Backlit display detection and radio signature recognition

• US 9,892,356 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2016
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Kearney, Sean Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US15/335,470
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 235375, 23546201, 23546211, 235487, 23546241
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06112 the marking being simulated using a light source, e.g. a barcode shown on a display or a laser beam with time-varying intensity profile
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10544 by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
• 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 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 1D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1443 locating of the code in an image
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method of capturing an image of a barcode from a backlit display device includes monitoring radio signals proximal to a device operable for scanning barcodes, with at least one coil, wire, and/or antenna disposed within the device operable for scanning barcodes; detecting radio interference caused by a backlit display device proximal to the device operable for scanning barcodes; interpreting a pattern of the radio interference to determine one or more technical characteristics of the backlit display device; using the determined technical characteristics of the backlit display device for automatically adjusting scanning settings of the device operable for scanning barcodes; and capturing an image of a barcode displayed on the backlit display device.

Claims

1. A method of capturing an image of a barcode from a backlit display device, the method comprising:

monitoring and measuring proximal radio signals with a barcode scanner;

detecting, with the barcode scanner, radio interference produced by a backlit display device;

interpreting a signal pattern of the detected radio interference, and correlating the pattern to one or more technical characteristics of the backlit display device;

using the determined technical characteristics of the backlit display device for automatically selecting one or more scanning settings on the barcode scanner;

detecting a displayed image of a barcode on the backlit display device, with the barcode scanner; and

capturing the detected displayed image with a capturing system disposed within the barcode scanner.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more technical characteristics of the backlit display device include display size, brightness, contrast, display glass type, reflective trimmings, and/or image display settings.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting one or more scanning settings on the barcode scanner includes adjusting exposure, illumination intensity, and/or a code-finder pattern to predetermined settings.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting radio interference includes coupling radio interference with at least one coil, wire, and/or antenna disposed within the barcode scanner.

5. A method of communicating information displayed on a mobile device, the method comprising:

determining, with an interfacing device having a code-reading terminal, a type of a mobile device based on emitted radio signals;

adjusting one or more scanning parameters to preselected values based on the determined type of the mobile device; and

capturing an image of a computer-readable code displayed on the mobile device placed in front of the code-reading terminal of the interfacing device.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising collecting and storing data pertaining to the determined type of the mobile device, in a remote database.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising transmitting the obtained computer-readable code information to an information receiving device disposed outside the interfacing device.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mobile device includes an emissive display.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the emissive display comprises a backlit display.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the computer-readable code comprises a barcode.

11. A method of scanning a barcode from a digital device, the method comprising:

monitoring radio signals proximal to a device operable for scanning barcodes, with at least one coil, wire, and/or antenna disposed within the device operable for scanning barcodes;

detecting radio interference produced by a digital device proximal to the device operable for scanning barcodes;

coupling and amplifying the detected radio interference signals with the at least one coil, wire, and/or antenna;

adjusting one or more scanning parameters based on a pattern of the detected radio interference; and

capturing an image of a barcode displayed on the digital device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting radio interference includes detecting radio interference from a backlit display device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the backlit display device comprises a mobile phone, a tablet, or a palmtop computer.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the device operable for scanning barcodes is a handheld scanner.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one coil, wire, and/or antenna is configured to be in a strong resonance with radio frequencies emitted by the digital device.