Logical Pixel Row Extraction for High-Speed Barcode Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image capture devices are slow in reading bar codes due to the large amount of pixel information involved, which results in high data transfer and processing times, limiting their ability to achieve high passby speeds in scanning environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image capture device that allows for the efficient reading of logical pixel rows, where pixels are not aligned with physical rows, by using a timing and control logic system that can identify and read pixels based on a point-slope equation, reducing the need to read all pixel data from every physical row and enabling faster data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all pixel data from every physical row is read, then complete image data is captured, but data transfer and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific pixel data needed for barcode scanning from the image capture device, rather than reading all pixel data. The timing and control logic identifies and extracts pixels along a scan line (logical row) that corresponds to the barcode position, eliminating unnecessary data transfer and processing of pixels outside the barcode region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pixel data reading process by dividing the pixel array into relevant and irrelevant portions. Instead of reading the entire pixel array, the system segments the reading operation to focus only on the scan line containing the barcode, separating the necessary data extraction from the unnecessary full-array reading.
2Speed
If logical pixel rows not aligned with physical rows are read efficiently, then scanning speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a logical row dimension that is independent of the physical pixel row structure. By defining scan lines in terms of logical rows that can be positioned at any angle and location, the system adds an abstract dimension of control that enables flexible, high-speed barcode scanning without being constrained by the physical pixel array geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing and control logic is pre-programmed with the ability to calculate and identify pixel positions along arbitrary scan lines before the actual scanning occurs. This preliminary configuration of scan line parameters (angle, position, orientation) allows the system to quickly switch between different barcode orientations without real-time computation overhead during the actual scanning process.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device, method and system where pixel data captured by the image capture device is read from the device in logical pixel rows. A logical pixel row is an externally defined row of pixels where the pixels that comprise the logical pixel row are read from parts of multiple physical rows of pixels. Logical pixel rows are at an angle to the physical rows of pixels that comprise the pixel array of the image capture device.