Scanner Illumination Control for Barcode and Watermark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging scanners are expensive due to the need for multiple cameras to view multiple sides of an object, and monochrome scanners with white illumination struggle to process color-based watermarks like Digimarc, which are commonly used in product packaging, as they require color scanners, a costly upgrade for many companies.
Innovation Solution
A scanner with at least one camera and a controller that selectively illuminates objects with different colors, capturing separate images for each color and processing them to detect watermarks and barcodes, using a combination of white and colored LEDs to create a strobing effect that allows for multi-colored scanning without the need for multiple cameras or color sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are used to view multiple sides of an object for bioptic scanning, then scanning capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent LED banks (red, green, blue, white) that can be activated separately. This allows the single camera to capture different types of information by illuminating the object with different colors at different times, eliminating the need for multiple cameras while maintaining comprehensive scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the imaging process by sequentially activating different colored LED banks and capturing images at different time points. This time-based multiplexing allows a single camera to gather information that would traditionally require multiple simultaneous cameras, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If color scanner cameras are used to detect watermarked packaging, then detection capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing illumination to enhance watermark detection. By activating the red LED bank specifically when detecting watermarked packaging, the system highlights the colored ink dots used in watermarks, making them more visible to the monochrome camera. This allows a monochrome camera to effectively detect color-based watermarks without requiring an expensive color scanner camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The colored LED illumination acts as an intermediary that converts invisible or hard-to-detect color-based watermark information into visible contrast patterns for the monochrome camera. The red light illumination specifically enhances the visibility of red ink dots used in watermarks, serving as a mediator between the watermark encoding and the camera sensor.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If red light illumination is used to read watermarks on packaging, then detection capability is improved, but customer acceptance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially activating different LED banks in a controlled sequence. The system can alternate between white light illumination (for general viewing and customer comfort) and red light illumination (for enhanced watermark detection). This periodic switching allows the system to maintain customer acceptance through mostly white light while periodically providing enhanced detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is made dynamic and adaptable, allowing it to switch between different color modes based on the scanning task. The controller can dynamically adjust which LED banks are active - using white light for normal operation to maintain customer comfort and red light specifically when watermark detection is required, optimizing both customer acceptance and detection capability.
4Device complexity
If monochrome scanner cameras with white illumination are used, then device cost is reduced, but detection capability for color watermarks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameter (color temperature/color) dynamically based on the detection task. When watermark detection is required, the system switches to red light illumination to enhance the contrast of colored ink dots. When general scanning is needed, white light is used. This parameter change allows a monochrome camera to effectively detect color watermarks without requiring expensive color sensor technology.
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
Enables cost-effective multi-colored scanning that can detect watermarks and barcodes using monochrome sensors, improving processing efficiency and customer acceptance by maintaining white illumination, which is perceived as safer than red light.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bank of illumination sources, and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively illuminate an object in front of the camera in different colors selected from the at least one bank of illumination sources
Implementation Method 2
each illumination represent a particular unique color and for each illumination a separate image is captured by the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner camera is presented with a controller that selectively illuminates white and/or colored light sources, during each particular color illumination of an object being imaged, the camera captures a monochrome image of that particular color illuminated object. One or more of the images are processed by the controller to obtain information about the object being imaged.