Reader for optical indicia presented under two or more imaging conditions within a single frame time
First Claim
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1. An optical indicia reader comprising:
- an image sensor having a plurality of pixels for selectively obtaining image data from a field of view of the reader;
an illuminator operable to illuminate the field of view of the reader; and
a processor configured by software to execute instructions stored in a memory, whereby the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of;
exposing a first group of pixels of the image sensor to obtain a first partial frame of image data from a first region of interest of the field of view, andexposing a second group of pixels of the image sensor separately from the first group of pixels to obtain a second partial frame of image data from a second region of interest of the field of view;
wherein the first and second partial frames of image data are obtained within a single frame time, and the step of exposing the first group of pixels has a different start time and end time from the step of exposing the second group of pixels.
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Abstract
The present invention embraces an optical indicia reader, e.g., barcode scanner, that captures images of optical indicia under multiple imaging conditions within the span of a single frame. The reader includes an image sensor having selectively-addressable pixels that can be divided into groups having regions of interest (ROIs) within the reader field of view. Each pixel group is shuttered separately to obtain independent partial frame images under separate imaging conditions.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical indicia reader comprising:
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an image sensor having a plurality of pixels for selectively obtaining image data from a field of view of the reader; an illuminator operable to illuminate the field of view of the reader; and a processor configured by software to execute instructions stored in a memory, whereby the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of; exposing a first group of pixels of the image sensor to obtain a first partial frame of image data from a first region of interest of the field of view, and exposing a second group of pixels of the image sensor separately from the first group of pixels to obtain a second partial frame of image data from a second region of interest of the field of view; wherein the first and second partial frames of image data are obtained within a single frame time, and the step of exposing the first group of pixels has a different start time and end time from the step of exposing the second group of pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An image-based reader of optical indicia presented under two or more separate imaging conditions within a single frame time, the reader comprising:
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an image sensor having a plurality of addressable pixels split between a first and second pixel groups and an electronic shutter mechanism operable to separately expose the first and second pixel groups to obtain partial frames of image data; an illuminator operable to provide illumination to the field of view; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory whereby executing the instructions causes the processor to perform one or more of the following steps to; configure imaging settings for the first pixel group to a first predetermined scanning mode optimized for reading optical indicia presented in one form, and configure imaging settings for the second pixel group to a second predetermined scanning mode optimized for reading optical indicia presented in another form, wherein the imaging settings for each of the first and second predetermined scanning modes include an exposure period, the exposure period for the first predetermined scanning mode having a different start time and end time from the exposure period for the second predetermined scanning mode. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A barcode reader for scanning and decoding paper printed and digital barcodes with a single frame of image data obtained from a field of view of the reader, the barcode reader comprising:
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an image sensor having a plurality of addressable pixels and an electronic shutter mechanism, wherein the pixels are divided into two or more pixel groups with regions of interest in the field of view and wherein the electronic shutter mechanism is operable to separately expose the two or more pixel groups to obtain partial frames of image data; an illuminator operable to provide illumination of varying intensity and duration to the field of view; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory whereby executing the instructions causes the processor to perform one or more of the following steps; configure imaging settings for a first pixel group to a first predetermined scanning mode optimized for reading paper barcodes, and configure imaging settings for a second pixel group to a second predetermined scanning mode optimized for reading digital barcodes, wherein the imaging settings for each of the first and second predetermined scanning modes include an exposure period, the exposure period for the first predetermined scanning mode having a different start time and end time from the exposure period for the second predetermined scanning mode. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification