Light Blocking Gasket for Optical Reading Device Reflections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Optical reading devices face issues with light reflection from the window and lens plate, causing unwanted bright spots and overexposure of the image sensor due to the light source's illumination, which affects the accuracy and quality of the captured images.

Innovation Solution

A light blocking gasket made of flexible materials like thermoplastic elastomers is placed between the lens housing and optical plate to absorb and reduce reflected light, minimizing light transmission and preventing overexposure of the image sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source is used to illuminate the target area for bar code reading, then the image sensor can capture the reflected light from the symbol, but light reflections from the window and lens plate cause overexposure and unwanted bright spots in the image sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight illuminationVSAvoidlight reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light-absorbing material is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the optical components (window, lens plate) and the image sensor. This material absorbs the harmful reflected light before it reaches the image sensor, preventing overexposure and bright spots while allowing the desired reflected light from the bar code to be captured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful light reflections are extracted or removed from the optical path by positioning light-absorbing materials at strategic locations (behind the window, behind the lens plate, and at the periphery of the image sensor). This separates the harmful reflected light from the useful light signal, allowing the image sensor to capture only the desired information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light-absorbing materials are placed behind the window and lens plate to block reflections, then overexposure is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoverexposureVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Thin light-absorbing films or coatings are applied to the rear surfaces of the window and lens plate components. This approach blocks reflected light effectively while adding minimal structural complexity, as the light-absorbing layer integrates into existing components rather than requiring separate bulky elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Simple, inexpensive light-absorbing materials such as black paint or adhesive-backed light-absorbing tape are used instead of complex optical components. These materials can be easily applied and replaced if needed, reducing both the complexity and cost of the device structure while effectively preventing overexposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The light blocking gasket effectively reduces light reflections, enhancing image quality by preventing saturation and unwanted bright spots, thereby improving the accuracy and clarity of the captured data in optical reading devices.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7705288B2Optical reading device with light blocking gasket

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

An optical reading device comprising a sensor array having pixels which are exposed to an image; an illumination generator for illuminating the image with light, the illumination generator being configured to have a front face; a housing for housing the sensor array, aiming pattern generator and illumination generator for hand held operation, the housing having a window disposed between the illumination generator and the image for permitting transmission of the illuminating light; a lens for focusing light to the sensor array, wherein the lens protrudes through the illumination generator; a gasket disposed around the lens for blocking light reflected off of the window from reaching the sensor array.