Barcode Scanner Aiming Pattern for Electronic Display Decoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aiming signals for barcode scanners are often obscured or diminished when used on electronic displays, making it difficult to accurately aim and decode machine-readable indicia on devices like mobile phones and tablets.
Innovation Solution
The code reader outputs an aiming signal that is longer in at least one dimension than the width of the electronic device, illuminating edges and hand features to provide clear visual guidance for alignment, and includes a processor to adjust the signal's properties for effective decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional aiming signal is used, then the scanner can be aimed at the code, but the aiming signal becomes obscured or diminished on electronic displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 2D aiming signal projected on the display surface to a 3D volumetric light field that extends beyond the display plane. By creating a three-dimensional aiming pattern that illuminates edges and hand features in space, the system overcomes the limitation of two-dimensional display surfaces that obscure conventional aiming signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hand features and device edges as intermediary elements that reflect and carry the aiming signal to the user's view. Instead of relying solely on direct projection on the display, the system uses these natural boundaries as mediators to convey aiming information, making the signal visible even when the display surface itself obscures it.
2Illumination intensity
If the aiming signal is made brighter to overcome obscuration, then visibility improves, but it may cause glare or discomfort to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different illumination characteristics to different spatial locations. The aiming signal is concentrated on specific features (edges, hand features) rather than uniformly distributed, creating localized illumination zones that provide visibility without causing widespread glare or discomfort to the user's eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
By extending the aiming signal into the third dimension (volumetric space rather than planar projection), the system distributes light intensity across a larger spatial volume. This reduces the concentration of light at any single point on the display surface, thereby maintaining visibility while minimizing glare and user discomfort.
3Productivity
If the scanner moves quickly to increase scanning speed, then productivity improves, but aiming accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides preliminary visual guidance by projecting the aiming pattern before the actual scanning occurs. The extended volumetric aiming signal gives users advance visual feedback on alignment, allowing them to make rapid adjustments without sacrificing accuracy, thereby enabling faster scanning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements visual feedback through the extended aiming pattern that illuminates edges and hand features. This continuous visual feedback allows users to rapidly assess alignment status and make real-time corrections, maintaining high aiming accuracy even during fast scanning movements.
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 the visibility and effectiveness of aiming signals on electronic displays, allowing for accurate alignment and successful decoding of machine-readable indicia by illuminating edges and hand features, even when conventional signals are obscured.
Implementation Method 1
an aimer illuminator configured to output an aiming signal to cause an aiming pattern to be displayed on a surface
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor configured to image a scene in which a machine-readable indicia is to be positioned
Data Source
AI summary
A code reader may include an image sensor to image a scene with a machine-readable indicia, an aimer illuminator to output an aiming signal to cause an aiming pattern, and at least one processor to enable the aimer illuminator to output the aiming signal. The aiming signal may be longer in at least one dimension than a width of a face of an electronic device at a defined distance on which the machine-readable indicia is displayed to enable the aiming signal to illuminate an edge of the electronic device to enable a user to visually identify the aiming signal. The processor(s) may cause the image sensor to capture an image of the scene inclusive of the machine-readable indicia being displayed on an electronic display to generate image data, and cause a notification of the machine-readable indicia being successfully decoded to be generated to notify the user.