Hybrid Monochrome and Color Sensor Array for Specular-Glare Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical readers face decoding failures due to specular reflection from shiny surfaces such as metal, glass, and laminated plastic, which saturate the image sensor array and hinder performance.
Innovation Solution
An optical reader with a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array that includes a subset of light polarizing pixels with filter elements to attenuate specularly reflected light, and separate reset control lines for monochrome and color pixels to reduce cross-talk and enhance decoding and imaging performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional image sensor array is used for bar code decoding, then decoding capability is provided, but specular reflection from shiny surfaces saturates the sensor and causes decoding failures
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor array is segmented into two distinct types of pixels: light polarizing pixels with polarizing filter elements that are sensitive to polarized light from specular reflections, and conventional light-sensitive pixels for general imaging. This segmentation allows the system to separately address and mitigate specular reflection effects while maintaining normal decoding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Light polarizing pixels with polarizing filter elements serve as an intermediary mechanism between the incident light and the conventional image sensor pixels. These polarizing pixels detect the presence and intensity of polarized light from specular reflections, providing information that can be used to compensate for or eliminate the harmful effects on conventional pixels.
2Reliability
If light polarizing pixels are added to attenuate specular reflection, then specular reflection errors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Light polarizing pixels and conventional light-sensitive pixels are merged into a single hybrid image sensor array, allowing both pixel types to coexist and function together. This integration enables the system to benefit from both specular reflection attenuation and normal imaging capabilities without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid image sensor array provides multi-functionality by simultaneously enabling specular reflection attenuation through polarizing pixels and maintaining conventional imaging through light-sensitive pixels. The same array structure serves multiple purposes: reducing specular reflection errors, capturing color information, and supporting bar code decoding.
3Measurement precision
If separate reset control lines are implemented for monochrome and color pixels, then cross-talk between pixel types is reduced, but control circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reset control circuitry is segmented into separate control lines for monochrome pixels and color pixels. This segmentation allows independent control and resetting of each pixel type, preventing cross-talk and signal interference while maintaining precise control over the complex hybrid array.
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 solution effectively reduces specular reflection errors and maintains high decoding accuracy while providing excellent bar code decoding and picture-taking functionality, comparable to or exceeding that of a digital camera.
Implementation Method 1
light polarizing pixels with polarizing filter elements that significantly attenuate polarized light rays generated from an appropriately polarized light source and reflected at a specular angle
Implementation Method 2
polarizing filter elements that significantly attenuate polarized light rays
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided in one embodiment an apparatus having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, the image sensor array can include monochrome pixels and color sensitive pixels. The monochrome pixels can be pixels without wavelength selective color filter elements. The color sensitive pixels can include wavelength selective color filter elements.