Fixed Position Reader Visual Feedback Window Rim Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixed position optical code readers fail to provide effective visual feedback of decoding success or failure to users and security cameras due to indicator lights being outside the user's visual cone or obstructed by surrounding objects, especially in noisy or intensively illuminated environments.
Innovation Solution
A fixed position reader design where visual indication of the reading result appears on the reading window or its peripheral rim, allowing for immediate perception without requiring eye movement, and is positioned to avoid obstruction by keyboards or monitors, using light sources that generate a collimated or diffused beam for effective visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If indicator lights are placed on the upper surface of the reader body, then the device structure is simple, but the visual feedback is outside the user's visual cone and cannot be easily perceived
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the visual feedback from the upper surface (vertical dimension) to the reading window area (horizontal dimension within visual cone), changing the spatial dimension of indicator placement to resolve the contradiction between simplicity and perceptibility
2Ease of operation
If indicator lights are placed on the reading window, then visual feedback is immediately perceived by users, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indicator light function with the reading window structure, integrating the visual feedback system into the existing housing rather than adding separate components, thus reducing overall device complexity while achieving immediate visual feedback
3Reliability
If visual indication appears on the reading window, then feedback is clear and immediate, but the indication may be obstructed by keyboards or monitors in busy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual indication strategies to different locations: using the reading window perimeter for visibility while positioning it above the keyboard level to avoid obstruction, creating local quality variations in the visual feedback system
4Ease of operation
If acoustic feedback is used, then the device structure is simple, but the feedback cannot be heard in noisy environments or by operators with auditory deficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic feedback (mechanical wave system) with visual feedback (electromagnetic light system), substituting one physical system for another that is not affected by noise interference or auditory deficiencies
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
Ensures clear and immediate visual feedback to users and security cameras, reducing the need for eye movement and minimizing obstruction, enhancing user experience and security system reliability in busy or space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
the acquisition and processing of a light signal diffused by the same object
Implementation Method 2
a device for visually indicating the reading result which generates a visual indication appearing substantially on the reading window
Data Source
AI summary
A reader contains a housing with a window having a peripheral rim. The housing has a device for reading coded information which generates a field projecting through the window towards the outside of the housing, and has a device for visually indicating the result to a user. The visual indication device generates an indication appearing substantially at least on the window, on a portion of the peripheral rim of the window, or on a portion of the housing adjoining laterally the peripheral rim of the window. The housing portion is at least on the left side, right side, or below the window. Additionally, a camera based checkout security system includes at least a checkout security camera and a fixed position reader of coded information. The checkout security camera generates a camera field of view directed towards the window of the fixed position reader of coded information.