Mobile Barcode Attachment with Optical Lens and Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartphones and other portable computing devices have poor barcode reading capabilities, which hinder their effectiveness in reading barcodes efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The development of attachments for mobile devices that include a target generating mechanism, proximity sensor, optimized illumination, alternative optical paths, and supplementary lens systems to enhance barcode reading capabilities, such as corner-positioned, encapsulating, or mounted attachments that provide additional power and optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smartphone uses its built-in camera for barcode reading, then the device can perform barcode reading without additional accessories, but the barcode reading capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the barcode reading system into two parts: the smartphone provides processing power and display, while a separate attachment provides specialized optical components (lens, illumination, target generator). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between using the built-in camera's simplicity and achieving accurate barcode reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment acts as an intermediary between the barcode and the smartphone camera. It includes optical components such as a lens, illumination source, and target generator that mediate the interaction between light and the camera sensor, thereby improving barcode reading accuracy while the smartphone handles data processing.
2Measurement precision
If additional optical components and illumination systems are added to improve barcode reading, then barcode reading accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components (lens, illumination source, target generator, proximity sensor) into a single integrated attachment that attaches to the smartphone. This combining approach achieves accurate barcode reading while minimizing the number of separate components the user must handle, reducing operational complexity despite the sophisticated internal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is designed to be universally compatible with various smartphone models and can perform multiple functions: generating target patterns, providing illumination, focusing light through the lens, and detecting proximity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving accurate barcode reading.
3Measurement precision
If a target generating mechanism and illumination system are added, then positioning accuracy and barcode visibility improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target generating mechanism and illumination system operate periodically rather than continuously. The target pattern is generated only when needed for positioning, and the illumination is activated only during barcode scanning moments. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy and barcode visibility when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment includes a proximity sensor that automatically detects when a barcode is within range and triggers the illumination and target generation without user intervention. This self-service approach ensures that energy-intensive components are activated only when necessary, optimizing the balance between positioning accuracy and power consumption.
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
These attachments improve the accuracy and efficiency of barcode reading by facilitating proper positioning, optimizing illumination, and enhancing optical pathways, thereby improving the overall barcode reading performance of mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a supplementary lens system that is optimized for barcode reading
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor
Implementation Method 3
exposure illumination that is optimized for barcode reading
Data Source
AI summary
This patent specification describes a barcode reading application for a mobile device. The mobile device comprises a camera, which comprises an image sensor array and an output module coupled to the image sensor array. The image sensor array includes a plurality of pixels and the output module is capable of providing output in both: i) a primary color format wherein each pixel is represented by an intensity of each of three primary colors; and ii) a color space format wherein each pixel is represented by an intensity value and a plurality of chromatic values. The barcode reading application is configured to perform one of: i) confirming that the output module is set to provide output in the color space format; and ii) setting the output module to provide output in the color space format.