Method For Providing User Feedback In An Autoidentification System

• US 20090045261A1
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novanta Corporation (Novanta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jadak, LLC (Novanta Inc.)
• Inventors: Pine, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,942,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.420
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources

Abstract

An optical barcode and/or RFID reader having at least two sets of illuminating LEDs that are directed toward a target object to reflect whether the barcode and/or RFID reading was successful or unsuccessful. The reader is provided with a set of red LEDs and a set of green LEDs for illuminating targets, such as barcodes or RFID tags. In addition to using these LEDs to illuminate the target, the reader will illuminate the target with a particular color of light to signify a successful read, such green light, or an unsuccessful read, such as red light. A third color may be provided to indicate a successful RFID interrogation, such as blue light. The reader thus uses the built-in illumination LEDs to cast differently colored light on the target, rather than having to provide additional LEDs in a user interface positioned on the housing of the reader.

Claims

1. An autoidentification user feedback system, comprising:

an optical imager for capturing an image of a target;

a radiofrequency identification reader for interrogating said target;

an illumination source associated with said optical imager and aligned to emit light of a first color and a second color onto said target; and

a microcontroller interconnected to said imager, said reader, and said illumination source, wherein said microcontroller is programmed to operate said illumination source to emit light of said first color when reader successfully reads said target and is further programmed to operate said illumination source to emit light of said second color when reader unsuccessfully read a target;

a host interface for interconnecting said microcontroller to a host device; and

wherein said microcontroller is further programmed to include a command interpreter for interpreting commands received from said host device through said host interface and operating said first autoidentification reader and said second autoidentification reader based on said host commands and then sending data to said host device through said host interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said illumination source emits light of a third color.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said microcontroller is programmed to operate said illumination source to emit light of said first color when said imager successfully reads a target, to operate said illumination source to emit light of said third color when said reader successfully reads a target, and to operate said illumination source to emit light of said second color when said imager or said reader unsuccessfully read a target.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said first light is green, said second light is blue, and said third light is red.

2-5. -5. (canceled)

12. A method of providing user feedback in an autoidentification system, comprising the steps of:

directing an illumination source at a target;

activating at least a first autoidentification reader based on the receipt of commands send by a host device;

determining whether said imager or reader successfully read said target;

illuminating said target with light of a first color if said first reader successfully read said target; and

illuminating said target with light of a second color if said first reader did not successfully read said target.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first color is green and said second color is red.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of activating a second autoidentification reader.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first color is green, said second color is red, and said third color is blue.

15. The method of 13, further comprising the step of illuminating said target with light of a third color if said second reader successfully read said target.