Optical Scanning Units With Overlapping Areas And Sensitivity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning methods require complex mechanical designs and high spatial separation of lighting units to prevent overexposure, which increases design complexity and space requirements, especially when scanning objects on conveyor belts with varying speeds and weights.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using scanning units with partially overlapping scanning areas, where the sensitivity of at least one unit is reduced in the overlapping area to prevent overexposure, allowing for a more compact design and synchronization of conveyor belt segments without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spatial separation of light beams from multiple lighting units is implemented to prevent overexposure, then overexposure is avoided, but the mechanical system design becomes complex and requires large reading field area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the light receiving units selectively sensitive to light from specific lighting units. Different regions of the light receiving unit are assigned to receive light from different lighting units, allowing spatial overlap of light beams without overexposure. This is achieved through position-dependent sensitivity assignment where each region of the light receiving unit is configured to receive light from a corresponding lighting unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the light receiving units to prevent overexposure. By adjusting the sensitivity of different regions of the light receiving unit to correspond to specific lighting units, the system allows multiple lighting units to illuminate the same area simultaneously without causing overexposure. The sensitivity assignment is based on the position of the light receiving unit relative to the lighting units.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spatial separation of light beams from multiple lighting units is implemented to prevent overexposure, then overexposure is avoided, but the mechanical design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical spatial separation with an optical/electronic solution. Instead of physically separating lighting units and their light beams through complex mechanical arrangements, the system uses light receiving units with position-dependent sensitivity to differentiate between light sources. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical positioning while achieving the same overexposure prevention goal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large reading field area is used to accommodate spatially separated light beams, then overexposure is prevented, but synchronization of conveyor belt segments becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each conveyor belt segment to be independently controlled for each lighting unit's illumination area. The light receiving unit's position-dependent sensitivity allows separate evaluation of reflected light from different lighting units, enabling independent speed control of individual conveyor segments without requiring synchronization of the entire conveyor system.
4Reliability
If multiple lighting units illuminate the same area simultaneously, then scanning coverage is improved, but overexposure occurs deteriorating image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains full scanning coverage from multiple lighting units while preventing overexposure through position-dependent sensitivity assignment. Each region of the light receiving unit is configured to selectively receive light from a specific lighting unit, allowing simultaneous illumination from multiple sources without overexposure. This enables comprehensive scanning coverage while maintaining image quality.
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 reduces the system's spatial requirements, simplifies the mechanical design, and maintains image quality by adjusting scanning sensitivity in real-time to prevent overexposure, even when multiple scanning units illuminate the same area.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light receiving unit can receive light that is sent from the lighting unit onto the body and reflected by the body
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves receiving light transmitted from an illumination unit to a body (10) by a light reception unit and reflecting the light from the body, so that scan areas (28, 32) of scanning units (26, 30) are defined by the illumination unit and the light reception unit. The scanning units are used with respective scanning areas, which are partially overlapped within an overlapping area. The scanning sensitivity of one of the scanning units for the overlapping area is reduced, when the body with its surface is in the overlapping area. An independent claim is also included for a scanning device for optical scanning of a partial surface of a body.