Data reader and methods for imaging targets subject to specular reflection
US7398927B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/40056
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A data reader such as for example an imaging reader with a CCD or CMOS imager or the like, having multiple images of a target item illuminated or acquired from different directions in which the image signals are combined into a complete image of the item or selected portions of the item being read such that specular reflection (over-saturated regions of the sensor array) are minimized or eliminated. In one example data reader configuration, multiple illumination sources such as first and second rows of light emitting diodes (LED's) are aimed at the item being scanned from different directions. The illumination sources are alternately pulsed and return signals are collected at one or more sensor arrays. A selected non-saturated return signal from one of the illumination sources, or selected non-saturated portions of return signal from both of the illumination sources are processed to generate a complete non-saturated image of the target. In one preferred processing scheme, assuming that each of the LED's is capable of illuminating the entire target (e.g. a barcode), a pixel-by-pixel minimum is taken of the two images thereby producing an image with specular reflection minimized or n…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.