BARCODE-READING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A barcode reading system for a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing an operating system and applications stored in the memory, and the barcode reading system comprising:
- a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device, the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising at least one optic system, the at least one optic system;
being positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination projected from the white light source;
orbeing positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera; and
a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the barcode reading application including;
an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode, the image of the barcode being affected by the at least one optic system;
a decoder function for receiving the image of a barcode and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and
a relay function for sending the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This patent specification describes an attachment for a mobile device. The attachment may have an attachment feature designed to be attached to a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartphone/tablet with a camera. The attachment may also include an optics system and/or an illumination system that cooperates with the camera to facilitate the capture of decodable barcodes. The illumination system may include a targeting illumination system that facilitates proper positioning of the article and/or an exposure illumination system that helps illuminate the article during capture. The optics system may include a lens that modifies the depth of field and/or the size of the field of view of the camera, an aperture that helps define the field of view, a filter that prevents light of undesired wavelengths from reaching the camera, and/or a mirror that redirects the camera'"'"'s optical pathway.
77 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A barcode reading system for a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing an operating system and applications stored in the memory, and the barcode reading system comprising:
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a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device, the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising at least one optic system, the at least one optic system; being positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination projected from the white light source;
orbeing positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera; and a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the barcode reading application including; an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode, the image of the barcode being affected by the at least one optic system; a decoder function for receiving the image of a barcode and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and a relay function for sending the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A barcode reading system for a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera having a field of view to a back side of the mobile device, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device, a memory and a processor, and the barcode reading system comprising:
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a barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device, the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned at a top side of the mobile device and a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area; and a barcode reading application stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the barcode reading application including; an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode in the target area; a decoder function for receiving the image of the barcode and generating decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and a relay function for sending the decoded data to a remote server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of reading a barcode utilizing a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing an operating system and applications stored in the memory, and the method comprising:
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directing the operating system to obtain a barcode reading application from a remote application server and to install the barcode reading application in the memory for execution by the processor; securing a barcode reading enhancement accessory to the mobile device, the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising at least one optic system, the at least one optic system; being positioned within a field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination from the white light source;
orbeing positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera; and executing the barcode reading application by the processor, execution of the barcode reading application comprising; execution of an image capture function to control the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode, the image of the barcode being affected by the at least one optic system; execution of a decoder function to generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and execution of a relay function to send the decoded data to a server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of reading a barcode utilizing a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera having a field of view to a back side of the mobile device, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination towards the back side of the mobile device, a memory and a processor, and the method comprising:
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directing an operating system of the mobile device to obtain a barcode reading application from a remote application server and to install the barcode reading application in the memory for execution by the processor; securing a barcode reading enhancement accessory to the mobile device, the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising an optic system with a reflective surface for folding the field of view of the camera towards a target area positioned at a top side of the mobile device and a reflective surface for folding the field of illumination of the white light source towards the target area; and executing the barcode reading application by the processor, execution of the barcode reading application comprising; execution of an image capture function to control the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode in the target area; execution of a decoder function to generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode; and execution of a relay function to send the decoded data to a server via a wireless connection established between the mobile device and a network. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A barcode reading enhancement accessory secured to a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera, a white light source for projecting a field of illumination into a field of view of the camera, a memory and a processor for executing an operating system and applications stored in the memory, and the barcode reading enhancement accessory comprising:
at least one optic system that is positioned;
i) within the field of illumination of the white light source for modifying the field of illumination projected from the white light source;
or ii) that is positioned within the field of view of the camera for modifying illumination generated by the white light source and reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera.- View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
Specification