Optical reader having a color imager

• US 20030127519A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Longacre, Andrew Jr., Ehrhart, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,834,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/469
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• 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 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 1D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40062 Discrimination between different image types, e.g. two-tone, continuous tone

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit'"'"'s determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Claims

1. An optical reader comprising:

a color imaging assembly configured to capture an image of an object, the color imaging assembly generating color imaging data corresponding to the captured image;

an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the image analysis circuit being configured to analyze at least a portion of the color imaging data, the object being classified either as an optical symbol or as a color photograph; and

a processing circuit coupled to the image analysis circuit, the processing circuit being operative to process the color imaging data based on the classification of the image.

2. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit decodes a 1D bar code symbol based on the classification.

3. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit decodes a 2D bar code symbol based on the classification.

4. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit performs optical character recognition based on the classification.

5. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit performs a signature capture based on the classification.

6. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit stores a color image based on the classification.

7. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the image is classified as an optical symbol by evaluating only green pixel values in the color imaging data.

8. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the image is classified as an optical symbol by aggregating values of a red pixel, blue pixel, and green pixel triplet to form a super-pixel for each pixel triplet.

9. The optical reader of claim 8, wherein the image is classified as an optical symbol by evaluating the super-pixel values.

10. The optical reader of claim 1, wherein the color imaging data is converted into a gray scale image in the process of selecting one of a plurality of classifications.

11. The optical reader of claim 1, further comprising an illumination light source that includes white LEDs.

12. The optical reader of claim 1, further comprising an illumination light source that includes red LEDs.

13. An optical reader for capturing an image of an object, the optical reader comprising:

a color imaging assembly for converting the image of the object into color digital data;

an automatic mode selection circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the mode selection circuit using at least a portion of the color digital data to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the optical reader, the operational modes including an optical indicia mode and a digital color photography mode; and

a processing circuit coupled to the mode selection circuit, the processing circuit being configured to process the color digital data based on the selected operational mode.

14. The optical reader of claim 13, wherein the optical indicia mode includes decoding a 1D bar code symbol.

15. The optical reader of claim 13, wherein the optical indicia mode includes decoding a 2D bar code symbol.

16. The optical reader of claim 13, wherein the optical indicia mode includes a method for performing optical character recognition.

17. The optical reader of claim 13, wherein the optical indicia mode includes a method for capturing a signature.

18. The optical reader of claim 13, wherein the color photography mode includes storing a color photographic image of the object in a computer-readable medium.

19. The optical reader of claim 13, further comprising an illumination light source that includes white LEDs.

20. The optical reader of claim 13, further comprising an illumination light source that includes red LEDs.

21. An optical reader for capturing an image of an object, the optical reader comprising:

a color imaging assembly configured to generate digital color imaging data corresponding to the image;

a classification circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the classification circuit being configured to process at least a portion of the digital color imaging data to thereby select one of a plurality of image classifications, the plurality of image classifications including an optical symbol classification and a color photography classification;

an automatic mode selector coupled to the classification circuit, the automatic mode selector being configured to select an optical reader mode in accordance with the selected one of a plurality of image classifications; and

a processor coupled to the classification circuit, the processor being programmed to process the color imaging data in accordance with the optical reader mode selected by the automatic mode selector.

22. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the classification circuit processes a portion of the color imaging data by evaluating only green pixel values in the color imaging data.

23. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the classification circuit aggregates values of each red, blue and green pixel triplet to form a super-pixel, at least a portion of the color imaging data being processed by evaluating each super-pixel value in the portion of the color imaging data being evaluated.

24. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the classification circuit converts the color imaging data into a gray scale image in the process of selecting one of the plurality of classifications.

25. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the processor decodes a 1D bar code symbol.

26. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the processor decodes a 2D bar code symbol.

27. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the processor performs an optical character recognition process.

28. The optical reader of claim 21, wherein the processor performs a signature capture process.

29. An optical reader for capturing an image of an object, the optical reader comprising:

a color imaging assembly configured to generate color imaging data representative of the image;

a mode selector coupled to the color imaging assembly, the mode selector being configured to switch between an automatic imaging mode or a manual imaging mode, both the automatic imaging mode and the manual imaging mode being configured to select one of a plurality of imaging modes of the optical reader, the plurality of imaging modes including at least one graphical symbol capture mode and a color photography mode;

an automatic imaging mode selector coupled to the mode selector and the color imaging assembly, the automatic imaging mode selector being operative to automatically select one of the plurality of imaging modes when the mode selector is in the automatic user mode; and

a processing circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the mode selector and the automatic imaging mode selector, the processing circuit being programmed to process the color imaging data based on the selected one of the plurality of imaging modes.

30. The optical reader of claim 29, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes a 1D bar code decoding mode.

31. The optical reader of claim 29, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes a 2D bar code decoding mode.

32. The optical reader of claim 29, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes an optical character recognition mode and/or a signature capture mode.

33. The optical reader of claim 29, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes a color photography mode.

34. A method for acquiring an image of an object with an optical reader, the method comprising:

providing an optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, and a processing circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly and the image analysis circuit;

acquiring the image of the object, the color imaging assembly generating color imaging data representative of the image;

analyzing the color imaging data, the image analysis circuit providing an image classification, the image being classified as either a color photograph or as a graphical symbol; and

processing the color imaging data in accordance with the image classification.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing includes decoding a 1D bar code.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing includes decoding a 2D bar code.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing includes an optical character recognition process.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing includes capturing a signature.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing includes storing a color photographic image in a computer-readable medium.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of analyzing includes an analysis of only one color of the color imaging data during the step of providing an image classification.

41. A method for acquiring an image of an object with an optical reader, the method comprising:

providing an optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, a processing circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly and the image analysis circuit, and a memory device coupled to the processing circuit;

acquiring an image of a first object, the color imaging assembly generating first color imaging data representative of the image of the first object;

acquiring an image of a second object, the color imaging assembly generating second color imaging data representative of the image of the second object; and

associating the second color imaging data with the first color imaging data, the processing circuit being operative to link the second color imaging data with the first color imaging data in the memory device.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of:

analyzing the first color imaging data, the image analysis circuit providing a first image classification, the image of the first object being classified as either a color photograph or as a graphical symbol;

analyzing the second color imaging data, the image analysis circuit providing a second image classification, the image of the second object being classified as either a color photograph or as a graphical symbol;

processing the first color imaging data in accordance with the first image classification, the processor generating a first imaging result;

processing the second color imaging data in accordance with the second image classification, the processor generating a second imaging result; and

storing the first imaging result and the second imaging result in the memory device, the processing circuit being operative to associate the first imaging result and the second imaging result in the memory device.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of displaying the first imaging result and the second imaging result on an electronic display device.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the first imaging result includes a digital photograph of a first object and the second imaging result includes decoded bar code data that represents a bar code disposed on the first object.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of printing the first imaging result and the second imaging result.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the first imaging result includes a digital photograph of a first object and the second imaging result includes decoded bar code data that represents a bar code disposed on the first object.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of storing the first imaging result and the second imaging result as linked records in a database.

48. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method using an optical reader, the optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, and a processing circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly and the image analysis circuit, the method comprising:

acquiring color imaging data;

analyzing the color imaging data to provide an image classification, the image being classified as a color photograph or as a graphical symbol; and

processing the color imaging data in accordance with the image classification.

49. In an optical reader having a color imaging assembly for acquiring color imaging data, and a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method for selecting one of a plurality of optical reader operating modes, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of icons on the graphical user interface, each of at least a portion of the plurality of icons corresponding to one optical reader operating mode;

selecting an icon with the selection device to thereby drive the optical reader to operate in an optical reader operating mode corresponding to the selected icon;

acquiring color imaging data; and

processing the color imaging data in accordance with the optical reader operating mode corresponding to the selected icon.

50. In an optical reader having a color imaging assembly for acquiring color imaging data, a processor, a memory device, and a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method of providing and selecting from a menu on the display, the method comprising:

retrieving a set of menu entries from the memory device, each of at least a portion of the menu entries representing one of a plurality of operational modes of the optical reader, the plurality of operational modes including a color photography mode and a graphical symbol reading mode;

displaying the set of menu entries on the display;

selecting a menu entry with the selection device; and

processing the acquired imaging data in accordance with the operational mode corresponding to the selected menu entry.

51. A method for acquiring an image of an object with an optical reader, the method comprising:

providing an optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, and a processing circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly and the image analysis circuit;

acquiring the image of the object, the color imaging assembly converting the image into color imaging data;

classifying the image, the processing circuit classifying the image as either a color photograph, or as a color image that includes at least one graphical indicia; and

processing the color imaging data in accordance with the step of classifying.

52. A method for acquiring an image of an object with an optical reader, the optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit, and a processing circuit, the optical reader operative in a plurality of imaging modes, the imaging modes including at least one graphical symbol acquisition mode, and a color photography mode, the method comprising:

capturing the image, the color imaging assembly generating color imaging data representative of the image;

analyzing at least a portion of the color imaging data to provide an image classification, the image classification including at least one graphical symbol classification and a color photography classification;

automatically selecting one of a plurality of image processing modes based on the image classification provided in the step of analyzing; and

processing the color imaging data based on the selected one of the plurality of image processing modes.

53. A method for acquiring an image of an object with an optical reader, the optical reader including a color imaging assembly, an image analysis circuit, and a processing circuit, the optical reader operative in a plurality of imaging modes, the plurality of imaging modes including at least one graphical symbol mode and a color photography mode, the method comprising:

capturing the image, the color imaging assembly generating color imaging data representative of the image;

automatically selecting one of the plurality of imaging modes based on an analysis of the color imaging data; and

processing the color imaging data in accordance with a selected one of the plurality of imaging modes.

54. A system for processing at least one image, the system including at least one network element, the system comprising:

an optical reader including a color imager and a processor, the color imager being configured to generate color imaging data corresponding to the at least one image, the processor being configured to provide a classification of the color imaging data based on whether the color imaging data includes at least one graphical symbol, the processor being programmed to process the color imaging data in accordance with the classification; and

a network coupled to the color optical reader and the at least one network element, processed image data being transmitted between the network and the at least one network element.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor further comprises an image analysis circuit coupled to the color imager, the image analysis circuit being configured to determine if the color imaging data includes at least one graphical symbol, whereby the image is classified as a graphical symbol image if the color imaging data includes at least one graphical symbol, or the image is classified as a color photograph if the color imaging data does not include at least one graphical symbol.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor further comprises an automatic mode selection circuit coupled to the color imager, the automatic mode selection circuit using at least a portion of the color imaging data to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the optical reader, the operational modes including at least graphical symbol mode and a color photography mode.

57. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor further comprises:

a classification circuit coupled to the color imager, the classification circuit being configured to process at least a portion of the color imaging data to thereby select one of a plurality of classifications, whereby the image is classified as a color photographic image, or as an image that includes at least one graphical symbol;

an automatic mode selector coupled to the classification circuit, the automatic mode selector being configured to select an optical reader mode in accordance with the selected one of a plurality of classifications.

58. The system of claim 54, wherein the optical reader further comprises:

a user mode selector coupled to the color imager, the user mode selector being switchable between at least one automatic user mode, or a manual user mode for manually selecting one of a plurality of imaging modes of the optical reader, whereby the plurality of imaging modes includes at least one graphical symbol mode and a color photography mode;

an automatic imaging mode selector coupled to the user mode selector and the color imager, the automatic imaging mode selector being operative to automatically select one of the plurality of imaging modes when in the automatic user mode.

59. The system of claim 54, wherein the at least one image includes a plurality of images, the processor being configured to associate each image of the plurality of images with at least one other image of the plurality of images.

60. A method for making an optical reader, the method comprising:

providing a color imaging assembly configured to capture an image of an object, the color imaging assembly being operative to generate color imaging data corresponding to the captured image;

coupling an image analysis circuit to the color imaging assembly, the image analysis circuit being operative to analyze at least a portion of the color imaging data; and

coupling a processing circuit to the image analysis circuit and the color imaging assembly, the processing circuit being operative to process the color imaging data based on the analysis of the at least a portion of the color imaging data.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the image analysis circuit further comprises:

a classification circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the classification circuit being configured to process at least a portion of the color imaging data to thereby select one of a plurality of classifications, whereby the image is classified as a color photographic image, or as an image that includes at least one graphical symbol;

an automatic mode selector coupled to the classification circuit, the automatic mode selector being configured to select an optical reader mode in accordance with the selected one of a plurality of classifications.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the method of making an optical reader further comprises:

providing a user mode selection circuit coupled to the color imaging assembly, the user mode selector being switchable between at least one automatic user mode, or a manual user mode for manually selecting one of a plurality of imaging modes of the optical reader, whereby the plurality of imaging modes includes at least one graphical symbol mode and a color photography mode; and

providing an automatic imaging mode selection circuit coupled to the user mode selection circuit and the color imaging assembly, the automatic imaging mode selection circuit being operative to automatically select one of the plurality of imaging modes when in the automatic user mode.