Interleaved Frame Capture for Barcode and Vision Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barcode readers that attempt to use a single camera for both barcode decoding and other imaging applications face challenges due to differing optimal exposure lengths, brightness, gain, and resolution requirements for each function, leading to suboptimal performance in either task.
Innovation Solution
A barcode reader that interleaves frames optimized for barcode capture and vision capture, using a single camera to alternate between brief exposure with bright illumination for barcode reading and longer exposure with reduced or no illumination for vision capture, allowing simultaneous capture and analysis of both types of frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera is used for both barcode decoding and other imaging applications, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but performance in both functions deteriorates due to conflicting exposure and brightness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between capturing barcode frames and vision frames in a periodic interleaved pattern. The camera switches between short exposure modes for barcode decoding and long exposure modes for vision applications, with each frame type captured at appropriately optimized settings during its designated time slot in the repeating cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera parameters (exposure time, brightness, gain) are dynamically adjusted based on the current capture mode. The system transitions between static optimization states by modifying exposure duration and illumination levels according to whether a barcode frame or vision frame is being captured, allowing each function to receive optimal parameters when needed.
2Measurement precision
If exposure length and brightness are optimized for barcode decoding, then barcode reading performance improves, but vision capture performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching between barcode capture mode and vision capture mode. During barcode capture intervals, the camera uses short exposure with high brightness optimization. During vision capture intervals, it switches to long exposure with reduced brightness. This periodic alternation ensures each function receives its optimal parameter set without permanent compromise to the other.
3Reliability
If exposure length and brightness are optimized for vision capture, then imaging application performance improves, but barcode decoding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interleaved frame capture pattern allocates specific time slots for vision capture with optimized long exposure and reduced brightness settings, followed by time slots for barcode capture with optimized short exposure and high brightness settings. This periodic switching ensures that vision capture quality is maximized during its designated intervals without permanently compromising barcode decoding capability.
4Reliability
If two separate cameras are used for barcode decoding and vision applications, then performance in both functions improves, but device cost and housing size increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions by dynamically adjusting its capture parameters. The same imaging sensor and processing pipeline handle both barcode decoding and vision applications, with the camera switching between different exposure and brightness optimization modes depending on the current task requirement, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera alternates between barcode capture mode and vision capture mode in an interleaved periodic pattern. During barcode intervals, it uses short exposure with bright illumination optimization. During vision intervals, it uses long exposure with reduced illumination. This time-division multiplexing allows one camera to effectively replace two separate cameras while maintaining performance in both functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A barcode reader configured to capture interleaved frame types optimized for vision capture and barcode capture are disclosed herein. An example barcode reader is configured to operate in a pre-determined repetitive pattern of capturing a first frame and capturing a second frame over a reading cycle having a fixed duration after a triggering event, wherein the first frame is captured over a first exposure period having a first duration, and the second frame is captured over a second exposure period having a second duration, and wherein the first frame is associated with a first brightness parameter, and the second frame is associated with a second brightness parameter.