Variable Focus Lens Barcode Scanner with Multi-Depth Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barcode reading devices with automatic focus mechanisms using solid or liquid lenses face inefficiencies in focus adjustment speed, leading to prolonged scanning times due to mechanical components and limited focus depth, which hampers their performance as scanners.
Innovation Solution
A barcode reading apparatus employing a variable focus lens that adjusts focus position quickly in response to applied voltage, combined with an imaging section, control section to manage multiple focus positions in one frame, and a decoding section to process image data from these positions, allowing for efficient barcode reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional automatic focus mechanism using a solid lens is used, then the reading depth ability is improved, but the response time as a scanner decreases due to mechanical movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens driving mechanism with a liquid lens that adjusts focus through voltage application. The liquid lens changes its refractive index in response to applied voltage, eliminating the need for mechanical movement while maintaining focus adjustment capability. This substitution of mechanical system with electro-optical system resolves the contradiction by achieving fast response time without sacrificing reading depth ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the property of liquid lens where the refractive index changes in response to applied voltage. By changing the electrical parameter (voltage), the focus position is adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter change approach allows the lens to transition between different focus states rapidly, improving response time while maintaining the ability to read barcodes at various depths.
2Speed
If a liquid lens is used instead of a solid lens, then the speed of focus adjustment is improved, but the ability of impact resistance decreases and scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid lens that replaces the conventional solid lens, eliminating mechanical components entirely. The liquid lens achieves focus adjustment through voltage-induced refractive index changes, providing high-speed response without mechanical vulnerability. This substitution inherently improves impact resistance by removing mechanical parts while maintaining fast focus adjustment capability.
3Measurement precision
If the liquid lens position is adjusted multiple times to achieve focus, then the reading depth ability is improved, but the total reading time increases due to repeated image capturing and decoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing images at multiple focus positions simultaneously before the actual decoding process. The liquid lens is positioned at different focus distances, and images are captured in advance across multiple depth levels. This preliminary capture of multiple focus planes allows the decoding process to select the appropriate image without requiring repeated adjustment and recapture, thereby improving reading speed while maintaining reading depth ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential focus adjustment (one dimension of time) to parallel multi-focus capture (adding the dimension of spatial depth). By capturing images at multiple focus positions simultaneously across different depth planes, the system creates a multi-dimensional data structure that enables faster decoding without repeated adjustments, thus resolving the contradiction between reading depth ability and reading speed.
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 significantly reduces barcode reading time by enabling rapid focus adjustment and simultaneous imaging of multiple focus areas within a single frame, enhancing scanning efficiency and durability while minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid lens in which a focus position can be adjusted at a high speed according to applied voltage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a barcode reading apparatus including: a variable focus lens in which a focus position can be adjusted at a high speed according to applied voltage; an imaging section to generate image data by imaging a barcode through the variable focus lens; a control section to change a focus position of the variable focus lens and to obtain image data of a plurality of image areas with different focus positions in one frame from the imaging section when image data of one frame is obtained from the imaging section; and a decoding section to decode a barcode image included in the image data of the plurality of image areas obtained by the control section.