Trigger system for data reading device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for triggering image acquisition in a data reading system comprising a camera and a light source, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) adjusting a resolution of the camera to a low level resolution;
(b) periodically acquiring images with the camera at the low level resolution;
(c) evaluating the acquired images to determine whether the image contains an object;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the acquired image contains the object;
(e) increasing the resolution of the camera to a high resolution higher than the low level resolution;
(f) acquiring an image of the object with the camera at the high resolution; and
(g) returning to step (a).
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Abstract
A data reader comprises a camera that has an adjustable resolution and acquisition speed. The camera is maintained at a low level resolution and fast speed and is periodically actuated to acquire images. When an acquired image indicates that an object is present, the resolution of the camera is increased, and a higher resolution image is acquired and decoded. The imaging system of the camera is therefore used to trigger data acquisitions, thereby eliminating the need for external triggers and sensor devices.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for triggering image acquisition in a data reading system comprising a camera and a light source, the method comprising the following steps:
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(a) adjusting a resolution of the camera to a low level resolution; (b) periodically acquiring images with the camera at the low level resolution; (c) evaluating the acquired images to determine whether the image contains an object; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the acquired image contains the object; (e) increasing the resolution of the camera to a high resolution higher than the low level resolution; (f) acquiring an image of the object with the camera at the high resolution; and (g) returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A data reading system comprising:
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a reader including; a light source; and a camera having an adjustable resolution; a controller for controlling image acquisition in the camera, the controller being adapted to; (a) periodically acquire an image at a selected low resolution; (b) evaluate the acquired image to determine if the image includes an object (c) increase the resolution of the camera when the image includes an object to acquire an image data set capable of analysis; (d) acquire an additional image at the increased resolution; and (e) reset the resolution to the low resolution and return to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A data reading system comprising:
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a reader including; a light source; and a camera having an adjustable acquisition speed; a controller for controlling image acquisition in the camera, the controller being adapted to; (a) periodically acquire an image at a high rate of speed; (b) evaluate the acquired image to determine if the image includes an object; (c) decrease the acquisition rate of the camera when the image includes an object to acquire an image data set capable of analysis; (d) acquire an additional image at the reduced rate of speed; and (e) reset the acquisition rate to the high rate of speed and return to step (a).
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Specification