Raster Scanner System for Omnidirectional Barcode Reading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanners using facet wheels require large physical space, high power consumption, and are prone to mechanical stress due to high-speed rotation, which complicates maintenance and increases costs, especially when trying to achieve omnidirectional scanning of barcodes on items from any side and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A raster scanner system that generates a raster image using a deflected laser beam and non-retrodirective collection optics, allowing for scanning of optical codes on items from any side and orientation by moving the item past a single scan line, which forms a plane, and processing virtual scan lines corresponding to different speeds to decode optical codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a facet wheel scanner is used to achieve omnidirectional scanning, then scanning coverage is improved, but device complexity and physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical facet wheel system with an electronic array of scan lines. Instead of using a rotating mechanical component to achieve omnidirectional scanning, the invention uses multiple electronically controlled scan lines that can be activated independently to scan different orientations, thereby eliminating the mechanical complexity while maintaining scanning versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the scanning function into multiple independent scan lines rather than using a single rotating beam. Each scan line can be directed at different angles and orientations, allowing the system to achieve omnidirectional coverage through segmented, independent scanning elements rather than a unified mechanical rotating system.
2Productivity
If a facet wheel rotates at high speed to generate scan patterns, then scanning speed is improved, but power consumption and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the high-speed rotating mechanical facet wheel by using electronically controlled scan lines. The scanning speed is maintained through rapid electronic switching between multiple scan lines rather than mechanical rotation, significantly reducing power consumption and mechanical stress while preserving scanning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic activation of multiple scan lines in a sequential manner to achieve continuous scanning coverage. Instead of continuous mechanical rotation, the system periodically activates different scan lines in a predetermined sequence, maintaining scanning speed through rapid periodic switching while reducing mechanical energy requirements.
3Measurement precision
If a large facet wheel is used for retrodirective collection, then scanning accuracy is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the large physical facet wheel used for retrodirective light collection with an electronic array of scan lines and corresponding detectors. Each scan line has its own detector element, allowing precise measurement of reflected light intensity without requiring large mechanical components, thereby maintaining scanning accuracy while reducing physical space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple virtual copies of the scanning function through the array of scan lines and detectors. Instead of using a single large facet wheel to collect and redirect light, the system uses multiple smaller detector elements that each correspond to a specific scan line, effectively copying the scanning function across multiple channels to achieve the same measurement precision with reduced physical footprint.
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 raster scanner system achieves efficient scanning with reduced mechanical complexity, lower power consumption, and cost-effective design while maintaining high scanning resolution and ability to read barcodes from any orientation, improving upon the limitations of facet wheel scanners.
Implementation Method 1
a laser diode 15 generating a laser beam 17 which is directed onto a facet wheel 20
Implementation Method 2
The facet wheel 20 scans the beam across a plurality of pattern mirrors 22 with the scanned beam reflecting off one or more patterns mirrors
Implementation Method 3
Return light reflecting off the barcode 5 is collected retrodirectively onto the pattern mirrors 22, the facet wheel 20, and then onto a collection mirror 26 by which it is focused toward a detector 28
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems of and methods for reading optical codes located on multiple sides of an item that is being moved through a read volume. In one method, optical symbols are read using a high speed raster laser beam and non-retrodirective collection optics including the steps of moving an item containing an optical code along an item direction past a window disposed in a surface of a scanner housing or platter; via a first scan mechanism, repeatedly scanning through the window at a first slant and/or tilt angle to the surface in a first direction and along a single line to acquire scanned data over two dimensions of one or more sides of the item; via a second scan mechanism, repeatedly scanning through the window at a second slant and/or tilt angle to the surface in a second direction and along a single line to acquire scanned data over two dimensions of one or more other sides of the item; and processing the scanned data acquired. The window may be formed in the shape of a slot, the slot being oriented generally transverse to the item direction A preferred construction is a completely solid state implementation using either a linear imager or an area (2-D) imager in the Scheimpflug condition to image a plane with a depth of field.