Reading Device Illumination Unit Inclined Outside Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reading devices suffer from degraded performance due to light reflection from the inner surface of the reading window, which affects the captured image quality.
Innovation Solution
The reading device incorporates an illumination unit with light emitting surfaces disposed outside the edge of the reading window, inclined to protrude further away from the window, providing both near-field and long-distance illumination to minimize internal reflections and ensure effective image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is incorporated within the housing to illuminate the reading target, then illumination is provided for image capture, but light reflected on the inner surface of the reading window degrades the captured image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the interior of the housing and repositioned to the exterior, specifically arranged around the reading window. This extraction removes the harmful effect of light reflection from the inner surface of the reading window while preserving the illumination function. The light source now illuminates the reading target from outside the housing, preventing internal reflection issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the reading target. The light guide plate transmits light from the externally positioned light source through its structure to illuminate the reading target uniformly, while its design prevents light from reflecting off the reading window's inner surface. This intermediary solves the contradiction by mediating the light path to avoid harmful reflections.
2Device complexity
If the light source is positioned inside the housing, then the structure is compact, but the reading performance deteriorates due to internal light reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the housing interior and repositioned externally around the reading window. This structural modification eliminates the reading performance degradation caused by internal reflection while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of a light guide plate for light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate serves as an intermediary that enables the external light source to provide effective illumination while preventing direct light paths that would cause reflection off the reading window. This intermediary component maintains structural efficiency while ensuring reliable reading performance.
3Ease of operation
If illumination is provided through the reading window, then the reading target is illuminated, but the captured image quality degrades due to reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination path is extracted from the reading window interior and repositioned to external illumination around the reading window. This maintains comprehensive illumination coverage of the reading target while eliminating the degradation of image quality caused by light reflection from the reading window's inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate acts as an intermediary that distributes light uniformly across the reading target area while controlling the light path to prevent reflection off the reading window. This ensures both adequate illumination coverage and high image quality for accurate reading.
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
This configuration enhances reading performance by reducing shadows and unevenness in images, allowing for accurate product code recognition and feature data extraction, while also protecting the reading window from damage.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination unit includes a plurality of light emitting surfaces that perform surface emission of light toward an outside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
light reflected on the inner surface of the reading window might affect the captured image
Data Source
AI summary
A reading device provided to obtain information specifying a product, the device including a housing, an imaging unit, and an illumination unit. The housing includes a transparent reading window. The imaging unit is built in the housing and captures an image through the reading window. The illumination unit illuminates an imaging target of the imaging unit by performing surface emission of light toward the outside of the housing. The illumination unit is disposed outside an edge of the reading window and is inclined with respect to the reading window so as to protrude more with respect to the reading window toward a side farther from the reading window.