BAR CODE READER WITH SPLIT FIELD OF VIEW
First Claim
1. A bar code reader for decoding a target bar code on a target object, the bar code reader comprising:
- a housing including one or more transparent windows and defining a housing interior region, a target object being swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows for imaging a target bar code;
an imaging system comprisinga camera having an image capture sensor array positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view;
a light source for the camera positioned in close proximity to the image capture sensor of said camera; and
a field splitting light reflecting fold mirror positioned with respect to said light source and the sensor array for reflecting light from the light source to produce two or more camera fields of view and transmitting light that bounces from a target in a field of view back to the image capture sensor array; and
an image processing system comprising a processor for identifying a bar code from images captured by the imaging system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader 10 for imaging a target bar code 30 on a target object 32 features: a housing 20 supporting a plurality of transparent windows H, V and defining an interior region, an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies C1-C3 coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior. Each camera assembly includes a sensor array. Light reflecting fold mirrors split light from a given camera assembly into portions that are directed out of the housing to different fields of view. Light bounces from a target in a camera field of view back along said light path to the image capture sensor array.
111 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A bar code reader for decoding a target bar code on a target object, the bar code reader comprising:
-
a housing including one or more transparent windows and defining a housing interior region, a target object being swiped or presented in relation to the transparent windows for imaging a target bar code; an imaging system comprising a camera having an image capture sensor array positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view; a light source for the camera positioned in close proximity to the image capture sensor of said camera; and a field splitting light reflecting fold mirror positioned with respect to said light source and the sensor array for reflecting light from the light source to produce two or more camera fields of view and transmitting light that bounces from a target in a field of view back to the image capture sensor array; and an image processing system comprising a processor for identifying a bar code from images captured by the imaging system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for imaging a target bar code comprising:
-
providing a housing having one or more transparent windows that define a region for movement and/or positioning of an object having a bar code; positioning a camera having a sensor array within the housing for imaging bar codes on objects outside the housing; activating a light source positioned within said housing next to the sensor array of said camera and deflecting light emitted from the light source off from at least one field splitting fold mirror positioned between the source and the one or more transparent windows to illuminate two different camera fields of view; capturing an image from both camera fields of view as light from said fields of view impinges onto said sensor array; and interpreting images from the two camera fields of view to determine a presence of a bar code. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An imaging system for use in a multi-camera imaging-based bar code reader having a housing supporting a plurality of transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented near or moved with respect to the plurality of windows for imaging a target bar code on a target object, the imaging system comprising:
-
a plurality of camera assemblies coupled to an image processing system, each camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies being positioned within the housing interior position and defining a field of view which is different than a field of view of each other camera assembly of the plurality of camera assemblies, each camera assembly including a sensor array and a light source in close proximity to the sensor array; a plurality of mirrors associated with each of the plurality of camera assemblies for splitting light from a light source to travel to two or more camera fields and for returning light bouncing off a target object back to the sensor array of said camera assembly; and one or more processors for evaluating images captured by said plurality of camera assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
-
18. An imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code on a target object, the bar code reader comprising:
-
a housing supporting one or more transparent windows and defining an interior region, a target object being presented to or swiped through the housing for imaging a target bar code; an imaging system comprising camera means having an image capture sensor array positioned within the housing interior region for capturing an image of a bar code within a camera field of view; light source means for the camera positioned in close proximity to the image capture sensor of said camera for emitting light; and field splitting means for defining multiple camera fields of view including mirrors positioned with respect to said light source and the sensor array along a light path to transmit light from light source to the field of view and transmit light that bounces from a target in the field of view back along said light path to the image capture sensor array; and image processing means for selectively activating the light source means and identifying a bar code from images captured by the imaging system.
-
Specification