Head-Mounted Reader Calibration via Sightline-Referenced Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted readers for electro-optically reading targets, such as bar code symbols, face challenges in consistently aiming at targets due to varying orientations on the operator's head, leading to operator fatigue and decreased reading performance.
Innovation Solution
A calibration assembly with a light source and data capture assembly mounted on the head-mounted apparatus, which adjusts the light beam to visually position it on a calibration target along the operator's sightline, ensuring consistent aiming regardless of the apparatus's orientation, using a movable stage and actuatable drive for manual or automatic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the head-mounted reader is mounted in different orientations on the operator's head, then the operator can wear it more comfortably and conveniently, but the reader cannot consistently aim at the target
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by detecting the operator's sightline orientation and pre-adjusting the reader's aiming direction to match. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of how the reader is mounted on the head, it will automatically aim at the target when the operator looks at it, resolving the contradiction between mounting flexibility and aiming precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the operator's sightline detection to continuously adjust and maintain accurate aiming. By monitoring where the operator is looking and adjusting the reader's direction accordingly, the system maintains precision despite variations in mounting orientation, while allowing operators freedom in how they wear the device.
2Reliability
If the operator constantly moves their head to hunt for targets, then the reader can find the target, but reading speed decreases and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reader system performs self-adjustment by automatically tracking the operator's sightline and reorienting itself to maintain alignment with targets. This self-service capability eliminates the need for the operator to manually hunt for targets by moving their head, thereby maintaining reading reliability while significantly improving reading speed and reducing fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the reader's aiming direction in real-time based on the operator's head movements and sightline. This dynamic adaptation allows the reader to maintain accurate targeting without requiring the operator to make compensating head movements, thus improving productivity while preserving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the head-mounted reader is mounted in different orientations by different operators, then the device can accommodate various head sizes and shapes, but the aiming direction becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
Before normal operation, the system performs a calibration routine that detects the specific operator's sightline and pre-configures the reader's aiming parameters. This preliminary adaptation to each operator's anatomy ensures that regardless of how different operators mount the device on their varied head sizes and shapes, the aiming direction remains predictable and accurate for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system tailors the aiming characteristics locally to each operator's specific mounting orientation and sightline geometry. By customizing the calibration parameters for each operator's unique configuration, the system maintains predictable and precise aiming across diverse users and mounting variations, while preserving adaptability to different head characteristics.
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
Enhances reading performance by reducing operator fatigue and improving accuracy, allowing the head-mounted reader to reliably aim at targets in any orientation, thereby speeding up the reading process and preventing potential injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The light source directs a visible light beam away from the head-mounted apparatus
Implementation Method 2
The calibration assembly adjustably moves the light source, no matter the orientation of the head-mounted apparatus, to visually position the light beam on the calibration target
Implementation Method 3
The data capture assembly is operative, subsequent to the calibration mode, for electro-optically reading the targets on which the light beam is visually positioned
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for electro-optically reading targets is mounted in an orientation on a head of a human operator having eyes for directly viewing a calibration target along a sightline. A light source directs a visible light beam away from the apparatus. A calibration assembly adjustably moves the light source, no matter the orientation of the apparatus, to visually position the light beam on the calibration target that is simultaneously being directly viewed along the sightline in a calibration mode of operation. A data capture assembly is operative, subsequent to the calibration mode, for electro-optically reading the targets on which the light beam is visually positioned in a reading mode of operation.