MULTIPLE APERTURE IMAGING BARCODE READER

• US 20100051695A1
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Yepez, Rafael, Shearer, Frank W.
• Application Number:
  US12/202,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20100051695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.320
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10831 Arrangement of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms optical elements per se G02B

Abstract

A multiple aperture imaging barcode reader which positions a movable mirror to image items at different focal lengths and fields of view. The barcode reader includes a housing with a first aperture and a second aperture, a mirror assembly moveable to first and second positions, a camera for capturing a first image of a first item when the mirror assembly is in the first position and the first item is optically aligned with the first aperture, and for capturing a second image of a second item when the mirror assembly is in the second position and the second item is optically aligned with the second aperture, and a processor for identifying and decoding a first barcode label on the first item, and for identifying and decoding a second barcode label on the second item.

Claims

1. A barcode reader comprising:

a housing including a first aperture and a second aperture;

a mirror assembly moveable to first and second positions;

a camera for capturing a first image of a first item when the mirror assembly is in the first position and the first item is optically aligned with the first aperture, and for capturing a second image of a second item when the mirror assembly is in the second position and the second item is optically aligned with the second aperture; and

a processor for identifying and decoding a first barcode label on the first item, and for identifying and decoding a second barcode label on the second item.

2. The barcode reader of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure for the first item adjacent the first aperture.

3. The barcode reader of claim 2, wherein the enclosure includes a slot for facilitating insertion of the first item into the enclosure and removal of the first item from the enclosure.

4. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the mirror assembly rotates between the first and second positions.

5. The barcode reader of claim 4, further comprising an axle about which the mirror assembly rotates.

6. The barcode reader of claim 5, further comprising a spring coupled to the axle for biasing the mirror assembly towards the second position.

7. The barcode reader of claim 6, further comprising:

an enclosure for the first item adjacent the first aperture including a slot for facilitating insertion of the first item into the enclosure; and

an item ejector in the enclosure and coupled to the axle for ejecting the first item from the enclosure when the first item is not subjected to a holding force by an operator.

8. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the mirror assembly comprises:

a mirror mount having first and second sides;

a first mirror on the first side of the mirror mount facing a first direction; and

a second mirror on the second side of the mirror mount facing a second direction;

wherein the camera captures the first image using the first mirror and captures the second image using the second mirror.

9. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the first item comprises a driver'"'"'s license.

10. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the second item comprises a boarding pass.

11. A kiosk comprising:

a barcode reader including;

a housing including a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture faces a generally upwards direction and the second aperture faces a generally downwards direction;

a mirror assembly moveable to first and second positions;

a camera for capturing a first image of a first item when the mirror assembly is in the first position and the first item is optically aligned with the first aperture, and for capturing a second image of a second item when the mirror assembly is in the second position and the second item is optically aligned with the second aperture;

a processor for identifying and decoding a first barcode label on the first item, and for identifying and decoding a second barcode label on the second item;

an enclosure for the first item adjacent the first aperture, including a slot for facilitating insertion of the first item into the enclosure and removal of the first item from the enclosure; and

a shelf below the barcode reader for supporting the second item below the second aperture.

12. The barcode reader of claim 11, wherein the first item comprises a driver'"'"'s license.

13. The barcode reader of claim 11, wherein the second item comprises a boarding pass.

14. An image capture device comprising:

a mirror moveable to first and second positions; and

a camera for capturing a first image of a first item when the mirror is in the first position and captures a second image of a second item when the mirror is in the second position.

15. The image capture device of claim 14, further comprising:

a processor for identifying and decoding a first barcode label on the first item when the mirror is in the first position, and for identifying and decoding a second barcode label on the second item when the mirror is in the second position.