Indicia Reading Terminal Screen Reading Mode Flicker Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indicia reading terminals face challenges in effectively reading decodable information from screens due to unwanted flickering effects and optical interference from screen technologies, which can hinder imaging and decoding accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The indicia reading terminal employs a screen reading mode that alternates between illuminated and unilluminated exposures, allowing the processor to decode indicia from either frame of image data, and incorporates a flicker correction feature to minimize flickering effects by projecting the illumination pattern after unilluminated exposures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the illumination subsystem projects illumination pattern during exposure, then imaging accuracy is improved, but flickering effects are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exposure process into multiple sub-exposures with different illumination states. The imaging subsystem performs a first exposure with illumination projected, then a second exposure without illumination projection. This segmentation allows the system to capture both illuminated and unilluminated states, enabling flicker correction by comparing and processing the two separate image frames to eliminate flickering artifacts while maintaining imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternation between illuminated and unilluminated exposure states. The illumination subsystem projects illumination during the first exposure period, then refrains from projecting illumination during the second exposure period. This periodic action creates a rhythmic pattern of light and dark exposures that allows the processing subsystem to identify and correct flickering by analyzing the temporal pattern of the alternating exposures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the illumination subsystem refrains from projecting illumination pattern during exposure, then flickering effects are reduced, but imaging accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple exposures with different illumination conditions. By taking a first exposure with illumination and a second exposure without illumination, the system can later process these separate frames to reconstruct an accurate image that combines the advantages of both illuminated and unilluminated states, thereby maintaining imaging accuracy while reducing flickering.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing subsystem acts as an intermediary between the illumination subsystem and the final image output. It receives both the illuminated and unilluminated exposure frames, compares them, and processes them to generate a corrected image that eliminates flickering artifacts while preserving imaging accuracy. The processing subsystem mediates the contradiction by synthesizing information from both exposure states.
3Measurement precision
If the terminal performs both illuminated and unilluminated exposures, then decoding accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing imaging subsystem is enhanced to perform multiple functions by capturing both illuminated and unilluminated exposure frames. The same image sensor and processing capabilities are utilized to handle both exposure types, allowing the system to decode indicia with improved accuracy through multi-state analysis without requiring entirely separate dedicated systems for each exposure mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the illumination subsystem and imaging subsystem to create different exposure conditions. By controlling the illumination subsystem to project or refrain from projecting illumination during different exposure periods, the system generates multiple parameter states (illuminated/unilluminated) that improve decoding accuracy. The processing subsystem then analyzes these parameter variations to enhance the decoded information.
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 approach improves the terminal's ability to read and decode indicia on screens by reducing optical interference and flickering, enhancing imaging accuracy and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination subsystem operative for projecting an illumination pattern
Implementation Method 2
an imaging subsystem operative for capturing an image frame of the indicia
Data Source
AI summary
An indicia reading terminal is disclosed that includes an illumination subsystem operative for projecting of an illumination pattern, an imaging subsystem, a housing, a memory, and a processor, in a variety of embodiments. The memory may be capable of storing a frame of image data from an image sensor array of the imaging subsystem. The indicia reading terminal may be operative to activate a screen reading mode in which the terminal, in response to activation of a trigger signal, activates an illuminated exposure and an unilluminated exposure. During the illuminated exposure, the illumination subsystem projects the illumination pattern while the imaging subsystem exposes an illuminated frame of image data for a first duration of time. During the second exposure period, the illumination subsystem refrains from projecting the illumination pattern while the imaging subsystem exposes an unilluminated frame of image data for a second duration of time, and the illumination subsystem projects the illumination pattern after the imaging subsystem exposes the unilluminated frame of image data and prior to the imaging system making a subsequent exposure. The processor is operative to attempt to decode a decodable indicia represented in at least one of the illuminated frame of image data or the unilluminated frame of image data.