Dual-Function Illumination Assembly for Handheld Imaging Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld imaging readers face challenges in accurately aiming at targets due to the lack of clear indication of the field of view, leading to inefficient operation and reduced productivity, especially when targets are small or far away, and existing aiming light assemblies are costly, heavy, and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The imaging reader incorporates a dual-function illumination light assembly that projects illumination light through a recessed path, allowing boundary walls to clip the light and create a sharp cut-off, visually indicating the field of view's periphery, eliminating the need for a separate aiming light assembly and reducing weight and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate aiming light assembly is used to indicate field of view, then operator accuracy in positioning targets is improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and aiming indication function into a single illumination light assembly. The assembly projects illumination light through a recessed path, and boundary walls clip the light to create a sharp cut-off that visually indicates the field of view periphery. This eliminates the need for a separate aiming light assembly while maintaining accurate target positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination light assembly serves dual functions: it provides illumination for capturing images and simultaneously serves as an aiming indicator by projecting light that is clipped by boundary walls to show the field of view periphery. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity and component count.
2Measurement precision
If a separate aiming light assembly is used to indicate field of view, then operator accuracy in positioning targets is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and aiming indication function into a single illumination light assembly. The assembly projects illumination light through a recessed path, and boundary walls clip the light to create a sharp cut-off that visually indicates the field of view periphery. This eliminates the need for a separate aiming light assembly while maintaining accurate target positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination light assembly serves dual functions: it provides illumination for capturing images and simultaneously serves as an aiming indicator by projecting light that is clipped by boundary walls to show the field of view periphery. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity and component count.
3Measurement precision
If a separate aiming light assembly is used to indicate field of view, then operator accuracy in positioning targets is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and aiming indication function into a single illumination light assembly. The assembly projects illumination light through a recessed path, and boundary walls clip the light to create a sharp cut-off that visually indicates the field of view periphery. This eliminates the need for a separate aiming light assembly while maintaining accurate target positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination light assembly serves dual functions: it provides illumination for capturing images and simultaneously serves as an aiming indicator by projecting light that is clipped by boundary walls to show the field of view periphery. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity and component count.
4Area of stationary object
If illumination light is projected without clipping, then illumination coverage is maximized, but field of view indication becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses boundary walls to clip the illumination light projected through the recessed path, creating a sharp cut-off at the periphery of the field of view. This provides clear visual indication of the field of view boundaries while maintaining adequate illumination coverage within the indicated area. The clipping creates a distinct visual boundary that helps operators accurately position targets.
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 solution enhances operator accuracy in positioning targets within the field of view, reduces the reader's weight and size, and eliminates the expense of separate aiming light components, making it more suitable for compact applications like retail or kiosk systems.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination light assembly for uniformly illuminating the target with illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a solid-state imager supported by a housing for capturing return light from a target over a field of view. An illumination light assembly performs both illumination and aiming functions. Illumination light is projected along an optical path through a passage in the housing to illuminate the target. The housing has boundary walls spaced along the optical path away from the imager and the illumination light assembly for clipping the illumination light projected through the passage to form on the target an aiming light distribution that visually indicates a periphery of the field of view to assist in positioning the target entirely within the field of view.