Parallel Code Reading with Visual Feedback and Handheld Supplement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for reading codes in bulk fail to achieve a 100% read rate efficiently, often requiring repetitive processes or manual handling of unread codes, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals and tobacco where EU regulations mandate strict monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A code reading device with a camera unit and a hand-held reading unit connected via a control and evaluation unit, allowing for parallel bulk reading and immediate feedback on read codes, with the hand-held unit used to read codes missed by the camera, ensuring a 100% read rate without additional handling steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera-based code reader is used to read codes in parallel, then the reading speed is improved, but the read rate is not guaranteed to be 100% and unread codes require additional handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays captured images with visual feedback showing which codes were successfully read and which were not. This immediate feedback allows operators to identify unread codes and use the handheld reader to target specific missed codes, ensuring 100% read rate while maintaining high productivity through parallel reading of successfully captured codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the reading process into two parts: bulk parallel reading by the camera for most codes, and targeted individual reading by the handheld device for missed codes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high productivity through parallel processing and high reliability by addressing each unread code individually.
2Reliability
If handheld scanners are used to read each package individually, then the read rate can be ensured, but the reading process becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial parallel reading with the camera to capture as many codes as possible in one action, then supplements with individual handheld reading only for the small subset of unread codes. This partial parallel action significantly reduces the total number of individual reading operations needed compared to reading every code sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera performs a preliminary parallel reading action to capture codes before the operator uses the handheld reader. This preliminary action eliminates the need for sequential scanning of all codes, as the handheld reader only needs to address codes that were missed in the preliminary camera capture.
3Reliability
If parallel reading is repeated until all codes are read, then the read rate improves, but many reading errors are reproduced and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback display showing captured images with marked read/unread codes prevents repetitive scanning of the same codes. Operators can see exactly which codes were missed and target only those with the handheld reader, eliminating wasteful repetition of successful reads and ensuring progressive completion toward 100% read rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical repetition of manual scanning with an intelligent feedback-driven process. Instead of blindly repeating scans, the system uses visual feedback to guide targeted intervention only where needed, substituting inefficient mechanical repetition with informed, selective action.
4Reliability
If unread codes are handled by removing packages for individual solutions, then the read rate improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the bulk parallel reading capability of the camera with the targeted individual reading capability of the handheld device into a single integrated workflow. This unified approach eliminates the need for separate handling processes for unread codes, as both reading modes work together seamlessly within one system to achieve 100% read rate without additional complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A code reading device (10) for the parallel reading of a plurality of codes (36) on a plurality of adjacent objects (34) is described. The device comprises a camera unit (12) with at least one camera head for capturing an image of the objects (34), a control and evaluation unit (18) configured to locate code areas of the codes (36) in the image and to read the code information of the codes (36), and a display unit (20) for displaying the image and marking the read codes (36) and/or objects (34) with read codes (36). A handheld reading unit (26) is provided for reading codes (36, 40) in order to read codes (40) not read by the camera unit (12) and to transmit the read code information to the control and evaluation unit (18).