Mirror Wheel Scanner for Fast Line and Wide-Area Raster Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barcode scanners, particularly those using polygon wheels, either sacrifice scanning speed for a larger area or vice versa, necessitating the use of multiple scanner types or camera-based systems to handle varying code positions, which is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A mirror wheel design for barcode scanners that combines the functionalities of both line and raster scanners by aligning some mirror facets equally and others at opposing angles, allowing for rapid line scanning and extended area scanning with symmetrical offset lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a line scanner is used, then scanning speed is high, but scanning area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror wheel is segmented into different types of mirror facets: first mirror facets for rapid line scanning, and second mirror facets for extended area scanning. This segmentation allows the single scanner to switch between high-speed line scanning mode and wide-area raster scanning mode, resolving the contradiction between scanning speed and scanning area.
2Area of stationary object
If a raster scanner is used, then scanning area is large, but scanning speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner dynamically switches between different scanning modes by activating different mirror facets on the rotating mirror wheel. The system can transition from rapid line scanning (first mirror facets) to extended area scanning (second mirror facets) based on the positioning requirements, making the scanning process adaptive and dynamic rather than static.
3Measurement precision
If multiple scanner types are used to handle varying code positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single optoelectronic scanner is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both first mirror facets (for rapid line scanning) and second mirror facets (for extended area scanning) on the same mirror wheel. This universal design allows one scanner to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate scanners, thereby improving code positioning accuracy while reducing system complexity.
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 design enables a single scanner to efficiently read codes quickly and accurately across a larger area, reducing the need for multiple scanners and simplifying systems by automatically detecting and correcting code positioning errors.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (6) and a light receiver (7), in particular laser beam emitter and laser beam receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Mirror wheel for an optoelectronic code reader, in particular for a barcode reader, with mirror surfaces, wherein N of the mirror surfaces are equally aligned to one another, and K of the mirror surfaces are tilted to one another by a tilt angle α against the equally aligned mirror surfaces, and L of the mirror surfaces are tilted by a tilt angle β against the equally aligned mirror surfaces, wherein the direction of the tilt by the tilt angle β is set up opposite to the direction of the tilt by the tilt angle α.