Inclined Label Surface for Barcode Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In barcode reading systems for recording tape cartridges, halation occurs when reflected light is close to regular reflection, leading to poor readability due to the difficulty in maintaining sufficient space for light sources and light-receiving units, especially with downsized robot hands.
Innovation Solution
The recording tape cartridge design features a label surface with inclined first and second half label surfaces, and reference surfaces or holes for positioning, which helps in reducing halation by controlling the angle of reflected light, allowing for improved barcode readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the distance between the light source and the light-receiving unit is increased to suppress regular reflection, then halation is reduced and barcode readability is improved, but the robot hand size increases which contradicts the downsizing trend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the label surface by introducing an inclination angle (α) of 1 degree or more with respect to the vertical plane. This parameter change modifies the reflection characteristics of the barcode label, allowing the light-receiving unit to receive reflected light that is not close to regular reflection, thereby improving barcode readability without requiring increased distance between the light source and light-receiving unit, thus maintaining compact robot hand dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect by inclining the label surface in the vertical direction (creating an angle with the vertical plane). This dimensional change transforms the reflection geometry from a two-dimensional planar reflection to a three-dimensional angled reflection, enabling the light-receiving unit to capture diffracted light effectively while maintaining a compact spatial arrangement of the barcode reading device components
2Volume of moving object
If the light source and light-receiving unit are positioned close together to downsize the robot hand, then the robot hand size is reduced, but halation occurs and barcode readability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the reflection parameter by inclining the label surface at an angle of 1 degree or more with respect to the vertical plane. This parameter change ensures that even when the light source and light-receiving unit are positioned close together, the reflected light reaches the light-receiving unit in a diffracted state rather than regular reflection, preventing halation and maintaining barcode readability in the downsized robot hand configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of close positioning (which causes regular reflection and halation) into a beneficial configuration by using the inclined label surface to diffract the light. The close positioning that would normally cause problems is transformed into an advantage where the inclined surface ensures diffracted light reaches the light-receiving unit effectively, improving readability in the compact space
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 design effectively suppresses halation and enhances barcode readability by ensuring that the reflected light is not close to regular reflection, improving the accuracy of barcode identification in the barcode reading device.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that radiates light toward the barcode label, and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light reflected by the barcode label
Implementation Method 2
halation is caused if the reflected light, which is radiated from the light source, is reflected by the barcode label, and is received by the light-receiving unit, is close to regular reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A recording tape cartridge includes a case configured by first and second halves being joined to each other first and second peripheral walls are butted against each other and stores a reel, a label surface formed of a first half label surface of the first peripheral wall and a second half label surface of the second peripheral wall on a side opposite to a loading direction of the case to a drive device and that allows a barcode label with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode to be attached thereto, and a reference surface formed on a bottom plate and is used for positioning the case in a thickness direction in a case of being loaded into the drive device. The first or second half label surface is inclined at one degree or more with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the reference surface in a side view.