Variable Focus Imaging Assembly Using Depth-Based Initial Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging assembly techniques for determining focus values, such as scanners, often result in inaccuracies due to misalignment of aiming dots, inability to capture relevant image data, and inefficient cycling through ramping profiles, leading to delays and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a depth camera to capture depth image data, which provides distance information for determining an initial focus value, and additional object characteristics like directionality, position, and contrast to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the imaging assembly uses traditional aiming dot shift methods to estimate object distance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of focus value deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a depth camera as an intermediary device to capture depth image data and determine object distance independently. This mediator provides accurate distance information that feeds into the focus value determination, resolving the contradiction by adding a specialized component rather than relying on the traditional aiming dot method's limited capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D aiming dot position analysis to 3D depth image data capture. By adding the depth dimension through the depth camera, the system gains precise distance measurement capability, thereby improving focus value accuracy without being constrained by the planar limitations of traditional methods
2Measurement precision
If the imaging assembly cycles through multiple ramping profiles to determine focus, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary depth measurement using the depth camera before the decoding process begins. By determining object distance and initial focus value in advance, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming ramping profile cycling during actual decoding, thus reducing time loss while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the depth camera's distance measurement to directly set the focus value, creating a closed-loop control that eliminates iterative ramping. The depth information provides immediate feedback about object distance, allowing the imaging assembly to jump directly to the correct focus setting without cycling through multiple profiles
3Ease of operation
If the imaging assembly focuses on detected objects using traditional methods, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of focus target selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical aiming dot alignment system with an electronic depth-based targeting system. The depth camera automatically identifies and locks onto the intended target object, substituting electronic processing for mechanical alignment procedures. This maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating human alignment errors
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include an imaging assembly including a depth camera and configured to capture depth image data of one or more objects appearing in a field of view (FOV). A device may cause the one or more processors to: capture, via the imaging assembly, the depth image data of the one or more objects appearing in the FOV, detect one or more candidate objects of the one or more objects appearing in the FOV, generate a ranking of the one or more candidate objects based on at least a candidate distance for the each candidate object of the one or more candidate objects; and automatically determine an initial focus value based on the ranking of the one or more candidate objects.