Transparent Display Imaging Scanner Positioning Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately positioning portable electronic devices for scanning and lack immediate feedback on image or barcode decoding during the scanning process with existing imaging scanners.
Innovation Solution
An imaging scanner with a housing design featuring a declining upper and end portion, a mirror, a camera, a transparent scanning window, and a TOLED electronic display embedded in a transparent viewing window, allowing users to see the device positioning and receive immediate feedback on scanned images through the same field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional imaging scanner is used, then the scanning function is provided, but the user cannot accurately position the portable electronic device and lacks immediate feedback on decoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a transparent display that provides real-time visual feedback to users about device positioning and decoding status. The display shows guidance markers, positioning indicators, and decoding confirmation messages directly in the user's field of view, enabling immediate feedback on whether the device is correctly positioned and whether the scan was successful.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent display acts as an intermediary between the scanner's internal systems and the user. It translates complex positioning data and decoding status into simple visual cues that users can understand at a glance, mediating the interaction without requiring users to look away at separate displays or guess their device's position.
2Loss of information
If a separate display is used for feedback, then information can be displayed, but the display and scanning area are in different fields of view requiring user attention switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function with the scanning area by using a transparent display material that allows users to view both the scanning zone and the feedback information simultaneously in the same field of view. This integration eliminates the need to switch attention between separate displays and scanning areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent display adds a visual information layer without occupying physical space in the scanning area. By displaying information in the same spatial plane as the scanning zone rather than at a separate location, the system allows simultaneous viewing of both the device being scanned and the feedback information.
3Ease of operation
If a transparent display is used, then simultaneous viewing of scanning area and feedback is enabled, but the display structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent display serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides feedback information, shows positioning guidance, confirms decoding status, and maintains visual transparency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, potentially offsetting the complexity of using transparent display technology.
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 accurate placement of portable electronic devices for successful scans and provides immediate feedback on decoded images, improving user experience by integrating display and scanning functionality within the same visual field.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror is positioned at the top surface such that incident light on the mirror from the transparent scanning window will be reflected within the camera's field of view
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging scanner is provided. The image scanner has a housing. The housing contains a mirror, a camera, a transparent window for scanning, a transparent window for viewing positioned above the transparent window for scanning such that anything presented below the transparent window for scanning is visible in the transparent window for viewing. The transparent window for viewing has an electronic display embedded therein. The imaging scanner also includes an image decoder linked to the camera and to the electronic display. The mirror is positioned such that incident light on the mirror from the transparent scanning window will be reflected within the camera's field of view. The camera is configured to scan images presented at the transparent window for scanning. The image decoder is configured to decode the scanned images. The electronic display is configured to display the decoded information on the transparent window for viewing.