Modulated Aiming Light Assembly for Hand-Held Imaging Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face challenges in accurately aiming hand-held imaging readers due to difficulty in visually confirming that symbols are within the field of view, especially in brightly lit environments, leading to reduced productivity and increased transaction time.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held imaging reader with a modulated aiming light assembly that pulses at a frequency of one to four Hertz, increasing visibility by pulsing lasers at a 50% duty cycle, allowing the aiming light pattern to be more discernible in high ambient light conditions while maintaining safety and reducing eye strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser output power is increased to improve aiming pattern visibility in bright environments, then visibility is improved, but laser safety restrictions prevent further power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by modulating the laser beam at frequencies between 1-4 Hz, creating a pulsating aiming pattern that is visible to the human eye. This modulation allows the laser to operate at safe average power levels while creating perceptible brightness variations that enhance visibility in bright environments without exceeding safety limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the laser output by introducing frequency modulation. By varying the duty cycle and pulse frequency of the laser beam, the system achieves enhanced visual detectability through human eye sensitivity to flicker, while maintaining average power within safe operational limits.
2Illumination intensity
If continuous high-power laser is used for aiming, then visibility is maximized, but operator eye strain increases and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the laser beam at low frequencies (1-4 Hz) that create a pulsating visual effect. This periodic action exploits human visual system sensitivity to flicker, allowing the aiming pattern to remain highly visible while the average power delivery is reduced, thereby minimizing eye strain and safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous aiming pattern presence through high-duty-cycle modulation (50-80%), ensuring the aiming light is visible throughout operation while incorporating brief off-periods that allow visual recovery and reduce cumulative eye strain, balancing continuous utility with operator comfort.
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
Enhances the visibility of the aiming light pattern in bright environments, improving the operator's ability to position the reader correctly, thus speeding up transaction processing and increasing productivity by ensuring symbols are within the field of view for successful decoding.
Implementation Method 1
lasers are sometimes used as the sources for the aiming lights. A laser beam of high output power is desirable for an increased ambient light immunity and greater aiming pattern visibility.
Implementation Method 2
modulating the aiming light pattern to render the aiming light pattern more visibly discernible to the operator. The modulated or flashing light pattern is more discernible to the human eye than a continuous or constant light pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
An aiming light assembly supported by a mobile imaging reader projects an aiming light pattern on a symbol. A controller modulates the aiming light pattern to render the aiming light pattern more visibly discernible to an operator, especially in a brightly lit ambient environment, to enable the operator to position the aiming light pattern on the symbol prior to reading.