System and method of optical code reading

• US 8,561,906 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Adc, Inc. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Adc, Inc. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Rudeen, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, THIEN T
• Application Number:
  US13/366,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20120132714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.21, 235/462.45, 235/462.11, 235/462.09, 235/462.1, 235/462.01, 235/462.08, 235/454, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/462.44, 235/462.25, 235/462.14
• US Class Current: 235/462.21
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

Optical reading system and methods having multiple modes of operation, for example: omnidirectional and single-code picking; fixed and handheld reading; 1D and 2D code reading. In one configuration, an image-based system obtains input data via an area sensor (e.g., a 2D CCD array) with only data corresponding to a pattern of virtual scan lines being stored and processed. A user may implement different operating modes such as a first mode reading codes in any location or orientation and a second mode reading only a code oriented along a particular virtual scan line or group thereof. Alternately, the data reader is operable to switch between handheld mode selecting a first pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode and a fixed mode selecting a second pattern of virtual scan lines to process and/or decode. Virtual scan patterns in either mode can change within or between frames.

Claims

1. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:

by operation of the data reader, projecting a visible aiming pattern into the scan region;

by operation of a user, aligning the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code;

by operation of the data reader;

acquiring a two-dimensional image of the entire scan region into a sensor array, the image including the entire first optical code and an entire second optical code;

processing the image of the scan region to locate both the first and second optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region;

determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first and second optical codes;

if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from the second optical code;

decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of

by operation of the data reader, if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to not intersect any optical code that has been located, then not acknowledging and not transmitting any optical code.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising illuminating the optical code with an illumination source, wherein the aiming pattern is generated by a light source separate from the illumination source.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the aiming pattern is selected from the group consisting of:

an aiming spot, a two-dimensional image, an aiming line segment, a geometric pattern, a logo image.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method for optical reading comprises a handheld mode of operation, wherein the operator aims a handheld data reader at the optical code for positioning the aiming pattern onto the optical code.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method for optical reading comprises a fixed mode of operation, wherein the operator moves an item bearing the optical code within the scan region for positioning the aiming pattern onto the optical code.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising selectively switching between (a) a first mode of operation wherein the first optical code is acknowledged and transmitted only if the aiming pattern is determined to intersect an optical code and (b) a second mode of operation wherein an optical code is acknowledged and transmitted regardless of whether the aiming pattern is determined to intersect the optical code.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising switching to the first mode of operation upon actuation of a switch by the user.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the data reader comprises a portable unit selectively operable in a fixed mode and a handheld mode of operation.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the data reader comprises a portable unit operable in a fixed mode and a handheld mode, the method further comprising

sensing whether the data reader has been moved by the user;

switching to the first mode of operation upon sensing that the data reader has been moved by the user.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the data reader comprises a portable unit operable in a fixed mode and a handheld mode, the method further comprising

sensing whether the data reader has been grasped by the user;

switching to the first mode of operation upon sensing that the data reader has been grasped by the user.

12. A method according to claim 7 further comprising projecting the aiming pattern only when operating in the first mode of operation and not the second mode of operation.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image including the entire first optical code, the entire second optical code and an entire third optical code, the method further comprising

processing the image of the scan region to locate each of the first, second and third optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region;

determining if the aiming pattern intersects any one of the first, second and third optical codes;

if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect either the second optical code or the third optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from either the second optical code or the third optical code.

14. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:

by operation of the data reader, projecting a visible aiming pattern into the scan region;

by operation of a user, aligning the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code;

by operation of the data reader;

acquiring an image of the entire scan region into a sensor array, the image including at least the first optical code and a second optical code;

processing the image of the scan region to locate both the first and second optical codes at any position(s) within the scan region;

determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first and second optical codes;

if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired from the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired from the second optical code;

decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs prior to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code.

15. A method for reading a selected one out of a plurality of optical codes present in a scan region, using a data reader, comprising the steps of:

comprising the steps of;

(a) switching between operating in a handheld mode of operation and a fixed mode of operation;

(b) operating in the handheld mode operation by the steps of

projecting a visible aiming pattern into a scan region,

by operation of a user, manipulating the data reader to position the aiming pattern onto a selected first optical code within the scan region,

by operation of the data reader, (1) acquiring a first image of an entire two-dimensional scan region into a sensor array, the first image including an entire first optical code and an entire second optical code, (2) determining if the aiming pattern intersects either one of the first optical code or a second optical code, (3) if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect the second optical code, acknowledge in and transmitting data acquired in the first image of the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired in the first image of the second optical code;

(c) operating in the fixed mode of operation by steps of

projecting a visible aiming pattern into a scan region,

by operation of a user, manipulating an item bearing an optical code into the imaging region,

by operation of the data reader, (1) acquiring an image of an imaging region into a sensor array, (2) processing the image to locate an optical code, (3) acknowledging and transmitting data of the optical code acquired in the image transmitted regardless of whether the aiming pattern intersects the optical code

wherein the step of operating in the handheld mode of operation further comprises decoding the data acquired, wherein the step of decoding occurs prior to determining if the aiming pattern intersects the first optical code.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein in the step of operating in the handheld mode of operation further comprises (1) acquiring in the first image of the two-dimensional scan region an entire third optical code, (2) determining if the aiming pattern intersects any one of the first optical code, the second optical code, or the third optical code, and (3) if the aiming pattern is determined by the data reader to intersect the first optical code and to not intersect either the second optical code or the third optical code, acknowledging and transmitting data acquired in the first image of the first optical code and not acknowledging and not transmitting data acquired in the first image of either the second optical code or the third optical code.