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US6123261A
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Optical scanner and image reader for reading images and decoding optical information including one and two dimensional symbologies at variable depth of field
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1998-05-05
•
Granted: 2000-09-26
•
Expires: 2018-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An integrated system and method for reading image data. An optical scanner/image reader is provided for reading images and decoding optical information or code, including one and two dimensional symbologies at variable depth of field, including memory and image processing for high speed applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander R. Roustaei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/101; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/1098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 91
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source projecting light onto said target image field; an optical assembly comprising at least one lens, said optical assembly focusing said light reflected from said target field; a sensor, said sensor including a plurality of pixel elements for sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; an optical processor generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination level received from said sensor and converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; a memory receiving and storing the output data, the stored output data indicative of the target image field; an image processor receiving a portion of the output data and generating distinguishing data from an identified area of interest; and a data processing unit coupled with said memory and responsive to the distinguishing data, the data processing unit including processing circuits processing the stored data to produce decoded data representing said image information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source projecting light onto said target image field; an optical assembly comprising at least one lens, said optical assembly focusing said light reflected from said target field; a sensor, said sensor including a plurality of pixel elements for sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; an optical processor generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination level received from said sensor and converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; a memory receiving and storing the output data, the stored output data indicative of the target image field; an image processor receiving a portion of the output data and generating distinguishing data from an identified area of interest; and a data processing unit coupled with said memory and responsive to the distinguishing data, the data processing unit including processing circuits processing the stored data to produce decoded data representing said image information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor, and said optical processor are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor, said optical processor and said image processor are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said sensor, said optical processor and said image processor are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor, said optical processor, said image processor and said data processing unit are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame locator means for directing said sensor to an area of interest in said target image field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a camera and a digital imaging means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a view finder including an image display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly includes a fixed focused lens assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly includes digital zoom function means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data processing unit further comprises an integrated function means for high speed and low power digital imaging.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly further comprises an image processing means having auto-zoom and auto-focus means controlled by said data processing unit for determining an area of interest at any distance, using high frequency transition between black and white.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data processing unit further comprises a pattern recognition means for global feature determination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an image processing means using gray scale and color processing, said processing associated with a form factor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for auto-discriminating between a camera function and an optical code recognition function and means for implementing a decoding function to read encoded data within the optical image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an aperture and means for reading optical codes bigger than the physical size of the aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor is selected from a group consisting of a CCD, CMOS sensor or CMD.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light source is selected from a group consisting of a light emitting diode, strobe, laser diode or halogen light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical processor includes a sample and hold circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical processor includes an analog to digital converter circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical processor includes a sample and hold circuit and an analog to digital converter circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image processor includes an ASIC.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image processor includes an FPGA.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image processor includes a binary processor and a gray scale processor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image processor includes a binary processor in series with a run length code processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said run length code processor outputs indicator data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image processor includes a gray scale processor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the output data is compressed and stored, and the image processor processes compressed data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 28 wherein a least a portion of the compressed data is received and stored before the memory receives and stores the sensed illumination level for all pixel elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the compression includes binarization.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the compression includes run-length coding.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the distinguishing data is generated before the memory receives and stores the output data indicative of all pixel elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image processor includes means for processing the portion of the output data to identify an area of interest as indicative of a type of optical code.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image processor includes means for performing sub-pixel interpolation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical reading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image processor includes means for determining an angle that the symbologies make with the orientation of the sensor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor, said optical processing means and said image processor are each implemented on discrete chips.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the values represent gray scale values.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the values represent color values.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
184 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source means for projecting an incident beam of light onto said target image field; an optical assembly means for focusing said light reflected from said target field; a sensor means for sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; an optical processing means for generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination levels received from said sensor and for converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; a memory means for receiving and storing the output data; an image processor means for receiving a portion of the output data and generating distinguishing data from an identified area of interest; and a data processing unit means coupled with said memory for processing the output data to produce decoded data representing said image information, the data processing unit being responsive to the distinguishing data.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
184 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source means for projecting an incident beam of light onto said target image field; an optical assembly means for focusing said light reflected from said target field; a sensor means for sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; an optical processing means for generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination levels received from said sensor and for converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; a memory means for receiving and storing the output data; an image processor means for receiving a portion of the output data and generating distinguishing data from an identified area of interest; and a data processing unit means coupled with said memory for processing the output data to produce decoded data representing said image information, the data processing unit being responsive to the distinguishing data.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said method comprising: projecting light onto said target image field; focusing said light reflected from said target field; sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination levels received from said sensor and converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; storing the output data the stored output data indicative of the target image field; locating an area of interest in a portion of the output data; processing data indicative of the area of interest to generate distinguishing data; selecting responsive to the distinguishing data, a decoding process; and processing using the selected decoding process the stored output data to produce decoded data representing said image information.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for reading image information selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said image information being contained within a target image field, said method comprising: projecting light onto said target image field; focusing said light reflected from said target field; sensing an illumination level of said focused reflected light; generating an electrical signal proportional to said illumination levels received from said sensor and converting said electrical signal into output data, said output data describing at least one value for each pixel element; storing the output data the stored output data indicative of the target image field; locating an area of interest in a portion of the output data; processing data indicative of the area of interest to generate distinguishing data; selecting responsive to the distinguishing data, a decoding process; and processing using the selected decoding process the stored output data to produce decoded data representing said image information.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for processing image data corresponding to a physical image selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said method using an optical reading apparatus having a focal plane, said method comprising: searching for a series of coherent bars and spaces in said image data; identifying textual data; determining a subset of said data containing meaningful data; determining an angle of said physical image with respect to said focal plane; and performing sub-pixel interpolation to generate output data corresponding to said physical image.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for processing image data corresponding to a physical image selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies and three-dimensional symbologies, said method using an optical reading apparatus having a focal plane, said method comprising: searching for a series of coherent bars and spaces in said image data; identifying textual data; determining a subset of said data containing meaningful data; determining an angle of said physical image with respect to said focal plane; and performing sub-pixel interpolation to generate output data corresponding to said physical image.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said step of determining an angle uses a checker pattern technique for determining said angle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said step of determining an angle uses a chain code technique for determining said angle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
149 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information contained within a target image field, the optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source for projecting light onto the target image field; an optical assembly directing the light reflected from the target image field to an optical path; a sensor within the optical path, the sensor including a plurality of pixel elements for sensing the focused reflected light; an optical processing means for processing the sensed target image into output data, the output data indicative of the sensed light for each of the pixel elements; a first processing means for processing at least a portion of the output data to generate a first representation of the target image; a second processing means for processing the output data to generate a second representation of the target image; and wherein the second processing means uses the first representation to decode the target image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
149 words
An optical reading apparatus for reading image information contained within a target image field, the optical reading apparatus comprising: a light source for projecting light onto the target image field; an optical assembly directing the light reflected from the target image field to an optical path; a sensor within the optical path, the sensor including a plurality of pixel elements for sensing the focused reflected light; an optical processing means for processing the sensed target image into output data, the output data indicative of the sensed light for each of the pixel elements; a first processing means for processing at least a portion of the output data to generate a first representation of the target image; a second processing means for processing the output data to generate a second representation of the target image; and wherein the second processing means uses the first representation to decode the target image.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the sensor and the optical processing means are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the sensor, the optical processing means and the first and second processing means are integrated onto a single chip.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising a frame locator means for directing the sensor to an area of interest in the target image field.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising a camera or a digital imaging means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising a view finder including an image display.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the optical assembly includes a fixed focus lens assembly.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the lens assembly is part of the sensor packaging.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the optical assembly includes digital zoom function means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means further comprises an integrated function means for high speed and low power digital imaging.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the optical assembly further comprises an image processing means having auto-zoom and auto-focus means controlled by the first processing means for determining an area of interest at any distance, using high frequency transition between black and white.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means further comprises pattern recognition means for global feature determination.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising an image processing means using gray scale, color, and/or shade processing, said image processing associated with a form factor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising means for auto-discriminating between a camera function and an optical code recognition function and means for implementing a decoding function to read encoded data within an optical image.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising an aperture and means for reading optical codes bigger than the physical size of the aperture.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the sensor is selected from a group consisting of a CCD, CMOS sensor, or CMD.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the light source is selected from a group consisting of a light emitting diode, strobe, laser diode, or halogen light.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the optical processing means includes a sample and hold circuit.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the optical processing means includes a sample and hold circuit and an analog to digital converter circuit.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means includes an ASIC.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means includes an FPGA.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means includes a binary processor and a gray scale processor.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the first processing means includes a binary processor in series with a run length code processor.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the run length code processor outputs indicator data.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means includes a gray scale processor.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means provides the first representation of the target image prior to all the pixel elements being processed into output data by the optical processing means.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first representation of the target image data is a binary representation.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first representation of target image data is a run length coded representation.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first representation of target image data is used to identify areas of interest in the target image.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means further includes means for determining an angle that the symbologies make with the orientation of the sensor.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means further includes means for identifying the type of optical code used for said symbologies.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first processing means further includes means for performing sub-pixel interpolation.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the processing means uses the result of the sub-pixel interpolation to extract coded information from the symbologies.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the second processing means uses the first representation of the target image to extract coded information from said symbologies.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the second processing means uses gray scale data to extract coded information from the symbologies.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the sensor and the optical processing means are each implemented on discrete chips.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the sensor, the optical processing means and the first and second processing means are each implemented on discrete chips.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for reading image information contained within a target image field, said method comprising: projecting light onto the target image field; directing the light reflected from the target image field to an optical path; sensing the reflected light in the optical path; processing the sensed light into output data, the output data indicative of the sensed light for each pixel element corresponding to discrete points within the target image field; processing at least a portion of the output data to generate a first representation of at least a portion of the target image field; selecting, responsive to the first representation, a decoding process; and decoding the output data, using the selected decoding process, to generate data indicative of the image information.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for reading image information contained within a target image field, said method comprising: projecting light onto the target image field; directing the light reflected from the target image field to an optical path; sensing the reflected light in the optical path; processing the sensed light into output data, the output data indicative of the sensed light for each pixel element corresponding to discrete points within the target image field; processing at least a portion of the output data to generate a first representation of at least a portion of the target image field; selecting, responsive to the first representation, a decoding process; and decoding the output data, using the selected decoding process, to generate data indicative of the image information.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for processing image data corresponding to a physical image selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies, and three-dimensional symbologies, the method using an optical reading apparatus having a focal plane, the method comprising: searching for a series of coherent bars and spaces in the image data; identifying textual data; determining a subset of the data containing meaningful data; determining an angle of the physical image with respect to the orientation of the optical reading apparatus; and performing sub-pixel interpolation to generate output data corresponding to the physical image.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for processing image data corresponding to a physical image selected from a group consisting of optical codes, one-dimensional symbologies, two-dimensional symbologies, and three-dimensional symbologies, the method using an optical reading apparatus having a focal plane, the method comprising: searching for a series of coherent bars and spaces in the image data; identifying textual data; determining a subset of the data containing meaningful data; determining an angle of the physical image with respect to the orientation of the optical reading apparatus; and performing sub-pixel interpolation to generate output data corresponding to the physical image.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 82 wherein the step of determining an angle uses a checker pattern technique for determining the angle.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 82 wherein the step of determining an angle uses a chain code technique for determining the angle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-26 | 2004-03-27 | 2004-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-26 | 2008-03-27 | 2008-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-26 | 2012-03-27 | 2012-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |