Reader for decoding two-dimensional optically readable information

• US 5,902,988 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Durbin, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US08/461,605
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 235/456, 235/462, 235/470, 235/472, 235/466, 235/469, 382/59, 358/224, 348/333, 348/334
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2007/10524 Hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes

Abstract

A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition means. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In this fashion a user is assisted in aiming, recognizing, confirming the decodability, and decoding images of optical information incident on the array.

Claims

1. A portable data collection system for reading indicia in which an information set is encoded, comprising:

(a) a portable data collection terminal;

(b) a code reader operatively disposed with respect to said portable data collection terminal for reading the indicia, said code reader comprising a photosensitive array for receiving an image of a linear area of the indicia, and means for successively rastering the linear area of the indicia which said photosensitive array receives wherein said photosensitive array receives an image of the indicia in its entirety whereby the information set may be decoded; and

(c) means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array.

2. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a communication control circuit operationally connected to said code reader for communication with an external terminal.

3. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said indicia contains two-dimensionally encoded information, said communication control circuit converting the two-dimensionally encoded information into a format readable by said external terminal.

4. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an auto detect circuit for automatically determining the type of an external terminal attached to said portable data collection terminal.

5. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an illumination source operationally disposed within said portable data collection terminal for providing auxiliary illumination of the indicia.

6. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mastering means includes a mirror for optically manipulating the image received by said photosensitive array and means for rotatably actuating said mirror.

7. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for rotatably actuating said mirror is a solenoid.

8. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for rotatably actuating said mirror is a piezo.

9. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rastering means includes a prism for optically manipulating the image received by said photosensitive array and means for rotatably actuating said prism.

10. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for rotatably actuating said prism is a solenoid.

11. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for rotatably actuating said prism is a piezo.

12. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a single line array having at least one pixel.

13. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a single line array having from 1,000 to 5,000 pixels.

14. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a single line array having 2,048 pixels.

15. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.

16. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor operationally connected to said photosensitive array.

17. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array includes a shift register.

18. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said photosensitive array includes a drive circuit for driving said shift register.

19. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an optic string for providing focusing and zooming of the image received by said photosensitive array thereupon.

20. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array includes a range detection circuit.

21. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said range detection circuit includes an ultra-sonic ranger.

22. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said range detection circuit includes an infrared ranger.

23. A portable data collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array includes means for detecting a lack of focus of the image by data frequency analysis.

24. A portable data collection system for reading indicia in which an information set is encoded, comprising:

(a) a portable data collection terminal;

(b) a code reader operatively disposed with respect to said portable data collection terminal for reading the indicia, said code reader comprising a photosensitive array for receiving an image of a linear area of the indicia, and means for successively rastering the linear area of the indicia which said photosensitive array receives wherein said photosensitive array receives an image of the indicia in its entirety whereby the information set may be decoded;

(c) means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array; and

(d) wherein said means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array includes means for using past focus adjustment direction history to improve chances of correct initial focus adjustment direction choice.

25. A portable data collection system for reading indicia in which an information set is encoded, comprising:

(a) a portable data collection terminal;

(b) a code reader operatively disposed with respect to said portable data collection terminal for reading the indicia, said code reader comprising a photosensitive array for receiving an image of a linear area of the indicia, and means for successively rastering the linear area of the indicia which said photosensitive array receives wherein said photosensitive array receives an image of the indicia in its entirety whereby the information set may be decoded;

(c) means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array; and

(d) wherein said means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array includes a look up table for controlling focus during zoom changes.

26. A portable data collection system for reading indicia in which an information set is encoded, comprising:

(a) a portable data collection terminal;

(b) a code reader operatively disposed with respect to said portable data collection terminal for reading the indicia, said code reader comprising a photosensitive array for receiving an image of a linear area of the indicia, and means for successively rastering the linear area of the indicia which said photosensitive array receives wherein said photosensitive array receives an image of the indicia in its entirety whereby the information set may be decoded;

(c) means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array; and

(d) wherein said means for automatically focusing the image received by said photosensitive array includes means for utilizing fuzzy logic decision structures to quickly focus and analyze the overall image pattern of the image received by said photosensitive array.

27. A system for encoding and decoding information, comprising:

(a) a two-dimensional code encoding information via at least two coding elements which may be repeated to symbolize any information set and wherein each of the coding elements may reflect light of at least one of three wavelengths of electromagnetic energy;

(b) a reader for decoding information encoded via at least two coding elements which may be repeated to symbolize any information set and wherein each of the coding elements may reflect light of at least one of three wavelengths of electromagnetic energy;

(c) said reader including pattern recognition means for locating and recognizing said two-dimensional code; and

(d) means for automatically focusing the image received by said reader.