Reader for decoding two-dimensional optically readable information

• US 6,641,046 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Durbin, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/961,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.01, 235/462.08
• 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 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00334 with an apparatus processing barcodes or the like arrangements for sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A reader for reading optical information 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 may be processed via pattern recognition. Images on the array may be displayed and highlighted on a display. In this fashion a user is assisted in recognizing images of optical information incident on the array to facilitate aiming of the reader.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reading two-dimensional optical information, comprising:

(a) a housing having an opening;

(b) a photosensitive array mounted within said housing for capturing two-dimensional optical information;

(c) an optical system associated with said array and said housing opening of said housing for focusing said optical information on said array;

(d) a control for controlling said array and optical system;

(e) a memory for storing output from said array;

(f) an electrical power supply for providing power for the operation of said apparatus; and

(g) a display for displaying an image of said optical information captured by said array.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, including:

a pattern recognition facility for assisting a user in recognizing optical information; and

wherein said display is associated with said housing for displaying said image as processed by said pattern recognition facility, said display further including an optical information decodability indication.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, including:

user feedback providing user interface with said apparatus, for facilitating user control over said optical system, array and display.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is of a size and shape suited for hand-held operation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a one-dimensional array.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said optical system further comprises a device for rastering one-dimensional image segments of a two-dimensional image onto the photosensitive regions of said array.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising zoom system for changing the image height of an object on said array.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising focusing system for variably focusing the image of an object on said array.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is volatile.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pattern recognition facility and an optical information decoder includes parallel processors controlled at least in part by a fuzzy logic instruction set for both aiming and pattern recognition of likely optical information.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said optical system further comprises auto focus.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a system for limiting image jitter displayed on the display.

13. A process for reading two-dimensional optical information, comprising:

(a) directing a reader at optical information to be read wherein said reader includes;

1) a housing having an opening;

2) a photosensitive array mounted within said housing for capturing two-dimensional optical information;

3) an optical system associated with said array and said opening of said housing for focusing said optical information on said array;

4) a control for controlling said array and optical system;

5) a memory for storing output from said array;

6) an electrical power supply for providing power for the operation of said apparatus;

7) a decoder for decoding optical information; and

8) a display for displaying an image of said optical information captured by said array;

(b) displaying said image on said display; and

(c) aiming said reader at an optical information set to be read at least partially with the aid of said image on said display.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein said housing is of a size and shape suited for hand-held operation.

15. The process of claim 13, wherein said photosensitive array is a one-dimensional array.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein said optical system further comprises a device for rastering one-dimensional image segments of a two-dimensional image onto the photosensitive regions of said array.

17. The process of claim 13, wherein said photosensitive array is a two-dimensional array.

18. The process of claim 13, further comprising zoom system for changing the image height of an object focused on said array.

19. The process of claim 14, further comprising a focusing system for variably focusing the image of an object on said array.

20. The process of claim 13, wherein said memory is volatile.

21. The process of claim 13, wherein said pattern recognition facility and optical information decoder includes parallel processors controlled at least in part by a fuzzy logic instruction set for both aiming and pattern recognition of likely optical information.

22. The process of claim 13, wherein said pattern recognition facility is comprised of a neural network.

23. The process of claim 13, wherein said optical system further comprises auto focus.

24. The process of claim 13, further comprising the step of subtracting any user hand jitter from the image displayed to the user.

26. The process of claim 13, wherein, the apparatus includes:

a pattern recognition facility for assisting a user in recognizing and confirming the decodability of optical information; and

said display associated with said housing for displaying said image as processed by said pattern recognition facility, and said process includes, providing an optical information decodability indication on said display.

27. An apparatus for reading optical information, comprising:

a photosensitive system for capturing optical information without requiring the apparatus to make contact with that optical information;

an optical system associated with said photosensitive system for focusing said optical information on said photosensitive system;

a power supply for providing power for the operation of said apparatus;

a display coupled with said photosensitive system for displaying an image of said optical information captured by said photosensitive system; and

a portable, hand-held housing supporting said photosensitive system, said optical system, said power supply and said display.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, including:

a pattern recognition facility for assisting a user in recognizing optical information; and

wherein said display is associated with said pattern recognition facility for displaying said image as processed by said pattern recognition facility.

29. An apparatus according to claim 27, including:

a user feedback providing user interface with said apparatus, for facilitating user control over said optical system and said display.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said apparatus is of a size and shape suited for hand-held operation.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said photosensitive system is a one-dimensional array of photosensitive regions.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said optical system further comprises a device for rastering one-dimensional image segments of a two-dimensional image onto the photosensitive regions of said one-dimensional array.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said photosensitive system is a two-dimensional array of photosensitive regions.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a zoom system for changing the image height of an object on said photosensitive system.

35. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a focusing system for variably focusing the image of an object on said photosensitive system.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a memory is coupled with said photosensitive system for storing output therefrom.

37. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said pattern recognition facility and an optical information decoder have a processor system controlled at least in part by a fuzzy logic instruction set for both aiming and pattern recognition of likely optical information.

38. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said optical system further comprises an autofocus function.

51. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a system for limiting image jitter displayed on the display.

39. A process for reading optical information, comprising:

manually directing a reader at optical information to be read, wherein said reader includes;

a photosensitive system for capturing optical information;

an optical system associated with said photosensitive system for focusing said optical information on said photosensitive system;

a decoder for decoding optical information; and

a display coupled with said photosensitive system for displaying an image of said optical information captured by said photosensitive system;

displaying an image of said optical information on said display; and

aiming said reader at an optical information set to be read at least partially with the aid of said image on said display.

40. The process of claim 39, wherein said reader is of a size and shape suited for hand-held operation.

41. The process of claim 39, wherein said photosensitive system is a one-dimensional array of photosensitive regions.

42. The process of claim 41, further comprising rastering one-dimensional image segments of a two-dimensional image onto the photosensitive regions of said one-dimensional array.

43. The process of claim 39, wherein said photosensitive system comprises a two-dimensional array of photosensitive regions.

44. The process of claim 39, further comprising a reader with a zoom system the process further comprises changing the image height of an object focused on said photosensitive system by means of said zoon system.

45. The process of claim 39, the reader having a focusing system, and the process further comprising variably focusing the image of an object on said photosensitive system.

46. The process of claim 39, wherein said reader has a memory and the process further comprises storing the output from said photosensitive system.

47. The process of claim 39, wherein said reader includes a pattern recognition facility and an optical information decoder, said a processor system, and said process further comprises controlling least in part by a fuzzy logic instruction set of the processor system both aiming and pattern recognition of likely optical information.

48. The process of claim 39, wherein said reader comprises a pattern recognition facility comprised of a neural network.

49. The process of claim 39, wherein said process further comprises autofocus operation of said optical system.

50. The process of claim 39, further comprising the step of subtracting any user hand jitter from the image displayed to the user.

52. The process of claim 39, wherein, the reader includes a pattern recognition facility for assisting a user in recognizing and confirming the decidability of optical information;

said display associated with said reader for displaying said image as processed by said pattern recognition facility, and said process further includes providing an optical information decodability indication on said display.