Multi-Camera Barcode Reader with Auto-Focal Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with optical lens driving mechanisms are cumbersome and difficult to integrate into compact designs, requiring users to adjust the distance between the device and the barcode for accurate reading, leading to inefficient operation when reading two-dimensional codes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus equipped with multiple imaging units (e.g., telecamera, standard camera, and super-wide angle camera) that automatically switch to the most appropriate camera for reading two-dimensional codes, allowing for accurate detection and processing of optical code information without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical lens driving mechanism is mounted on an electronic apparatus to perform optical zoom, then the reading precision of barcodes is improved, but the device size increases and it becomes difficult to mount on compact electronic apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical lens driving mechanism from the electronic apparatus, eliminating the need for mechanical zoom components within the device. Instead, the system uses multiple imaging units with different fixed focal lengths, allowing the device to achieve variable field-of-view capabilities without incorporating complex moving lens mechanisms, thus maintaining compact size while preserving barcode reading precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by equipping the electronic apparatus with multiple imaging units that serve different purposes - each with different focal lengths suitable for different scanning scenarios. This universal approach allows the system to handle both close-range and far-range barcode reading without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between precision and compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism that can perform optical lens driving is mounted on an electronic apparatus, then the optical zoom capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical lens driving system with an electronic/software-based solution using multiple fixed imaging units. The system electronically selects and switches between different imaging units based on the required field-of-view, eliminating mechanical moving parts, motors, and complex lens assemblies while maintaining optical zoom capability through digital selection of appropriate focal lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by enabling the system to dynamically switch between multiple imaging units with different focal lengths based on real-time scanning requirements. This dynamic selection allows the apparatus to adapt to various distances and barcode sizes without mechanical adjustment, reducing structural complexity while preserving versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the reading device is located too close to or too far away from the barcode, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the time required for user adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality by enabling the system to automatically determine the appropriate imaging unit based on the detected barcode distance and size. The control unit autonomously selects the most suitable imaging unit without requiring manual user intervention or distance adjustment, allowing users to simply point the device at the barcode and achieve immediate reading capability, thus improving ease of operation and eliminating adjustment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares multiple imaging units in advance with different focal lengths, so that when a barcode scanning task is initiated, the system can immediately select the pre-configured appropriate imaging unit based on the situation. This preliminary preparation of multiple optical configurations eliminates the need for real-time mechanical adjustment during operation, reducing user effort and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a first imaging unit, a second imaging unit with a focal length different from a focal length of the first imaging unit, and a reading unit configured to read information from an optical code image included in a captured image, and a control unit configured to perform control so as to, in a case where information based on the optical code image has been read by the reading unit from an image captured by the first imaging unit, execute processing corresponding to the read information, and in a case where information based on the optical code image has not been read by the reading unit from an image captured by the first imaging unit, to cause the reading unit to read information based on the optical code image, from an image captured by the second imaging unit, and execute processing corresponding to the read information.