Handle Optical Sensing for Handheld Scanner Power State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning devices struggle to accurately distinguish between actual usage and transportation, leading to inefficient battery consumption and potential false detections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an optical sensor within the handle of a handheld scanning device to detect human interaction, combined with accelerometers, to determine operating or idle states, enabling precise power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional scanning devices use simple motion detection methods, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of detecting actual usage versus transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (accelerometer-based motion detection and optical sensor-based presence detection) into a unified usage detection system. The processor integrates signals from both sensors to distinguish between transportation and actual usage, achieving high measurement precision without requiring an overly complex device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor serves multiple functions: detecting hand presence on the handle, determining operating vs. idle states, and enabling power management decisions. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve accurate usage detection while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the scanning device remains in operating state during transportation, then the device is ready for immediate use, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the optical sensor to determine whether the device is being held before transitioning to or maintaining the operating state. By detecting hand presence in advance, the system can prepare for immediate use when needed while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during transportation, thus resolving the contradiction between readiness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically transitions between operating and idle states based on real-time optical sensor feedback. When a hand is detected on the handle, the device transitions to operating state for immediate use; when no hand is detected during transportation, it transitions to idle state to conserve battery, achieving adaptive power management.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the device transitions to idle state during actual usage, then battery life is extended, but scanning operations are interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor provides continuous feedback about hand presence on the handle, allowing the processor to make informed decisions about state transitions. This feedback mechanism ensures the device only transitions to idle state when confirmed that no usage is occurring, preventing interruptions during actual scanning operations while extending battery life during genuine idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own optical sensor to monitor its operational context and automatically adjust its power state without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the device to maintain productivity during actual usage while extending battery life during idle periods, making autonomous power management decisions based on real-time conditions.
4Device complexity
If accelerometers alone are used for detection, then device complexity is minimized, but false detections between transportation and usage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges accelerometer-based motion detection with optical sensor-based hand presence detection into a unified detection system. The processor combines signals from both sensors to distinguish between transportation and actual usage, achieving high reliability by cross-validating data from multiple sources while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor acts as an intermediary that provides additional contextual information about hand presence, mediating between the accelerometer's motion data and the final usage determination. This intermediary sensor helps resolve ambiguous cases where accelerometer data alone would lead to false detections, improving overall detection accuracy.
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
Optimizes battery life by disabling unnecessary operations during transportation and preventing false detections, thus conserving power and extending device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor positioned within a handle, under at least a portion of an external back side of the handle of the handheld scanning device. The portion of the external back side of the handle may allow wavelengths to pass through the external back side of the handle
Implementation Method 2
the battery indicator may be positioned within the handle under a portion of the external back side of the handle, such that a visible light from the battery indicator can pass through this portion of the handle
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein relates to a handheld scanning device and associated methods and media. The handheld scanning device has an optical sensor positioned under at least a portion of a back side of a handle, such that a wavelength can pass through at least the portion of the handle. For example, this portion of the handle can be translucent or transparent. In some embodiments, one or more processors of the handheld scanning device can determine, using the optical sensor, that the handheld scanning device is to transition to an operating or idle state. In embodiments, the handheld scanning device may have a battery and a battery indicator capable of emitting a visible light through a portion of the handle to indicate a state of the battery.