Transflective Mirror Directing Barcode Sensor Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical barcode readers require multiple imaging sensors or splitter mirrors to achieve multiple fields-of-view, which increases complexity and cost, while bioptic barcode readers face similar challenges in directing a single imaging sensor's field-of-view out of both horizontal and upright windows without dividing it.
Innovation Solution
A barcode reader design utilizing a transflective mirror that can switch between transmissive and reflective states to direct a single imaging sensor's field-of-view in different directions, allowing the entire field-of-view to be used through both windows without division, and optionally synchronizing this switching with the imaging sensor's frame rate or based on prior image captures for optimal barcode reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging sensors or splitter mirrors are used to provide multiple fields-of-view, then the barcode reader can capture barcodes from different directions and distances, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a switchable mirror that can change its state between reflective and transmissive. This single dynamic component replaces multiple static imaging sensors or splitter mirrors, allowing the system to dynamically switch between different field-of-view configurations (horizontal, upright, and both simultaneously) without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable mirror serves multiple functions: it can reflect light to create a horizontal field-of-view, transmit light to create an upright field-of-view, or combine both paths. This multi-functional component eliminates the need for separate imaging sensors or splitter mirrors for each direction, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging sensors or splitter mirrors are used to provide multiple fields-of-view, then the barcode reader can capture barcodes from different directions and distances, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple imaging sensors or splitter mirrors into a single switchable mirror system. By combining the light reflection and transmission paths through one controllable component, the system reduces the number of parts needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost while maintaining the capability to provide multiple fields-of-view
3Adaptability or versatility
If the field-of-view is divided to direct it through both horizontal and upright windows, then the barcode reader can read barcodes from both orientations, but the field-of-view is split and reduces reading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable mirror dynamically switches between reflective and transmissive states to direct the entire field-of-view through either the horizontal window, the upright window, or both simultaneously without dividing it. This dynamic control ensures the full field-of-view is always directed to the active window, maintaining reading performance while enabling dual-orientation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic switching of the mirror state synchronized with the imaging sensor's frame rate or based on detected barcode orientation. This periodic action allows the system to alternately direct the full field-of-view through horizontal and upright windows at optimal moments, ensuring complete field-of-view utilization for each capture attempt while maintaining high reading performance
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 simplifies the design, reduces costs by using a single imaging sensor, and enhances reading performance by adjusting the field-of-view direction and size dynamically to improve barcode capture success rates and avoid specular reflections.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion of the first field-of-view of the first imaging sensor is reflected by the transflective mirror towards a mirror and passes out the window with a reflected axis of the first field-of-view of the first imaging sensor non-parallel to the illumination axis of the illumination source with the transflective mirror in the reflective state
Implementation Method 2
The first field-of-view of the first imaging sensor passes out the window with an axis of the first field-of-view of the first imaging sensor parallel to an illumination axis of the illumination source with the transflective mirror in the transmissive state
Data Source
AI summary
Barcode readers and methods for directing fields-of-view of imaging sensors of barcode readers are disclosed herein. An example barcode reader includes a housing, an imaging sensor positioned within the housing, and a transflective mirror positioned within the housing and in a path of a field-of-view of the imaging sensor. The transflective mirror reflects at least a first portion of the field-of-view of the imaging sensor in a first direction with the transflective mirror in a reflective state and allows the field-of-view of the imaging sensor to pass through and continue in a second direction, different than the first direction, with the transflective mirror in a transmissive state.