Imaging Reader Color Pipeline Bypass for Symbol Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Color image processing pipelines in imaging readers with color imagers can degrade performance when decoding symbol targets, particularly by generating excess noise and reducing the working distance range due to components like color correction, gamma correction, and noise filtering.
Innovation Solution
A bypass component is introduced in the color image processing pipeline that allows switching out noise-adding components during the decode mode, enabling a separate processing path for symbol targets that bypasses noise-adding components like color correction, gamma correction, and noise filtering, thereby maintaining reader performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If color image processing pipeline components (color correction, gamma correction, noise filtering) are used to display non-symbol targets with high color fidelity, then color image quality is improved, but reader performance degrades and working distance range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing pipeline into two distinct operational paths: a first path for non-symbol targets that includes all color processing components (color correction, gamma correction, noise filtering), and a second path for symbol targets that bypasses these components. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for color fidelity when displaying images while maintaining reading performance when decoding symbols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different processing paths based on the target type. The system can adaptively select whether to apply color processing components by detecting whether the target is a symbol or non-symbol, thereby dynamically adjusting the processing pipeline to match the current operational requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If color image processing pipeline components are applied to all targets, then color fidelity for non-symbol targets is improved, but working distance range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing workflow into separate paths based on target type. The first path processes non-symbol targets through all color processing components to achieve high color fidelity, while the second path processes symbol targets by bypassing these components, thereby preserving the working distance range needed for accurate symbol reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes processing parameters dynamically based on target identification. When a symbol target is detected, the system switches to a processing mode that bypasses color correction, gamma correction, and noise filtering components, effectively changing the operational parameters to maintain optimal working distance range for symbol decoding.
3Manufacturing precision
If noise filter component is used to remove noise from output raw image data, then color image quality is improved, but excess noise is generated and reader performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing path so that the noise filter component is included only in the first path for non-symbol targets where color image quality is prioritized. For symbol targets, the second path bypasses the noise filter component, preventing the generation of excess noise that would degrade reading performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recognizes that while noise filtering is beneficial for color image quality, it generates excess noise harmful to symbol reading. By creating a bypass path for symbol targets, the system converts the potentially harmful noise filtering operation into a conditional operation that only applies when beneficial, thereby eliminating the harmful side effect while preserving the benefit when needed.
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
This solution prevents performance degradation during symbol target decoding, ensuring consistent reading performance across various working distances without degrading image quality for non-symbol targets.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging assembly having a solid-state imager or imaging sensor with an array of photocells or pixels, which correspond to image elements or pixels in an imaging field of view of the imager, and an imaging lens assembly for capturing return light scattered and/or reflected from the target being imaged
Data Source
AI summary
A color image of a target is captured by a color sensor in an imaging reader. A color image processing pipeline processes the captured color image with a plurality of color image processing components to display the image of a target with high fidelity. One or more of the components are bypassed to decode the image of a symbol target to prevent degradation of reader performance.