Distributed Illumination for Symbol Readers on Curved Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld machine-readable symbol readers are limited in decoding direct part marking (DPM) symbols on curved surfaces due to the confined placement of illumination and optics, which leads to 'blindness' from bright reflection stripes at longer distances.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing illumination from a larger angle than conventional readers by placing light sources along the handle or extensions of the reader, rather than just the head, allowing for more uniform illumination and successful reading at greater distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If illumination sources are placed in the head of the reader, then the device structure is compact and simple, but bright reflection stripes occur on curved surfaces at longer distances causing reading failure
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple light sources distributed along the handle and extension, rather than concentrated in the head. This segmentation allows each light source to illuminate different portions of curved surfaces, reducing the formation of concentrated reflection stripes that cause reading failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination sources are positioned in a different spatial dimension (along the handle and extension) rather than solely in the head. This dimensional redistribution of light sources changes the illumination geometry, allowing light to reach curved surfaces from multiple angles and reducing reflection stripe interference.
2Reliability
If light sources are distributed along the handle or extensions, then uniform illumination and successful reading at greater distances are achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and extension structures serve dual functions: they provide structural support for the device and simultaneously act as carriers for multiple illumination sources. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated illumination components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are positioned along the extension, then illumination uniformity on curved surfaces is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are merged into a distributed illumination system along the handle and extension. This combining approach creates a coordinated illumination pattern that achieves uniform coverage on curved surfaces while managing the total component count through integrated design.
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 approach enables successful reading of DPM symbols on curved surfaces at larger distances than conventional readers, improving the decoding capability and usability by distributing illumination sources along the handle or extensions to reduce the impact of bright reflection stripes.
Implementation Method 1
each of a plurality of light sources positioned on or in the extension... light produced by each of the plurality of light sources emits from a light emission portion of the extension outwardly from the body of the machine-readable symbol reader into an exterior environment
Implementation Method 2
a light emission portion of the extension... light produced by each of the plurality of light sources emits from a light emission portion of the extension outwardly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine readable symbol reader can provide illumination from portions other than or in addition to the head of the reader, to enhance the ability to successfully read machine-readable symbols, for example symbols on curved surfaces and/or DPM symbols. A machine readable symbol reader include a first set of receiving optics in a head of the reader and a second set of receiving optics in a portion of the reader other than the head, to provide an alternative line of sight or field of view.