Optical Code Scanner Parameter Adjustment for Printed vs Displayed Barcode Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical code scanners at POS terminals cannot effectively differentiate between printed barcodes and those displayed on electronic devices, leading to potential fraud where a customer scans a cheaper item's barcode but presents a more expensive item for weighing, as the weight must be similar for the fraud to succeed.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid optical code scanner with adjustable parameters, such as illumination level, shutter time, and aperture opening, is used to determine whether an optical code is presented in printed form or displayed on an electronic device by optimizing scanner settings to identify the presentation method based on successful reading conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical code scanner is used to read barcodes at POS terminals, then transaction processing is enabled, but the system cannot differentiate between printed and displayed barcodes, allowing fraud to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by analyzing multiple adjustable parameters of the imaging scanner (such as focus, exposure, illumination) to determine the presentation method of the optical code. Different parameters exhibit characteristic values when scanning printed versus displayed barcodes, allowing the system to distinguish between the two presentation methods and prevent fraud while maintaining reliable transaction processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner uses fixed parameters to read optical codes, then reading speed is maintained, but the scanner cannot adapt to different presentation methods (printed vs. displayed)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by quickly analyzing the scanner parameters immediately after capturing the optical code image to determine the presentation method. This rapid parameter analysis occurs in the background without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to different presentation methods while maintaining high scanning speed and productivity
3Reliability
If the scanner analyzes multiple parameters to determine presentation method, then fraud prevention capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the analyzed scanner parameters to generate information about the presentation method, which is then fed back to the transaction processing system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic fraud prevention without requiring complex additional hardware, as the existing scanner parameters are reused to determine whether the barcode is printed or displayed
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
The scanner effectively determines the presentation method of optical codes, preventing fraud by accurately distinguishing between printed and displayed codes, ensuring accurate transactions and reducing fraudulent activities.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging scanner reads the optical code by capturing an image of the optical code
Implementation Method 2
the laser scanner generates at least one laser scan beam and reads the optical code presented to the optical code scanner by detecting laser light reflected from the optical code when it is scanned by the least one laser scan beam
Data Source
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AI summary
A device, method and system is provided for determining if an optical code (300) is presented to an optical code scanner (105) in either a printed form or on the display of an electronic device. Certain presentation characteristics of an optical code (300) are different depending on whether the optical code (300) is presented in printed form or on the display of an electronic device. The changes in the presentation characteristics require changes to certain parameters of the optical code scanner (105) for the optical code (300) to be read.