Dual Chip Scan Engine Architecture for Compact Barcode Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical readers are bulky and heavy due to discrete electrical components, making them difficult to configure and assemble, especially for applications requiring an ultra-small form factor, and increasing assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A dual chip architecture featuring an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a microprocessor, integrated on a printed circuit board, which controls the reading of indicia such as bar code symbols, including a laser drive, scanner drive, receiver, and digitizer on the ASIC, and a decoder on the microprocessor, with adjustable elements and temperature sensing for adaptive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discrete electrical components are used in the scan engine, then the reader can be assembled with standard components, but the reader becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple discrete electrical components (laser drive circuit, scanner drive circuit, receiver circuit, digitizer circuit, and safety circuit) onto a single integrated circuit board. This consolidation reduces the overall number of separate components, decreases the reader's weight and size, while maintaining the functionality of each individual circuit.
2Reliability
If discrete electrical components are used in the scan engine, then each component can be independently tested, but the assembly process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple circuits onto a single board, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and connections required. The integrated design simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the ability to test individual functional blocks through the board's test access points and modular architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If the reader is made compact for small form factor applications, then portability is improved, but configuration and assembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple circuits onto a single compact board achieves space savings while improving configurability. The board includes programmable microcontrollers and configurable circuit blocks that can be programmed and adjusted after assembly, allowing flexible configuration without requiring additional physical space or complex mechanical adjustments.
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 dual chip architecture enables a compact, lightweight, and highly configurable scan engine with improved performance, allowing for easy integration into small form factor devices and reducing assembly costs while maintaining high performance and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The light source in the reader is typically a semiconductor laser energized by a laser drive circuit
Implementation Method 2
semiconductor laser energized by a laser drive circuit
Implementation Method 3
a scanner drive for sweeping the laser beam across the indicia for reflection therefrom
Implementation Method 4
a sensor or photodetector which detects light reflected or scattered from the symbol... converted into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 5
a digitizer for digitizing the received signal to generate a digitized signal
Implementation Method 6
a decoder on the microprocessor, with adjustable elements and temperature sensing for adaptive operation
Implementation Method 7
temperature sensing for adaptive operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A microprocessor (40) and an application specific integrated circuit (20) are embodied as two chips mounted on a printed circuit board (61) which is, in turn, mounted on a scan engine for use m an electro-optical reader (10) This dual chip architecture is readily configurable and controls reader operation.