Scanner Spinner Concave Facets Dynamic Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bar code scanners face limitations in producing a scan pattern with a large number of scan lines oriented at significant angles due to the use of flat facets, leading to variations in scan beam speed and light intensity, which can interfere with accurate scanning.

Innovation Solution

A scanner with a polygonal spinner having concave facets that vary along their extent, allowing for a larger angle between facets, and using positional information to adjust scanner parameters such as laser intensity and sampling rate to compensate for these variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flat facets are used on the spinner, then light collection efficiency is maximized and distortion is reduced, but the number of scan lines and coverage are limited due to reduced angles between facets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collection efficiencyVSAvoidscan pattern coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transitioning from flat facets to curved (concave or convex) facets on the spinner. This curvature allows the facets to maintain larger angles while still effectively collecting and reflecting light, thereby increasing the number of scan lines and improving scan pattern coverage without sacrificing light collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Area of stationary object

If concave facets are used on the spinner, then the number of facets and angles between them are increased, but variations in scan beam speed and light intensity occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan pattern coverageVSAvoidscan beam timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the scanner adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts scanner parameters such as laser pulse timing and integration window based on real-time detection of scan beam characteristics. This allows the system to compensate for variations caused by concave facets, maintaining timing accuracy despite the increased facet angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual scan beam properties (timing, intensity) and using this information to adjust scanner parameters. The system monitors the light pattern variations caused by concave facets and automatically compensates by adjusting the timing and integration windows, ensuring consistent scanning accuracy across all facets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the laser beam strikes near the edge separating two facets, then light intensity on the object decreases, but accurate scanning is interfered with without accommodations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacet angle flexibilityVSAvoidscanning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting scanner parameters (laser pulse timing, integration window, gain) based on the detected position and characteristics of the scan beam. When the beam strikes near facet edges where intensity decreases, the system automatically modifies these parameters to compensate, maintaining scanning accuracy across the entire scan pattern including edge regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the production of a scan pattern with a large number of scan lines at significant angles, improving scanning accuracy and coverage by adapting to changes in scan beam speed and intensity, thereby enhancing scanning performance.

Implementation Method 1

a scan beam is produced when a laser beam strikes a rotating polygonal spinner and is directed to a scan window, typically by a series of fixed mirrors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS7617983B1Methods and apparatus for dynamic adjustment of scanner parameters

Publication Date: 2009.11.17 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

Systems and techniques for improved accuracy of bar code detection and decoding are described. A bar code scanner employs a rotating spinner to reflect a laser beam used to produce one or more scan patterns emerging from scan windows. The spinner has reflective surfaces, with one or more of the surfaces exhibiting variations influencing characteristics of the laser beam as it is reflected from the surfaces. The scanner produces a scanner signal in response to light entering the scan windows, and processes the scanner signal to detect and decode bar codes within a scan field of the scanner. The rotational position of the spinner is continuously monitored and adjustments to processing parameters are made and other actions are taken based on the rotational position of the spinner, in order to compensate for variations in the scan pattern caused by the variations in the surfaces of the spinner.