Imaging Reader Illuminator Adaptive Brightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-of-transaction workstations using solid-state imagers face challenges with image blurring due to relative motion between symbols and imager, and high-brightness illuminators cause distractions and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A reader system with a solid-state imager using low-level illumination for detection and high-level illumination for reading, where the illuminator switches modes based on symbol presence, and power efficiency is enhanced by focusing on outer peripheral zones and using infrared light to minimize disturbance and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-brightness illuminator is used to capture symbol images quickly, then image acquisition speed and reliability are improved, but operator distraction and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator dynamically adjusts its brightness output based on real-time detection of symbol presence and distance. The system transitions from continuous high-brightness operation to adaptive brightness control, switching between low and high illumination levels as needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining image acquisition capability when symbols are present
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning with the imager and uses this timing information to control illuminator activation. The illuminator is activated in periodic intervals synchronized with the scanning cycle, providing high-brightness illumination only during periods when a symbol is detected in the field of view, rather than operating continuously
2Productivity
If a high-brightness illuminator is used to capture symbol images quickly, then image acquisition speed and reliability are improved, but operator distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator dynamically adjusts its brightness output based on real-time detection of symbol presence and distance. The system transitions from continuous high-brightness operation to adaptive brightness control, switching between low and high illumination levels as needed, thereby reducing operator distraction while maintaining image acquisition capability when symbols are present
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides high-brightness illumination locally and temporarily only when and where a symbol is detected, rather than illuminating the entire field continuously. This localized illumination approach ensures that high brightness is applied only to the specific region containing the symbol, minimizing operator distraction in the broader workspace
3Reliability
If the imager scans continuously to detect symbols in motion, then symbol detection capability is improved, but image blurring occurs due to relative motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection scanning at low illumination levels to identify the presence and position of symbols before activating high-brightness illumination. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for image capture only when a symbol is detected, reducing the time the imager needs to operate at full resolution and minimizing motion blur effects
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 reliable decoding with reduced distraction and power consumption by using low-level illumination for detection and high-level illumination only when necessary, improving reading efficiency and minimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The imager is operative for capturing light from the indicia through the presentation area over the field of view in the detection mode to detect whether the indicia are present
Implementation Method 2
using infrared light to minimize disturbance and consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminator illuminates a symbol with a low level of illumination in a detection mode of operation to enable an imager to detect the symbol in a working range and in a field of view of the imager in an imaging reader, and also illuminates the symbol with a high level of illumination in a reading mode of operation to enable the imager to read the symbol.