Linear Image Sensor White Color Lines Code Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional line scan cameras for code reading face challenges in acquiring color information without compromising resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, as color filters result in light loss and processor-intensive processing, especially in fast belt applications.
Innovation Solution
A code reader with a linear image sensor featuring a combination of white and color lines, where the white line captures grayscale images with high resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, while color lines provide additional color information without impairing the decoding process, using pixels sensitive to specific colors and reconstructing missing colors from the white line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If color filters are used in line scan cameras to acquire color information, then color detection capability is improved, but light loss increases and signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linear image sensor is segmented into multiple independent linear arrangements, each with different spectral sensitivities (white line and color lines). This allows simultaneous acquisition of high-quality grayscale and color information without light loss, as each line type optimizes for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The code reader system achieves multi-functionality by combining white lines for grayscale capture and color lines for color information acquisition within a single device. The control and evaluation unit processes both image types to provide comprehensive code reading with color detection capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If matrix cameras are used to acquire color information, then color detection is enabled, but processing complexity increases and frame rate requirements become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex matrix camera requiring frame stitching, the system segments the image capture into multiple simple linear arrangements that operate simultaneously. Each linear arrangement captures its specific spectral information in a single pass, eliminating the need for complex frame stitching operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If color filters are applied to each pixel in a line scan camera, then color information is acquired, but light reception is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The linear image sensor is divided into separate white lines and color lines. White lines capture all incident light for grayscale information, while color lines with their respective color filters capture spectral information. This segmentation allows full light reception in the grayscale channel while maintaining color detection capability.
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
Enables high-quality grayscale code reading with full resolution and signal-to-noise ratio while acquiring color information for additional evaluations, such as code segmentation and object classification, without degrading the decoding results.
Implementation Method 1
The light reception pixels have different spectral sensitivities, in particular due to color filters or the omission thereof
Implementation Method 2
The light reception pixels have different spectral sensitivities, in particular due to color filters or the omission thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A code reader for reading an optical code is provided that has a linear image sensor having a plurality of linear arrangements of light reception pixels for recording image data having the code and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to locate and read the code in the image data, wherein the light reception pixels have a different spectral sensitivity. Here, at least one linear arrangement is a white line whose reception pixels are sensitive to white light for recording a gray scale image and the other linear arrangements are color lines whose reception pixels are sensitive to light of only one respective color for recording a color image.