Diffusive Plate for Compact Barcode Scanner Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging-based barcode scanners face difficulties in reading Direct Part Marking (DPM) on shiny surfaces due to the need for large, diffusive surfaces that make the scanners bulky, making it challenging to integrate them into handheld devices without increasing size.
Innovation Solution
A compact DPM-capable scan engine with a diffusive plate covering the front surface, allowing for even illumination and improved contrast, and an optional auxiliary diffuser for enhanced scanning capabilities, enabling efficient decoding of barcodes on shiny surfaces without enlarging the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large diffusive surface is used to enable effective scanning of DPM on shiny surfaces, then scanning ability is improved, but device size increases making it unsuitable for handheld integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the diffusive plate within the existing housing structure of the imaging scanner, nesting the diffusive function inside the device boundaries rather than requiring external attachments or enlarged housing. The diffusive plate is positioned in the optical path within the compact scan engine assembly, allowing the scanning function to be embedded without increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from requiring a large two-dimensional diffusive surface to using a thin three-dimensional diffusive plate with controlled thickness. By exploiting the third dimension (depth/thickness) rather than only increasing surface area, the solution achieves sufficient light diffusion while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for handheld integration.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact form factor is maintained for handheld integration, then device portability is improved, but scanning ability on shiny surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the diffusive plate including its thickness (0.02-0.06 inches), material composition, and optical properties to achieve maximum light diffusion efficiency within the constrained volume. By carefully tuning these parameters, the compact design achieves scanning performance comparable to larger systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the diffusive plate specifically at the critical location in the optical path where it can most effectively modify light from shiny surfaces. Rather than diffusively treating the entire device surface, the solution concentrates the diffusive function at the precise location needed for optimal scanning performance on challenging surfaces.
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 allows for effective scanning of DPM on shiny surfaces within a compact form factor, enhancing integration into handheld devices and maintaining superior scanning ability while keeping the device size manageable.
Implementation Method 1
A compact DPM-capable scan engine with a diffusive plate covering the front surface, allowing for even illumination and improved contrast
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a diffusive plate that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of an imaging lens arrangement and covers a side face of a solid rectangular defining a volume space within which parts of a scan engine are deposited. The parts of the scan engine including at least the illumination light source, the imaging lens arrangement, an imaging sensor, and a controller for controlling both the illumination light source and the imaging sensor. The diffusive plate includes a first opening to allow light enter the imaging lens arrangement through the first opening. The area enclosed by the boundary of the diffusive plate substantially equal to the area of the side face of the solid rectangular.