Handheld Mark Reader Trigger-to-Decode Response Time Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mark readers experience significant delays between triggering the decoding process and obtaining a successful decode response due to time-consuming image acquisition and parameter adjustment processes, often exceeding the desired 200 milliseconds threshold.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a pre-trigger image acquisition and processing phase before the user activates the trigger, where the reader calculates and adjusts parameters such as exposure, gain, and focus using ambient light, allowing for immediate post-trigger image acquisition and decoding with reduced delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the reader steps through various image capture parameters and adjusts exposure/gain and illumination settings during the reading process, then the image quality and decoding accuracy are improved, but the reading time increases and exceeds the desired 200 millisecond threshold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidreading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring images and calculating image parameters (exposure, gain, focus) before the user activates the trigger. The system continuously captures pre-trigger images and processes them to determine optimal parameters in advance, so when the trigger is pressed, the parameters are already calculated and ready for immediate use, eliminating the need to step through adjustments during the reading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the reader performs parameter adjustments and image processing after trigger activation, then the decoding process can be optimized based on actual mark conditions, but the trigger-to-decode response time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter optimizationVSAvoidtrigger-to-decode response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs all necessary parameter calculations and image acquisitions before trigger activation. The pre-trigger feedback loop continuously adjusts parameters based on mark conditions detected in advance, so when the trigger is pressed, the optimal parameters are already determined and applied, achieving both adaptability and fast response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous image acquisition and parameter calculation in a feedback loop before trigger activation. This continuous processing ensures that the system is always ready with optimized parameters, eliminating idle waiting time between trigger activation and decoding while maintaining adaptability to different mark conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9721134B2Mark reader with reduced trigger-to-decode response time

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 COGNEX CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for use with a handheld mark reader that reduce the time between activation of the reader's trigger and the reader returning a successful decode response. Image processing may be performed prior to the user actuating the trigger and thus obtaining a decodable image with reduced delay. Separate pre-trigger and post-trigger parameters may be used for image decoding. A feedback loop may be incorporated for repeated parameter updates. An adjustable lens may be utilized either with illumination OFF or ON.