Apparatus comprising image sensor array and illumination control

• US 8,628,013 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Ding, Yiwu
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/324,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20130146666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 235/455, 235/472.01
• US Class Current: 235/455
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like

Abstract

There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having a configuration in which an illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is de-energized during subsequent exposure periods. In one embodiment the indicia reading apparatus includes a configuration in which the illumination assembly is energized intermediate of the exposure periods. The indicia reading apparatus is useful for reading decodable indicia that is displayed on a display.

Claims

1. An indicia reading apparatus comprising:

an illumination assembly for projection of an illumination pattern, the illumination assembly having one or more light source;

an imaging assembly including an image sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of a target onto the image sensor array;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative in accordance with a first configuration;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is de-energized during an exposure period of the first frame, de-energized during an exposure period of the second frame, and energized during a period intermediate of an exposure period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative so that for subsequent illumination periods that are intermediate of exposure periods, an energy level of emitted light for projection of the illumination pattern is increased, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus processes image data captured by the indicia reading apparatus for detection of a mode change of a target terminal.

2. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a fixed configuration so that the indicia reading apparatus is restricted from operating in manner other than in accordance with the first configuration.

3. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operative in accordance with a second configuration, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is de-energized during an exposure period of the first frame captured with the second configuration active, de-energized during an exposure period of the second frame captured with the second configuration active, and is maintained de-energized for the period intermediate of an exposure period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame captured with the second configuration active.

4. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is operative in accordance with a third configuration, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the third configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the third configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is energized during an exposure period of the first frame captured with the third configuration active, energized during an exposure period of the second frame captured with the third configuration active, and is maintained de-energized for the period intermediate of an exposure period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the third configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame captured with the second configuration active.

5. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operative in accordance with a second configuration, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is energized during an exposure period of the first frame captured with the second configuration active, energized during an exposure period of the second frame captured with the second configuration active, and is maintained de-energized for the period intermediate of an exposure period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame captured with the second configuration active.

6. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative so that for subsequent illumination periods an energy level of emitted light for projection of the illumination pattern is increased.

7. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative so that for subsequent illumination periods that are intermediate of exposure periods, an energy level of emitted light for projection of the illumination pattern is increased, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus processes image data captured by the indicia reading apparatus for detection of a mode change of a target terminal.

8. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus maintains the energy level of the emitted light for projection of the illumination pattern at a sufficient level so that operation of the target terminal in a high brightness mode is maintained.

9. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative to emit energy at an energy level sufficient to induce a mode change from a first mode to a second mode in a target terminal displaying decodable indicia to be read, wherein the indicia reading terminal is further operative to detect whether the mode change has been induced, and wherein the indicia reading terminal is further operative to regulate an energy level of energy emitted by the indicia reading apparatus so that the second mode is maintained in the active state.

10. The indicia reading terminal of claim 1, wherein the subsequent illumination periods include the period intermediate of an exposure period of the first frame and an exposure period of the second frame.

11. An indicia reading apparatus comprising:

an illumination assembly for projection of an illumination pattern, the illumination assembly having one or more light source;

an imaging assembly including an image sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of a target onto the image sensor array;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus, with the first configuration active is operative to capture one or more frame for subjecting to a decode attempt, the one or more frame for subjecting to a decode attempt being captured with the illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern being energized during exposure periods of the one or more frame;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is operative to capture one or more frame for subjecting to a decode attempt, the one or more frame for subjecting to a decode attempt being captured with the illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern being restricted from being energized during exposure periods of the one or more frame;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative to deactivate the first configuration and activate the second configuration responsively to a sensed condition, wherein the sensed condition includes a sensed condition selected from the group consisting of (a) the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus, (b) the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frames captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial pattern indicative of light pattern being projected on a display, (c) the sensed condition is the detection of an infrared energy level above a threshold, (d) the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining whether a brightness level of the one or more frames exceeds a high threshold or falls below a low threshold, (e) the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display, (f) the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus proximate the indicia reading apparatus by processing of radio signals output by a wireless communication interface of the indicia reading apparatus.

12. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus.

13. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frames captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial pattern indicative of light pattern being projected on a display.

14. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of an infrared energy level above a threshold.

15. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining whether a brightness level of the one or more frames exceeds a high threshold or falls below a low threshold.

16. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display.

17. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus proximate the indicia reading apparatus by processing of radio signals output by a wireless communication interface of the indicia reading apparatus.

18. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active energizes the illumination assembly during one or more periods offset from the one or more exposure periods of the one or more frames captured with the second configuration active.

19. The indicia reading apparatus of any of claims 11, wherein the indicia reading apparatus, with the first configuration active is operative to capture two or more frames for subjecting to a decode attempt, the two or more frames for subjecting to a decode attempt being captured with the illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern being energized during exposure periods of the two or more frames;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the second configuration active is operative to capture two or more frames for subjecting to a decode attempt, the two or more frames for subjecting to a decode attempt being captured with the illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern being restricted from being energized during exposure periods of the two or more frames.

20. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus, the one or more spatial patterns being spatial patterns indicating a form factor of a display equipped apparatus.

21. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus, the one or more spatial patterns including a rectangle.

22. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus, the one or more spatial patterns including a spatial pattern indicating a housing shape of a display equipped apparatus.

23. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial patterns indicative of a display equipped apparatus, the one or more spatial patterns including a spatial pattern indicating a rectangular display.

24. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frames captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial pattern indicative of light pattern being projected on a display, the one or more spatial patterns indicating a hot spot recognized when the light pattern is projected on a rectangular surface.

25. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frames captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial pattern indicative of light pattern being projected on a display, the light pattern being an illumination pattern.

26. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frames captured by the apparatus for recognition of one or more spatial pattern indicative of light pattern being projected on a display, the light pattern being an aiming pattern.

27. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display, the signature profile having a peak within a certain color band of the visible spectrum.

28. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display, the signature profile having a peak in the red wavelength band.

29. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display, the signature profile having a peak in the green wavelength band.

30. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus in the field of view of the imaging assembly by processing of one or more frame captured by the apparatus for determining that a color emission profile of the one or more frames corresponds to a signature profile of a backlight display, the signature profile having a peak in the blue wavelength band.

31. The indicia reading apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensed condition is the detection of a display equipped apparatus proximate the indicia reading apparatus by processing of radio signals output by a wireless communication interface of the indicia reading apparatus, the wireless communicator interface being a short range wireless communication interface.

32. An indicia reading apparatus comprising:

an illumination assembly for projection of an illumination pattern, the illumination assembly having one or more light source;

an imaging assembly including an image sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of a target onto the image sensor array;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative in accordance with a first configuration;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a plurality of frames including a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is de-energized during an exposure period of the first frame and de-energized during an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is further operative so that the illumination assembly projects the illumination pattern during at least first and second illumination periods occurring intermediate of exposure periods of frames of the plurality of the frames and wherein the indicia reading apparatus maintains the energy level of emitted light for projection of the illumination pattern at a sufficient level so that operation of the target terminal in a high brightness mode is maintained, and wherein the indicia reading apparatus is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus processes image data captured by the indicia reading apparatus for detection of a mode change of a target terminal.

33. An indicia reading apparatus comprising:

an illumination assembly for projection of an illumination pattern, the illumination assembly having one or more light source;

an imaging assembly including an image sensor array and an imaging lens assembly for focusing an image of a target onto the image sensor array;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative in accordance with a first configuration;

wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is operative so that responsively to the trigger signal activation the indicia reading apparatus captures a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being captured subsequent to the first frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the illumination assembly is de-energized during an exposure period of the first frame and de-energized during an exposure period of the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus with the first configuration active is further operative so that the indicia reading apparatus attempts to decode a decodable indicia by processing of each of the first frame and the second frame, wherein the indicia reading apparatus is operative to emit energy at an energy level sufficient to induce a mode change from a first mode to a second mode in a target terminal displaying decodable indicia to be read, wherein the indicia reading terminal is further operative to detect whether the mode change has been induced, and wherein the indicia reading terminal is further operative to regulate an energy level of energy emitted by the indicia reading apparatus so that the second mode is maintained in the active state.