U.S. patent application number 13/238102 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for aiming sight for a barcode reader.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Edward Barkan, Christopher W. Brock, David P. Goren, Chinh Tan, Carl D. Wittenberg.
Application Number | 20120074226 13/238102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43532663 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120074226 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goren; David P. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2012 |
AIMING SIGHT FOR A BARCODE READER
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method for aiming and reading a target
object. The apparatus includes a barcode reader for reading the
target object. The apparatus also includes an aiming sight coupled
to the barcode reader. The aiming sight is used for aiming the
target object and thereby directing the barcode reader to read the
target object. The aiming sight can either be used independently or
can be used along with an aiming pattern generator present in the
barcode reader, in order to read the target object.
Inventors: |
Goren; David P.; (Smithtown,
NY) ; Barkan; Edward; (Miller Place, NY) ;
Brock; Christopher W.; (Manorville, NY) ; Tan;
Chinh; (Setauket, NY) ; Wittenberg; Carl D.;
(Water Mill, NY) |
Assignee: |
SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Holtsville
NY
|
Family ID: |
43532663 |
Appl. No.: |
13/238102 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12641382 |
Dec 18, 2009 |
8061616 |
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13238102 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/462.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/10881 20130101;
G06K 7/10544 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/462.21 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a barcode reader for reading a target
object; and an aiming sight coupled to the barcode reader for
directing the barcode reader towards the target object to enable
reading of the target object.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an aiming system
within the barcode reader for projecting a visible aiming pattern
on the target object, wherein the aiming system operates in
combination with the aiming sight to enable reading of the target
object.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the aiming system comprises a
laser diode, a focusing lens, and a pattern generator for
generating a desired aiming pattern.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the visible aiming pattern
comprises at least one of single dot of illumination, a plurality
of dots and lines of illumination, and overlapping groups of dots
or lines of illumination.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the aiming sight is aligned to
match the position of the visible aiming pattern generated by the
aiming system.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the aiming sight is fixedly
aligned with respect to the aiming system.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the aiming sight is adjustable
with respect to the aiming system.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight includes at
least one of an open sight aiming sight, an aperture sight aiming
sight, a telescopic sight aiming sight, a reflex sight aiming
sight, and a tube sight aiming sight.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight includes an
optical filter attached to the aiming sight.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight is built
into a housing of the barcode reader.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight is removable
with respect to the barcode reader.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight is foldable
with respect to the barcode reader.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming sight is molded on
the barcode reader.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the barcode reader includes
at least one of a laser based barcode reader and an imaging based
barcode reader.
15. A system comprising: a scanning arrangement for reading a
target object; an illumination system for generating an
illumination pattern directed towards the target object; and an
aiming sight for directing the scanning arrangement towards the
target object to enable reading of the target object.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising: an aiming system for
projecting a visible aiming pattern on the target object, wherein
the aiming system operates in combination with the aiming sight to
enable reading of the target object.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the aiming sight is aligned to
match the position of the aiming pattern generated by the aiming
system.
18. A method comprising: operating a barcode reader to read a
target object; and directing an aiming sight, coupled to the
barcode reader, towards the target object to enable reading of the
target object.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: generating a visible
aiming pattern by an aiming system in the barcode reader; and
operating the aiming system in combination with the aiming sight to
enable reading of the target object.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising projecting the aiming
pattern on the target object; and aligning the aiming sight to
match the position of the aiming pattern.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to barcode readers
and more particularly to adding an aiming sight to a barcode
reader.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various electro-optical systems have been developed for
reading optical indicia, such as barcodes. A barcode is a coded
pattern of graphical indicia comprised of a matrix or series of
bars and spaces of varying widths, the bars and spaces having
differing light reflecting characteristics.
[0003] Systems that read barcodes called barcode readers
electro-optically transform the graphic indicia into electrical
signals and then decode the electric signals into alphanumerical
characters that are intended to be descriptive of the article or
some characteristic thereof. There are different types of barcode
readers or scanners each including different set of components and
employing different methods, to read a barcode. The types include
such as, but not limited to, pen type readers, laser scanners, CCD
readers, and 2D imaging scanners.
[0004] Pen type readers consist of a light source and a photodiode
that are placed next to each other in the tip of a pen or wand. In
order to read a barcode present on a label on a target object, the
tip of the pen is moved or swiped across the label in a steady
motion. The photodiode measures the intensity of the light
reflected back from the light source and generates a waveform that
is used to measure the widths of the bars and spaces in the
barcode.
[0005] Laser scanners work the same way as pen type readers except
that they use a laser beam as the light source and typically employ
either a reciprocating mirror or a rotating prism to scan the laser
beam back and forth across the target object.
[0006] CCD readers (also referred to as LED scanner) use an array
of hundreds of tiny light sensors lined up in a row in the head of
the reader. Each sensor measures the intensity of the light
immediately in front of it. The important difference between a CCD
reader and a pen or laser scanner is that the CCD reader is
measuring emitted ambient light from the barcode whereas pen or
laser scanners are measuring reflected light of a specific
frequency originating from the scanner itself.
[0007] 2D imaging scanners use a small video camera to capture an
image of the barcode. The reader then uses sophisticated digital
image processing techniques to decode the barcode.
[0008] In all the above cases, the ability of a scanner to
successfully read and decode a target object is directly dependent
upon the ability to move the scanner to a suitable position whereby
a satisfactorily clear image of the target object is obtained. In
order to obtain a clear image of the target object, the scanner has
to be properly directed or aimed towards the target object. In
general all the present day scanners have an aiming pattern
generator for generating a visible aiming pattern. The visible
aiming pattern can include such as, but not limited to, a laser dot
or a laser line that enables an operator to aim the scanner at the
target object and thereby read the target object.
[0009] However, at long distances or in high ambient light the
aiming pattern generator might fail to accurately aim the
particular target object. In cases of high ambient light such as
sunlight, the laser aiming dot is not visible. On the other hand,
in low light conditions such as scanning in a warehouse, the laser
aiming dot may not be easily visible at large distances. Also,
aiming at large distances could also be difficult in cases where
there is no reflective background to see the current position of
the laser dot to help guide the operator towards the barcode. In
such conditions, one way of improving the visibility of the laser
aiming dot can be achieved by increasing the laser power. However,
this method is limited due to laser safety regulations. Another way
to improve visibility is by making the operator wear colored
glasses such as red glasses for a red laser to filter out ambient
light, but this has the inconvenience of having to manage a supply
of glasses.
[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for an alternate method to aim
the barcode scanner at the desired target object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed
invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a system diagram of barcode system in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a barcode reader in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a barcode reader in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of various aiming sights in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for aiming a target object
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0017] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
[0018] The apparatus and method components have been represented
where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing
only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention relates to an apparatus, system, and
method for aiming and reading a target object. The apparatus mainly
includes a barcode reader for reading the target object. The
apparatus also includes an aiming sight coupled to the barcode
reader. The aiming sight is used for aiming the target object and
thereby directing the barcode reader to read the target object. The
aiming sight can either be used independently or can be used along
with an aiming pattern generator present in the barcode reader, to
read the target object. Advantages of various embodiments include:
accurately aiming a target object and reading a barcode on the
target object under challenging conditions such as, high ambient
light conditions, low or poor lighting condition, when the target
object is present at long distances, scanning a group of closely
placed barcodes, etc. Those skilled in the art will realize that
the above recognized advantages and other advantages described
herein are merely illustrative and are not meant to be a complete
rendering of all of the advantages of the various embodiments.
[0020] Referring now to figures, FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a
barcode system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The barcode
system 100 can include such as, but not limited to an imaging based
barcode system or a laser based barcode system. The barcode system
100 shows a hand-held barcode reader or scanner 110 acting upon a
target object 130 having a barcode 140. The barcode reader or
scanner 110 can be an imaging based barcode scanner or a laser
based barcode reader. The barcode 140 can include such as but not
limited to the popular barcode symbologies such as: Uniform Product
Code (UPC), typically used in retail stores sales; Code 39,
primarily used in inventory tracking; Postnet, which is used for
encoding zip codes for U.S. mail; and PDF 417 barcodes, which is
used in driving licenses. Barcodes may be one dimensional (1D),
i.e., a single row of graphical indicia such as the UPC barcode or
two dimensional (2D), i.e., multiple rows of graphical indicia
comprising a single barcode such as the PDF 417 barcode.
[0021] Returning back to the description of FIG. 1, the hand-held
barcode reader 110 includes a gripping portion 10a adapted to be
grasped by an operator's hand and a forward or scanning head
portion 10b extending from an upper part 10c of the gripping
portion 10a. A lower part 10d of the gripping portion 10a is
adapted to be received in a docking station 112 positioned on a
substrate such as a table or sales counter. The barcode reader 110
includes a front wall region 10f on the scanning head portion 10b.
The scanning head portion 10b also includes an imaging camera
assembly 24 and an illumination system 40, as shown in FIG. 2. The
imaging camera assembly 24 includes a housing supporting focusing
optics including one or more imaging lens and a photo sensor or
pixel array for capturing the image of the barcode 140 through a
transparent window (not shown) present on the front wall 10f.
[0022] The scanning head portion 10b also includes an attachment
means (not shown), such as, but not limited to a clamp or a socket
to attach an aiming sight 120 to the barcode reader 110. The aiming
sight 120 is similar to the aiming sights used in firearms and
telescopes and their working is already known in the art. The
different types of aiming sight 120 such as, but not limited to
open sight aiming sight, tube sight aiming sight, telescopic sight
aiming sight, aperture sight aiming sight, and reflex sight aiming
sight can be used and are described below with reference to FIG. 3.
The aiming sight 120 can be coupled to the barcode reader 110 using
different methods. In one embodiment, the aiming sight 120, such as
the open sight aiming sight, can be permanently glued to or molded
on the barcode reader 110. In a second embodiment, the aiming sight
120, such as the tube sight aiming sight, can be built into the
housing of the barcode reader 110. In a third embodiment, the
aiming sight 120 can be removably attached to the barcode reader
110. The removable sight can be part of a removal boot such as a
rubber boot. In a fourth embodiment, the aiming sight 120 can be a
foldable sight such as the front bead of an open sight that folds
flat when not in use.
[0023] Returning back to FIG. 1, the barcode reader 110 in
accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is
adapted to be used in both a hand-held mode and a fixed position
mode. In the fixed position mode, the reader 110 is received in the
docking station 112 and a target object 130 having a target barcode
140 is brought within the field of view (FV) of imaging camera
assembly 24 in order to have the barcode reader 110 read the target
barcode 140. The imaging camera assembly 24 is typically always on
or operational in the fixed position mode to image and decode any
target barcode 140 presented to the barcode reader 110 within the
field of view (FV). The docking station 112 is plugged into an AC
power source and provides regulated DC power to the barcode reader
110. Thus, when the barcode reader 110 is in the docking station
112 power is available to keep the imaging camera assembly 24 on
continuously. In the hand-held mode, the reader 110 is removed from
the docking station 112 so the reader 110 can be carried by an
operator and positioned such that the target barcode 140 is within
the field of view (FV) of the imaging camera assembly 24. In the
hand-held mode, imaging and decoding of the target barcode 140 is
instituted by the operator depressing the trigger 10e.
[0024] For the purpose of this description, a hand-held imaging
based barcode system will be discussed. However, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the techniques
and devices described herein can be practiced advantageously with
stationary or bi-optic imaging systems.
[0025] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a barcode reader in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 1A illustrates a barcode
reader 110 with an aiming sight such as the open sight aiming sight
310. The open sight 310 aiming sight is molded on the barcode
reader. The open sight 310 aiming sight includes a rear mounted
notch 312 and a front mounted bead 314. The notch 312 can be a V
shaped notch or a U shaped notch. The notch 312 and the bead 314
are aligned such that an operator of the barcode scanner 110 can
view the target object 130 through the notch and bead arrangement.
The notch 312 and the bead 314 are vertically aligned by lining up
the top of the front bead with the top of the rear notch, or by
placing the bead 314 just above the bottom of the V or U shape of
the notch 312. The positioning of the notch 312 and the bead 314
aids the operator in aiming the target object 130 and thereby
enable the barcode reader 110 to read the target barcode 140. The
present invention is not limited to the usage of the open sight 310
with a rear notch and front bead. Various types of open sights such
as, but not limited to buckhorn aiming sight, semi-buckhorn aiming
sight, and express aiming sight can also be used and their working
is already known in the art.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an imaging based barcode reader
110 in accordance with some embodiments. The block diagram 200
illustrates an internal circuitry of the barcode reader 110 in
accordance with some embodiments. The imaging based barcode reader
110 includes an imaging system 20 and a decoding system 30. The
imaging system 20 is adapted to capture image frames of graphical
indicia such as a barcode 140 present in a field of view (FV) of
the imaging system 20 and the decoding system 30 is adapted to
decode encoded indicia within a captured image frame. The imaging
system 20 and the decoding system 30 are part of the barcode system
circuitry. The circuitry also includes a microprocessor 11a, a
power supply 11b, and an internal oscillator or clock 11c. The
microprocessor 11a is used to control the operations of the imaging
and decoding systems 20 and 30, respectively. The power supply 11b
is used for supplying power to the microprocessor 11a and also to
other hardware units within the barcode reader 110. The clock 11c
is used for supplying timing information for the operation of the
microprocessor 11a.
[0027] Returning back to the description of FIG. 2, the imaging
system 20 includes the imaging camera assembly 24 and an associated
imaging circuitry 22. The imaging camera assembly 24 includes a
housing 26 supporting focusing optics including one or more imaging
or focusing lens 26a, an aperture 26b, and a photo sensor or pixel
array 26c. The focusing lens 26a focuses light reflected and
scattered from the target barcode 140 through an aperture 26b onto
the pixel/photo sensor array 26c. Thus, the imaging lens 26a
focuses an image of the target barcode 140 (assuming it is within
the FV) onto the array of pixels comprising the pixel array 26c,
thereby enabling the pixel array 26c to capture an image of a
target object 130 within a FV of the imaging camera assembly 24
during an exposure period. The FV of the imaging camera assembly 24
includes both a horizontal (shown in FIG. 1) and a vertical (not
shown) field of view. The FV of the imaging camera assembly 24 is a
function of both the configuration of the sensor array 26c and the
optical characteristics of the imaging lens 26a and the distance
and orientation between the array 26c and the imaging lens 26a.
[0028] Further, the imaging system 20 includes, but not limited to,
a linear or one dimensional imaging system and the photo sensor
array 26c includes, but not limited to, a linear or 1D sensor
array. The sensor array 26c includes such as but not limited to a
charged coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS), or other imaging pixel array, operating under
the control of the imaging circuitry 22. The number of pixels in
the row typically would be 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096 pixels. The
typical size of a pixel in the pixel array would be on the order of
7 microns in horizontal width.times.120 microns in vertical height.
The linear sensor array 26c is primarily adapted to image 1D
barcodes, such as, a UPC barcode as shown in FIG. 1 which extends
along a horizontal axis and includes one row of indicia, an array
of dark bars and white spaces. However, one of skill in the art
would recognize that the present invention is also applicable to
imaging systems utilizing a 2D photo sensor array to image 2D
barcodes, postal codes, signatures, etc.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 2, the barcode reader 110 includes an
aiming system 70 to generate a visible aiming pattern 78 to aid the
operator in aiming the barcode reader 110 at the target barcode
140. The aiming system 70 generates the visible aiming pattern 78
comprising a single dot of illumination, a plurality of dots and/or
lines of illumination or overlapping groups of dots/lines of
illumination. The aiming system 70 typically includes a laser diode
72, a focusing lens 74 and a pattern generator 76 for generating
the desired aiming pattern 78. The barcode reader 110 also includes
an aiming sight 120 to aid the operator in aiming the barcode
reader 110 on the target object 130, such the barcode reader 110
can read the barcode 140 present on the target object. The aiming
sight 120 enables the barcode reader 110 to read the barcode 140
under difficult or challenging conditions where the aiming pattern
78 is not visible.
[0030] In one embodiment the aiming sight 120 is used by the
operator to focus on the target barcode 140. Upon focusing, the
operator depresses the trigger 10e to read or capture the image of
the target barcode 140. The aiming sight 120 can be used in a stand
alone mode i.e., the operator can completely switch off the aiming
system 70 in the barcode 110. In one example, if the barcode reader
110 has a two position trigger, where the first position activates
the aiming system 70 and the second position activates scanning,
the operator who is using the aiming sight 120 can pull directly to
the second trigger position after focusing the target barcode 140,
dispensing with the use of the aiming system 70. This can save time
for the operator and reduce cost for the manufacturer, since it can
enable a practical long range scanner with no laser aimer. In
another example, the aiming sight 120 can be used to designate
which barcode from among a group of closely spaced barcodes will be
scanned, without using the aiming pattern 78. This can be important
on high shelves where barcodes are located close together. Also,
the reader 110 can be calibrated to decode the barcode that is
visible in the aiming sight 120 or the barcode that is closest to
the sighted area.
[0031] In another embodiment, the aiming sight 120 can be used
along with the aiming system 70 to aid the operator focus on the
target barcode 140. In one example, when the target object 130 is
far away from the barcode reader 110, the operator faces difficulty
in seeing the aiming pattern 78 projected on the target object 130
and therefore the operator is unable to accurately direct the
barcode reader 110 to read the target barcode 140. In such
situation, the aiming sight 120 is aligned with the aiming system
70 to match the position of the aiming pattern 78. The operator can
use the aiming sight 120 to view the projected aiming pattern 78
and thereby enable reading of the desired barcode 140. However, if
the aiming sight 120 cannot be aligned with the aiming system 70 at
all distances, it is preferred to have the alignment for long
distances where the aiming dot is least visible. This alignment can
be achieved by various methods. For example, the aiming sight 120
can be aligned at the time of manufacturing by using fine thread
screw and spring. If the aiming sight 120 is aligned at a factory,
glue will be applied to fix the alignment and therefore improve
shock-worthiness. Alignment of the aiming sight 120 to the aiming
pattern 78 will be done indoors, with the barcode scanner 110
rested on a stand. The aiming sight 120 can be fixedly aligned with
respect to the aiming system 70 or can be field adjustable with
respect to the aiming system 70 to compensate for alignment
drifts.
[0032] In one example, in order to achieve alignment at all
distances we can have separate aiming sight features for short and
long distance such as two different front beads on an open sight.
This eliminates parallax between the aiming sight 120 and the
aiming pattern 78. In another example, in order to improve the
visibility of the laser dot the aiming sight 120 can be provided
with an optical filter such as a red filter to more easily see red
laser dot.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 2, the barcode reader 110 further
includes an illumination system 40 to illuminate the target barcode
140. The illumination system 40 directs an illumination pattern
towards the target barcode 140. The illumination from the
illumination system 40 is reflected by the target barcode 140. The
reflected light then passes through the imaging lens 26a and is
focused onto the sensor array 26c of the imaging system 20. The
pixel array 26c generates an analog electrical signal by reading
out some or all of the pixels of the pixel array 26c after an
exposure period. In some sensors, particularly CMOS sensors, all
pixels of the pixel array 26c are not exposed at the same time,
thus, reading out of some pixels may coincide in time with an
exposure period for some other pixels. The analog signal from the
pixel array 26c is amplified by a gain factor of the imaging
circuitry 22 and then digitized by the A/D converter of the imaging
circuitry 22 to generate a digitized signal. The digitized signal
includes a sequence of digital gray scale values typically ranging
from 0-255 (for an eight bit processor, i.e., 2.sup.8=256), where a
0 gray scale value would represent an absence of any reflected
light received by a pixel during an exposure or integration period
(characterized as low pixel brightness) and a 255 gray scale value
would represent a very high intensity of reflected light received
by a pixel during an exposure period (characterized as high pixel
brightness). The digitized gray scale values are stored in a memory
50. The digitized gray scale values correspond to an image frame
which is representative of the image projected by the imaging lens
26a onto the pixel array 26c during an exposure period. The
digitized gray scale values can be sent to the decoding system 30
to obtain the data represented by the barcode 140.
[0034] The decoding system 30 operates on the digitized gray scale
values of the image frame and attempts to decode any decodable
image within the image frame. If the decoding is successful,
decoded data, representative of the data/information coded in the
barcode 140 is then output via a data output port 66 and/or
displayed to the user of the barcode reader 110 via a display 64.
Upon achieving a good "read" of the barcode 140, that is, the
barcode 140 was successfully imaged and decoded, a speaker 62
and/or an indicator LED 60 is activated by the barcode circuitry to
indicate to the user that the target barcode 140 has been
successfully imaged and decoded. If decoding is unsuccessful, a
successive image frame is selected and the decoding process is
repeated until a successful decode is achieved.
[0035] The imaging and decoding systems 20, 30 of the present
invention may be embodied in hardware, software, electrical
circuitry, firmware embedded within the microprocessor 11a or the
imaging camera assembly 24, on a flash read only memory (ROM), on
an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any
combination thereof.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of various aiming sights in
accordance with some embodiments. The different types of aiming
sights include an open sight 310 aiming sight, a tube sight 320
aiming sight, a telescopic sight 330 aiming sight, an aperture
sight 340 aiming sight, and a reflex sight 350 aiming sight. The
operation of the open sight 310 aiming sight was described above
with respect to FIG. 1A. The tube sight 320 aiming sight is a
thin-wall tube having a cap threaded rear end for accepting
standard rear aperture sighting disk. The tube sight 320 can be
built into the housing of the barcode reader 110 and thereby enable
the reader 110 to read the target barcode 140. The telescopic sight
330 has a tube like structure with an objective lens on one side of
the tube and an eyepiece lens on the other side other side. The
objective lens is used for collecting light from the target object
130 and bringing it to a point of focus within the tube and the
eyepiece lens is used to spread out the light in the focus point
and thereby present a magnified or a larger image of the target
object 130 to the operator. This aids the operator in accurately
directing the barcode reader 110 towards the target object 130 and
read the target barcode 140. The telescopic sight 330 can be
removably attached to the barcode reader 110.
[0037] The aperture sight 340 includes a disk shaped rear sight
with a small hole or aperture in the center. The theory of
operation behind the aperture sight is that the human eye will
automatically center the target object 130 when looked through the
aperture in the rear sight. In other words, the operator can
precisely view the target object 130 through the aperture and
direct the barcode reader 110 towards the target object 130 to read
the target barcode 140. The reflex sight 350 uses refractive or
reflective optical collimators to generate a collimated image of a
luminous or reflective reticle. This collimated image is reflected
off a dichroic mirror or beam splitter to allow the operator to see
the field of view (FV) and a reflection of the projected reticle
simultaneously, thereby enabling the operator to view the target
object 130.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for aiming a target object
in accordance with some embodiments. The method 400 describes
accurately aiming a target object 130 and reading a barcode 140 on
the target object using an aiming sight 120 and an aiming system
70. The method 400 includes generating 410 a visible aiming pattern
by the aiming system 70 in the barcode reader 110. The visible
aiming pattern includes such as, but not limited to, a single dot
of illumination, a plurality of dots and lines of illumination, and
overlapping groups of dots or lines of illumination. The method 400
further includes projecting 420 the generated aiming pattern on the
target object 130, wherein the target object includes the desired
barcode 140. Upon projecting 420 the aiming pattern on the target
object 130, an operator of the barcode reader 110 can direct 430
the aiming sight 120 towards the target object 130. The operator
aims or focuses the target object 130 through the aiming sight 120,
such that the desired barcode 140 is clearly visible. Further, the
operator aligns 440 the aiming sight 120 to focus on the projected
aiming pattern and thereby enable the barcode reader 110 to read
450 the target object.
[0039] In one embodiment, the generation 410 and projection 420 of
the aiming pattern can be disabled and the operator can only use
the aiming sight 120 to aim the target object 130. The barcode
reader 110 can therefore read or scan the desired barcode 140
without using the aiming system 70. In one example, the aiming
system 70 can be completely disabled and the operator uses only the
aiming sight 120 for aiming the target barcode 140. In another
example, for smaller distances where the aiming pattern is clearly
visible, the aiming system can be used for aiming the barcode 140,
however, for large distances the aiming system can be disabled and
the aiming sight 120 can be used for aiming the barcode.
[0040] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present teachings.
[0041] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
[0042] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes",
"including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those
elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element
proceeded by "comprises . . . a", "has . . . a", "includes . . .
a", "contains . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes,
contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or
more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms
"substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any
other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting
embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another
embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in
another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein
is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not
necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0043] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be
comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or
"processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal
processors, customized processors and field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including
both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors
to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits,
some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus
described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be
implemented by a state machine that has no stored program
instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of
certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of
course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
[0044] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code
stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a
processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein.
Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are
not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a
magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM
(Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that
one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort
and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time,
current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the
concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of
generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with
minimal experimentation.
[0045] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,
in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
* * * * *