INDICIA READING TERMINAL HAVING MULTIPLE SETTING IMAGING LENS

• US 20090072038A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Feng, Chen, Havens, William H., Wang, Ynjiun P., Li, Jianhua
• Granted Patent: US 7,918,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.410
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1096 the scanner having more than one scanning window, e.g. two substantially orthogonally placed scanning windows for integration into a check-out counter of a super-market
• 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: H04N 1/00331 with an apparatus performing optical character recognition character recognition G06V30/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00334 with an apparatus processing barcodes or the like arrangements for sensing record carriers G06K7/00

Abstract

An indicia reading terminal can include a multiple setting imaging lens assembly and an image sensor having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, an indicia reading terminal in an active reading state can cycle through a set of different lens settings, expose pixels of an image sensor array during an exposure period when each new lens setting is achieved, and attempt to decode decodable indicia represented in frames of image data captured corresponding to each exposure period. In one embodiment, movement of an imaging lens assembly lens element can be provided with use of a hollow stepper motor.

Claims

1. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor having a plurality of pixels;

a multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements, the multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens settings;

a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed within said hand held housing;

wherein said lens settings of said imaging lens assembly includes at least first, second, and third lens settings;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said first lens setting has a first best focus distance and a first focal length;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said second lens setting has a second best focus distance different from said first best focus distance and a focal length unchanged relative to said first focal length;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said third lens setting has a third best focus distance different from either of said first or second best focus distance and a focal length different from said first focal length; and

wherein said terminal is adapted so that when a trigger signal is active, said terminal automatically cycles a lens setting of said multiple setting imaging lens assembly between said first, second, and third lens settings;

wherein said terminal is further adapted so that when a trigger signal is active, said terminal captures a certain subsequent and a further subsequent frame of image data, and subjects each of the certain, subsequent and further subsequent frames of image data to a decode attempt, the certain frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at a first lens setting, the subsequent frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at said second lens setting, the further subsequent frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at said third lens setting.

2. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said image sensor is a 1D image sensor.

3. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said image sensor is a 2D image sensor.

4. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said bar code reading terminal includes a hollow stepper motor for facilitating motion of at least one lens element of said imaging lens assembly.

5. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said terminal in an active reading state cycles between said first, second, and third lens settings such that during a certain frame exposure period, said imaging lens assembly is set to said first lens setting, in a subsequent frame exposure period, said imaging lens assembly is set to a second lens setting, and further so that in a further subsequent frame exposure period occurring after said subsequent time period said imaging lens assembly is set to a third lens setting.

6. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said certain, subsequent, and further subsequent frames of image data are successively captured frames of image data.

7. The bar code reading terminal of claim 1, wherein said terminal, has a plurality of groupings of lens elements, and wherein said terminal is adapted so that when cycling between said first and second lens setting, said terminal maintains a spacing between said groups while changing a distance between said plurality of groupings and said image sensor.

8. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor having a plurality of pixels;

a multiple setting imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of target bar code onto an active surface of said image sensor, the multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements, the multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens settings;

a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed within said hand held housing;

wherein said terminal is adapted so that responsively to a trigger signal of said terminal being made active, said terminal captures at least a certain and subsequently a subsequent frame of image data, said certain frame of image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor during a certain exposure period, said subsequent frame of image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor during a subsequent exposure period occurring after said certain exposure period;

wherein said terminal is further adapted so that said imaging lens assembly has a first lens setting during said first exposure period and a second lens setting during said subsequent exposure period;

wherein said terminal is further adapted so that said terminal in an active reading state subjects each of said certain and subsequent frames of image data to a decode attempt for attempting to decode said target bar code, the terminal attempting to decode said certain frame of image data during a certain decoding period and attempting to decode said subsequent frame of image data during a subsequent decoding period;

wherein said imaging lens assembly is adapted so that said multiple lens settings of said multiple setting imaging lens are facilitated by movement of at least one lens element during a motion period of said imaging lens assembly; and

wherein said terminal in an active reading state is adapted in such manner that at least one of said certain and subsequent decoding periods is coincident with a motion period of said imaging lens assembly so that said terminal in an active reading state moves at least one lens element of said imaging lens assembly to achieve a different lens setting while simultaneously processing image data to attempt to decode said target bar code.

9. The bar code reading terminal of claim 8 wherein said lens settings of said imaging lens assembly include at least first, second, and third lens settings, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said first lens setting has a first best focus distance and a first focal length, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said second lens setting has a second best focus distance different from said first best focus distance and a focal length unchanged relative to said first focal length, wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said third lens setting has a third best focus distance different from either of said first or second best focus distance and a focal length different from said first focal length, and wherein said terminal is adapted so that in an active reading state said terminal automatically cycles a lens setting of said multiple setting imaging lens assembly between said first, second, and third lens settings.

10. The bar code reading terminal of claim 8, wherein said terminal is adapted so that further responding to a trigger signal being made active, said terminal captures a further subsequent frame of image data, said terminal further being adapted so that said terminal in an active ready state subjects ends of said certain, subsequent and further subsequent frames of image data to a decode attempt.

11. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels;

an imaging lens assembly comprising lens elements for focusing an image onto an active surface of said image sensor;

a lens moving assembly for moving lens elements of said imaging lens assembly, wherein said lens moving assembly includes at least one inner barrel and an outer barrel, the inner barrel including a support for supporting at least some of said lens elements, the support having a narrower diameter section defining an aperture and a wider diameter section, the inner barrel having permanent magnets being driven by electromagnetic energy radiating from at least one coil disposed at said outer coil, wherein said magnets of said inner coil are disposed about said inner section of said support;

wherein said bar code reading terminal is adapted to capture, responsively to a trigger signal being made active, a plurality of frames of image data representing light incident on said plurality of pixels; and

wherein said bar code reading terminal is further adapted so that responsively to trigger signal being made active said terminal subjects said plurality of frames to a decode process for decoding a bar code symbol.

12. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels;

an imaging lens assembly comprising lens elements for focusing an image onto an active surface of said image sensor;

a lens moving assembly for moving lens elements of said imaging lens assembly, wherein said lens moving assembly includes an outer barrel, a first inner barrel and a second inner barrel, wherein a first group of lens elements are disposed in said first inner barrel and a second group of lenses are disposed in said second inner barrel, the first and second inner barrels having magnets disposed about a circumference thereof, and wherein said outer barrel includes a common coil for radiating electromagnetic energy for simultaneously driving both of said first inner barrel and said second inner barrel;

wherein said bar code reading terminal is adapted to capture, responsively to a trigger signal being made active, a plurality of frames of image data representing light incident on said plurality of pixels; and

wherein said bar code reading terminal is further adapted so that responsively to trigger signal being made active said terminal subjects said plurality of frames to a decode process for decoding a bar code symbol.

13. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor having a plurality of pixels;

a multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements, the multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens settings,

a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed within said hand held housing;

wherein said lens settings of said imaging lens assembly includes at least first, second, and third lens settings;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said first lens setting has a first best focus distance and a first focal length;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said second lens setting has a second best focus distance different from said first best focus distance and a second focal length different relative to said first focal length;

wherein said terminal when said lens setting is at said third lens setting has a third best focus distance different from either of said first or second best focus distance and a focal length different from said first and said second focal length;

wherein said terminal is adapted so that when a trigger signal is active, said terminal automatically cycles a lens setting of said multiple setting imaging lens assembly between said first, second, and third lens settings; and

wherein said terminal is adapted further so that when a trigger signal is active, said terminal captures a certain, subsequent and a further subsequent frame of image data, and subjects each of the certain subsequent and further subsequent frames of image data to a decode attempt, the certain frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at first lens setting, the subsequent frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at said second lens setting, the further subsequent frame having image data representing light incident on pixels of said image sensor when said imaging lens assembly is at said third lens setting.

14. The bar code reading terminal of claim 13, wherein said image sensor is a 1D image sensor.

15. The bar code reading terminal of claim 13, wherein said image sensor is a 2D image sensor.

16. The bar code reading terminal of claim 13, wherein said certain subsequent, and further subsequent frames of image data are successively captured frames of image data.

17. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor having a plurality of pixels;

a multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens settings;

a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed with said hand held housing;

wherein said bar code reading terminal is capable of operating according to a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein said terminal when said first configuration is active cycles between at least some of said plurality of lens settings when capturing frames of image data responsively to a trigger signal being made active;

wherein said terminal when said second configuration maintains a setting of said multiple setting lens assembly at a single setting when capturing at least one frame of image data responsively to a trigger, wherein said first configuration is a configuration in which said terminal is optimized for reading bar code symbols; and

wherein said second configuration is a configuration optimizing said terminal for one of still image picture taking or motion video collection, wherein said terminal has a user interface enabling operator selection of said first configuration and said second configuration.

18. A bar code reading terminal comprising:

an image sensor having a plurality of pixels;

a multiple setting imaging lens assembly having a plurality of lens settings;

a hand held housing, wherein said image sensor is disposed within said hand held housing;

wherein said bar code reading terminal is capable of operating according to a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein said terminal when said first configuration is active cycles between at least some of said plurality of lens settings according to a first cycling pattern when capturing frames of image data;

wherein said terminal when said second configuration is active maintains a setting of said multiple setting lens assembly at a fixed lens setting when capturing frames of image data; and

wherein said terminal is adapted so that said terminal can switch from one said first configuration and said second configuration to the other of said first and second configurations responsively to a sensed condition that is sensed while a trigger signal is active.

19. The terminal of claim 18, wherein said sensed condition is a distance from said terminal to a target.

20. The terminal of claim 18, wherein said sensed condition is an inability to decode an indicia.