Scan Engine Ranging Failure Handling with Skipped-Distance Autofocus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging systems face ranging failures due to the inability to acquire necessary ranging data, leading to an inability to set a defined focal range, especially in high ambient lighting conditions, causing undesirable delays in automatic focusing sequences.

Innovation Solution

The imaging system includes a controller that activates and deactivates a light source to capture images with and without an aiming light pattern, using image processor-determined position changes to set focus characteristics, and in cases of ranging failure, adjusts focus based on ambient lighting conditions exceeding a threshold, employing a focusing sequence that skips certain distances to expedite focusing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the imaging system uses automatic focusing sequences to determine target distance, then focus accuracy is improved, but the system experiences undesirable delays especially in high ambient lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidfocusing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing a first image with the light source activated and a second image with the light source deactivated before the formal ranging process. This preliminary imaging prepares the system by having image data ready, reducing the time needed during actual focusing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a focusing sequence that skips certain distances to expedite the focusing process. Instead of testing all possible focal points sequentially, the system intelligently skips distances that are unlikely to contain the target, significantly reducing focusing delay while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

2Measurement precision

If the imaging system captures images with light source activated and deactivated to determine aiming light pattern position, then ranging accuracy is improved, but the image capturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidimage capturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by alternately activating and deactivating the light source to capture multiple images. The light source is activated to capture the aiming light pattern, then deactivated to capture the target without interference. This periodic switching enables accurate ranging through image differencing while managing the total capture time efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the system performs complete automatic focusing sequences to ensure accurate focus, then focus reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus reliabilityVSAvoidscanning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the focusing process adaptive rather than static. The focusing sequence is dynamically adjusted based on detected target position and ambient lighting conditions. When the target is clearly visible and positioning is accurate, the system reduces the focusing sequence steps, maintaining reliability while improving scanning speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from image analysis to adjust the focusing process. The image processor analyzes captured images to determine target position and focusing status, then provides feedback to control the focusing sequence. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable focus while avoiding unnecessary focusing steps that would reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for rapid focus adjustment without prolonged image capturing, minimizing delays and ensuring consistent focus setting even in high ambient lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a light source configured to direct an aiming light pattern to a target, the light source directed along a first axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

an imaging assembly configured to capture imaging data of an environment appearing within a field of view of the imaging assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS12361241B2Scan engine ranging failure handling

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

The disclosure is an imaging system for use in a variable focus indicia reader having a controller configured to activate and deactivate a light source, an imaging assembly configured to capture imaging data of an environment appearing within a field of view of the imaging assembly, and a focus module configured to set a focus characteristic of the imaging assembly. The focus module may set the focus characteristic based on (i) an image processor successfully determining a distance to a target or (ii) ambient lighting conditions exceeding a predetermined threshold.