Imager Target Image Bit Depth Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Imager-based point-of-transaction workstations face performance degradation when processing high bit depth images of moving targets, requiring excessive processing power and time, especially when targets are swiped quickly across the window.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that processes high bit depth images by converting them into multiple 8-bit images, using statistical data like histograms to select the most suitable 8-bit image for decoding, reducing processing power and time required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the solid-state imager is configured to capture images with high bit depth (greater than eight) to reliably capture quickly moving targets, then the image capture reliability is improved, but the processing power and time requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the high bit depth image data into multiple 8-bit image representations. Specifically, a 10-bit source image is converted into multiple 8-bit images by selecting different bit combinations (e.g., bits 0-7, bits 1-8, bits 2-9). This segmentation allows the system to process simpler 8-bit images while preserving the ability to represent the full dynamic range of the original high bit depth image, thereby reducing processing power requirements while maintaining capture reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the solid-state imager is configured to capture images with high bit depth (greater than eight) to reliably capture quickly moving targets, then the image capture reliability is improved, but the processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the high bit depth image data into multiple 8-bit image representations. Specifically, a 10-bit source image is converted into multiple 8-bit images by selecting different bit combinations (e.g., bits 0-7, bits 1-8, bits 2-9). This segmentation allows the system to process simpler 8-bit images while preserving the ability to represent the full dynamic range of the original high bit depth image, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining capture reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only 8-bit portions of the high bit depth image data rather than the entire high bit depth dataset. By selecting and processing specific 8-bit segments (such as bits 0-7, bits 1-8, or bits 2-9) from the 10-bit source image, the system achieves sufficient processing speed for quick swipe scenarios without requiring full high bit depth processing, thus reducing processing time while maintaining adequate image quality for reliable decoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If high bit depth images are processed directly without conversion, then the image quality and dynamic range are preserved, but the computational complexity and processing demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the high bit depth image data into multiple 8-bit image representations. Specifically, a 10-bit source image is converted into multiple 8-bit images by selecting different bit combinations (e.g., bits 0-7, bits 1-8, bits 2-9). This segmentation allows the system to process simpler 8-bit images while preserving the ability to represent the full dynamic range of the original high bit depth image, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining adequate image quality for reliable decoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bit depth parameter from greater than eight bits to exactly eight bits through a conversion process. By transforming the 10-bit (or higher) source image into multiple 8-bit target images, the system adjusts the data representation parameter to reduce computational complexity. Statistical analysis (such as histogram evaluation) is used to determine which 8-bit representation best preserves image quality, thus achieving parameter optimization that balances quality and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9798914B1System for and method of efficiently processing targets to be electro-optically read by image capture

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A source image having a bit depth greater than eight is captured from a moving target. The source image is processed to obtain a plurality of target images each having a bit depth of eight. A memory stores the 8-bit target images. A processor obtains statistical data about the source image, and selects one of the stored 8-bit target images based on the statistical data. A controller efficiently decodes only the selected 8-bit target image.