Top Down Reader Imaging Module for Checkout Code Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data reading systems face challenges in effectively reading optical codes on top surfaces and upwardly-angled surfaces of items due to their large and vertically tall housing structures, which limit their ability to capture codes on passing items efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The development of a data reader system with a top-down reader configuration, featuring an adjustable post and multiple imaging fields, allows for improved reading angles and fields of view, enabling effective capture of optical codes on top surfaces and other sides of items without obstructing the customer's view or interfering with the checkout process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional data reading systems use large and vertically tall housing structures, then they can effectively read optical codes on top surfaces of items, but they obstruct the customer's view and interfere with the checkout process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the imaging device from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, allowing the reader to capture images of items on the conveyor belt without requiring a tall vertical housing structure. This dimensional change enables the reading system to maintain effectiveness while reducing obstruction to customer view and access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a movable or adjustable imaging device that can dynamically position itself to capture images of items at different locations on the conveyor belt. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to varying item positions without requiring a fixed tall housing structure.
2Reliability
If conventional imaging readers are positioned to read top surfaces of items, then they can capture optical codes, but they require vertically tall enclosures that extend above the horizontal scanning surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the imaging approach from vertical to horizontal, positioning the imaging device to capture images of item top surfaces from a horizontal perspective rather than requiring a vertical enclosure extending above the scanning surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the imager vertically above the conveyor belt as conventional systems do, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the imager horizontally adjacent to the conveyor belt, allowing it to capture top surface images without requiring vertical housing extension.
3Volume of moving object
If data reading systems use a compact design, then they reduce housing size, but they limit the field of view and reading angles for capturing codes on top surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable imaging device that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation to capture images of items at various locations on the conveyor belt. This dynamic capability allows a compact housing to achieve a versatile field of view that can adapt to different item positions and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the imaging system to perform multiple functions: capturing images of item top surfaces, reading optical codes, and potentially identifying items. This multi-functionality allows the compact system to maintain versatility without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
A data reading system (100, 300, 400, 800) including one or more imagers (210, 215), the data reading system having a lower main housing structure (105, 410) with a horizontal surface (130/132, 320, 412), across which items to be read are passed, and an upper reader module, such as pole-mounted top down reader (TDR) (175, 375, 500, 850) including (a) a bottom imager (181/195, 570) configured to provide a top down viewing angle from above the horizontal surface of the item (20) in a read region and/or (b) a top imager (566) configured to provide an upward or sideward viewing angle out from the TDR. In one configuration, a pole-mounted TDR may include a one-piece post housing section (510) mounted to the main housing structure (105, 410) and extending therefrom and containing imaging electronics and optics of the upper reader module.