Parallel Code Reading With Position Mapping in Conveying Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code reading technologies fail to provide spatial or geometrical distinction within a conveying unit, such as a box, when reading multiple codes simultaneously, and lack the ability to associate codes with their respective positions, limiting further processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A code reading device and method that utilizes a camera unit to capture images of objects with codes, a control and evaluation unit to identify code regions and positions, and a mechanical stop to ensure fixed positioning, enabling the association of codes with partial regions within the conveying unit, using image processing and machine learning to refine the processing of codes based on their position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera unit records an image of multiple objects with codes in a conveying unit, then parallel mass reading of codes is achieved, but spatial or geometrical distinction within the conveying unit is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying unit is divided into multiple partial regions or compartments, and each code is associated with a specific partial region. This segmentation allows the system to maintain spatial distinction while performing parallel reading, as each code's position information is preserved through its association with a specific compartment rather than treating the entire conveying unit as a single region.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to the code reading process by determining the position of each code within the conveying unit. Instead of only reading code content, the system now captures both the code data and its spatial coordinates, transforming the output from one-dimensional (code content only) to two-dimensional (code content plus position information).
2Measurement precision
If codes are read successively on a conveyor belt, then association with code bearing objects is achieved, but parallel mass reading of multiple codes is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical successive reading process with an optical parallel reading system. Instead of using a conveyor belt to present codes one by one to a reader, the system uses a camera unit to capture images of multiple codes simultaneously, achieving both high-speed parallel reading and accurate code-object association through image processing and position determination.
3Loss of information
If the conveying unit is divided into partial regions with partitions, then spatial distinction and code differentiation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces partitions as intermediary structures within the conveying unit to create distinct partial regions. These partitions serve as physical mediators that separate the conveying unit into manageable compartments, making it easier to associate codes with specific regions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that doesn't require complex tracking or positioning mechanisms.
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
Provides additional information on code positions, allowing refined further processing and differentiation of codes based on their spatial relationship within the conveying unit, enhancing the ability to individually process codes of the same content.
Implementation Method 1
A camera unit having at least one camera head records an image of the objects together with the codes
Data Source
AI summary
A code reading unit for the parallel reading of a plurality of codes on a plurality of objects in a conveying unit is provided, wherein the code reading device has a camera unit having at least one camera head for recording an image of the objects with the codes and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to localize code regions of the codes in the image and to read the code information of the codes and to determine the position of a respective code in the image and to associate the position of a code in the image with a position in the conveying unit.