WO1993002428A1 - Method and apparatus for reading and focusing a bar code and data collection and communications module - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reading and focusing a bar code and data collection and communications module Download PDFInfo
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- WO1993002428A1 WO1993002428A1 PCT/US1992/006156 US9206156W WO9302428A1 WO 1993002428 A1 WO1993002428 A1 WO 1993002428A1 US 9206156 W US9206156 W US 9206156W WO 9302428 A1 WO9302428 A1 WO 9302428A1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
- G06K17/0022—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/28—Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10554—Moving beam scanning
- G06K7/10564—Light sources
- G06K7/10574—Multiple sources
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10554—Moving beam scanning
- G06K7/10564—Light sources
- G06K7/10584—Source control
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10554—Moving beam scanning
- G06K7/10594—Beam path
- G06K7/10683—Arrangement of fixed elements
- G06K7/10702—Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10712—Fixed beam scanning
- G06K7/10722—Photodetector array or CCD scanning
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10712—Fixed beam scanning
- G06K7/10722—Photodetector array or CCD scanning
- G06K7/10732—Light sources
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10792—Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned
- G06K7/10801—Multidistance reading
- G06K7/10811—Focalisation
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10841—Particularities of the light-sensitive elements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10851—Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/12—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
- H04B2001/3894—Waterproofing of transmission device
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to hand-held data capture systems and more particularly to a hand-held data capture system having interchangeable data capture modules.
- terminal means has memory capacity for accumulating data during a delivery operation or the like, it may be desirable for such data to be transferred to a printer so that a hard copy may be produced.
- the docking apparatus may provide for the recharging of such batteries at the same time as data communication is taking place.
- a docking apparatus would be desirable that completely avoids the use of mating pin and socket type electrical connections, and that does not rely on a specialized configuration of the terminal, e.g., the provision of an optical scanner tip which may be used for data communication.
- pin and socket type connectors may be utilized.
- the present invention discloses a novel hand-held data collection system adapted to administer the various features of interchange data collection modules.
- Each interchangeable module is adapted to provide differing data collection features.
- a portable data terminal with a rugged surface contact configuration accommodates supply of power by the vehicle when the terminal is placed in a vehicle mount; further, the terminal batteries may receive charge while the terminal is operating from the vehicle power so that full battery capacity is available when portable operation is required.
- other contact means might also be utilized.
- portable terminals may be quickly removed from the charging system by grasping of the terminal itself followed by a simple lifting extraction.
- a docking apparatus removably receives portable data terminal and code reader means for purposes of data communication, e.g., with a host computer and/or for the recharging of rechargeable batteries.
- the terminal and reader means may have electrical contact pad means generally flush on their exterior.
- an abutting type engagement between the contact pad means and cooperating electrical contact means of the docking apparatus may be used for transmitting charging current such that the typical pin and socket type docking connections are entirely avoided.
- the same basic docking structure may be provided with greater or lesser numbers of contact positions.
- one type of hand-held terminal intended for on-line RF communication with a host computer may have six contact pads for coupling with a local area network, and may have a nine position electrical connector for compatibility with an earlier type of interface system requiring interfitting of pin and socket connectors;
- another type of hand-held terminal designed for route accounting applications may have, e.g., twelve external contact pads and be intended for interfacing only with systems having provision for open abutment type interconnection.
- the terminal and/or reader receptacle means is preferably arranged so that with the terminal or reader secured therein, each line of the display remains visually observable in a convenient orientation relative to a driver of a vehicle. Also all of the key positions of the keyboard are manually accessible, the legends on the keyboard having an orientation so as to be conveniently readable, e.g., by the driver of the vehicle.
- the axis of each line of the display and of each row of key positions should be generally horizontal (rather than vertical) and the alphanumeric characters of the display and keyboard legends should be upright (rather than inverted) as viewed by the operator.
- the terminal or reader can be inserted into the receptacle with one hand and is securely retained.
- the terminal or reader is automatically secured with a snap type action which is perceptible, e.g., audibly and factually to the operator.
- a resilient bias may serve to firmly position the terminal or reader for steady reliable electrical contact at each abutting type contact position in spite of vehicle jarring and vibration or the like.
- the terminal or reader may be automatically affirmatively retained in its receptacle, e.g., by means of a detent type action.
- One exemplary embodiment of data capture terminal unit is provided with a plurality of electrically conductive pads generally coplanar with the external surface of the housing. Such electrically conductive pads may be interconnected by internal circuitry to the connector elements of a D-style connector mounted upon the housing end cap such that recharge power and data communication pathways may be made through either or both of the connector means.
- the electrically conductive pads are positioned such that they may be engaged with mating elements having sufficient resilience to maintain stable electrical contact therebetween while the terminal is in a docking receptacle or the like.
- a laser light source may provide simultaneous illumination of a complete image line or a complete image column, or a substantial linear segment thereof, facilitating the achievement of a rugged image reader unit preferably without moving parts in the illumination system.
- a long range CCD image reader having auto-focus capabilities may be utilized with a fan beam for simultaneously illuminating a complete image line over a substantial range of distances.
- the PCT International Publication No. WO 90/16033 which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, refers to a modular hand-held data collection unit and discloses a manner of attaching one functional module to another.
- the use of functional modules increases the scope of use of the basic data collection terminals by allowing the substitution of a most desirable feature in a particular application for another feature which may have become redundant.
- the eliminated feature may be that feature least likely to be used in conjunction with the newly added feature.
- respective functions may be adapted to specific situations.
- selected modules desirably include added features. The addition of such features in accordance with the invention is advantageously accomplished with a minimal size and weight change.
- an image scanner utilizing an image sensor array may be incorporated in a module for a data collection terminal unit which may also include a radio frequency transceiver.
- a radio transceiver and an automatic bar code reader with image sensor array are integrated into a single module.
- FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a modular data terminal
- FIG. 2 is a die view of the data terminal shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating a module accommodating both a RF transceiver and a bar code reader utilizing an image sensor array;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of a related data collection terminal having a communications module without a bar code reader;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the data terminal shown in FIG. 1, showing somewhat schematically a data collection and communications module;
- FIGS. 5 is an exploded view of the data collection and communication module of FIGS. 27A and 27B;
- FIGS. 6 through 11 are omitted;
- FIG. 12 A shows an image sensor system utilizing a laser line type beam generator and an image focusing and sensing system for reading a reflected bar code image;
- FIG. 12B shows a non-scanning laser iUuminated bar code scanner for reading a reflected bar code image
- FIG. 12C shows the cross sectional shape of the beams produced by the laser sources of FIG. 12B
- FIG. 13 shows an image reader module which may optionally use the image sensor system of FIG. 12;
- FIG. 14 is a plan view of the module case of the embodiment of FIG.
- FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the module case taken generally along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;
- FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the module case of FIG. 14;
- FIG. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an image reader module similar to that of FIG. 13, but incorporating a transversely disposed antenna and a different optical port construction;
- FIG. 18 is a partial plan view of the module of FIG. 17;
- FIG.19 is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontal sectional view showing a different image reader system for incorporation in the reader modules herein disclosed;
- FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the system of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 21 is a front view of the system of FIG. 19;
- FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic illustration of the manner of applying a fan type laser line generator to the system of FIGS. 19, 20 and 21;
- FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of a range and angle measurement system
- FIG. 24 is front elevational view of a conventional horizontally disposed bar code illustrating the impingement of a fan beam illuminating a bar code
- FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vertically and horizontally adjustable fan beam selector
- FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic illustration of the vertically and horizontally adjustable fan beam selector of FIG. 25 providing a fan beam output
- FIGS. 27A and 27B are simplified side elevational sectional views showing the apparatus of a long range CCD reader module illustrating the lens barrel adjusted for minimum and maximum range, respectively;
- FIGS. 28A and 28B are simplified top plan sectional views of a long range CCD reader module illustrating the lens barrel adjusted for minimum and maximum range, respectively;
- FIGS. 29A, 29B, and 29C are various views of the autof ocus helical cam of an exemplary long range CCD reader module
- FIG. 30A is an exploded view of the autof ocus helical cam front bearing mounting
- FIG. 30B is a side elevational sectional view of the autof ocus helical cam front bearing mounting
- FIGS. 31 A, 31B, 31C are various views of the stepper motor driver of the autof ocus helical cam
- FIG. 32A is a partially exploded view of the autof ocus helical cam front bearing mount and motor mount;
- FIG. 32B is a partial sectional view of the autof ocus helical cam front bearing mount and motor mount;
- FIG. 33 is a simplified back elevational view of a long range CCD reader module
- FIGS. 34, 35, 36A, 36B, 37, and 38 are graphical representations of the prophetic signal level of an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to a CCD type image sensor;
- FIGS. 39A and 39B are graphical representations of the prophetic signal level of an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to a CCD type image sensor wherein FIG. 39A represents pure data and FIG. 39B represents linearly skewed data;
- FIGS. 40A and 40B are graphical representations of the prophetic signal level of an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to a CCD type image sensor wherein FIG. 40A represents pure data and FIG. 40B represents corrupted data due to a periodic illumination intensity variation; FIGS. 41A and 41B are graphical representations of the prophetic representative power spectra;
- FIG. 42 is a diagrammatical illustration of an illumination source showing a means for computing the offset angle for such a source
- FIG. 43 is a graphical representation depicting a procedure for determining total optical length
- FIG. 44 is a graphical representation of a geometric analysis of the propagation of rays through discontinuous indices at non-normal intersects
- FIG. 45 is a graphical representation of how the degree of refraction depends upon the ratio of indices and the incidence angle
- FIG.46 is a graphical representation depicting horizontal propagation
- FIG. 47 is a flow diagram of the output stages of a CCD device
- FIG. 48 is an electrical schematic of a circuit for averaging a group of voltages
- FIGS. 49 A and 49B are graphical representations of the effect of a polarization filter placed ahead of the optical string on a true hemispherical radiator (FIG. 49A) and a non-perfect hemispherical radiator;
- FIGS. 50A and 50B are graphical representations of both a perfect spectral reflector apparatus (FIG. 50A) and a real spectral apparatus (FIG. 50B);
- FIG. 51 is an electrical schematic of a circuit for driving an exemplary motor
- FIG. 52 is a simplified electrical diagram for illustrating the motor connection to the circuit of FIG. 51;
- FIG. 53 is a table illustrating the 1-2 phase excitation mode of an exemplary motor
- FIG. 54 is a table illustrating the 2 phase excitation mode of an exemplary motor
- FIGS. 55A, 55B, 56A, 56B, 57, 58, 59A, and 59B diagrammatically illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD reader module
- FIGS.60 through 63 diagrammatically illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD reader module
- FIGS. 64A through 64E are an electrical schematic of an exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD reader module
- FIGS. 65 through 68 are miscellaneous electrical schematics utilized in the operation of an exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD module.
- FIGS. 69A and 69B are electrical schematics of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD module.
- FIG. 1 A. Exemplary Hand-Held Data Terminal Base Module (FIGS. 1-4)
- a data collection terminal unit also referred to herein as a data terminal, is designated generally by the numeral 10.
- a frontal face 12 of an elongate housing 14 of a base module 16 of the data terminal 10 typically faces upward and is accessible to the user of the data terminal.
- the upward facing portion of the module 16 houses a user interface module 17, including an alphanumerical keyboard 18 and a display screen 19.
- the display screen 19 is in a preferred embodiment described herein a 4-line by 16-character Reflective Super Twist Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), of course, other display means may be used in its stead.
- the keyboard 18 includes a lower, standard numerical keyboard section 21, above which is disposed an alphabetical keyboard arrangement 22.
- An On-Off power key 23 is preferably placed in a left most position of an uppermost row of five keys.
- the outermost keys 24 in a bottom row are configured as "CLEAR” and "ENTER", while the remaining four keys in the uppermost row are preferably configured as a set of four user-defined function keys 26.
- the connectors 31 and 32 are protected by adjacent and interleaved protrusions 36 of the housing 14, which protrusions extend somewhat below the connectors.
- An exemplary embodiment of the data terminal 10 is intended to withstand a drop of about 1.2 meters to a solid surface.
- the exemplary connector 31 is an input-output port, as may be used for such data collection as bar code reading, for example. In such instances, the connector 31 is preferred to be a 9-pin D-subminiature connector with pins interfacing to typical 5 volt scanning peripherals.
- the connector 32 or substituted surface contacts may be used for accessing external power sources or provide for combined power and data communication.
- a circular miniature DIN-type connector 32 maybe used in the exemplary embodiment.
- a top end 40 of the preferred embodiment of the base module 16 typically may not include connectors.
- An antenna 41 shown to extend above the top end 40 is further described in reference to FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 shows depth or thickness features of the data terminal 10.
- the base module 16 of the data terminal 10 with the described frontal face 12 includes an elongate upper housing portion 43 which defines the longitudinal and lateral extent of the data terminal 10. Attached to the upper housing portion 43 and disposed adjacent the bottom end 30 is a lower battery compartment 44. In such an embodiment, the battery compartment 44 is assembled as a lower housing portion to the upper housing portion 43. Adjacent the top end 40 of the data terminal 10 a data collection and communications module 48 is attached to the lower edge of the upper housing portion 43.
- the antenna 41 as is typical for external antennas, extends upward from the data collection and communications module 48 above the top end 40 of the data terminal 10.
- the data collection and communications module 48 in FIG. 2 includes a radio transceiver 49 (FIGS. 2 and 5) and a long range CCD reader apparatus 50 (FIGS. 2, 5, 27A, 27B), the relative positions of which are best referred to in describing FIGS. 2 and 5.
- a radio transceiver 49 As to both modules 48 and 51 (FIGS. 3 and 4), the presence of the radio transceiver 49 is of course indicated by the external antenna designated by reference numerals 41 in FIG. 2.
- the radio subassembly may be a commercially available pretuned 1-watt (UHF) frequency modulated (FM) radio transceiver, or any similar type, such as a Motorola P10 radio model. Further modules may incorporate other types of transceivers, including technologically improved units and the like.
- the data collection and communications module 48 as a module which is capable of readily replacing another module, such as a radio communications module
- each of these interchangeable modules feature a quick exchange mounting mechanism, such as is more clearly illustrated with respect to FIG. 4.
- the data collection and communications module 48 is matched in a contour continuation along a juncture line 52 to the adjacent edge of the battery compartment 44 and along a longitudinal parting line 53 of the base module 16.
- the module 52 defines a cavity within the base module 16 within which modules such as the module 48 may be received.
- the module 48 features a plurality of laterally disposed latching hooks or latch hooks 56 which become engaged by respective latching seats or latch seats 57 disposed along the adjacent edge of the base module 16 when the module 48 is moved toward and into engagement with the adjacent edge and then toward the battery compartment 44, as shown by dash line 58.
- Electrical communication is established via a power and communications connector 61 the pins of which engage a mating connector socket 62 within the base module 16.
- a set of screws 63 may be tightened through the battery compartment 44 into a set of threaded seats 64 disposed in the adjacent wall of the module 48 to securely retain the attached module as an integrated part of the data terminal 10.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a comparison of relative depths or thicknesses between the data collection and communications module 48 and the radio communications module 51.
- the radio communications module 51 is also shown equipped with a preferred hand strap 68 attached longitudinally to the rear of the data terminal 10. Though not presently contemplated for use on the data terminal 10 featuring the data collection and communications module 48, it is clearly possible to use the hand strap 68 on the data terminal 10 having the module 48. As seen in FIG. 3, the radio communications module 51 fits generally with its thickness into the contour of the housing of the data terminal 10.
- the additional long range CCD reader apparatus 50 may utilize an increased thickness or depth in the general contour of the housing 14.
- an increase in the thickness of the terminal has been minimized, as will become apparent from further description of the improved arrangement of the long Range CCD reader apparatus 50, but the increase in the depth has been employed to provide for ease of manually holding the data terminal 10 during use even in the absence of strap 68.
- a pushbutton 71 is disposed in the general area of the later surface 70 to be readily accessible for activation by the user's thumb.
- the pushbutton 71 is hence used to activate an image reading operation of the long range CCD reader apparatus 50, or the like.
- the pushbutton 71 may be duplicated in an identical location on the opposite lateral wall of the module 48. In this manner both left-handed and right-handed users of the data terminal 10 would be able to use the image reader operation trigger pushbutton 71.
- the location of the pushbutton 71 in FIG. 2 denotes both oppositely facing pushbutton locations on the opposite side walls of the module 48.
- FIGS. 5, 27A, and 27B best illustrate the physical interrelationship between various elements of the radio 49 and the long range CCD reader apparatus 50 which results in the described minimal increase of the overall thickness of the data collection and communications module 48 over the radio module 51.
- the module 48 is contained within a molded protective shell 75 of a high impact plastic material, preferably identical to the material employed for the housing 14.
- the outer contour of the shell 75 also blends into that of the housing 14, such that when edges 76 and 77 (FIG. 5) and the stop edge 66 are placed and locked against the respectively matching juncture lines 52, 53 and the seat 67, the protective shell forms part of the housing 14.
- the edges 76 include the latch hoods 56 (FIG. 4) which lock the shell 75 to the housing 14.
- An apertured boss, such as indicated at 78 provides a mounting seat for the antenna 41.
- a plurality of spaced, internally threaded bosses 79 are disposed in a plane to support the mounting of a main circuit board 82, which is also referred to as an analog board 82.
- the analog board 82 is a multi-use element, in that it is first of all a circuit board.
- the circuit board 82 is in particular a four-layer circuit board, having conductive patterns disposed on both major outer surfaces 83 and 84, the conductive patterns including designated sites for mounting electronic components to both sides of the circuit board.
- Two inner conductive planes provide ground and interconnection planes for the components on the respective outer surfaces of the circuit board 82.
- the ground plane within the circuit board 82 substantially isolates electrical radio noise from interfering with the long range CCD reader or the like components and the preferred image sensor array and minimizes such radio noise from being emitted from the shell 75.
- To the surface 84 of the main circuit board 82 there is mounted a long range CCD reader submodule 86, for example.
- the long range CCD reader submodule 86 includes a mounting frame 87, preferably a molded structure of a high impact plastic.
- An optical analog circuit board 105 is mounted against the frame 87 across from the main circuit board 82 and fastened with typical mounting screws 106 to frame 87.
- a typical circuit board connector pin arrangement, such as is shown at 108 may be connected to a typical flat cable 109 to electrically couple the analog circuit board 105 to the main circuit board 82.
- the radio support frame 115 is a U-shaped frame which is mounted peripherally about the circuit board 82 extending upward from its surface 83. Formed tongues 116 of the support frame 115 are insertible into aperture 117 of the circuit board 82 to fasten the frame 115 to the circuit board.
- the frame 115 has a predetermined height between a lower edge 118 and an upper edge 119. Apertured mounting lugs 121 disposed at the upper edge 119 are adapted to receive the threaded fasteners 106.
- the radio 49 is mounted on a circuit board 122.
- the circuit board 122 is attached, such as by the fasteners 106, to the lugs 121 of the support frame 115, the height of the support frame 115 spacing the main circuit board 82 and the radio circuit board 122 to accommodate the components on both boards.
- the support frame in conjunction with the ground plane of the circuit board 82 also forms a radio frequency emission cage about the components of the radio circuit board 122, containing radio frequency (RF) emissions in accordance with regulations.
- the circuit board 122 may in itself contain RF shielding toward the top of the formed cage, or separate shielding such as an additional board having a ground plane may be added.
- a circuit board connector pin arrangement 125 receives a typical circuit board connector strip 126 of a circuit routing board 127.
- the circuit routing board 127 routes power and communicative interconnections between the main circuit board 82 and the base module 16.
- a conductive ground plane 128 of the routing aboard 127 may preferably be coupled to the support frame 115 to complete the RF cage in conjunction with the support frame 115 and the ground plane of the main circuit board 82.
- the assembly of the described elements of the main circuit board 82, e.g., a long range CCD reader assembly 50 and the radio 49 into the housing shell 75 spaces the elements compactly, placing the plane of the image focussing optics and image sensor array of the image sensor submodule 112 on the analog circuit board 105 adjacent a reading window 131 in the shell 75.
- the illumination source beams, for example, and the reflected light image of optically readable information pass through the window 131 in the outgoing and incoming directions, respectively. Spacing the described components at minimum distances adjacent one another as shown in the sectional views, for example (FIGS. 27A and 27B) is made possible by a cutout 132 (FIG. 5) in the main circuit board 82. It has been found that the cutout 132 in the main circuit board 82 and hence in its ground plane does not adversely affect RF shielding of emissions from the radio 49. Further, in reference to the main circuit board 82 as shown in FIG. 5, the circuit board 82 includes on opposite edges 136 and 137 electrical actuator switches 138.
- the switches 138 are the electrical components which in conjunction with the external element of the pushbutton 71.
- the external portion of the pushbutton 71 is disposed in the shell 75 to become aligned with the electrical actuator switches 138 when the main circuit board 82 is assembled into the shell 75 as shown in FIG. 5, for example.
- FIG.12A shows the use of two line type laser sources 201, 203 and 202, 204, each illuminating a total field of view 205 in common, in which case moving parts such as rotor 93 are entirely eliminated.
- the image sensor array and optics system 112, FIGS.5 and 12, including optics 112A and image type photosensor array 112B, e.g., a CCD image sensor array, is located within the dimension E, (FIG. 2)
- FIG.12B shows cer components of a non-scanning laser illuminated bar code scanner wherein two solid state laser sources 1201, 1203 and 1202, 1204 are placed off axis from the centerline of the CCD optical path.
- the sensing device does not require a folded light path. Since mirrors are not required sensitivity is increased up to five percent per optical interface removed.
- the half power radiation line for the solid state laser sources (1201, 1203 and 1202, 1204), after passing through the dispersive optics (1203, 1204) normally have an elliptical cross-sectional shape. When the ellipse is altered by non-axisymmetric propagation it is fanned out into a distorted pattern which no longer fully resembles an ellipse (FIG. 12C).
- the two laser sources are preferably high powered devices which are pulsed rather than used on a continuous basis. This provides intense illumination for a brief period of time. In such an embodiment the high voltages required by a
- the mounting frame 87 and the motor circuit board 99 may be omitted, and the image reader circuitry associated with system 112 and laser diodes 201, 202 may be placed at side 84 of the main circuit board 82.
- the laser sources 201 and 202 may be accommodated by cutouts such as 132, FIG.5, to minimize any required extra thickness E, (FIG. 2), of the image reader/RF module containing the components 112 and 201-204 of FIGS. 12A and 12B.
- FIGS. 13-16 illustrate an image read/RF module for assembly with the base module 16 and which may be readily modified to form the system of FIG. 12 et al. with no moving parts.
- FIGS. 13-16 show an image reader/ RF module 210 which is interchangeable with module 48, FIG. 4, and Module 51, FIG.3, with respect to base module 16.
- a terminal housing including base module housing 14 and module shell 214 has the overall dimensions A, B, D and C, as noted in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 (i.e. A is 17.46 centimeters; B is 6.68 centimeters;
- the image reader module 210 is provided with an edge face 214A, (FIG. 16), mating with edge faces such as 52 and 53 of the base module 16 in the same way as described for the module 48 of FIG. 2.
- a downwardly protruding wall portion 214B advantageously provides a gripping margin for the index finger of a user of the data terminal providing secure support for the terminal even in the absence of a hand strap such as 68 (FIG. 3).
- the module 210 is shown as being provided with latch hooks 216, (FIG. 15), for interengaging with respective latch seats 57, (FIG. 4), as with modules 48 and 51.
- Module 210 is also equipped with a stop edge 214C, (FIG. 15), with a recess 217 for interlocking with a projection 218 of the seat 67, (FIG. 4), as the module 210 is moved longitudinally into its final position.
- Threaded seats are indicated at 219, (FIG. 16), for receiving screws 63, (FIG. 4), so as to fasten module 210 as a fixed part of the data terminal.
- a main analog board 228 underlies a radio subassembly 230 including an RF board 234.
- the main analog board 228 essentially corresponds with main analog board 82, and the RF board 234 is essentially .the same as RF board 122 of the previous embodiment.
- An open rectangular metal shielding frame 236 surrounds the RF components.
- the RF board 234 may in itself contain RF shielding toward its upper surface, or separate shieLding such as an additional board having a ground plane may be provided immediately above the RF board 234 as shown at 123 (FIG. 5).
- the shielding frame 236 is provided with projecting tabs which are inserted into receiving slots of the analog board 228 and soldered in place so as to be directly electrically connected with the inner ground plane of the analog board 228 (in the same way as for tongues 116 and apertures 117, FIG. 5).
- FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the module shell 214 taken along line
- FIG. 14 shows integral rib means 251 which also appears in FIGS. 13 and 14, and which adjoins a through-aperture 252 accommodating the threaded end of antenna 253.
- a thin metal plate 254 fits into the space 255 and is captured therein and prevented from rotation when the antenna is threadedly engaged therewith.
- a boss 260 integral with the shell 214 has a threaded insert for use in securing the RF assembly 230 to the shell.
- a transverse rib 263, extends near edge face 214A and bosses 264 for receiving threaded seats 219.
- the shell 214 has thickened end wall portions 270 and 271 with respective sets of cylindrical bores 281 for receiving respective light emitting diode units such as 291, (FIG. 13), for directing Ouininating beams along respective beam axes 301-306, (FIG. 14), toward an image plane 307.
- the optics 314 collects reflected light from a bar code or the like at the image plane 307 via an entrance portion which communicates with optics chamber 312 and which is diagrammatically indicated at 312A in FIG. 14.
- a reduced diameter aperture 318 of boss 310 accommodates the passage of the focused reflected image along an axis 320.
- a reflecting mirror 322 secured at a seat 324 formed by shell 214 redirects the reflected bar code image to an image sensor 326 which is mechanically and electrically connected to the image reader board 266.
- the optics 314 focuses a bar code image onto image sensor 326 for positions of the bar code along optical axis 330,
- FIG. 13 which are beyond the end of the antenna 253.
- a simple optical arrangement can be utilized, even an optical arrangement with minimal depth of field of approximately 2.54 cm.
- the lens system 314 was from a commercial CCD reader of Norand Corporation which utilized a folded optical path generally as shown in U.S. Patent 4,894,523 issued January 16, 1990. It was possible to eliminate two reflectory mirrors of the folded optical path by placing the bar code sensing region beyond the antenna.
- FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a further image reader/RF module for assembly with the base module 16 , and which may readily incorporate the laser reader system of FIG. 12 with no moving parts.
- FIGS. 17 and 18 show the further image reader/RF module 410 which is interchangeable with modules 48, 51 and 210.
- Elements 414, 414A, 414B, 414C, 414D, 416, 417, 422, 428, 430, 434, 436 and 491 of FIGS. 17, 18 substantially conform with elements 214, 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D, 216, 217, 222, 228, 230, 234,
- housing 414 is provided with an outwardly protruding seat; 414E which receives a snap-on cowl piece 510 which serves to retain an optical window 531 covering, an elongated generally rectangular opening at the front housing 414.
- the module 410 has a transverse extending antenna 546 housed within a dielectric cover 548 completely within the confines of the length of housing 14 with cowl 510, and within the width dimension of housing 14.
- the antenna may be a helical wound wire type, and may be carried by a fitting 550 having an enlarged base 550A for coupling with the RF circuits 430.
- FIGS. 19-22 show a reflected image reader submodule which may be used in any of the embodiments disclosed herein such as those of FIGS. 1-5, FIGS. 13-16, FIGS. 17-18, and the foregoing embodiments taken with FIG. 12.
- Coplanar solid state light sources including laser diodes 210, 202, and cylindrical lenses 203, 204, similar to those shown in FIG. 12 may also be included with submodule 600, for example at 601, 602 outside the margins 603,
- the submodule may operate from ambient light, or from light from an auxiliary spot-light like the light source on a vehicle and separate from the hand-held bar code reader of any of FIGS. 1-18, equipped with the submodule 600.
- the reflected image impinges on a reflecting mirror surface 610A of a segmental spherical aluminum mirror 610 whose height corresponds to the height of module 600 and may correspond generally with height E, (FIG. 2).
- Mirror 610A reflects the incident image to a surface mirror region 620A of a cover glass 620.
- the image is again reflected and is then focused by lens assembly 630 onto an photodetector image array
- a linear actuator 650 may be coupled with the lens assembly 630 and control the axial position thereof for optimum focus of the information image onto array 640, e.g., as in referenced U.S. Patent 4,877,949 issued Oct. 31, 1989.
- the aluminum spherical mirror 610 may function not only as an optical element, but also as a structural element for supporting the lens assembly 630 and autofocus linear actuator 650.
- the use of large mirror surface 610A as seen in FIG. 19 allows the size of the subsequent optical string to be reduced since the lenses 630 (an achromatic doublet has been indicated) are not relied upon as the principal light gathering structure.
- FIG. 22 A preferred approach to integrating a fan beam generator with the photodetector submodule 600 is illustrated in FIG. 22.
- the housing of the module 600 is shown with light proof walls 660 and with the window 620 opaque at 661 in front of mirror surface 620A. Then a mirror surface is provided at 670 for transmitting a vertically incident fan-shaped laser beam 671 into a fan beam plane at 672 which is coplanar with the optical axis 674, (FIG. 19).
- FIG.22 shows a laser diode source 680, spreading optics 681 and a right angle prism or mirror surface 682 for redirecting a horizontal fan-shaped laser beam at 683, these components 680-682 being carried at a top wall 660A of submodule 600.
- the configuration of the fan beam with central axis 672 is indicated by marginal rays 672A and 672B in FIG. 19, and an exemplary image plane is indicated at 690 for a given axial position of optics 630.
- the output from each laser diode has a beam cross section which is of an elongated elliptical configuration (FIG. 12C).
- the semi-major axis of the beam cross section is oriented so that as it strikes the respective cylindrical lens 203, 204, the elongated nature of the cross section is enhanced and it spreads out to a length preferably to cover a complete line of a bar code. If some collimation is provided in the plane of the semi-minor axis, then the elliptical cross section becomes an approximation of a line.
- the line type solid state laser light sources 201, 203; 202, 204 of FIG. 12A are readily substituted for the LED arrays 291, FIG. 14, or 491, FIGS. 17-18.
- the light sources 201, 203; 202, 204 would be generally in the horizontal plane of the central reflected light ray 330 and at opposite sides of the reflected image receiving aperture 312A, FIG. 14, to provide a coplanar light source/image receiver arrangement.
- FIG. 17 This is readily accomplished as can be seen from FIG. 18.
- FIG. 23 illustrates a range and angle measurement system based on U.S. Patent 4,373,804, the first figure.
- laser light source means 800 may comprise laser diode means 801, FIG. 25, spreading optic means 802 and selector means 803, 804 for selectively providing a vertically oriented fan beam or a horizontally oriented fan beam.
- Further beam divider means 805-810, FIG. 25, of source means 800 may serve to generate three vertically oriented fan beams such as indicated at 811, 812, 813 or a single horizontally disposed fan beam such as indicated at 831, FIG.24, at bar code label 832.
- the three vertically oriented fan beams 811, 812 and 813 are directed toward a horizontally disposed bar code 833, FIG. 24, they may impinge on the bar code as vertical lines with axes 811A, 812A, 813A distributed over a substantial portion of the bar code length so as to adequately sample any skew of the label 832 relative to a normal axis 834, FIG. 23.
- Range measurements at 811A, 812A and 813A will differ as indicated by the displacements of point 811A and 813A from normal axis 834 in FIG. 23.
- linear actuator 650, FIG. 20 could be set in succession to the three measured ranges for reading the respective bar code segments 833-1, 833-2, and 833-3, whereupon these three segments could be combined to obtain a complete bar code reading.
- an analyzer plate 804, FIG. 25, maybe provided for transmitting only a horizontally polarized fan beam 831, but blocking a vertically polarized fan beam.
- An LCD cell 803 when energized may rotate the polarization of the input crossed fan beam such that beam 831 is blocked and cross hair type fan beams 811, 812, 813 are produced.
- LCD cell 803 is energized to provide the range and slope measurement mode of FIG.23, and thereafter the LCD cell 803 is de-energized to permit a bar code reading.
- the vertically disposed fan beam is intercepted at 804, and the horizontally disposed fan beam with horizontally polarized light is transmitted by analyzer plate 804 to the prism or mirror type beam splitter 805-810 which spreads an incident fan beam disposed in the horizontal plane of FIG. 24 to cover a bar code such as indicated at 833, FIG. 24.
- the constituent beams making up the overall beam 831 are indicated by marginal rays 831A, 831B, 831C, 831D and 831E, 831F in FIG. 26.
- Two laser diodes at 801 with junction planes at right angles can supply the respective fan beams, using spreading optics such as 203, 204 for component 802, FIG. 25.
- the photodetector arrays such as 851, 852, FIG. 23, could be of the two dimensional matrix type, for example, so as to both sense the variable positions of the incident cross hair beams at 811B, 812B, 813B, 811C, 812C,
- a long range CCD reader module 910 may be constructed according to the following detailed description.
- the CCD reader module 910 includes an optical and sensor assembly 912, a optical system drive assembly 914, and a fan beam iUumination assembly 916.
- FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 31C, 32A, 32B, and 33 are best illustrated in FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 31C, 32A, 32B, and 33.
- FIG. 29A there is illustrated a auto-focus helical cam 918 having a helical channel portion 920.
- the cam 918 includes a front portion internal bearing pin support 922 which is adapted to receive a bearing pin 924 which is rotatable secured by a bearing assembly bracket 926 via a spring retainer clip 928 which fits into an annular groove 930 in the bearing pin 924.
- a shaft adhesive may be used to fix the pin 924 to the inner bearing races to facilitate assembly.
- a stepper motor 930 (FIGS. 31A, 31B, and 31C) is attached to the bracket 926 via mounting plate 932 (FIGS. 32A & 32B) for drivingly engaging the auto-focus helical cam 918 via a knurled motor shaft 934.
- a steel pin cam follower guide 936 having a rounded head rides in the cam channel 920 of the auto-focus helical cam 918 and is carried by the lens barrel 938.
- the pin 936 is attached to the composite lens system 940 and moves therewith acting as a cam follower as it moves within the cam channel 920.
- Guide rods (942A, 924B) extend through openings in flanges (944A,
- a laser light source means 946 emits a beam 948 through a polarization system 950 which causes the beam 948 to be dispersed horizontally as indicated by lines 952.
- Fan light beam 952 is then reflected from a bar code (FIG. 24) through a window 954 as represented by beam 956 in FIG. 27A.
- This light, as represented by dashed line 956 strikes a prism 958 disposed within the module 910 which is fixed with respect to rods (942A, 942B) as shown in FIGS. 27 & 28).
- the prism 958 may move with the lens system 940, for example, as shown in a maximum range position in both FIGS. 27A and 28B and in a minimum range position in both FIGS. 27B and 28B.
- the lens system 940 and prism 958 move as one on brackets (960A, 960B).
- brackets (960A, 960B) are connected to flanges (944A, 944B) which slide on rods (942A, 942B).
- the reflected beam 956 passes through the prism 958 and through the composite lens system 940 such that the beam 956 is reflected from a mirror
- the lens system 940 may be fixed and the prism 958 may be driven.
- Such an embodiment may be advantages for certain purposes since the prism 958 only has to be moved half as far as the lens.
- the photosensor array 964 is a CCD device available from Toshiba as part NoTCD1301D.
- the TCD1301D is much taller than it is wide and has a sensitivity range from 36 to 54 volts per lux second under tungsten illumination. Under 660nm illumination the CCD has a sensitivity of 272 to 408 volts per lux second.
- the TCD1301D is a 3648 pixel device with an approximate manufacturer's specified minimum dynamic range of 300. Sony parts ILX 503, ILX 505, and ILX 703 may also be utilized.
- the position of lens system 940 is rarely in the proper position for properly focusing a reflected bar code image on the sensor 964.
- the output of the sensor 964 is converted via the analog-to-digital converter and sent to a microprocessor as a first electrical signal corresponding to the initial position of the lens system 940.
- An instruction set may control the microprocessor such that it causes the stepper motor 930 to move the cam 918 which causes at least one element of the optical string to move in one direction by a predetermined amount.
- the microprocessor will then compare the first electrical signal to another electrical signal corresponding to the second position of the lens system 940. The microprocessor then determines which of the initial and subsequent signals represents a faster rate of intensity change with respect to time. The microprocessor then sends a signal to adjust the focus of the lens system 940 according to this determination. A method for making such a determination is discussed at length infra.
- the Z86C94 Zilog Z8 based microprocessor is utilized.
- the Z86C94 functions as an 8 bit machine with a 16 bit DSP coprocessor on board and operates at 24MHz.
- a Texas Instruments TMS320C51 may also be utilized.
- Focusing changes are accomplished by causing the stepper motor 930 to rotate in the proper direction, as described supra, for changing the position of the lens system 940 in relation to the sensor 964.
- a Seiko-Epson STPIONI 20S or STP-10S stepper motor may be utilized.
- FIG. 51 illustrates an exemplary circuit for operating a Seiko-Epson STP-10S stepper motor 1002 (FIG. 52).
- the stepper motor 1002 may be operated in either a 1-2 Phase Excitation Mode (Half Step Mode) or a 2 Phase
- FIG. 53 provides a table illustrating circuit control (FIG. 51) in a 1-2 Phase Excitation Mode.
- FIG. 54 provides a table illustrating circuit control in a 2 Phase Excitation Mode. It should be noted that the 1-2 Phase Excitation Mode makes smaller demands upon the supply current than the 2 Phase Excitation Mode. Full Step Mode may be utilized to achieve fast slewing, and Half Step Mode may be utilized for fine focus adjustments.
- the process of comparing two positions of the lens system 940 and moving the lens toward the position that produces the highest definition image is then repeated over and over until the rate of intensity change with respect to time is maximized. Because of the speed of the computer and the fast response time of the stepper motor 930 the focusing process can be accomplished very quickly.
- FIG. 27A the lens system 940 has moved to the extreme minimum range position.
- the lens system 940 has moved to the extreme maximum range position.
- the lens system 940 can be positioned anywhere in between the extreme positions illustrated by FIGS. 27A and 27B.
- the long range CCD reader may be operated according to the following description. This description assumes a bar code reader of the CCD type. It further assumes microprocessor control and an analog-to-digital converter means. In such an embodiment the microprocessor utilizes the incoming data stream to determine the focus condition of the image.
- a preferred CCD device utilized in such an embodiment, such as the TCD1301D should have an inter-element spacing of between seven microns (7 ⁇ m) and fourteen microns (14 ⁇ m). However, the inter-element spacing is preferably at the smaller end of this range.
- the clock speed may vary with the CCD device. A reasonable resolution for the analog-to- digital converter would be eight bits. This would give 256 steps between zero and full scale. A clock frequency for moving data from such a CCD device would be five megahertz (5 Mhz).
- an out of focus condition has the following additional attributes: (1) maximum levels in the signal are reduced; and (2) the minimum levels are generally elevated somewhat and the signal related noise is attenuated. This noise is related to code quality and not electrically introduced noise. Thus an "in focus" condition has higher highs, lower lows and noisier transitions.”
- Line 970 in FIG. 34 represents the limiting "in focus" condition.
- the other lines, 972-978, FIGS. 34-38 represent the curves described by the sequences of data points from the CCD device as converted by the digital-to-analog converter.
- Each line is formed from a series of discrete disconnected data points, such as Pla-P14a to P1e-P14e, and represents various states of focus condition.
- the approach to controlling focus is to maximize the slope of any line segments drawn between these discrete points. This is analogous to finding derivatives and then moving the lens to force the highest mean transition value (derivative value).
- the slope is found for the interval in which the data point resides by splitting that interval into two slope segments and finding the mean of the absolute values of the slopes in both intervals.
- the first slope segment 980 is between t 1 and t 2 and the second slope segment 984 is between t 2 and t 3 .
- the calculated values of interest are the shifts in signal level over these half -intervals.
- this value is (V 2 - V 1 ) / (t 2 - t 1 ) or ⁇ V 12 / ⁇ t.
- the value is (V 3 - V 2 ) / (t 3 - 1 2 ) or ⁇ V 23 / ⁇ t.
- ⁇ t has the same magnitude for all half -intervals.
- the mean slope for the full interval (AB) in the region of point 2 is: or simply:
- the change in slope across this interval also conveys information.
- each pixel value is first digitized by the analog-to-digital converter before the microprocessor stores the pixel value (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , etc) in memory.
- the approach is to sum the resulting collection of digitized values and divide that sum by the number of values stored in memory.
- a focused condition is reached more and more slopes approach values of zero as indicated in FIGS. 34 through 38.
- unfocused conditions spread the local slopes out over broader ranges; this provides a significant number of non-zero slopes.
- focused conditions have fewer discernable non- zero slopes with generally greater magnitudes.
- a focused condition may be achieved by the motion of a lens where a numeric value is first given to a focus state. This numeric value may not be unique to a given focus condition but can function as a relative index for comparison with the next focus condition attempted by the scanner. A numeric value may also be assigned to a given focus condition that represents the highest slope value across the range of values calculated or the greatest slope in a specified sub- interval of this range.
- a second method of overcoming the problem created by zero slope values is to utilize an abruptness algorithm.
- a great deal of effort was placed on finding mean slopes across an interval containing each data point. With this method a relatively homogenized value is obtained. However, no consideration was given to how the slope varied within the interval.
- the abruptness in the change in slope from the first half- interval to the second half -interval is a better indicator of focus condition than the mean slope across the full interval.
- the slope for the first half -interval is exactly (V 2 - V 1 ) / (t 2 - t 1 ).
- the second half -interval has a slope (V 3 - V 2 ) / (t 3 - t 2 ).
- the time intervals are equivalent and the voltages V 1 , V 2 , and V 3 are all digitized values which are integrally represented.
- An "abruptness quotient may be found by determining the difference between the two slopes, this could be expressed:
- the abruptness value for a full interval about point 982 is (V 3 - V 2 ) - (V 2 -
- V 1 V 3 - 2V 2 + V 1 .
- V 3 V 3 - 2V 2 + V 1 .
- Fixed laser diodes may also be used to illuminate the bar code. This may be accomplished by taking advantage of the laser diode's astigmatism and using a cylindrical plano-convex lens to amplify the asymmetry. Two lasers may be used to illuminate the field of view from opposite sides in order to minimize light intensity variations across the bar code. A visible laser diode might also be used but reasonable intensities may be attained more easily and more cost effectively using infrared laser diodes. In another embodiment a holographic lens might be used to record the interference pattern between a point source or monochromatic light and a slit source similar to the space between two razor blade edges emitting light of the same monochromaticity.
- a reflective (rather than transmissive) hologram could be utilized with a reflective holographic lens in order to produce a focusing mirror. In this way the number or optical components in the system could be minimized. If the target is then flooded by using the laser diode pair this lens or mirror could be rotated to scan the code. The orientation would be different for the sensor in both embodiments. The size of the holographic element would again, as in most optical systems, have a major impact upon the overall system sensitivity.
- Infrared light may only be sensed to a small degree by a CCD.
- CCD Infrared light
- the mechanics of scanning interfere, and an infrared scanner is difficult to point or aim.
- CCD's typically have a 60 percent relative response at 800 nm which drops to zero at about 1200 nm.
- noise may be filtered according to the following description.
- the regional voltage on a series of photodetectors is referenced against a set of dummy detectors and the difference is compared against a threshold value.
- the output of the circuitry then becomes the sequence of rail to rail transitions coming from the comparator that is responsible for producing processor input.
- This type of circuit then feeds the pulse train to the processor which counts time intervals between transitions and provides the associated decimal sequence for a given pulse train.
- the illumination of the code must be fairly even or transitions may be missed altogether, resulting in "bad reads.” If the code is illuminated by using laser diodes this type of reading and decoding will not provide optimum accuracy and reliability.
- the output from the CCD is a voltage which can take any value between zero and the full rail supply voltage. It is reasonable to then digitize this value directly using an analog-to-digital converter. Because throughput is a concern a high speed or flash analog-to-digital converter could be used to convert data at the maximum output rate of the detector.
- the data from the analog-to-digital converter is then stored in RAM as a sequence of numbers representing the output voltage levels across the detector.
- the first form of intrinsic inaccuracy included in the data is the overall skewing of the data due to a significant variation in the mean data value from one side of the code to the other. This can come about due to code substrate conditions or uneven illumination.
- FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate linear data skewing.
- Such skewing can be detected by determining the best fit line for the field of data. If that line has a non-zero slope then all of the data can be corrected by adding or subtracting a correction factor dependent on the tangent of the angle of slope over the sample number i.
- a partial correction for skewed illumination levels may be accomplished by storing away a representative specimen of the illumination levels across the reader by reading blank test patterns. The reference value could then be quickly subtracted from the scanned value. However, this does not cure signal variation due to substrate characteristics.
- Data corruption of the second kind is periodic and may result almost directly from uneven illumination. This is more difficult to correct but will respond to a number of filtering techniques. This type of data corruption is illustrated in FIGS. 40A and 40B. Periodic illumination effects may be filtered. The characteristics of this form of variation are typically very low in frequency. A high pass filter on the data stream should be able to eliminate enough of the affect to extract data. Such filtration may be accomplished numerically.
- the coded data is assumed to be periodic in nature then it represents a function D(i).
- This function is represented by i discrete data points read from the sensitive section of the detector.
- This function D(i) can be approximated by the series:
- D'(i) A n cos (nwt) + B n sin(nwt).
- FIGS.41 A and 41B illustrate power spectrum for D'(i).
- FIGS 41A and 41B are representative power spectra and do not show data for actual scans.
- a n or B n may not be represented in this series due to characteristics of the scanned data. Attenuation of the low frequency components of such power spectra can in effect filter out the low frequency noise present.
- the waveform may then be reconstructed and the filtered data points evaluated.
- the third form of noise is random spurious noise due to dirty codes or dirty optics.
- the previous procedure can be repeated and the very high frequency coefficients can be attenuated to remove this form of data corruption.
- Noise of this nature is a high frequency phenomenon. Combining these operations may be utilized to significantly improve data quality.
- renormalization may be necessary to reconstruct a filtered wave form, and most filtering operations attenuate the signal. For an 8 bit system the following equation can renormalize a data stream.
- the range of the data output by the filter is re-expanded to fill the full range allowed by the system. At this point the data can be fed to that section of the circuit that assigns a decimal string value.
- the Sony laser diode is chosen only as an example since it's spectrum maybe inappropriate where different optics are utilized.
- Theta ( ⁇ ) is the ray deviation angle from the horizontal for a ray initiating at the radiant (A 2 , B 2 ) and incident with the interface at (xinc, yinc).
- PHI ( ⁇ ) is the angle of the normal measured from the horizontal to the incident point (xinc, yinc).
- Gamma ( ⁇ ) is the angle between the incident ray and the interface normal at the incident point.
- Beta ( ⁇ ) is the angle of propagation of the refracted ray as measured from the horizontal.
- R c is the radius of curvature for the interface.
- R is the incident ray.
- R' is the refracted ray.
- R 2 TAN 2 ⁇ x 2 + 2TAN ⁇ B 2 x - 2TAN 2 ⁇ A 2 x - 2TAN ⁇ A 2 B 2 + B 2 2 + T AN 2 ⁇ A 2 2 + x 2 - 2A 1 x+A 1 2
- FIG. 45 is provided to illustrate the following analysis regarding horizontal propagation. The analysis is done for a half lens and mirrored for the full analysis. FIG. 45 is not to scale.
- the lens thickness at its thinnest point is 0.254 cm.
- the radiant is at (0,0) and the middle of the code is at (2.194,0).
- the goal of the calculations is to orient the "half power angle ray" through the optics so that it passes through
- the direction of propagation within the lens is Beta ( ⁇ ) and the direction of propagation outside of the lens is alpha ( ⁇ ).
- FIGS. 46, 47, and 48 illustrate a means for processing signals within a bar code reader of the present invention such that bar codes may be read which are partially obscured or difficult to read for other reasons.
- the CCD chip may be preferentially modified to accommodate these techniques by the addition of data stream taps other than the single output line found on most common CCD devices. Failing this, it is assumed that suitable circuitry may be interposed into the data stream to approximate this addition of data stream taps.
- both digital and analog versions of these techniques may be implemented. Analog or digital approaches may be preferentially appropriate for specific procedures.
- the output stages of a CCD device actually approximate an analog shift register.
- analog signals are shifted along a sequence of storage locations in synchrony with the clock signals applied to the device at the appropriate clock signal. Data from each storage location is then moved into the next sequential location (FIG. 46).
- Vo is:
- N is the number of data points averaged at the junction.
- the value Vo must be fed through an amplifier whose gain is fixed at (N+D/N.
- the value DN-t-2 is compared to the threshold value defined by the local average of its surrounding data. The output of such a comparison will have value in the decoding algorithm.
- each sample of data is compared to the local mean and the threshold is allowed to fluctuate across the sequence of data.
- A, B and C are constants which may be defined by the circuit designer. In the event that the decode algorithm relies completely upon the derivative (edges), then the constants A and C may be zero.
- the local derivative about some data point Dn may be found by the following approach using a discrete approach:
- this image enhancement technique can be implemented in either a digital or analog fashion and can be approximated in software.
- FIG. 48 uses the outputs from FIG. 46 as inputs.
- the values Gi are gain values. There will be an associated gain for each data tap and the output is then the summation. This is again, an approach which may be implemented in either analog or digital circuitry and may be simulated in software.
- Ambient light poses a real problem in the CCD reader art. They resort to shading or shrouding the sensor so that only the illumination means light stiiking the code register on the sensor.
- the problem with ambient light is that on certain code substrates the specular reflection from certain regions of the code can cause a kind of "blooming" effect and swamp the code. This affect is enhanced if the reader has a very narrow dynamic range, if the reader integration time is fixed, or if the deciphering algorithm is of the simple thresholding type.
- the prior art does not disclose the use of a polarizer in an optical string to selectively reject light having a polarization vector which is characteristic of specular reflections.
- the prior art does not use filters to pass light with spectral characteristics which match the output of the illumination means. Performance of such readers can be enhanced by the addition of polarizer filters ahead of the optical string. The preferred orientation of this filter would be such that it preferentially passed light with vertical polarization vectors.
- a true hemispherical radiator would function as shown in FIG. 49A.
- the surface is the reflecting or radiating surface.
- the line is a constant intensity line.
- the constant intensity line represents something like a 3dB line.
- point x is a perfect hemispherical radiator and the constant intensity lines describe hemispheres.
- point x here is a more typical radiator with a non-perfect hemispherical radiation pattern. Diffuse reflectors approximate this curve.
- FIG. 50A a perfect specular reflector apparatus, such as a mirror, is illustrated which only re-orientates the incoming beam by the following transformation matrix:
- point x represents a real specular reflector apparatus.
- the out going beam is widened and there is always a residual diffuse reflection approximating the pattern shown in FIG. 50B.
- the orientation of the outgoing beam corresponds to that of a beam transformed by the matrix associated with FIG. 50A. Specular reflections retain their polarization vector orientation. Diffuse reflections do not. Specular reflections do cause blooming at the sensor due to their anomalous intensities.
- the present invention utilizes a polarization means with an analyzer plot to excise the specular components from the image of the code.
- CCD readers can be considered for, the sake of illustration, as cameras that take a single line picture. All of the features of more conventional cameras have their homologs in the CCD device. Exposure control can be critical. Typically, the exposure is either controlled by adjusting the integration time or by controlling the illumination means. One additional means of controlling exposure amounts to controlling the contrast control voltage on an LCD device and sequencing the driving voltages in such a way that the LCD device becomes an electrically controlled variable neutral density filter. As yet, this approach has not been incorporated into either camera or CCD readers. The actual LCD device amounts (electrically) to one single large area "pixel" that limits the intensity of light entering the optical string ahead of the CCD device. In fact, this could also be accomplished by using a mash of smaller pixels that could all be driven synchronously.
- the contrast control voltage could be varied by the logic in the system to optimize exposure dynamically where it may be inconvenient to adjust the integration interval or to adjust the illumination means intensity.
- the applicability of this type of exposure control becomes greater as the sensitivity of the CCD devices available increases.
- a recently developed sensor that is under consideration as a scanning device has 30 times the sensitivity of previous devices. With this type of sensitivity to work with exposure control becomes a large issue.
- Depth of field is always an issue in CCD bar code readers. It is desirable to be able to scan codes as far as possible on either side of the principal focus plane for the reader. This accommodates codes which may be skewed with respect to the principal focus plane. It also accommodates codes which may be on curved or uneven substrates.
- an LCD device may be utilized as a variable neutral density filter (FIGS. 25 and 26).
- an LCD device can be used as a variable aperture. If the LCD is constructed with concentric rings that can be driven to an extreme contrast ratio, synchronously with exposure, selectively, the aperture of the LPNS in the optical string can be directly controlled. Light not traversing the desired aperture is effectively blocked by rings outside of that aperture. Since depth of field is a function of aperture the use of an LCD for aperture control can control exposure and depth of field. This avoids the use of an electromechanical system to operate an iris/diaphragm to provide the same function. The spacing of the concentric rings can be defined to provide very tight control of aperture. In camera applications, this means could also enhance shutter function.
- FIGS.55A, 55B, 56A, 56B, 57, 58, 59A, and 59B diagrammatically illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD reader 1010.
- a reader may be adapted as a single interchangeable module adapted for use with the hand-held data capture system described herein.
- FIGS. 55, et al. and 56, et al. are top plan and elevational views of an exemplary embodiment wherein a cam driving system is not utilized.
- the drive shaft 1014 of the motor 1012 is coupled in friction engagement with a shuttle 1032 attached to prism housing 1016.
- the prism housing 1016 symmetrically houses a prism 1018 for folding light such that it is incident upon a photosensitive array 1022.
- Rotation of the motor drive shaft 1014 causes the shuttle 1032, prism housing 1016, and prism 1018 to move in a linear direction on two shafts 1020A and 1020B (FIG. 57).
- a xenon lamp 1024 may be utilized in low ambient light conditions to illuminate any optical information which is to read.
- Such an illumination source is may be disposed as is illustrated in the FIG. 55, et al, and 56, et al.
- the lens system 1026 may be mounted to a plate 1028 having a trough 1030 adapted to house the lens system 1026 (FIG. 59A).
- a saddle clamp 1032 retains the lens system 1026 within the plate 1028 (FIG. 59B). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment of FIGS. 55 through 58 may be operated and utilized in an analogous fashion as the embodiment of FIGS. 27 through 50B.
- FIGS. 60-63 diagrammatically illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of a long range CCD module which may be constructed by analogy substantially in accordance with the description of the first two embodiments.
- FIGS. 64-69 et al are self-explanatory diagrammatically illustrations of electronic control means for controlling the operation of a long range CCD reader module.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP92916928A EP0609227A1 (en) | 1991-07-23 | 1992-07-23 | Method and apparatus for reading and focusing a bar code and data collection and communications module |
Applications Claiming Priority (12)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US73561091A | 1991-07-23 | 1991-07-23 | |
US735,610 | 1991-07-23 | ||
US77769191A | 1991-10-10 | 1991-10-10 | |
US777,691 | 1991-10-10 | ||
US78680291A | 1991-11-05 | 1991-11-05 | |
US786,802 | 1991-11-05 | ||
US82007092A | 1992-01-10 | 1992-01-10 | |
US820,070 | 1992-01-10 | ||
US88109692A | 1992-05-11 | 1992-05-11 | |
US881,096 | 1992-05-11 | ||
US91369392A | 1992-07-14 | 1992-07-14 | |
US913,693 | 1992-07-14 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO1993002428A1 true WO1993002428A1 (en) | 1993-02-04 |
Family
ID=27560261
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1992/006156 WO1993002428A1 (en) | 1991-07-23 | 1992-07-23 | Method and apparatus for reading and focusing a bar code and data collection and communications module |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0609227A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2113713A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1993002428A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2305283A (en) * | 1995-09-14 | 1997-04-02 | Tony Glyn Jephcott | Laser unit for a bar code reader |
WO2001088588A2 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2001-11-22 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Auto-focus system with 2-d or 3-d compensation |
US9802301B2 (en) | 2015-04-22 | 2017-10-31 | David Caston | Multi-head rack and pinion driven pulley puller |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4136821A (en) * | 1976-09-01 | 1979-01-30 | Nippondenso Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for recognizing code information |
US4740675A (en) * | 1986-04-10 | 1988-04-26 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Digital bar code slot reader with threshold comparison of the differentiated bar code signal |
US4874933A (en) * | 1987-08-21 | 1989-10-17 | Recognition Equipment Incorporated | Ambient illumination bar code reader |
WO1990016033A1 (en) * | 1989-06-07 | 1990-12-27 | Norand Corporation | Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules |
-
1992
- 1992-07-23 CA CA 2113713 patent/CA2113713A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-07-23 EP EP92916928A patent/EP0609227A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-07-23 WO PCT/US1992/006156 patent/WO1993002428A1/en active Search and Examination
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4136821A (en) * | 1976-09-01 | 1979-01-30 | Nippondenso Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for recognizing code information |
US4740675A (en) * | 1986-04-10 | 1988-04-26 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Digital bar code slot reader with threshold comparison of the differentiated bar code signal |
US4874933A (en) * | 1987-08-21 | 1989-10-17 | Recognition Equipment Incorporated | Ambient illumination bar code reader |
WO1990016033A1 (en) * | 1989-06-07 | 1990-12-27 | Norand Corporation | Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2305283A (en) * | 1995-09-14 | 1997-04-02 | Tony Glyn Jephcott | Laser unit for a bar code reader |
WO2001088588A2 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2001-11-22 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Auto-focus system with 2-d or 3-d compensation |
WO2001088588A3 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2003-03-13 | Accu Sort Systems Inc | Auto-focus system with 2-d or 3-d compensation |
US7026606B2 (en) | 2000-05-16 | 2006-04-11 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Auto-focus system with 2-D or 3-D compensation |
US9802301B2 (en) | 2015-04-22 | 2017-10-31 | David Caston | Multi-head rack and pinion driven pulley puller |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0609227A1 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
CA2113713A1 (en) | 1993-02-04 |
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