US 20120223143Al
(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0223143 A1 TURBOVICH (54)
(43) Pub. Date:
BARCODE SCANNER
(76) Inventor:
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
Int. Cl. G06K 7/10
(52)
US. Cl. ................................................. .. 235/472.02
Irit TURBOVICH, Haifa (IL)
(21) Appl. No.:
13/297,358
(22) Filed:
N0“ 16 2011
Sep. 6, 2012
(57)
(2006-01)
ABSTRACT
A Wireless product code reader comprises a scanner for scan
’
ning product codes; processing electronics for providing a raW signal proportional to signal intensities detected While
scanning the product code; a Wireless interface for providing Related US, Application Data _ _
(60)
_
_
PIN/151011211 aPPllCaUOI1 N0~ 61/448,685, ?led 011 Maf-
3,2011.
said raW signals to a receiving unit; and a mounting unit for mounting said barcode reader on the body of a user for hands
free use. The scanner may be an optical scanner for scanning barcodes.
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 1 0f 6
US 2012/0223143 A1
22
12
Scaner 14
Transmite 16I,”
Fig. 1
20/
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 2 0f 6
22
1O
20 I’
Q
Fig. 2
US 2012/0223143 A1
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 3 0f 6
US 2012/0223143 A1
<mdc
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 4 0f 6
US 2012/0223143 A1
4 Fig.
42
Fig.3B
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 5 0f 6
US 2012/0223143 A1
mmom
\ .mmm/\ E8.m50] g6 m2%
wm
Patent Application Publication
Sep. 6, 2012 Sheet 6 0f 6
US 2012/0223143 A1
.QE @
L@wuoEc>umoXw.cE: 7
$ w 9 : Q E 2 c 8 C m B 9 ; E w6Hu2o3w9a 5E082w5 w6Q2EmC 7
Sep. 6, 2012
US 2012/0223143 A1
BARCODE SCANNER
and the photodiode receive circuitry is designed to detect only
RELATED APPLICATION
signals With the same modulated pattern. [0010] CCD readers use an array of hundreds of tiny light
[0001] This application claims the bene?t of priority under 35 USC 119(e) of US. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/448,685 ?led Mar. 3, 2011, the contents of Which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]
The present invention relates to a device and method
for scanning of barcodes. [0003] Present day barcode scanning is ubiquitous for stock control, and is used in shops and supermarkets, as Well as in Warehouses and in o?ices. [0004] To quote from Wikipedia, a barcode reader (or bar
sensors lined up in a roW in the head of the reader. CCD
readers may have di?iculty reading poorly presented bar codes, say barcodes at aWkWard angles or slightly damaged or covered in dirt. [0011]
Omni-directional scanners almost all use a laser.
Unlike the simpler single-line laser scanners, they produce a pattern of beams in varying orientations alloWing them to read barcodes presented at different angles. Most of them use a single rotating polygonal mirror and an arrangement of several ?xed mirrors to generate their complex scan patterns. Omni-directional scanners are most familiar through the
scanners With tWo scanning WindoWs that are Widely used in supermarkets, Where packages are slid across a glass or sap phire WindoW. There are a range of different omni -directional
barcodes. Like a ?atbed scanner, it consists of a light source,
units available Which canbe used for differing scanning appli cations, ranging from retail type applications With the bar
a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones. Additionally, nearly all barcode readers con
codes read only a feW centimetres aWay from the scanner to industrial conveyor scanning Where the unit can be a couple of
code scanner) is an electronic device for reading printed
tain decoder circuitry analyZing the barcode’s image data
metres aWay or more from the code. Omni-directional scan
provided by the sensor and sending the barcode’s content to the scanner’s output port.
ners are also better at reading poorly printed, Wrinkled, or even torn barcodes. Regular laser barcode readers may also
[0005] Barcode scanners may include laser scanners, for example solid state or semiconductor lasers including diode lasers. Alternative scanners may include CCD scanners. As a
further alternative, cameras, such as mobile telephone cam eras, are able to read barcodes When provided With suitable softWare.
[0006] Scanning methods are distinguished by the amount of operator manipulation required. Thus pen or Wand-type readers require the operator to sWipe the pen over the code. Semi-automatic handheld readers do not require the operator to sWipe, but they must at least position the reader near the label. Fix-mount readers for automatic reading Work by lat erally passing the label over the reader. No operator is required, but the position of the code target must coincide
With the imaging capability of the reader. Using reader gates for automatic scanning, the position of the code must be just under the gate for short time, enabling the scanner sWeep to
capture the code target successfully. [0007] 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. To read a bar code, the tip of the pen moves across
the bars in a steady motion. The photodiode measures the
include design features to alloW reading of aWkWardly pre sented barcodes. [0012] While cell phone cameras Without auto-focus are not ideal for reading some common barcode formats, there are 2D barcodes (such as Semacode) Which are optimiZed for cell phones, as Well as QR Codes and Data Matrix codes Which can be read quickly and accurately With or Without auto-focus. [0013] The reader packaging can be distinguished as fol loWs :
[0014]
The handheld scanner With a handle and typically a
trigger button for sWitching on the light source. [0015] Pen scanner (or Wand scanner) a pen-shaped scan ner that is sWiped. [0016] A stationary scanner is a Wall- or table-mounted scanner under or beside Which the barcode is passed. These are commonly found at the checkout counters of supermar kets and other retailers. [0017] A ?xed-position scanner is an industrial barcode
reader used to identify products during manufacture or logis tics. Such is often used on conveyor tracks to identify cartons or pallets Which need to be routed to another process or
intensity of the light re?ected back from the light source and
shipping location. Another application joins holographic (or
generates a Waveform that is used to measure the Widths of the
barcode) scanners With a checkWeigher to read bar codes of
bars and spaces in the bar code. Dark bars in the bar code
any orientation or placement, and Weighs the package. Sys
absorb light and White spaces re?ect light so that the voltage Waveform generated by the photo diode is a representation of the bar and space pattern in the bar code. The Waveform is
tems like this are used in factory and farm automation for
decoded by the scanner in a manner similar to the Way Morse code dots and dashes are decoded.
built-in barcode reader or attached barcode scanner.
[0008]
read barcoded documents at high speed (50,000/hour).
Other types of Wand are knoWn that do not require
contact With the barcode. [0009] Laser scanners Work the same Way as pen type read ers except that they use a laser beam as the light source and
typically employ either a reciprocating mirror or a rotating
quality management and shipping. [0018]
[0019]
A PDA scanner (or Auto-ID PDA) is a PDA With a
An automatic reader is back o?ice equipment to
[0020] A cordless scanner (or Wireless scanner) is a cord less barcode scanner operated by a battery ?tted inside it and is not connected to the electricity mains. [0021] Methods of Connection
prism to scan the laser beam back and forth across the bar
[0022] Early Serial Interfaces
code. As With the pen type reader, a photodiode is used to measure the intensity of the light re?ected back from the bar code. In both pen readers and laser scanners, the light emitted
[0023] Early barcode scanners, of all formats, almost uni versally used the then-common RS232 serial interface. This Was an electrically simple means of connection and the soft
by the reader is rapidly varied in brightness With a data pattern
Ware to access it is also relatively simple, although needing to
Sep. 6, 2012
US 2012/0223143 A1
be Written for speci?c computers and their serial ports. There
[0040]
are a feW less common proprietary interfaces as Well
and the codes are comprised in RFIDs, or Wherein the scanner is a holographic scanner and the codes are comprised in
[0024]
With the popularity of the PC and its standard key
In an embodiment, the scanner is an RFID scanner
board interface, it became ever easier to connect physical
holograms.
hardWare to a PC and so there Was commercial demand simi
[0041] In an embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a Wrist band.
larly to reduce the complexity of the associated softWare. “Keyboard Wedge” hardWare plugged betWeen the PC and its normal keyboard, alloWed characters from the barcode scan ner to appear exactly as if they had been typed at the keyboard. This made the addition of simple barcode reading abilities to existing programs very easy, Without any need to change them, although it did require some care by the user and could be restrictive in the content of the barcodes that could be handled.
[0025]
USB
[0026]
Later barcode readers began to use USB connectors
rather than the keyboard port, as this became a more conve
[0042]
In an embodiment, the mounting unit is con?gured
such that the reader extends forWard of the Wri st onto the back of the hand.
[0043]
In an embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a
front band to extend across the palm of the hand behind the ?ngers and a Wri stband to extend across the Wrist behind the base of the thumb. [0044] An embodiment may further comprise a movement
based generator.
nient hardWare option. To retain the easy integration With
[0045]
existing programs, a device driver called a “software Wedge”
mounting surface of the reader.
could be used, to emulate the keyboard-impersonating behav iour of the old keyboard Wedge hardWare.
scanner, and further comprising a protective frame extending
[0027] In many cases a choice of USB interface types (HID, CDC) are provided. Some have PoWered USB.
around the WindoW. [0047] In an embodiment, the scanner comprises an omni
[0028] Wireless NetWorking [0029] Modern handheld barcode readers are operated in Wireless netWorks according to IEEE 802.11g (WLAN) or IEEE 80215.3 (Bluetooth). HoWever, such a con?guration limits the time of operation from a battery or rechargeable battery and requires recharging at least after a shift of opera tion.
[0030]
Resolution
[0031] The scanner resolution is measured by the siZe of the dot of light emitted by the reader. If the dot of light is Wider than any bar or space in the bar code, then it Will overlap tWo elements (tWo spaces or tWo bars) and it may produce a Wrong output. On the other hand, if a too small dot of light is used, then it can misinterpret any spot on the bar code making the ?nal output Wrong. [0032] The most commonly used dimension is 13 mils (0.33 mm), although some scanners can read codes With dimensions as small as 3 mils (0.076 mm). Smaller bar codes are printed at high resolution to be read accurately. [0033] In general, stationary scanners are used in point of sale systems. These have the advantage of being best able to read unclear or not Well attached bar codes, and leave the operator’s hands free to handle goods. On the other hand stationary scanners are expensive and take up large amounts of space. Handheld scanners do not take up space but interfere
With the ability of the operator to handle the goods that are
being scanned. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0046]
proportional to signal intensities detected While scanning the
An embodiment may comprise a WindoW over the
directional scanner, or a single laser scanner or a charge
coupled device or a hologram scanner.
[0048] In an embodiment, the omni-directional scanner provides a scan pattern of beams at a plurality of orientations,
thereby to read barcodes at different angles. [0049] An embodiment may comprise a single rotating polygonal mirror and an arrangement of several ?xed mirrors to generate the scan pattern.
[0050] According to a second aspect of the present inven tion there is provided a method of scanning codes on labels
comprising: [0051] providing to a user a barcode reader for mounting on the back of a hand, the reader comprising a scanner; [0052] detecting at the scanner, a variation in intensities as the scanner is scanned over a barcode;
[0053] transmitting the intensities Wirelessly to a receiver. [0054]
An embodiment may comprise mounting the reader
using a Wrist band.
[0055]
An embodiment may comprise mounting the reader
on the back of the hand such that the reader extends forWard of the Wrist onto the back of the hand.
[0056]
An embodiment may comprise mounting the reader
using a front band to extend across the palm of the hand behind the ?ngers and a Wristband to extend across the Wrist behind the base of the thumb.
[0057] [0034] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a Wireless reader for labels comprising: [0035] a scanner for scanning the labels for codes; [0036] processing electronics for providing a raW signal
An embodiment may comprise a ?exible layer on a
An embodiment may comprise charging the reader
using at least one member of the group comprising a move
ment based generator, and a solar panel.
[0058]
An embodiment may comprise scanning using an
omni-directional scanner.
product code;
[0059]
[0037] a Wireless interface for providing the raW signals to a receiving unit; and
rectional scanner to provide a scan pattern of beams at a
An embodiment may comprise using the omni-di
plurality of orientations, thereby to read barcodes at different
angles.
[0038] a mounting unit for mounting the reader on a user to permit hands-free use by the user. [0039] In an embodiment, the scanner is an optical scanner
polygonal mirror to provide a beam successively to different
and the codes to be scanned comprise barcodes.
ones of several ?xed mirrors to generate the scan pattern.
[0060]
An embodiment may comprise rotating a single
Sep. 6, 2012
US 2012/0223143 A1
[0061] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for barcode reading comprising: [0062] a) a Wireless barcode reader, the reader comprising: [0063] a scanner for scanning product codes; [0064] processing electronics for providing a raW signal
such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non
volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data.
proportional to signal intensities detected While scan
Optionally, a netWork connection is provided as Well. A dis
ning the barcode;
play and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse
[0065] a Wireless interface for providing the raW signals to a receiving unit;
[0066]
and
[0067]
on a back of a hand;
[0070] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a Wireless handheld product code reader
comprising: [0071] [0072]
a scanner for scanning codes; processing electronics for providing a raW signal proportional to signal intensities detected While scanning the
code; and an interface for providing the raW signals to a receiv
[0082] The invention is herein described, by Way of example only, With reference to the accompanying draWings. With speci?c reference noW to the draWings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shoWn are by Way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide What is believed to be the most useful and
readily understood description of the principles and concep tual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to shoW structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the inven
tion, the description taken With the draWings making apparent to those skilled in the art hoW the several forms of the inven
ing unit. [0074]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
a mounting unit for mounting the barcode reader
[0068] and [0069] b) a receiving unit con?gured for translating the raW signal into recogniZed characters and products.
[0073]
are optionally provided as Well.
An embodiment may comprise a handle, to alloW
handheld use, and/ or a mounting unit for mounting the unit on the body of a user to provide hands free use.
[0075] In an embodiment, the interface comprises a Wire less interface. [0076] Unless otherWise de?ned, all technical and scien ti?c terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to Which this
invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be
limiting. [0077] The Word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serv ing as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as
tion may be embodied in practice.
[0083]
In the draWings:
[0084] FIG. 1 is a simpli?ed block diagram illustrating a ?rst reader device according to the present embodiments; [0085] FIG. 2 shoWs a reader according to FIG. 1, mounted on a hand, and seen from above;
[0086] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate tWo alternatives of the device of FIG. 1, mounted on a hand and seen from the side;
[0087]
FIG. 4 illustrates scanning WindoWs and frames for
an optical scanner device according to the present embodi
ments; [0088]
FIG. 5 is a simpli?ed schematic diagram shoWing an
omnidirectional optical scanner for use With the present
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/ or to
embodiments; and
exclude the incorporation of features from other embodi
[0089] FIG. 6 is a simpli?ed ?oW chart illustrating use of the present embodiments.
ments.
[0078] The Word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features con?ict.
[0079]
Implementation of the method and/or system of
embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a com bination thereof.
[0080] Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by
[0090]
The present embodiments comprise a Wireless prod
uct scanner that optically scans a labeled object for a code and obtains intensity variations from the scan. The scanner trans mits the results of the scan as a raW signal to a receiving
device. The receiving device decodes the received intensities and translates them into object or product codes. [0091] The scanner may be body mounted on the operator to leave the hands free to handle objects or goods being
hardWare, by softWare or by ?rmware or by a combination
scanned or dealing With other tasks or for any other reason or
thereof using an operating system. [0081] For example, hardWare for performing selected
need. To date, handheld scanners have not been used in situ
tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As softWare, selected tasks
according to embodiments of the invention could be imple mented as a plurality of softWare instructions being executed
ations Where handling of the goods is required simulta neously With scanning. The removal of all the decoding func tions to a receiving device alloWs the scanner of the present embodiments to be smaller and lighter and thus more suitable
for body mounting.
by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an
[0092]
exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks
that may be used include a pen scanner, a stationary scanner,
As Will be discussed beloW, the types of scanners
according to exemplary embodiments of method and/ or sys
?xed- position scanners, automatic readers, cordless scan
tem as described herein are performed by a data processor,
ners, handheld scanners, body/hand mounted scanner for
Sep. 6, 2012
US 2012/0223143 A1
hands-free use, beltWeighers Which include scanning, in-mo tion scales Which include scanning, dynamic scales and the like. [0093]
Devices in Which the receiving unit is also a small portable computing device such as a personal digital assistant PDA, may be used. [0094] The principles and operation of an apparatus and method according to the present invention may be better understood With reference to the draWings and accompanying
description. [0095] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the folloWing description or illustrated in the draWings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various Ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
such as Blu-ray Disc are reaching the limit of possible data density due to the diffraction-limited siZe of the Writing beams, and holographic storage has no such limits. The advantage of holographic data storage is that the volume of the recording media is used instead of just the surface. Cur rently available holographic data storage systems can pro duce about 1000 different images a second at 1024>