Recessed Upright Window for Bi-Optical Workstation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flush-mounted, upright window in bi-optical workstations at point-of-transaction systems is prone to scratching and contamination, leading to reduced reading performance and frequent cleaning or replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
The upright window is deeply recessed and protected by a spacing exceeding one-half inch from the front wall, with exterior protection bars that intercept products before they can damage the window, and is rearwardly tilted to enhance protection and prevent obstruction of the imaging readers' fields of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upright window is flush-mounted in the workstation, then the reading performance is maximized by providing a clear, unobstructed path for light, but the window becomes prone to scratching and contamination from products being scanned
Solution Approach 1:
The upright window is extracted from the flush-mounted position and relocated to a recessed position within the workstation housing. This extraction removes the window from direct contact with products being scanned, eliminating the harmful scratching and contamination while preserving its optical function for reading indicia.
Solution Approach 2:
The window position is changed from a two-dimensional flush surface to a three-dimensional recessed position. By creating depth in the housing structure, the window is positioned in a different spatial dimension that protects it from product contact while maintaining its functionality for light transmission and indicia reading.
2Reliability
If the upright window is recessed to protect it from damage, then durability is improved, but the field of view of imaging readers may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed window is positioned in a three-dimensional space that allows imaging readers to access it from multiple angles. The housing structure provides depth and lateral positioning that maintains an unobstructed field of view while protecting the window from front-facing product contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary element between the window and the imaging readers. It provides the structural framework that positions the window in a protected recess while ensuring that the readers' optical paths remain clear and unobstructed.
3Reliability
If a deep recess is provided for the upright window, then protection from product contact is maximized, but the device complexity and housing material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure performs multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the workstation, creates the protective recess for the window, and maintains the positioning for imaging readers. By making the housing multi-functional, the design avoids adding separate protective components that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective recess and the housing structure are merged into a single integrated component. Rather than adding a separate protective frame or barrier, the housing itself is designed with the recessed geometry that provides both structural support and window protection.
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 solution effectively minimizes the inconvenience and expense of cleaning and replacing the upright window by preventing scratches and contamination, ensuring continuous operation and improved reading performance.
Implementation Method 1
electro-optically reading the indicia by image capture of return light returning from the indicia
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-optical workstation has dual windows and an imaging reader for electro-optically reading indicia on targets to be processed at the workstation through at least one of the windows. An upright window of the workstation is protected from scratching and/or contamination by deeply recessing the upright window in a raised housing portion of the workstation, and by spacing the upright window away from a front wall of the raised housing portion by a spacing exceeding one-half of an inch. A pair of protection bars is advantageously exteriorly mounted on the upright window and located in the spacing to block contact of the targets with the upright window.