Fixed Retail Scanner Illumination Assemblies with Synchronized LED Sub-Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixed retail scanners face challenges in efficiently illuminating and capturing images of optical codes using multiple camera modules with different wavelength requirements, leading to synchronization issues and suboptimal image capture performance.
Innovation Solution
A fixed retail scanner is equipped with multiple illumination assemblies, each containing a first and second sub-group of LEDs emitting at different wavelengths, synchronized by a system controller to activate these groups at specific times with corresponding camera modules, ensuring coordinated illumination across the scanner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple illumination assemblies with different LED sub-groups are used to illuminate multiple camera modules, then image capture efficiency and wavelength-specific illumination are improved, but synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each illumination assembly is segmented into multiple LED sub-groups, where each sub-group contains LEDs of a specific wavelength. This segmentation allows independent control and synchronization of different wavelength groups with corresponding camera modules, improving image capture efficiency while managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates specific LED sub-groups based on which camera module is currently capturing images. The controller selectively turns on only the required wavelength groups, enabling efficient resource utilization and simplified synchronization by activating only the necessary illumination paths at any given time.
2Manufacturing precision
If LED sub-groups are activated at different times to match camera exposure, then illumination precision for specific wavelengths is improved, but system control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is pre-configured with knowledge of which LED sub-groups correspond to which camera modules. Before each image capture, the controller pre-activates only the specific LED sub-groups needed for the upcoming camera exposure, ensuring precise wavelength matching while avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the controller to coordinate LED activation with camera exposure timing. The controller monitors camera module operation and adjusts LED sub-group activation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains illumination precision while managing control complexity through intelligent coordination.
3Illumination intensity
If all illumination assemblies are activated simultaneously, then total illumination intensity is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating all LED sub-groups simultaneously, the system activates only the partial set of LED sub-groups that are currently needed for the specific camera module capturing images. This partial action approach maintains sufficient illumination intensity for the active camera while significantly reducing overall energy consumption and heat generation compared to full activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activation of different LED sub-groups corresponding to different camera modules' capture cycles. Each LED sub-group is activated only during the periodic intervals when its corresponding camera module is capturing images, creating an efficient on-demand illumination pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining necessary illumination intensity.
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 approach enhances image capture efficiency by synchronizing LED activation with camera exposure, improving the reading of various optical codes and enhancing image analysis capabilities, including produce recognition and security analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Each illumination assembly may include a first sub-group of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting at a first wavelength, and a second sub-group of LEDs emitting at a second wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader. The data reader includes illumination assemblies that include different LED sub-groups that are co-located within its respective assembly. These illumination assemblies may be identically constructed and installed at various positions within the data reader to provide active illumination for the camera modules. Illumination assemblies are activated together, but only with the first sub-groups from each of the illumination assemblies being activated together at a first time, and only with the second sub-groups from each of the illumination assemblies being activated together at a second time.