Scanner Lighting Tuning via Distance Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-of-Sale (POS) device scanners, especially those with cameras, face difficulties in detecting barcodes due to inadequate lighting conditions, leading to inefficient operation when images are too bright or too dark.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that determines the distance between the scanning surface and the item to be scanned, using a distance determining module, and adjusts the illumination setting accordingly, employing adjustable lighting elements such as multi-array lighting modules with LEDs and lenses of different angles to optimize lighting for effective barcode detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed illumination setting is used in the scanner, then the device complexity is reduced, but the barcode detection accuracy deteriorates when ambient lighting conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination setting adjustable rather than fixed. The lighting controller dynamically modifies the illumination intensity based on real-time distance measurements from the distance determining module, allowing the system to adapt to varying ambient lighting conditions and maintain optimal barcode detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a closed-loop control system where the distance determining module continuously measures the distance between the scanning surface and the item, sends this information to the lighting controller, which then adjusts the illumination setting accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the lighting is always optimized for the current scanning condition.
2Reliability
If illumination intensity is increased to improve barcode detection in dark environments, then the barcode detection accuracy improves, but the image brightness becomes too high causing detection difficulties in bright environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts illumination intensity based on measured distance. When the item is close to the scanning surface, the lighting controller reduces illumination intensity to prevent over-brightness. When the item is farther away, the system increases illumination intensity to maintain adequate lighting for barcode detection, thus optimizing the balance across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination intensity parameter based on the distance parameter. The lighting controller modifies the illumination setting as a variable parameter in response to distance measurements, allowing the system to adapt the lighting level to match the actual scanning requirements and avoid both under-illumination and over-illumination problems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner uses a camera-based imaging device, then the versatility of scanning is improved, but the sensitivity to lighting conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lighting controller as an intermediary between the camera-based scanning system and the ambient lighting conditions. This intermediary component actively compensates for lighting variations by adjusting the illumination setting based on distance measurements, thereby protecting the camera-based scanning capability from the harmful effects of poor lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the distance determining module to continuously monitor and adjust lighting conditions for the camera-based scanner. This feedback loop enables the scanner to compensate for lighting variations in real-time, maintaining optimal imaging conditions for barcode detection regardless of ambient lighting.
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 ensures optimal lighting for barcode scanning, improving the efficiency and accuracy of scanner operations by dynamically adjusting illumination based on the distance of the item from the scanning surface, regardless of ambient lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting module including at least one adjustable lighting element that is illuminated according a received illumination setting
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments herein each include devices, system, methods, and software for automatic scanner lighting tuning. One method embodiment includes determining a distance from a scanning surface to a surface of an item presented for scanning, determining an illumination setting based on the determined distance, and illuminating a scanning field according to the determined setting. Another embodiment is a scanner including a scanning module with a scanning surface imaged by an imaging device and a lighting module including at least one adjustable lighting element that illuminates according a received illumination setting. The scanner further includes a distance determining module that determines a distance between the scanning surface and a presented item and a lighting controller that receives a determined distance from the distance determining module, determines the illumination setting based on the determined distance, and provides the illumination command to the lighting module.