Scanner Aiming Imager Single Light Source Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine-readable symbol readers have large scan engines due to separate light sources for aiming and illumination, limiting the miniaturization of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A scanner apparatus with a single illumination source that uses a subtractive optical element to create an aiming pattern within the illumination field, eliminating the need for a separate aiming beam mechanism, thereby reducing the size and complexity of the scan engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate light sources are used for aiming and illumination, then the aiming function is reliable and distinct, but the scan engine size increases and device miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aiming and illumination functions into a single light source system. A single illumination source emits light that passes through a patterned optical element (such as a mask or diffractive optical element) to create an aiming pattern, eliminating the need for separate aiming and illumination light sources. This merging reduces the scan engine size while maintaining reliable aiming functionality through the patterned optical element.
Solution Approach 2:
The single illumination source serves multiple functions: it provides both the aiming function (through the patterned optical element that creates a visible aiming pattern) and the illumination function (for reading the machine-readable symbol). This multi-functionality allows one component to replace what were traditionally two separate components, reducing overall device volume.
2Ease of operation
If separate aiming beam mechanism is used, then the aiming pattern is distinct and visible, but the device complexity and component quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aiming pattern generation is merged with the illumination path. The patterned optical element is positioned in the optical path of the single illumination source, so that the same light used for illumination also creates the visible aiming pattern when modified by the optical element. This eliminates the separate aiming beam mechanism and its associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patterned optical element (mask or diffractive optical element) acts as an intermediary that transforms the light from the single illumination source into a visible aiming pattern. This intermediary component enables distinct aiming visibility without requiring a separate aiming light source, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If multiple light sources are used for aiming and illumination, then the functions are well-defined, but the device thickness increases limiting integration into thin form factor devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aiming and illumination functions into a single light source system with a patterned optical element. This consolidation reduces the number of components that would otherwise be stacked or arranged in sequence, thereby reducing the overall device thickness and enabling integration into thin form factor devices while maintaining well-defined functions through the patterned optical element.
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 a smaller, more compact machine-readable symbol reader with reduced components and simplified design, enabling integration into thinner form factor devices without increasing thickness.
Implementation Method 1
the first optical element being subtractive, that is, having a pattern that substantially blocks a portion of the illumination emitted by the illumination transducer to form an aiming pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner system is operable for gathering graphic data from a scan target. The scanner system has a single illumination source component operable for generating light, for aiming the scanner system with a filtered beam of the generated light directed at the scan target, and for illuminating the scan target with the directed light. The scanner system also has a detector component operable for sensing a reflection from the scan target, the sensed reflection including a portion of the directed light with which the scan target is illuminated, and for detecting information in the sensed reflection, in which the information detected in sensed reflection corresponds to the graphic data gathered from the scan target.