Laser Scanner Decode Time-Window Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser-scanning systems lack the necessary control for selective reading of bar code symbols, leading to inefficiencies in challenging scanning applications.

Innovation Solution

A hand-supportable laser scanner with a dynamically-programmable decode time-window filter that processes scan data to transmit only symbol character data within a specified time duration, allowing for increased user control by filtering out data outside this window, and adjusting the filter duration based on the object's range or user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional laser-scanning systems read and transmit all detected bar code symbols, then the system operates simply without control mechanisms, but the system lacks selectivity and transmits irrelevant data in challenging scanning applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselectivity in reading bar code symbolsVSAvoidcomplexity of control mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by buffering complete scan lines in memory before decoding and filtering. This allows the system to evaluate multiple code symbols and apply filtering criteria selectively, achieving adaptability without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms during the scanning process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The decode time-window filter is dynamically programmable, allowing the time window duration and position to be adjusted based on scanning conditions. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to selectively read bar code symbols in challenging applications while maintaining operational flexibility through software control rather than fixed hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the system transmits all decoded symbol character data, then data transmission is comprehensive, but noise and irrelevant data are included reducing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of bar code symbol readingVSAvoidloss of potentially relevant data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The decode time-window filter applies local quality filtering by evaluating each decoded code symbol's timing characteristics individually. Only those symbols whose decode timing falls within the programmable time window are transmitted, while others are filtered out. This selective filtering improves accuracy by eliminating noise while preserving potentially relevant data that falls within the specified time parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the decode time-window filter uses a fixed time duration, then the filter operation is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying object ranges and scanning conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different object rangesVSAvoidcomplexity of dynamically-programmable filter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decode time-window filter is implemented as a dynamically-programmable component where the time window duration and position can be adjusted based on object range and scanning conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying application requirements while maintaining a relatively simple filter structure that can be reconfigured through software rather than requiring multiple fixed hardware filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the time window parameters (duration and position) based on detected object range and scanning conditions. By programmatically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves adaptability to different object ranges and challenging scanning applications without requiring complex hardware modifications, simply changing the operational parameters of the filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides enhanced control over bar code symbol reading operations by ensuring only relevant data is transmitted, improving accuracy and reducing noise, while allowing for flexible operation modes based on user input or object range.

Implementation Method 1

a laser scanning module for repeatedly scanning, across the laser scanning field, a visible laser beam generated by a laser source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9489555B2Laser scanning code symbol reading system employing programmable decode time-window filtering

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A method and system for reading code symbols using a code symbol reading system having a programmable decode time-window filter mode of operation. During this mode of operation, only decoded code symbols that have been scanned within a selected (e.g. central) portion of the laser scan line field are processed according to a special decode time-window filtering function. In particular, if the decoded bar code symbol is a programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller applies the function represented by the programming-type bar code symbol; and if the decoded bar code symbol is a non-programming-type bar code symbol, then the system controller either transmits symbol character data associated therewith to the host system or stores the symbol character data within memory aboard the bar code symbol reading system.