Scanner Camera Exposure Mode Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern scanners experience incorrect item barcode reads during long exposure mode due to capturing adjacent item codes along with cell phone displayed codes, leading to transaction delays and customer frustration, as there is no control over the number of image frames captured or the activation of cameras relative to illumination sources.

Innovation Solution

The system allows customizable configuration of the number of image frames captured during short and long exposure modes and controls camera activation relative to illumination source activation, specifically activating cameras on the falling edge of illumination to minimize unintended item barcode capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cameras capture multiple image frames during long exposure mode to ensure code reading accuracy, then reading reliability is improved, but unintended item barcodes adjacent to the scanner are also captured and read, causing transaction errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode reading accuracyVSAvoidincorrect item barcode reads

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by configuring different frame capture counts for short and long exposure modes before scanning begins. The camera is set to capture a first configurable number of frames during short exposure and a second configurable number of frames during long exposure, preparing the system to handle different scanning scenarios optimally without capturing unintended barcodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by controlling camera activation timing relative to illumination sources. By activating cameras on the falling edge of illumination during long exposure mode, the system adjusts the temporal parameters of frame capture to avoid capturing unintended item barcodes while maintaining accuracy for intended targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If cameras are activated during long exposure mode to capture cell phone displayed codes, then versatility in code reading is improved, but adjacent item barcodes illuminated by illumination sources are also captured, causing transaction delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode reading capabilityVSAvoidtransaction delays

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration by setting different frame capture counts for short and long exposure modes before operation. This preliminary setup enables the camera to capture the appropriate number of frames for each mode, ensuring versatile code reading capability while preventing capture of unintended barcodes that would cause delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic illumination sources with controlled timing, activating cameras on the falling edge of illumination during long exposure mode. This periodic action pattern allows the camera to capture cell phone displayed codes while avoiding capture of illuminated item barcodes, preventing transaction delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If the same number of image frames are captured during both short and long exposures, then device complexity is reduced, but reading precision deteriorates due to inability to optimize frame capture for different exposure modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera configuration simplicityVSAvoidcode reading precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the frame capture process by configuring different frame counts for short exposure mode and long exposure mode separately. This segmentation allows optimization of frame capture for each exposure mode independently, improving code reading precision without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic frame capture configuration where the camera can adaptively capture different numbers of frames based on the exposure mode being used. This dynamic adjustment optimizes reading precision for each mode while maintaining manageable device complexity through software control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11758275B2Scanner with control over context switching of exposure modes

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A ratio associated with capture of image frames by cameras of a scanner during short exposure mode and long exposure mode is configurable for scanner operation. Moreover, camera activation signals for the cameras are controlled during long exposure mode of the cameras to reduce illumination by illumination sources of the scanner during the long exposure mode of the cameras.