Illumination Setting Support for Barcode Readers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bar code readers face challenges in setting optimal lighting patterns due to limited control over external illumination units, which lack the ability for partial illumination and complex pattern setup when combined with internal illumination.
Innovation Solution
An illumination setting support apparatus that recognizes the model of an external illumination unit, displays a schematic diagram of its areas, allows users to select areas for lighting, and transmits the selected pattern to the reader, enabling real-time image acquisition and display of the lighting effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an external illumination unit is added to provide additional lighting, then illumination intensity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A setting support apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the external illumination unit. This apparatus automatically recognizes the illumination unit's model, determines appropriate lighting patterns, and configures the illumination settings without requiring manual complex configuration by the user, thus resolving the contradiction between improved illumination capability and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The setting support apparatus enables the external illumination unit to configure itself automatically. By recognizing the illumination unit's model and autonomously determining optimal lighting patterns, the system eliminates the need for manual setup, allowing the complex illumination system to self-configure and thereby reducing the perceived complexity for the user
2Ease of operation
If partial illumination capability is added to the external illumination unit, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The setting support apparatus enables the external illumination unit to automatically determine and configure appropriate partial illumination patterns based on the recognized model. This self-service capability allows the complex partial illumination feature to operate autonomously, providing ease of operation without requiring the user to understand or configure the underlying complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The setting support apparatus serves as an intermediary that translates the user's simple illumination needs into complex partial illumination configurations. It automatically matches the illumination unit's capabilities with appropriate lighting patterns, thereby providing ease of operation while managing the device complexity in the background
3Illumination intensity
If multiple illumination units (internal and external) are combined, then illumination intensity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex pattern setting
Solution Approach 1:
The setting support apparatus merges the configuration of multiple illumination units (internal and external) into a unified automated process. It recognizes both illumination units, determines their combined lighting patterns, and configures them together, thereby maintaining improved illumination intensity while eliminating the operational complexity that would result from manually configuring multiple separate units
Solution Approach 2:
The setting support apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the interaction between multiple illumination units. It automatically coordinates the lighting patterns of both internal and external units, resolving the complexity of pattern setting while preserving the benefits of combined illumination intensity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an illumination setting support apparatus that enables a user to easily set an optimal lighting pattern while visually checking. A schematic diagram of the illumination unit is displayed in the setting screen, so that clicking on a desired area inside this schematic diagram allows the arbitrary area to be selected from eight areas in the circumferential row of the “outermost circumference” of the external illumination unit. Lighting pattern information is transmitted to a bar code reader and is transferred to the external illumination unit. Imaging is performed while executing illumination control in accordance with the lighting pattern to thereby immediately display a live image on a PC.