Indicia Reader Illumination Control for Ranging-Based Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barcode reading systems face inefficiencies during ramping operations due to inconsistent image exposure and thermal inefficiencies, often resulting in flickering effects, as they adjust illumination levels based on varying focal distances without maintaining constant illumination intensity.
Innovation Solution
The system initiates a ranging operation to determine the distance between the imaging assembly and an object, then maintains a constant illumination intensity during the ramping operation by adjusting the illumination assembly based on the determined range value, ensuring consistent exposure and reducing thermal inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the illumination assembly adjusts illumination levels based on varying focal distances during ramping operation, then the system adapts to different focusing conditions, but inconsistent image exposure and flickering effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a ranging operation before the ramping operation to determine the distance between the imaging assembly and the object. Based on this predetermined range value, the illumination assembly is configured with appropriate illumination levels in advance, preventing flickering and exposure inconsistency during subsequent ramping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces dynamic mechanical adjustment of illumination during ramping with a static configuration based on optical ranging data. Instead of continuously adjusting illumination levels as the focus changes, the system uses the predetermined range value to set fixed illumination parameters, eliminating the mechanical feedback loop that causes flickering.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the illumination assembly varies illumination intensity at each focal distance during ramping, then focus adjustment is supported, but thermal inefficiencies increase due to power demands
Solution Approach 1:
The ranging operation determines the optimal illumination configuration before the ramping operation begins. The illumination assembly is set to appropriate levels in advance based on the range value, avoiding continuous power adjustments and reducing thermal inefficiencies during the ramping sequence.
3Measurement precision
If the system performs ramping operation with varying focus parameters, then decoding accuracy is improved, but image exposure consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs ranging to determine the distance to the object before initiating the ramping operation. This predetermined range information is used to configure illumination levels in advance, ensuring that image exposure remains consistent throughout the ramping sequence while still capturing images at multiple focus parameters for accurate decoding.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for providing illumination during operation of an indicia reader are described herein. An example system includes at least one imaging assembly; controller; and processor configured to: (a) initiate a ranging operation; (b) based on the ranging operation, determine a range value associated with a distance between the imaging assembly and an object in the field of view (FOV); (c) initiate a ramping operation comprising: (i) initiate a ramping sequence for the imaging assembly which captures plurality of images comprising image data of an environment appearing in the FOV using an associated plurality of focus parameters; and (ii) energizing an illumination assembly to provide illumination of the FOV during the ramping operation, the illumination intensity determined from the range value, the illumination intensity maintained substantially constant during at least a majority of the ramping operation; and (c) terminating the ramping operation based upon a termination signal.