Pinhole Array Layer for Lensless Barcode Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Barcode scanning technologies require focusing mechanisms, which increase time and power consumption due to the need for lenses, limiting efficiency and practicality in applications like mobile payment and logistics.

Innovation Solution

A display device comprising a display array with self-luminous elements, an imaging array, and a pinhole array layer that allows for barcode imaging without lenses by using pinholes to transmit light and separate imaging pixels, enabling efficient barcode scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a lens is used for focusing in barcode scanning, then imaging accuracy is improved, but time consumption and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lens component from the barcode scanning system entirely. Instead of using a lens for focusing, the invention employs a pinhole array layer that directly transmits light to imaging pixels without requiring optical focusing elements, thereby eliminating the time and power consumption associated with lens-based focusing mechanisms while maintaining imaging accuracy through the pinhole aperture principle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pinhole array layer as an intermediary component between the light source and imaging pixels. This pinhole array serves as a mediator that enables light transmission and image formation without requiring a lens, thus resolving the contradiction by providing an alternative mechanism that achieves imaging accuracy without the temporal and energetic costs of lens-based focusing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a lens is used for focusing in barcode scanning, then imaging accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lens component from the barcode scanning system entirely. Instead of using a lens for focusing, the invention employs a pinhole array layer that directly transmits light to imaging pixels without requiring optical focusing elements, thereby eliminating the time and power consumption associated with lens-based focusing mechanisms while maintaining imaging accuracy through the pinhole aperture principle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pinhole array layer as an intermediary component between the light source and imaging pixels. This pinhole array serves as a mediator that enables light transmission and image formation without requiring a lens, thus resolving the contradiction by providing an alternative mechanism that achieves imaging accuracy without the temporal and energetic costs of lens-based focusing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If a pinhole array layer is used instead of a lens, then time and power consumption are reduced, but device complexity changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lens component from the barcode scanning system entirely. Instead of using a lens for focusing, the invention employs a pinhole array layer that directly transmits light to imaging pixels without requiring optical focusing elements, thereby eliminating the time and power consumption associated with lens-based focusing mechanisms while maintaining imaging accuracy through the pinhole aperture principle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pinhole array layer as an intermediary component between the light source and imaging pixels. This pinhole array serves as a mediator that enables light transmission and image formation without requiring a lens, thus resolving the contradiction by providing an alternative mechanism that achieves imaging accuracy without the temporal and energetic costs of lens-based focusing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables barcode scanning without the need for focusing elements, reducing time and power consumption while maintaining accuracy, thus enhancing the efficiency and usability of barcode scanning in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a pinhole array layer disposed at a side of the imaging array facing to a light exiting direction of the display panel, and including a plurality of pinholes which are arrayed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through pinholes: Light

Implementation Method 2

Each of the imaging pixels includes a switch transistor and a photodiode which are electrically connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3605510B1Display device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3605510B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3605510B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~3b
  • EP3605510B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

A display panel and a display device are disclosed. The display panel (100) includes a display array (110), an imaging array (120) and a pinhole array layer (130). The display array (110) includes a plurality of display pixels (111) which are arrayed, and each of the display pixels (111) includes a luminous element (113). The imaging array (120) is disposed at a side of the display array (110) facing away from a light exiting direction of the display panel (100), and includes a plurality of imaging pixels (121) which are arrayed. The pinhole array layer (130) is disposed at a side of the imaging array (120) facing to the light exiting direction of the display panel (100), and includes a plurality of pinholes (131) which are arrayed, the plurality of pinholes (131) are corresponding to the plurality of imaging pixels (121). The display device (10) includes the above-mentioned display panel (100), a display driver circuit (163) and an image detection circuit (173).