Variable Focus Lenses for Barcode Scanner Depth of Field Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current barcode scanners have fixed camera lenses and lighting, limiting their ability to adjust for varying depths of field and distances, which affects scanning speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing variable lenses in barcode scanner lighting elements and cameras to adjust depth of field and illumination simultaneously, allowing for multiple depth settings and automatic adjustment based on detected distances, enhancing scanning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed camera lenses and lighting are used in barcode scanners, then device complexity is reduced, but scanning accuracy and adaptability to varying depths of field deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed lenses with variable focus lenses in both the camera and lighting elements. These lenses can dynamically adjust their focal length to match different depth of field requirements, allowing the scanner to adapt to items at varying distances while maintaining imaging accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling the camera lens and lighting element lenses to change their focal length parameter based on the detected distance to the item. This allows the system to optimize the depth of field and illumination focus for each scanning scenario, improving measurement precision without requiring multiple fixed-component systems
2Productivity
If fixed depth of field lenses are used, then device complexity is minimized, but scanning speed and accuracy for varying distances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a distance sensor to detect the position of items and automatically adjusting the focal length of both camera and lighting lenses accordingly. This closed-loop control enables rapid adaptation to different scanning distances, improving both scanning speed and versatility without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-adjusting the lens focal lengths to match the detected item distance before capturing the barcode image. This ensures optimal focus and illumination are established in advance, enabling faster scanning compared to systems that would require trial-and-error or manual adjustment
3Measurement precision
If variable lenses are implemented in both camera and lighting, then depth of field and illumination synchronization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by coordinating the variable focus lenses in the lighting elements with the camera lens to achieve synchronized depth of field adjustment. This ensures that both illumination and imaging are optimized for the same focal plane, improving image clarity and barcode recognition accuracy while managing complexity through integrated control
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 improves scanning speed and accuracy by synchronizing camera lens depth of field and illumination intensity, enabling effective scanning across different distances and depths, thereby enhancing overall barcode imaging performance.
Implementation Method 1
variable lenses that focus light of the lighting elements at variable depths of field
Implementation Method 2
capturing a number of first images with a camera of a barcode scanner at the first depth of field
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, devices, barcode scanners, and software for variable depth of field scanning and lighting devices and methods. One such embodiment includes adjusting variable lenses on each of a plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a first depth of field and capturing a number of first images with a camera of a barcode scanner at the first depth of field. The method of this embodiment then outputs at least one of the number of the first images to a barcode reading process. This example method may then continue by adjusting the variable lenses of each of the plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a second depth of field, capturing a number of second images with the camera of the barcode scanner at the second depth of field, and then outputting at least one of the number of the second images to the barcode reading process. The adjusting, capturing, and outputting may then be repeated again in some embodiments for a third depth of field, a fourth depth of field, and onward, depending on the number of depths of field in a particular embodiment.