Method and apparatus for optically reading information

• US 6,681,994 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Koenck, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/041,687
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.02, 235/462.03, 235/462-4-4, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• 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 7/10633 by oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1093 sensing, after transfer of the image of the data-field to an intermediate store, e.g. storage with cathode ray tube
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/147 Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19

Abstract

A method and appartus for optically reading information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photosensor, and a reading system capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to the photosensor. The method includes steps of positioning a user-supported optical reader containing a photosensor, imaging an information area onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the reader, and generating a digital representation of content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any angular relationship between orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes of the photosensor.

Claims

1. A method of optically reading information occupying an information area and wherein information content may be represented by varying optical reflectivity along respective orthogonal axes of the information area, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a user-supported optical reader containing a photosensor which reads along row and column pixel axes, so that the optical reader is within a range of distances from the information area, and so that the orthogonal axes of the information area occupy a range of angular relationships to the pixel axes along which the photosensor reads;

(b) marking the information area with at least one beam of light;

(c) imaging, for said range of distances and said range of angular relationships, the information area onto the photosensor so that the information content of the information area is imaged onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the user-supported optical reader; and

(d) generating a digital representation of the information content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any position of the information area relative to the user-supported optical reader within said range of distances and for any angular relationship between said orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes along which the photosensor images.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of focussing the user-supported optical reader automatically on the information area.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of aiming the user-supported optical indicia reader by holding it with a hand.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code located within the information area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a human-readable character located within the information area.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code or a human-readable character located within the information area.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said generating step further comprises a recognizing step to determine whether the information content is being conveyed via a bar code or via a human-readable character.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging step further comprises the step of illuminating the entire information area instantaneously with a flash of light.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said range of angular relationships exceeds the angular range defined by diagonals of the information area to be read.

10. A method of optically reading information occupying an information area and wherein information content may be represented by varying optical reflectivity along respective orthogonal axes of the information area, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a user-supported optical reader containing a photosensor that reads along row and column pixel axes so that the orthogonal axes of the information area occupy a range of angular relationships to the pixel axes along which the photosensor reads;

(b) automatically focussing the user-supported optical reader on the information area;

(c) marking the information area with at least one beam of light;

(d) imaging, for said range of angular relationships, the information area onto the photosensor so that the information content of the information area is imaged onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the user-supported optical reader; and

(e) generating a digital representation of the information content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any angular relationship between said orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes along which the photosensor images.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of aiming the user-supported optical indicia reader by holding it with a hand.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code located within the information area.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a human-readable character located within the information area.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code or a human-readable character located within the information area.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said generating step further comprises a recognizing step to determine whether the information content is being conveyed via a bar code or via a human-readable character.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said imaging step further comprises the step of illuminating the entire information area instantaneously with a flash of light.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said range of angular relationships exceeds the angular range defined by diagonals of the information area to be read.

18. A method of optically reading information occupying an information area and wherein information content may be represented by varying optical reflectivity along respective orthogonal axes of the information area, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a user-supported optical reader containing a photosensor which reads along row and column pixel axes, so that the optical reader is within a range of distances from the information area, and so that the orthogonal axes of the information area occupy a range of angular relationships to the pixel axes along which the photosensor reads;

(b) automatically focussing the user-supported optical reader on the information area;

(c) imaging, for said range of distances and said range of angular relationships, the information area onto the photosensor so that the information content of the information area is imaged onto the photosensor without requiring prior angular movement of the user-supported optical reader; and

(d) generating a digital representation of the information content imaged from the information area onto the photosensor for any position of the information area relative to the user-supported optical reader within said range of distances and for any angular relationship between said orthogonal axes of the information area and the pixel axes along which the photosensor images.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of aiming the user-supported optical indicia reader by holding it with a hand.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code located within the information area.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a human-readable character located within the information area.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said generating step can generate a digital representation of the information content when the information content is conveyed via a bar code or a human-readable character located within the information area.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said generating step further comprises a recognizing step to determine whether the information content is being conveyed via a bar code or via a human-readable character.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said imaging step further comprises the step of illuminating the entire information area instantaneously with a flash of light.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said range of angular relationships exceeds the angular range defined by diagonals of the information area to be read.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising a calibrating step to identify faults in the photosensor.

27. A user-supported optical indicia reader, comprising:

(a) a photosensor area array, located in the user-supported optical indicia reader, positioned to capture an image of an imaging area located externally of the user-supported optical indicia reader, said photosensor area array outputting a signal descriptive of the imaging area;

(b) a marker generating component, located in said user-supported optical indicia reader, to generate at least one beam of light energy to mark the imaging area; and

(c) a reading system having an input accepting the signal output by said photosensor area array, said reading system further having an analysis system capable of converting the inputted signal into a decoded signal representative of information contained within an imaged optical indicia;

the reading system being capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to said photosensor area array.

28. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, further comprising an autofocus component.

29. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, further comprising a housing accomodating hand-held usage of the user-supported optical indicia reader.

30. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code.

31. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a human-readable character.

32. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

33. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 32, wherein said reading system comprises a recognition system to determine whether the optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

34. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 27, further comprising an instantaneous illumination component.

35. A user-supported optical indicia reader, comprising:

(a) a photosensor area array, located in the user-supported optical indicia reader, positioned to capture an image of an imaging area located externally of the user-supported optical indicia reader, said photosensor area array outputting a signal descriptive of the imaging area;

(b) an autofocus system, located in said user-supported optical indicia reader, to automatically focus the imaging area onto said photosensor area array; and

(c) a reading system having an input accepting the signal output by said photosensor area array, said reading system further having an analysis system capable of converting the inputted signal into a decoded signal representative of information contained within an imaged optical indicia;

the reading system being capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to said photosensor area array.

36. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 35, further comprising a housing accomodating hand-held usage of the user-supported optical indicia reader.

37. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 35, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code.

38. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 35, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a human-readable character.

39. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 35, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

40. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 39, wherein said reading system comprises a recognition system to determine whether the optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

41. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 35, further comprising an instantaneous illumination component.

42. A user-supported optical indicia reader, comprising:

(a) a photosensor area array, located in the user-supported optical indicia reader, positioned to capture an image of an imaging area located externally of the user-supported optical indicia reader, said photosensor area array outputting a signal descriptive of the imaging area;

(b) a marker generating component, located in said user-supported optical indicia reader, to generate at least one beam of light energy to mark the imaging area;

(c) an autofocus system, located in said user-supported optical indicia reader, to automatically focus the imaging area onto said photosensor area array; and

(d) a reading system having an input accepting the signal output by said photosensor area array, said reading system further having an analysis system capable of converting the inputted signal into a decoded signal representative of information contained within an imaged optical indicia;

the reading system being capable of generating a decoded signal regardless of the orientation of the optical indicia relative to said photosensor area array.

43. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 42, further comprising a housing accomodating hand-held usage of the user-supported optical indicia reader.

44. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 42, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code.

45. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 42, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a human-readable character.

46. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 42, wherein said reading system can generate a decoded signal when an optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

47. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 46, wherein said reading system comprises a recognition system to determine whether the optical indicia is a bar code or a human-readable character.

48. The user-supported optical indicia reader of claim 42, further comprising an instantaneous illumination component.