Image Sensing Circuit Reducing Trigger-to-Read Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indicia reading apparatuses face challenges in reducing trigger-to-read time due to poor illumination conditions and increased processing time with high-density image sensors, especially at longer reading distances and in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
An indicia reading apparatus with an image sensing and processing circuit that filters image data prior to capture and outputs both filtered and raw pixel values contemporaneously, allowing for pre-decode processing and reducing the trigger-to-read time by initiating decoding before the trigger signal is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-density image sensors are used to increase pixel count, then image quality and reading capability are improved, but processing time increases due to larger data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing filtering operations on image data before it is fully captured and stored in frame memory. The image sensing and processing circuit filters image data contemporaneously with capture, reducing the data volume that needs to be processed later while maintaining image quality for decoding.
2Reliability
If multiple frames are captured and processed in succession to improve decoding reliability, then decoding accuracy is improved, but trigger-to-read time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of image data during the capture phase itself, so that when multiple frames are captured for decoding reliability, the processing burden for each frame is already reduced. This maintains decoding accuracy while minimizing the time penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensing and processing circuit operates continuously to capture and filter multiple frames without interruption. The filtering process runs contemporaneously with frame capture, ensuring continuous useful action that reduces overall processing time while maintaining the ability to select the best frame for decoding.
3Productivity
If image data is processed after capture to improve decoding speed, then decoding performance is improved, but trigger-to-read time increases due to processing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs filtering as a preliminary action during the image capture phase itself, rather than as a subsequent processing step. The image sensing and processing circuit filters image data contemporaneously with capture, so that when decoding is initiated, the data is already pre-processed and ready for faster decoding.
Data Source
AI summary
A TTR time of a reading apparatus can also be reduced by designing an apparatus to exhibit a certain timing relationship between a receipt of a trigger signal and/or more of image capture and decoding. An apparatus in one embodiment can be configured to continuously capture frames of image data prior to receipt of a trigger signal and can further be configured so that an output decoded message is decoded from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to the time of receipt of a trigger signal. An apparatus configured to output a decoded message from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to a time of receipt of a trigger signal can have a TTR time of less than a frame capture period of the apparatus.