Distance Sensor Delta Control for Scanner Presentation Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical data-reading systems face challenges in capturing high-quality images of barcodes on parts with varying sizes and surfaces, and continuous capture modes lead to unnecessary power consumption and user discomfort due to flashing lights.

Innovation Solution

A scanning device that measures distance to a target object and adjusts lighting patterns and symbology types based on the distance, activating read cycles only when the distance changes, reducing power usage and improving image capture efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system operates in continuous capture/read mode, then it can continuously detect symbols, but it consumes unnecessary power and generates excessive heat when no object is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous symbol detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous operation to periodic operation by using distance sensor data to trigger read cycles only when objects are detected within the field of view. The controller activates the image sensor and illumination sources periodically based on distance changes, rather than maintaining continuous operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining symbol detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the system operates in continuous capture mode, then it can detect symbols continuously, but it causes user discomfort due to continuous flashing lights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous symbol detection capabilityVSAvoiduser discomfort from flashing lights

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination sources are activated periodically only when the distance sensor detects an object within the field of view, rather than flashing continuously. This conditional periodic activation reduces user discomfort from excessive light exposure while maintaining the ability to detect symbols when objects are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If the system uses a fixed lighting pattern, then it simplifies the control logic, but it cannot optimize image quality for different distance ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects lighting patterns based on the distance to the target object. The controller adjusts which illumination sources are activated according to the measured distance range, allowing optimization of image quality for different scanning scenarios while using simple distance-based decision logic to manage the complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the illumination parameters (which light sources are activated) based on the distance parameter measured by the distance sensor. Different distance ranges trigger different lighting pattern configurations, enabling image quality optimization across varying scan distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system enables all symbology types, then it increases versatility, but it increases processing time and reduces decode speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymbology type coverageVSAvoiddecode speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the set of enabled symbology types based on the distance to the target object. At different distance ranges, different subsets of symbology types are activated for decoding, allowing the system to maintain versatility across various scenarios while reducing processing time by not attempting to decode all possible symbology types simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device achieves higher productivity and user satisfaction by tailoring lighting patterns to distance ranges, reducing symbology types, and minimizing power consumption and flashing lights.

Implementation Method 1

determining, via the distance sensor, the distance between an object and the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4328794B1Using distance sensor delta to determine when to enter presentation mode

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 OMRON CORP

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AI summary

An apparatus includes a distance sensor, an image sensor, one or more processors, and memory. The memory stores one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. The apparatus measures a baseline depth. The apparatus measures a first depth subsequent to measuring the baseline depth. The apparatus determines that the first depth is different from the baseline depth. In response to the determination, the apparatus activates a read cycle. Subsequent to activating the read cycle, the apparatus measures a second depth. The apparatus detects that the second depth is within a threshold range of the baseline depth. In response to the detection, the apparatus deactivates the read cycle.