance.