Mobile Code Reading With Parallel Decoding And Adaptive Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code decoding technologies struggle with varying decoding times for simple and difficult codes, leading to inefficiencies and failures when illumination conditions are inappropriate, especially when simple codes outnumber difficult codes.
Innovation Solution
A portable code reading device with an illumination unit capable of multiple illumination modes and parallel decoding cores, where a first core emphasizes high-speed decoding for simple codes and second and third cores focus on stable decoding for difficult codes, reducing illumination mode switching for the first core and increasing it for the others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single imaging cycle is used for all code types, then simple codes can be decoded quickly, but difficult codes cannot be reliably decoded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the decoding system into multiple cores (first core and second core) with different timeout settings. The first core uses a shorter timeout for quick decoding of simple codes, while the second core uses a longer timeout for reliable decoding of difficult codes. This segmentation allows the system to handle different code types with appropriate decoding parameters simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If the first core is brought into standby until the next imaging cycle, then decoding resources are conserved, but decoding efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent keeps the first core continuously active rather than putting it into standby. The first core continuously decodes code images with a shorter timeout, ensuring that simple codes are decoded as quickly as they are captured, while the second core handles difficult codes. This continuous operation maximizes decoding efficiency without wasting computational resources.
3Speed
If illumination mode switching is reduced for high-speed decoding, then simple codes are decoded faster, but difficult codes cannot be properly illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination control into two pathways: one for the first core with reduced illumination mode switching for high-speed simple code decoding, and another for the second core with increased illumination mode switching for reliable difficult code decoding. This ensures both speed and illumination adequacy are maintained for different code types.
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 approach achieves both high-speed decoding of simple codes and stable decoding of difficult codes, improving overall decoding success rates and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination unit capable of sequentially executing a plurality of types of illumination modes for irradiating a workpiece
Implementation Method 2
an imaging unit that receives light emitted from the illumination unit and then reflected by the workpiece to generate a code image
Data Source
AI summary
Achieved are both high speed in decoding a simple code and stability of decoding of a difficult code. A code image, generated by high-speed imaging control (first imaging control) for causing an imaging unit to generate the code image while causing an illumination unit to execute one type (N1=1) of illumination mode (a polarized illumination mode) among four types of illumination, is decoded by a core (high-speed decoding). On the other hand, a code image, generated by difficult-to-read imaging control (second imaging control) for causing the imaging unit to generate the code image while causing the illumination unit to execute all the four types (N2=4) of illumination modes among the four types of illumination modes, is decoded by a core (difficult-to-read decoding).