Passive Illumination Diffuser for Code Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code reading and verification systems rely on active lighting devices with their own light sources, which can complicate construction and maintenance, and do not allow for easy switching between direct and diffuse illumination.
Innovation Solution
A passive lighting device that uses a diffuser unit with a scattering bowl made of translucent material to convert light into diffuse illumination, eliminating the need for active light sources and allowing for simple assembly and disassembly, and enabling switching between direct and diffuse illumination modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If active lighting devices with their own light sources are used, then illumination can be provided, but device complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active light source from the illumination device, leaving only passive optical components (diffuser, reflector). The light source is obtained externally from the image sensor, simplifying the illumination device structure while maintaining illumination function.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive illumination device can be universally applied with any image sensor that has an integrated light source, eliminating the need for separate active lighting devices. The same diffuser structure works across different applications.
2Illumination intensity
If active lighting devices with their own light sources are used, then illumination can be provided, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the active light source component, the illumination device becomes a simple passive optical assembly that cannot fail due to light source degradation or electrical issues, significantly improving ease of repair and reliability.
3Device complexity
If a passive illumination device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive illumination device is designed to work with the light source integrated into various image sensors, providing universal adaptability across different systems without requiring active components that would limit compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination characteristics can be dynamically adjusted by changing the diffuser geometry or material properties, allowing the same simple passive structure to adapt to different illumination requirements.
4Illumination intensity
If diffuse illumination is provided through a scattering dish, then illumination quality improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser utilizes materials with controlled scattering properties (such as translucent plastics or materials with specific microstructures) that provide diffuse illumination while being manufacturable with standard precision tolerances, avoiding the need for optically perfect surfaces.
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 passive lighting device simplifies construction and maintenance by eliminating the need for active light sources, allowing for efficient diffuse illumination and improved imaging quality while reducing unwanted light interference.
Implementation Method 1
which has at least one diffuser element with at least one scattering shell for scattering the light
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to provide a generic device with improved characteristics in terms of construction, a passive illumination device (10a-c) is proposed for use with at least one light source unit (12a) of an image-capturing means (14a), in particular a code reader and/or code verification device, comprising at least one diffuser unit (16a-c) which is provided to convert light provided by the light source unit (12a) into at least substantially diffused illumination light for illuminating at least one illumination area (18a), and which has at least one diffuser element (20a-c) with at least one shell element (22a-c) for diffusing the light.