Hand-held Scanner Illumination System for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held scanners often lack even and effective illumination to indicate their status, leading to inconsistent user feedback and potentially confusing operational states.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light-diffusing translucent member and reflective surfaces throughout the scanner, combined with strategically positioned light-emitting devices, ensures even light distribution across the scanner's body, providing uniform illumination of the scanner head and handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional LED indicators are used in hand-held scanners, then the scanner can provide status indication, but the light distribution is uneven and creates inconsistent user feedback
Solution Approach 1:
A light-diffusing translucent member is introduced as an intermediary between the LED light source and the scanner housing. This diffuser member evenly distributes the light from the LED across the scanner surface, transforming the concentrated point-source light into uniform area illumination. The reflective surfaces act as additional intermediaries to redirect and spread light coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the illumination system. The light-diffusing translucent member has specific light-scattering properties, while reflective surfaces have high reflectivity. These localized optical characteristics work together to achieve overall uniform light distribution across the scanner housing.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting devices are positioned throughout the scanner, then even light distribution can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination functions into a single integrated light-diffusing translucent member. Instead of using separate components for light emission, reflection, and diffusion, these functions are merged into one element that contains embedded LEDs and integrated diffusing/reflective surfaces, simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusing translucent member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light source housing, a diffuser, a reflector, and a structural component of the scanner. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the illumination system.
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 solution provides clear and consistent status indication, enhancing user feedback and operational clarity by ensuring even light emission across the scanner's illuminated areas.
Implementation Method 1
a light-diffusing translucent member, which smoothly and evenly presents the light emissions that are reflected off of the reflective surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a set of reflective surfaces that are positioned in the scanner head to collect and diffuse light from the first set of one or more light-emitting devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A hand-held scanner (10) comprising: an upper housing member (12); a lower housing member (14) that attaches to the upper housing member (12) to enclose a space, wherein the upper housing member (12) and the lower housing member (14) combine to at least partially form a scanner head and a scanner handle; an underskin (19) positioned in the space and between the upper housing member (12) and the lower housing member (14), wherein the underskin (19) includes a luminous stripe (18) that extends along a length of the upper housing member (12) and the lower housing member (14); a first set of one or more light-emitting devices (36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43) positioned in the scanner head; a set of one or more reflective surfaces (30, 32, 34) positioned in the scanner head to collect and diffuse light from the first set of one or more light-emitting devices, wherein light reflected off of the one or more reflective surfaces is diffused through the luminous stripe (18); and a second set of one or more light-emitting devices (47, 48, 50) positioned in the scanner handle, wherein the lower housing member (14) includes a surface to collect and diffuse light from the second set of one or more light-emitting devices and to the luminous stripe (18).