Method and apparatus for a portable non-contact label imager

• US 5,821,518 A
• Filed: 09/23/1996
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Figarella, Luis, Ju, Paul Pay-Lun, Sussmeier, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRECH, KARL D
• Application Number:
  US08/718,612
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/375, 235/472, 235/454, 358/213, 358/220, 348/294, 348/296
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1092 sensing by means of TV-scanning

Abstract

A portable non-contact label imager captures an image of two-dimensional information indicia on a label. The captured image data is decoded by a decoder. The label imager forms a part of a data terminal, which includes a keypad, display and signature capture pad. Upon receipt of a start signal from the data terminal'"'"'s circuitry, the label imager automatically carries out the steps required to capture the label information indicia. The label imager provides aiming indicia to allow the user to properly aim the camera. A position sensing device determines when the target label is within the camera'"'"'s depth of field. At that time, the label imager determines the shutter speed required for a correct exposure by measuring the light reflected from the label. The label imager then captures the label image, which is decoded by the decoder. Corresponding output data is then provided to the data terminal.

Claims

1. A method for operating a non-contact imager for automatically determining whether a surface is within the operating range of the imager and for capturing an image of information indicia on the surface when the surface is within the operating range of the imager, comprising the steps of:

receiving a user-initiated start signal;

in response to said user-initiated start signal, determining if the distance between said imager and said surface is within a predetermined range of distances, said predetermined range of distances corresponding to the operating range of the imager;

in response to said surface not being within said predetermined range of distances, again determining if the distance between said imager and said surface is within said predetermined range of distances; and

in response to said surface being within said predetermined range of distances, performing the steps of;

determining a proper shutter speed for said imager;

obtaining an image of said information indicia using said proper shutter speed, thereby providing image data; and

providing output data corresponding to said image data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

activating aiming indicia providing means in response to said user-initiated start signal; and

deactivating said aiming indicia providing means in response to said surface being within said predetermined range of distances.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the proper shutter speed comprises the steps of:

activating an illumination source;

measuring the amount of light present at said imager;

deactivating said illumination source; and

determining, in response to the amount of light measured at said imager, the proper shutter speed required for said imager.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of measuring the amount of light comprises measuring a voltage provided by a light sensor.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of measuring the amount of light comprises:

capturing an image of said information indicia during a preliminary exposure; and

analyzing said captured image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining an image of said information indicia further comprises the steps of:

activating an illumination source;

exposing said imager to said information indicia, said information indicia being illuminated by said illumination source; and

deactivating said illumination source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said aiming indicia providing means provides a plurality of dots projected on said surface and indicating the field of view of said imager.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of decoding said image data to provide said output data, and wherein said output data comprises alphanumeric data.

9. A non-contact imager for automatically capturing information indicia located on a surface when the surface is within the operating range of the imager, the imager comprising:

a camera for reading said information indicia, said camera including an adjustable speed shutter and a fixed focus lens assembly;

means for providing aiming indicia on said surface, said aiming indicia corresponding to the field of view of said camera;

a range finder operative for determining the distance between said imager and said surface;

an illumination source for illuminating at least a portion of said surface, said illuminated portion including said information indicia;

a controller operatively connected to said camera, said aiming indicia providing means, said range finder, and said illumination source, said controller being configured to;

receive a user-initiated start signal;

activate said aiming indicia providing means;

in response to said user-initiated state signal, determine whether the distance between said imager and said surface is within a predetermined range of distances, said predetermined range of distances corresponding to said operating range of said imager;

in response to said distance between said imager and said surface not being within said predetermined range of distances, determine whether said distance between said imager and said surface is within a predetermined range of distances; and

in response to said distance between said imager and said surface being within said predetermined range of distances,

deactivate said aiming indicia providing means;

determine a proper shutter speed for said camera; and

capture an image of said information indicia using said camera set at said proper shutter speed, thereby providing image data.

10. The non-contact imager of claim 9, further comprising a light sensor for measuring light reflected from said surface, said light sensor being operatively connected to said controller, and wherein said controller is configured to determine said proper shutter speed by:

activating said illumination source;

measuring the amount of light present at said light sensor;

deactivating said illumination source; and

determining, in response to the amount of light measured at said light sensor, said proper shutter speed for said camera.

11. The non-contact imager of claim 10, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

12. The non-contact imager of claim 9, wherein measuring the amount of light comprises measuring a voltage provided by said light sensor.

13. The non-contact imager of claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to determine said proper shutter speed by:

activating said illumination source;

determining the amount of light present at said camera during a preliminary exposure;

deactivating said illumination source; and

determining, in response to the amount of light measured at said camera, said proper shutter speed for said camera.

14. The non-contact imager recited in claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to capture an image of said information indicia by:

activating said illumination source;

exposing said camera to said information indicia, said information indicia being illuminated by said illumination source; and

deactivating said illumination source.

15. The non-contact imager recited in claim 9, wherein said imager is associated with a portable data terminal.

16. The non-contact imager recited in claim 15, wherein said portable data terminal comprises a keypad, a display, and a signature capture pad.

17. The non-contact imager recited in claim 9, further comprising a decoder for providing output data corresponding to said image data, and wherein said output data comprises alphanumeric data.

22. The portable data terminal recited in claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to capture an image of said information indicia by:

activating said illumination source;

exposing said camera to said information indicia, said information indicia being illuminated by said illumination source; and

deactivating said illumination source.

18. A portable data terminal for automatically reading information indicia located on a surface in response to a start signal, the terminal comprising:

a communications port for communicating output data to a computer;

a camera for reading said information indicia, said camera including an adjustable speed shutter;

means for providing aiming indicia on said surface, said aiming indicia corresponding to the field of view of said camera;

a range finder operative for determining the distance between said portable data terminal and said surface;

an illumination source for illuminating at least a portion of said surface, said illuminated portion including said information indicia;

means for generating a start signal in response to user input;

a controller operatively connected to said camera, said aiming indicia providing means, said range finder, said illumination source, and said start signal generating means, said controller being configured to;

receive said start signal;

in response to said start signal, determine if the distance between said portable data terminal and said surface is within a predetermined range of distances corresponding to the operating range of said camera;

in response to said distance between said portable data terminal and said surface not being within said predetermined range of distances, repeating the step of determining if said distance between said portable data terminal and said surface is within said predetermined range of distances; and

in response to said distance between said portable data terminal and said surface being with said predetermined range of distances, to

determine a proper shutter speed for said camera; and

capture an image of said information indicia using said camera set at said proper shutter speed, thereby providing image data.

19. The portable data terminal of claim 18, wherein said controller is also configured to:

activate said aiming indicia providing means in response to said start signal; and

deactivate said aiming indicia providing means in response to said distance between said portable data terminal and said surface being within said predetermined range of distances.

20. The portable data terminal of claim 18, further comprising a light sensor for measuring light reflected from said surface, said light sensor being operatively connected to said controller, and wherein said controller is configured to determine said proper shutter speed by:

activating said illumination source;

measuring the amount of light present at said light sensor;

deactivating said illumination source; and

determining, in response to said amount of light measured at said light sensor, the proper shutter speed for said camera.

21. The portable data terminal recited in claim 18, wherein said controller is configured to determine said proper shutter speed by:

activating said illumination source;

determining the amount of light present at said camera during a preliminary exposure;

deactivating said illumination source; and

determining, in response to said amount of light measured at said camera, said proper shutter speed for said camera.

23. The portable data terminal recited in claim 18, further comprising a decoder for decoding said image data and thereby providing said output data.

24. The portable data terminal recited in claim 23, wherein said output data comprises alphanumeric data corresponding to said information indicia.