Security Imager Synchronization for Automated Data Reader Exception Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated data readers face challenges in detecting and handling exception situations, such as unscanned items due to shadowing or multiple barcodes, leading to incomplete or conflicting data, which can result in errors in automated checkout systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that captures security images synchronously with illumination pulses using a global shutter or other mechanisms to produce high-quality images of exception items, enabling easy identification and resolution of errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If automated data readers scan all sides of an item, then the coverage of scanning is improved, but the reliability of accurate reading deteriorates due to shadowing and blocking between items
Solution Approach 1:
The security imager captures images of items before the decode imager attempts to read barcodes. This preliminary capture allows the system to identify items that may be shadowed or blocked, and to detect exception situations before they cause reading errors, enabling proactive correction or alternative scanning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The security imager acts as an intermediary between the physical item and the decode imager. It provides visual information about item positioning, shadowing, and potential reading issues, allowing the system to mediate the scanning process by identifying problems that would otherwise go undetected until after a failed read attempt.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple barcodes are present on an item, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential duplicate scanning and conflicting information
Solution Approach 1:
The security imager provides feedback information about the presence and position of multiple barcodes on an item. This feedback allows the system to track which barcodes have been successfully read and to identify duplicate scans, enabling the system to resolve conflicting information by selecting the most reliable read or by alerting operators to potential data integrity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The security imager creates a visual copy of the item and its barcodes, which serves as a reference for verifying successful scans. This copy allows operators to confirm that the correct item was scanned and to identify if multiple barcodes were read when only one should have been processed, preventing data consistency errors.
3Device complexity
If exception situations are not automatically detected, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The security imager enables the system to self-monitor for exception situations such as unscanned items, shadowed barcodes, and multiple barcode detections. By automatically capturing images and providing visual feedback, the system performs self-diagnosis and can alert operators or trigger corrective actions without requiring constant human oversight, thereby maintaining productivity while managing complexity.
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 effectively communicates and resolves exception situations by providing clear images of unscanned items, reducing errors and ensuring accurate data capture in automated checkout systems.
Implementation Method 1
trigger an illumination source to generate light pulses
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for detecting and handling exception situations in an automated data reading system. In one configuration, an illumination source is triggered to generate light pulses and a security imager is triggered synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source. The security imager captures security images of items that are transported through an automated data reader, e.g. optical code reader. The captured security images are configured to be displayed for a user or operator to use to identify an exception item. A plurality of decode imagers capture image data that can be used to identify and read an optical code disposed on an item transported through the automated data reader. The decode imagers capture images synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source.