Wearable Camera Barcode Reading Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-held barcode readers are costly due to the inclusion of both optical components and processors, which are redundant when used with mobile devices that already possess CPU capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A wearable camera system that transmits images to a portable information terminal for image analysis, eliminating the need for a processor on the camera side and reducing overall system costs by offloading decoding processing to the terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a processor is included in the camera for decoding barcodes, then the camera can independently perform image analysis, but the system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent image analysis capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the image analysis function with the portable information terminal that the user already possesses. Instead of embedding a processor in the camera, the camera works in conjunction with the terminal's existing CPU to perform decoding, thereby avoiding duplicate processing capabilities and reducing system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable information terminal serves multiple functions: it acts as both the processing unit for barcode decoding and the display/output device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated processing hardware in the camera, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a processor is included in the camera for decoding barcodes, then the camera can independently perform image analysis, but the camera size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent image analysis capabilityVSAvoidcamera size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the image analysis function from the camera and relocates it to the portable information terminal. This separation allows the camera to be minimized to only its essential imaging components, significantly reducing its size and making it suitable for wearable applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a processor is included in the camera for decoding barcodes, then the camera can independently perform image analysis, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent image analysis capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the portable information terminal, which is a common, relatively inexpensive device that users already own. By utilizing the terminal's existing processing capabilities, the system avoids the need for expensive dedicated processing hardware in the camera, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3651054B1Reading system and camera

Publication Date: 2024.01.24 ASTERISK INC

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Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention provides a reading system and camera that are cost-saving. A reading system 10 includes a portable information terminal 12 configured to recognize information in a symbol on the basis of an acquired image, and a wearable camera 14 that functions as a peripheral device for the portable information terminal 12, has an image sensor 46 configured to generate the image, and is configured to transmit the generated image to the portable information terminal 12.