Graphical code reading apparatus for reading codes on reflective surfaces

• US 7,419,098 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Powell, George, Hyde, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/979,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20060091214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.43, 235/462.37, 235/462.42, 235/454, 235/462.35
• US Class Current: 235/462.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10792 Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned

Abstract

A graphical code reading apparatus is disclosed. The graphical code reading apparatus is able to read graphical codes on reflective and curved reflective surfaces. The graphical code reading apparatus includes a graphical code reader having an illumination source such as LEDs and a detector such as an imager. The graphical code reading apparatus also includes a light scattering chamber that is coupled to the graphical code reader. The light scattering chamber may have two openings, namely a first opening for receiving the graphical code reader and a second opening for placement adjacent the graphical code. The light scattering chamber may be tapered from the first opening toward the second opening. An interior surface of the light scattering chamber is capable of scattering light because it may be an irregularly uneven reflective surface. The light impinges the reflective surface at multiple angles of incidence upon exiting the light scattering chamber. The light scattering chamber may further be configured with a transmissive diffuser insert.

Claims

1. A graphical code reading apparatus for reading a graphical code on a reflective surface, comprising:

a graphical code reader having an illumination source and a detector; and

a light scattering chamber disposed between the graphical code reader and the graphical code, the light scattering chamber comprising;

an interior portion that receives electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source;

a light scattering surface on the interior portion that scatters the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the illumination source; and

a transmissive diffuser insert that includes a window, wherein the detector receives a reflected image of the graphical code without the reflected image being impeded by the transmissive diffuser insert, and wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located within the interior portion of the light scattering chamber, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located in an area of the interior portion of the light scattering chamber that is not tapered.

2. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source is reflected randomly in multiple directions upon interaction with the light scattering surface.

3. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation impinges the reflective surface from multiple angles of incidence upon exiting the light scattering chamber.

4. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light scattering surface is an irregularly uneven reflective surface.

5. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 4, wherein the irregularly uneven reflective surface is crumpled foil.

6. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light scattering chamber further comprises a first opening that receives a portion of the graphical code reader and a second opening for placement adjacent the graphical code.

7. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first opening has a larger diameter than the second opening.

8. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 7, wherein the light scattering chamber is tapered from adjacent the first opening toward the second opening.

9. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is disposed between the illumination source and the graphical code.

10. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a raised stand that maintains the graphical code reader and the light scattering chamber in a raised, stationary position.

11. A graphical code reading apparatus for reading a graphical code on a reflective surface, comprising:

a graphical code reader having an illumination source and a detector, the illumination source emitting electromagnetic radiation;

a transmissive diffuser insert that includes a window, wherein the detector receives a reflected image of the graphical code without the reflected image being impeded by the transmissive diffuser insert, and wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located within an interior portion of a light scattering chamber, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located in an area of the interior portion of the light scattering chamber that is not tapered; and

an irregularly uneven reflective surface that scatters the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the illumination source, such that the electromagnetic radiation impinges the reflective surface from multiple angles of incidence.

12. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source is reflected randomly in multiple directions upon interaction with the irregularly uneven reflective surface.

13. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the irregularly uneven reflective surface comprises crumpled foil.

14. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is disposed between the illumination source and the graphical code.

15. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the irregularly uneven reflective surface is disposed on an interior portion of a light scattering chamber.

16. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light scattering chamber comprises a first opening that receives a portion of the graphical code reader and a second opening for placement adjacent the graphical code.

17. The graphical code reading apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first opening has a larger diameter than the second opening, such that the light scattering chamber is tapered from adjacent the first opening toward the second opening.

18. A light scattering chamber for enabling a graphical code reader to read a graphical code on a reflective surface, comprising:

an interior portion and an exterior portion;

a first opening configured to receive a portion of the graphical code reader;

a second opening for placement adjacent a graphical code, the second opening opposite from and smaller than the first opening;

a light scattering surface on the interior portion that scatters electromagnetic radiation emitted from the graphical code reader in random directions before the electromagnetic radiation impinges upon the graphical code on the reflective surface; and

a transmissive diffuser insert that includes a window, wherein the detector receives a reflected image of the graphical code without the reflected image being impeded by the transmissive diffuser insert, and wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located within the interior portion of the light scattering chamber, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is located in an area of the interior portion of the light scattering chamber that is not tapered.

19. The light scattering chamber of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic radiation impinges the reflective surface from multiple angles of incidence upon exiting the light scattering chamber.

20. The light scattering chamber of claim 18, wherein the light scattering surface is an irregularly uneven reflective surface.

21. The light scattering chamber of claim 20, wherein the irregularly uneven reflective surface is crumpled foil.

22. The light scattering chamber of claim 18, wherein the light scattering chamber is tapered from adjacent the first opening toward the second opening.

23. The light scattering chamber of claim 18, wherein the transmissive diffuser insert is disposed in the interior portion of the light scattering chamber.

24. The light scattering chamber of claim 18, wherein the light scattering chamber is removably attachable to the graphical code reader.