Bar code scanner and method with a plurality of operational modes

• US 20040169082A1
• Filed: 03/04/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Seek, Inc. (Veridos GmbH)
• Original Assignee: E-Seek, Inc. (Veridos GmbH)
• Inventors: Kim, Hak-Soo, Bradley, Scott, Lebaschi, Ali
• Granted Patent: US 7,131,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/063 Aligning cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/067 Checking presence, absence, correct position, or moving status of cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10782 Slot readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1465 using several successive scans of the optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1491 the method including a reconstruction step, e.g. stitching two pieces of bar code together to derive the full bar code

Abstract

An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding data contained in indica such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required and begins processing data as soon as one captured image is determined complete. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate processing for data and removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and a complete image formed from the second or combination of the two individual scans. The device can also be used to compare photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph encoded in a two dimensional bar code and to display both photos for comparison.

Claims

1. An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card, comprising:

means to communicate electrical power to components of said card scanner;

means to maintain a card bearing indica on at least one side surface, in a defined path into and out of said card scanner;

said defined path having a beginning point and a termination point;

means to capture an electronic image of said indicia as said card travels in said defined path;

means to trigger said means to capture electronic images to capture a first image of said indicia, when said card translates in said defined path from said beginning point toward said termination point;

means to detect said card reaching said termination point;

means to examine said first image when said card reaches said termination point and determine if said first image yields a captured image in a complete state or in an incomplete state; and

means to communicate said captured image if in said complete state, to a decoder to extract data contained therein.

2. The improved card scanner of claim 1 additionally comprising:

means to trigger said means to capture an electronic image to capture a second image of said indicia, as said card travels in said defined path from said termination point to removal at said beginning point, should said means to examine said electronic image determine said first image is in said incomplete state when said card reaches said termination point, and

means to examine said second image if captured and determine if said second image yields a second captured image in a complete state or in an incomplete state; and

means to communicate said captured image if in said complete state, to a decoder to extract data contained therein.

3. The improved card scanner of claim 2 additionally comprising:

means to electronically assemble a third captured image in a complete state from said first image and said second image, should both first image and said second image be in said incomplete state; and

means to communicate said third captured image if in said complete state, to a decoder to extract data contained therein.

4. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 1 further comprising:

means to signal the capture of said first image in said complete state.

5. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 2 further comprising:

means to signal one of said first captured image said second captured image is in said complete state.

6. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 1 further comprising:

means to bias said card toward said means to capture an electronic image while said card is traveling in said defined path.

7. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 2 further comprising:

means to bias said card toward said means to capture an electronic image while said card is traveling in said defined path.

8. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 3 further comprising:

means to bias said card toward said means to capture an electronic image while said card is traveling in said defined path.

9. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 4 further comprising:

means to bias said card toward said means to capture an electronic image while said card is traveling in said defined path.

10. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 1 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

11. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 2 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

12. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 3 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

13. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 4 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

14. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 5 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

15. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 6 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

16. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 7 further comprising:

means to flatten said side surface of said card during travel in said defined path.

17. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 1 further comprising:

said means to capture an electronic image of said indicia as said card travels in said defined path capable of capturing a first indica image from one point on said card and a second indicia image from another point of said card.

18. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 2 further comprising:

said means to capture an electronic image of said indicia as said card travels in said defined path capable of capturing a first indica image from one point on said card and a second indicia image from another point of said card.

19. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 17 further comprising:

said first indicia image being a two dimensional bar code containing data extractable by said decoder from said captured image in a complete state, said data decodeable to a first photograph of the authorized bearer of the card;

said second indica image being a second photograph of the authorized bearer of the card; and

means to compare said first photograph and said second photograph for a match.

20. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 17 further comprising:

said first indicia image and said second indicia images being on opposite sides of said card.

21. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 18 further comprising:

said first indicia image and said second indicia images being on opposite sides of said card.

22. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 19 further comprising:

said first indicia image and said second indicia images being on opposite sides of said card.

23. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 1 further comprising:

means to prevent binding of said card in said defined path caused by embossed portions located on said card.

24. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 2 further comprising:

means to prevent binding of said card in said defined path caused by embossed portions located on said card.

25. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 3 further comprising:

means to prevent binding of said card in said defined path caused by embossed portions located on said card.

26. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 4 further comprising:

means to prevent binding of said card in said defined path caused by embossed portions located on said card.

27. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica of claim 5 further comprising:

means to prevent binding of said card in said defined path caused by embossed portions located on said card.

28. A method of scanning a bar code located on a card using a electrically powered card scanner having an electronic imaging component communicating with a processor having memory and software, comprising the steps of:

taking a first image of a bar code on a card with an electronic imaging component as said card moves along a defined path in a scanner, from an entry point to a termination point;

communicating said first image to a processor capable of determining if said first image of said bar code is a complete image from which data may be extracted or an incomplete image;

having said processor determine if said first image is a complete image or incomplete image;

if said first image is determined to be said complete image, communicating said first image to a decoder for data extraction therefrom and initiating removal of said card;

if said processor determines said first image is said incomplete image, initiating removal of said card along said defined path and taking a second image with said electronic imaging component as said card moves from said termination point toward said entry position during said removal;

once said second image is captured, having said processor determine if said second image is a complete image or incomplete image; and

if said second image is a complete image, communicating said second image to said decoder to extract data therefrom.

29. The method of scanning a bar code located on a card of claim 28 comprising the additional steps of:

if both said first image and said second image are determined to be incomplete images, thereafter having said processor electronically assemble said complete image from portions of both said first image and said second image; and

communicating said complete image to said decoder for immediate data extraction therefrom.

30. The method of scanning a bar code located on a card of claim 28 further comprising the steps of:

activating a signal to remove said card when it reaches said termination point.

31. An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card, comprising:

a body;

a cover dimensioned to cover said body and having a top surface with a slot therein, said slot sized to accommodate a card for insertion therethrough;

a defined path into said body for said card in line with said slot, said defined path starting at said top surface and ending at a termination point;

an electronic imaging component, said electronic imaging component mounted adjacent to said defined path;

a first switching means for activating said electronic imaging component when said card is inserted into said slot and thereby capture a first image of indicia on said card;

a processor communicating with said electronic imaging component, said processor having software therein capable of determining if said first image is a complete image or an incomplete image;

a decoder communicating with said processor, said decoder capable of extracting data from any said complete image when communicated thereto; and

a second switching means to signal said processor said card has reached said termination point; and

means for activating said electronic imaging component when said card is removed along said defined path to capture a second image only if said processor determines said first image is incomplete, whereby said complete image may be achieved and communicated for processing to said decoder from either of said first image, said second image, or combining said first and said second image should said first image or said second image be incomplete.

32. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 31 additionally comprising:

means to signal the user to remove said card from said slot when said card reaches said termination point.

33. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 31 further comprising:

a pressure plate located adjacent to said defined path; and

biasing means, said biasing means biasing said pressure plate to contact said card during travel in said defined path.

34. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 31 further comprising:

a plurality of curved shoulders rising from said pressure plate, said shoulders providing a contact surface between said card and said pressure plate.

35. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 31 further comprising:

one of said plurality of curved shoulders positioned between two others of said plurality of curved shoulders to contact substantially a center portion of said card, whereby biased contact of said plurality of curved shoulders with said card provides a means to straighten bent cards during traverse through said defined path.

36. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 31 wherein said indica is at least one two dimensional bar code.

37. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 32 wherein said indica is at least one two dimensional bar code.

38. The improved card scanner for imaging and decoding indica on a side surface of a card of claim 33 wherein said indica is at least one two dimensional bar code.