Imaging module for optical reader

• US 7,296,751 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunter, Vivian L., Barber, Charles P., Gerst, Carl W. III, McCall, Melvin D., Hahn, Bruce L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US10/613,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20040195328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/462.43, 235/462.41, 235/462.42, 235/462.2, 235/462.21, 235/462.24, 235/472.01
• US Class Current: 235/462.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10742 including a diffuser for diffusing the light from the light source to create substantially uniform illumination of the target record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/109 adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus packaging components of an optical reading device which may include illumination optical elements, receive optical elements, and signal processing elements. In one embodiment a single circuit board can carry multiple elements such as an image sensor together with illumination elements. In one embodiment, a control circuit can be provided that is coupled to a light source and an image sensor.

Claims

1. An optical reader comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor having a field of view, said image sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal representative of the field of view of said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive said electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

at least one light source mounted on said printed circuit board, said at least one light source disposed to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view of said image sensor; and

a control circuit coupled to said image sensor

wherein said control circuit is adapted to control the operation of said image sensor.

2. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is configured to project a single aiming line.

3. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said optical reader has a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of said light emitting diodes being mounted on said printed circuit board which further has mounted therein said image sensor, wherein said optical reader is adapted so that light from said light emitting diodes is shaped to project first and second distinct patterns of light onto a target corresponding to said field of view, wherein said first pattern of light is delimited by top and bottom borders, and wherein said second pattern of light consists of a single horizontal line of light extending horizontally across an area delimited by said first pattern of light, said second pattern of light being spaced from both of said top and bottom borders and being devoid of vertically extending light pattern elements.

4. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said optical reader further comprises a diffuser plate disposed to receive at least a portion of the light emitted from said at least one light source.

5. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is provided by a plurality of light emitting diodes.

6. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said image capture circuit and said image decoding and/or recognition circuit commonly mounted to said printed circuit board are integrated into a common IC.

7. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said optical reader is adapted so that said optical reader projects both an aiming pattern and an illumination pattern onto a target corresponding to said field of view.

8. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said optical reader is adapted so that said optical reader projects both an aiming pattern and an illumination pattern onto a target corresponding to said field of view, and wherein the aiming pattern comprises a horizontal line.

9. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is an illumination light source.

10. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source includes at least one illumination light source and at least one aiming light source.

11. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein said optical reader includes an aiming assembly having a plurality of light sources, and wherein the plurality of light sources of said aiming assembly consist of two light emitting diodes.

12. An optical reader comprising:

a mounting frame, said mounting frame including;

a back plate; and

four sidewalls extending outwards from said back plate;

wherein said back plate and said four side walls define an interior volume; and

wherein said back plate defines a plurality of openings;

a printed circuit board coupled to said back plate, wherein said printed circuit board is external to said interior volume;

an image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor disposed such that the field of view of said image sensor faces said interior volume;

at least one light source disposed within said interior volume, said at least one light source mounted on said printed circuit board;

a control circuit for controlling the operation of said image sensor and said control circuit disposed on said printed circuit board, said control circuit coupled to said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive an electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive the electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board; and

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board.

13. The optical reader of claim 12 further including a receive optics lens assembly coupled to said back plate.

14. The optical reader of claim 13 further including:

a diffuser plate engageable with at least two of said four side walls; and

a aiming lens aperture plate disposed between said diffuser plate and said back plate.

15. The optical reader of claim 14 wherein said at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources.

16. The optical reader of claim 15 wherein said plurality of light sources includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

17. The optical reader of claim 15 wherein said image sensor is a solid state image sensor and said back plate defines a recess for receiving said solid state image sensor.

18. The optical reader of claim 15 wherein at least one of said at least two of said at least four sidewalls includes a resilient finger engageable with said diffuser plate.

19. An optical reader comprising:

a mounting frame, said mounting frame including;

a back plate; and

four sidewalls extending outwards from said back plate;

wherein said back plate and said four side walls define an interior volume; and

wherein said back plate defines a plurality of openings;

a printed circuit board coupled to said back plate, wherein said printed circuit board is external to said interior volume;

an image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor disposed such that the field of view of said image sensor faces said interior volume;

at least one light source provided by a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed within said interior volume, said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said printed circuit board;

a control circuit for controlling the operation of said image sensor said control circuit disposed on said printed circuit board, said control circuit coupled to said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive an electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive the electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board; and

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board.

20. The optical reader of claim 19 further including a receive optics lens assembly coupled to said back plate.

21. The optical reader of claim 20 further including:

a diffuser plate engageable with at least two of said four side walls; and

an aiming lens aperture plate disposed between said diffuser plate and said back plate.

22. The optical reader of claim 21 wherein said image sensor is a solid state image sensor and said back plate defines a recess for receiving said solid state image sensor.

23. The optical reader of claim 21 wherein at least one of said at least two of said at least four sidewalls includes a resilient finger engageable with said diffuser plate.

24. The optical reader of claim 19, wherein said optical reader has a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of said light emitting diodes being mounted on said printed circuit board which further has mounted therein said image sensor, wherein said optical reader is adapted so that light from said light emitting diodes is shaped to project first and second distinct patterns of light onto a target corresponding to said field of view, wherein said first pattern of light is delimited by top and bottom borders, and wherein said second pattern of light consists of a single horizontal line of light extending horizontally across an area delimited by said first pattern of light, said second pattern of light being spaced from both of said top and bottom borders and being devoid of vertically extending light pattern elements.

25. An optical reader comprising:

a mounting frame, said mounting frame including;

a back plate; and

four sidewalls extending outwards from said back plate;

wherein said back plate and said four side walls define an interior volume; and

wherein said back plate defines a plurality of openings;

a printed circuit board coupled to said back plate, wherein said printed circuit board is external to said interior volume;

an image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor disposed such that the field of view of said image sensor faces said interior volume;

a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed within said interior volume, said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said printed circuit board;

a control circuit for controlling the operation of said image sensor said control circuit disposed on said printed circuit board, said control circuit coupled to said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive an electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive the electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board; and

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

wherein the receive axis of said image sensor is substantially perpendicular to said printed circuit board.

26. The optical reader of claim 25 further including an aperture plate disposed proximate to said plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein said aperture plate defines a plurality of openings, wherein said plurality of openings are disposed such that at least a portion of the light emitted by said plurality of light emitting diodes is directed through said plurality of apertures.

27. The optical reader of claim 26 further comprising a diffuser plate disposed to receive at least a portion of the light emitted from said plurality of light emitting diodes.

28. The optical reader of claim 25 further including a diffuser plate coupled to said mounting frame, wherein said diffuser plate is disposed to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by said plurality of light emitting diodes.

29. The optical reader of claim 28 further including an aperture plate disposed between said diffuser plate and said plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein said aperture plate restricts the amount of light reaching said diffuser plate from said plurality of light emitting diodes.

30. The optical reader of claim 29 wherein said aperture plate defines a plurality of openings and at least a portion of said plurality of openings are aligned with at least a portion of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

31. The optical reader of claim 30 wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes includes:

at least one illumination light emitting diode; and

at least one aiming light emitting diode.

32. The optical reader of claim 31 wherein said at least one aiming light emitting diode and said aperture plate are adapted to generate a horizontal aiming pattern.

33. The optical reader of claim 32 wherein said horizontal aiming pattern includes a horizontal line of light.

34. The optical reader of claim 32 wherein said horizontal aiming pattern consists of a horizontal line of light.

35. The optical reader of claim 30 wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes includes:

a plurality of illumination light emitting diode; and

a plurality of aiming light emitting diode.

36. An optical reader comprising:

a mounting frame, said mounting frame including;

a back plate; and

four sidewalls extending outwards from said back plate;

wherein said back plate and said four side walls define an interior volume;

wherein said back plate includes an exterior surface and

wherein said back plate defines a plurality of openings;

a printed circuit board coupled to said external surface;

an image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor disposed such that the field of view of said image sensor faces said interior volume;

at least one light source provided by a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed within said interior volume, said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said printed circuit board;

illumination optics disposed proximate to said plurality of light emitting diodes;

a control circuit for controlling the operation of said image sensor said control circuit disposed on said printed circuit board, said control circuit coupled to said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive an electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive the electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board; and

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

wherein the receive axis of said image sensor is substantially perpendicular to said printed circuit board.

37. The optical reader of claim 36, wherein said exterior surface defines a receptacle for receiving said image sensor.

38. The optical reader of claim 37, wherein said image sensor includes a lens assembly.

39. The optical reader of claim 38 wherein at least one of said plurality of openings defined by said back plate is disposed to receive said lens assembly.

40. The optical reader of claim 39 wherein at least a portion of said lens assembly is disposed within said interior volume.

41. The optical reader of claim 40 wherein each of said plurality of light emitting diodes includes a plurality of electrical leads.

42. The optical reader of claim 41 wherein the light emitting portion of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes is disposed within said interior volume;

and wherein said plurality of electrical leads for each of said plurality of light emitting diodes extend from said interior volume through at least a portion of said plurality of openings defined by said back plate thereby allowing each of said plurality of electrical leads to be coupled to a respective electrical contact disposed on said printed circuit board.

43. The optical reader of claim 36 wherein said illumination optics include:

an aperture plate; and

a diffuser plate;

wherein said aperture plate includes a plurality of arcuate surfaces;

wherein each of said arcuate surfaces includes a surface having compound curvature; and

wherein each of said arcuate surfaces defines a substantially rectangular aperture.

44. The optical reader of claim 43 wherein at least two of said four side walls include resilient members adapted for coupling said diffuser plate to said mounting frame.

48. The optical reader of claim 38 wherein the control circuit is located within the IC on the PCB.

45. An optical reader comprising:

a mounting frame, said mounting frame including;

a back plate; and

four sidewalls extending outwards from said back plate;

wherein said back plate and said four side walls define an interior volume; and

wherein said back plate defines a plurality of openings;

a printed circuit board coupled to said external surface;

an image sensor mounted on said printed circuit board, said image sensor disposed such that the field of view of said image sensor faces said interior volume;

imaging optics coupled to said image sensor, said imaging optics at least partially disposed within said interior volume;

at least one illumination light emitting diode coupled to said printed circuit board wherein said at least one illumination light emitting diode is disposed within said interior volume;

at least one aiming light emitting diode coupled to said printed circuit board wherein said at least one aiming light emitting diode is disposed within said interior volume;

an aperture plate disposed proximate to said at least one illumination light emitting diode and said at least one aiming light emitting diode;

a diffuser plate coupled to said mounting frame, wherein said aperture plate is disposed between said aperture plate and said mounting frame, wherein said diffuser plate applies a clamping force to said aperture plate thereby holding said aperture plate in a predetermined position;

a control circuit for controlling the operation of said image sensor said control circuit disposed on said printed circuit board, said control circuit coupled to said image sensor;

a signal processing circuit disposed to receive an electrical signal from said image sensor, said signal processing circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

an image capture circuit adapted to receive the electrical signal from said signal processing circuit and store said electrical signal, said image capture circuit mounted on said printed circuit board; and

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to said image capture circuit, said image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on said printed circuit board;

wherein the receive axis of said image sensor is substantially perpendicular to said printed circuit board;

wherein said aperture plate defines at least one opening for allowing light generated by said at least one illumination light emitting diode to pass through; and

wherein said aperture plate defines at least one opening for allowing light generated by said at least one aiming light emitting diode to pass through.

46. An optical reader comprising:

a printed circuit board (“

PCB”

) on which an integrated circuit (“

IC”

) is mounted, the PCB further comprising printed circuit wiring for receiving electrical connections from at least one component, the at least one component including a source of electrical power, the source of electrical power coupled to the IC;

an image sensor having a field of view, the image sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal representative of the field of view of the image sensor, the image sensor located within the IC;

an analog-to-digital (“

A/D”

) converter, the A/D converter to digitize the electrical signal from the image sensor, the A/D converter electrically coupled to the image sensor and the A/D converter to convert the electrical signal from the image sensor to a digital signal, the A/D converter located within the IC;

a signal processing circuit electrically coupled to the A/D converter to receive the digital signal from the A/D converter, the signal processing circuit to process the digital signal from the A/D converter and to output a processed digital signal, the signal processing circuit located within the IC;

an image capture circuit including a memory, the image capture circuit electrically coupled to the signal processing circuit and adapted to receive the digital signal from the signal processing circuit and to store the processed digital signal in the memory, the image capture circuit located within the IC;

an image decoding and/or recognition circuit coupled to the IC, the image decoding and/or recognition circuit mounted on the PCB;

at least one light source mounted on the PCB, the at least one light source to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view of the image sensor; and

a control circuit coupled to the IC

wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the operation of the image sensor in the IC.

47. The optical reader of claim 46 wherein the image decoding and/or recognition circuit is located within the IC on the PCB.