Displaceable Lens Optical Code Reader for Distance Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical code readers face challenges in efficiently illuminating codes at varying reading distances due to non-uniform illumination and sensor response variations, which affect decoding accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An optical code reader design featuring displaceable lenses in both illumination and receiving optics, allowing simultaneous adjustment of focus distance to adapt to different reading distances, combined with a common printed circuit board for simplified alignment and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the receiving optics and the sensor is settable to allow reading at different distances, then the adaptability to different reading distances is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic focusing mechanism where the distance between the receiving optics and the sensor can be adjusted. This is achieved through a movable platform that carries the receiving optics, allowing the system to adapt to different reading distances by changing the optical path length, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through a relatively simple mechanical adjustment.
2Illumination intensity
If illumination optics with lenses are used to correct non-uniformity, then the illumination uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination optics and receiving optics on a common movable platform. This merging allows both optical systems to be adjusted together, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining illumination uniformity through the use of lenses in the illumination path. The combined design reduces the number of independent adjustment mechanisms needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If displaceable lenses are used in both illumination and receiving optics, then the adaptability to varying distances is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining both illumination and receiving optics on the same movable platform, the patent ensures that both optical systems experience the same displacement and environmental conditions. This merged design reduces differential alignment errors and simplifies the manufacturing precision requirements, as the relative positions of components remain stable during operation.
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 design ensures efficient and uniform illumination across varying distances, reducing the need for complex alignment and manufacturing costs while maintaining a compact and lightweight reader.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lens of the illumination optics and the at least one lens of the receiving optics are displaceable together to change their distance from the at least one light source and from the photodetector device, respectively
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector device having a receiving optics associated therewith including at least one lens, wherein the at least one lens of the illumination optics and the at least one lens of the receiving optics are displaceable together
Implementation Method 3
means for detecting the light diffused by the optical code and for generating an electrical signal the amplitude and phase of which are representative of the color and size of the optical code elements
Data Source
AI summary
An optical code reader of the imager type includes: at least one non-collimated light source having an illumination optics associated therewith including at least one lens; and a photodetector device having a receiving optics associated therewith including at least one lens, wherein the at least one lens of the illumination optics and the at least one lens of the receiving optics are displaceable together to change their distance from the at least one light source and from said photodetector device respectively.