Multi-format bar code reader

• US 7,137,555 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc. (Datalogic ADC Incorporated)
• Inventors: McMahon, Steven A., McQueen, Alexander M., Bremer, Edward C., Cherry, Craig D., Reddersen, Brad R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US10/247,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 235/461.01, 235/462.07, 235/462.1, 235/462.11, 235/462.14
• US Class Current: 235/462.07
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1012 Special detection of object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10554 Moving beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10712 Fixed beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1092 sensing by means of TV-scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for selectively reading a barcode, symbol, or other indicia by either scanning the barcode with a flying-spot scan, or by imaging the barcode, thereby improving reading performance by tailoring the reading method to the particular item that is being read. Both a flying-spot laser scanning front end and an imaging front end are incorporated in a single device. Data obtained by the selected reading method is decoded and output. A common decoder or separate decoders may be used to decode the data from the two front ends. A single image sensor may be shared between the flying-spot front end and the imaging front-end, with a limited readout area utilized for laser scanning. The size of the readout area may be adjusted based on detected target proximity. Selection of the reading mode may be based on criteria including manual input, the range of the target, or previous failed attempts to read the barcode using either reading method. An integrated data reader in a console configuration may include a window having a special area in the corner or elsewhere for collecting data by presentation to the imaging front-end, with the flying-spot front end, with its larger depth of field, being utilized for general scanning through the window.

Claims

1. An integrated optical reader for reading optical codes on items at a checkout stand, comprising:

a fixed optical reader including a housing having a window;

an imaging subsystem, said imaging subsystem comprising an imaging sensor having a field of view to read targets positioned in front of a small designated region of the window, but not in front of non-designated regions of the window;

a flying-spot laser scanner subsystem that reads optical codes positioned in various orientations within a scan region extending in front of at least a predominant portion of the window.

2. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes bar code symbols.

3. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes two-dimensional bar code symbols.

4. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the flying-spot scanner subsystem decodes bar code symbols.

5. The integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the flying-spot scanner subsystem decodes one-dimensional bar code symbols.

6. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging subsystem processes at least one of a signature, a fingerprint, and a handprint.

7. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein the imaging subsystem processes text using optical character recognition techniques.

8. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein location of the designated region of the window is denoted using a suitable marking visible to an operator, and the area of the non-designated regions is at least ten times as large as the area of the designated region.

9. An integrated optical reader according to claim 8, wherein the designated region is located at the center of the window.

10. An integrated optical reader according to claim 8, wherein the designated region is located at a corner of the window.

11. An integrated optical reader according to claim 10, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes bar code symbols.

12. An integrated optical reader according to claim 10, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes two-dimensional bar code symbols.

13. An integrated optical reader according to claim 10, wherein the imaging subsystem processes at least one of a signature, a fingerprint, and a handprint.

14. An integrated optical reader according to claim 10, wherein the imaging subsystem processes text using optical character recognition techniques.

15. An integrated optical reader according to claim 8, wherein the designated region consists of a plurality of non-contiguous regions, at least one of which is located at a corner of the window.

16. An integrated optical reader according to claim 1, wherein area of the non-designated regions is at least four times as large as area of the designated region.

17. An optical reader for reading optical codes on items at a checkout stand, comprising:

a housing having a window, the housing being installable in a fixed position within the checkout stand;

an imaging subsystem, said imaging subsystem comprising a two-dimensional image sensor for detecting an image and an image sensor interface for generating image data based on the detected image, wherein the image sensor has a field of view to read targets positioned in front of a designated region of the window, but not in front of non-designated regions of the window;

a first decoder for decoding the image data from optical codes positioned in front of the designated region;

a flying-spot scanner subsystem including a beam-former for scanning a spot of light across a target optical code, a photodetector for detecting light reflected by the target optical code and for generating an output based on the detected light, and a signal processor for generating digital data based on the photodetector output, wherein the flying-spot scanner subsystem reads optical codes positioned in various orientations within a scan region in front of at least some of the non-designated regions of the window; and

a second decoder for processing the digital data of optical codes that have been read by the flying-spot scanner subsystem,

wherein location of the designated region is denoted using a suitable marking on the window visible to an operator.

18. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the imaging subsystem processes at least one of a signature, a fingerprint, and a handprint.

19. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the imaging subsystem processes text using optical character recognition techniques.

20. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the designated region is located at the center of the window.

21. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the designated region is located at a corner of the window.

22. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the designated region consists of a plurality of non-contiguous regions, at least one of which is located at a corner of the window.

23. An optical reader according to claim 17, wherein the first decoder and the second decoder are both implemented in a single microprocessor or microcontroller.

24. An optical reading system for reading optical codes on items at a checkout stand, comprising:

a fixed data reading system installable in a checkout stand and including a first window and a second window;

an imaging subsystem having an imaging sensor aimable at targets positioned in front of the first window;

a flying-spot laser scanner subsystem configured to read optical codes positioned in various orientations in front of the first window as well as optical codes positioned in various orientations in front of the second window,

wherein the imaging sensor is aimable at targets positioned in front of a small designated region of the first window, but not in front of non-designated regions of the first window, and

wherein the flying-spot laser scanner subsystem is configured to read optical codes positioned in front of at least a predominant portion of the first window.

25. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein location of the designated region is denoted using a suitable marking on the first window, and the area of the non-designated regions is at least ten times as large as the area of the designated region.

26. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the designated region of the first window is located at the center of the first window.

27. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the designated region of the first window is located at a corner of the first window.

28. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes bar code symbols.

29. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging subsystem decodes two-dimensional bar code symbols.

30. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging subsystem processes at least one of a signature, a fingerprint, and a handprint.

31. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging subsystem processes text using optical character recognition techniques.

32. An optical reading system according to claim 24, wherein the designated region of the first window consists of a plurality of non-contiguous regions, at least one of which is located at a corner of the first window.

33. A method of reading optical codes with a data reader installed at a retail checkout stand, comprising the steps of

providing the data reader with a laser scanner subsystem and an imaging reader subsystem within a housing;

generating a scan volume with said laser scanner subsystem;

allowing an operator to pass an item bearing an optical code through said scan volume of said laser scanner subsystem;

scanning the optical code with said laser scanner subsystem as the optical code is passed through the scan volume;

determining whether the optical code being scanned is a two-dimensional code;

if the optical code being scanned is determined to be a two-dimensional code, signaling the operator to pass the item through a read volume of said imaging subsystem;

reading the two-dimensional code using said imaging subsystem.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein said read volume of said imaging subsystem is a relatively small volume adjacent said scan volume of said laser scanner subsystem.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said read volume of said imaging subsystem is partially within said scan volume of said laser scanner subsystem.

36. A method according to claim 34 wherein said read volume of said imaging subsystem is partially within said scan volume of said laser scanner subsystem.

37. An optical code reading system for use in a checkout stand, comprising

a housing installable in the checkout stand;

a flying-spot scanner subsystem that generates a scan pattern into a scan volume for scanning a target passed through the scan volume and photodetector that detects light reflected by the target and generates an output based on the light detected;

an imaging reading subsystem including an imaging sensor having a read volume, said imaging sensor detecting an image of a target and generating data based on the image detected;

a controller in communication with the imaging reading subsystem and the flying-spot scanner subsystem;

means for determining whether an optical code being scanned by the flying-spot scanner subsystem is a two-dimensional code;

means for signaling an operator to pass the target through a read volume of said imaging subsystem if the optical code being scanned is determined to be a two-dimensional code.

38. An optical code reading system, comprising

a housing having a first window and a second window, one of said first and second windows being oriented generally horizontally and the other being oriented generally vertically;

a laser scanner subsystem for generating a plurality of scan lines out through both said first window and said second window;

an imaging subsystem comprising a two-dimensional image sensor for detecting an image and an image sensor interface for generating image data based on the detected image, wherein said image sensor is positioned proximate said first window,

wherein said image sensor being positioned to read through a small designated region of said first window, but not through non-designated regions of said first window.

39. An optical code reading system according to claim 38 wherein said designated region is located at a corner of said first window.

40. An optical code reading system according to claim 38 wherein said designated region is denoted by a suitable marking visible to an operator.

41. An optical code reading system according to claim 38 further comprising a separate window adjacent said first window, said image sensor reading through said separate window.