US6385352B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for reading and comparing two-dimensional images
Assignee: SCANQUEST Corp
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Filing: 1994-10-26
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Granted: 2002-05-07
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Expires: 2014-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for reading a two-dimensional image, and for comparing the two-dimensional image to stored data representative of a known image. The optical scanning device comprises a sensor for capturing the two-dimensional image, which sensor includes an LED array for projecting an emitted light towards the two-dimensional image. The sensor also includes a lens disposed forward of the LED array for focussing the emitted light and thereby framing the two-dimensional image. The sensor further includes an optical assembly for focussing an ambient light reflected from the framed two-dimensional image. And the sensor includes a CMOS (or CCD) detector for detecting the focussed ambient light, the CMOS detector including a photodiode array for sensing the focussed ambient light and a processor for processing the ambient light to obtain an electrical image signal. The optical scanning device also compresses the electrical image signal. Finally, the optical scanning device decodes the compressed image signal to obtain image data representative of the two-dimensional image. The image data can be compared to the stored data to determine if the two-dimensional image matches the known image.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Roustaei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70483; G03F7/70491; G03F7/705; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for reading a two-dimensional image located within a field of view having a plurality of edges bordering said field of view, said field of view being disposed within a field of ambient light, the method comprising capturing said two-dimensional image, including the following substeps: projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image by an LED array, said LED array including at least two LEDs, first focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view and thereby forming a stationary partial frame for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; second focussing a reflected ambient light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed ambient light; first detecting at least a portion of said focussed ambient light using a CMOS detector, said detecting step including sensing said ambient light to obtain a sensed two-dimensional image, and processing said sensed two-dimensional image to obtain an electrical image signal; compressing said electrical image signal to obtain a compressed image signal; and decoding said compressed image signal to obtain image data representative of said two-dimensional image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for reading a two-dimensional image located within a field of view having a plurality of edges bordering said field of view, said field of view being disposed within a field of ambient light, the method comprising capturing said two-dimensional image, including the following substeps: projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image by an LED array, said LED array including at least two LEDs, first focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view and thereby forming a stationary partial frame for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; second focussing a reflected ambient light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed ambient light; first detecting at least a portion of said focussed ambient light using a CMOS detector, said detecting step including sensing said ambient light to obtain a sensed two-dimensional image, and processing said sensed two-dimensional image to obtain an electrical image signal; compressing said electrical image signal to obtain a compressed image signal; and decoding said compressed image signal to obtain image data representative of said two-dimensional image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising converting the image data into a barcode symbol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 2 , further comprising displaying the barcode symbol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 2 , further comprising printing the barcode symbol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising contrasting the two-dimensional image using a coated glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising amplifying the electrical image signal when a gain level of the electrical image signal falls below a threshold gain level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising calibrating a video dark level of the electrical image signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the LED array includes a pair of LEDs, and wherein the first focussing step is forming a pair of vertical light beams from the emitted light using a pair of cylindrical lenses disposed forward of said pair of LEDs, each of said pair of vertical light beams corresponding to one of said pair of LEDs and being formed by one of said pair of cylindrical lenses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 8 , further comprising separating the emitted light from each of the pair of LEDs by a barrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
224 words
An optical scanning device for reading a two-dimensional image disposed within a field of view at least partially illuminated with an ambient light, said field of view having a plurality of edges corresponding to its borders, said optical scanning device comprising: a sensor for capturing said two-dimensional image, said sensor including: an LED array for projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, a lens disposed forward of said LED array for focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view and for forming at least a partial stationary frame for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; an optical assembly for focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light, and a CMOS detector for detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light, said CMOS detector including a photodiode array for sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed two-dimensional image, and a processor for processing said sensed two-dimensional image to obtain an electrical image signal; a compressor for compressing said electrical image signal, said compressor employing a compression algorithm to obtain a compressed image signal; and a decoder for decoding said compressed image signal to obtain image data representative of said two-dimensional image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
224 words
An optical scanning device for reading a two-dimensional image disposed within a field of view at least partially illuminated with an ambient light, said field of view having a plurality of edges corresponding to its borders, said optical scanning device comprising: a sensor for capturing said two-dimensional image, said sensor including: an LED array for projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, a lens disposed forward of said LED array for focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view and for forming at least a partial stationary frame for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; an optical assembly for focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light, and a CMOS detector for detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light, said CMOS detector including a photodiode array for sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed two-dimensional image, and a processor for processing said sensed two-dimensional image to obtain an electrical image signal; a compressor for compressing said electrical image signal, said compressor employing a compression algorithm to obtain a compressed image signal; and a decoder for decoding said compressed image signal to obtain image data representative of said two-dimensional image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 , further comprising a converter for converting the image data into a barcode symbol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 11 , further comprising a display unit for displaying the barcode symbol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 11 , further comprising a printer for printing the barcode symbol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 , further comprising a coated glass for contrasting the two-dimensional image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 , further comprising an automatic gain controller for amplifying the electrical image signal when a gain level of the electrical image signal falls below a threshold gain level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 , further comprising an automatic dark-level calibrator for calibrating a video dark level of the electrical image signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 wherein the optical assembly comprises fixed focus optics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 10 wherein the LED array includes a pair of LEDs, and wherein the lens comprises a pair of cylindrical lenses, disposed forward of said pair of LEDs, for forming a pair of vertical light beams from the emitted light, each of said pair of pair of vertical light beams corresponding to one of said pair of LEDs and being formed by one of said pair of cylindrical lenses.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical scanning device recited in claim 18 , further comprising a barrier for separating the respective emitted light produced by each of the pair of LEDs.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for comparing a new two-dimensional image located within a field of view having a plurality of edges bordering said field of view, said field of view being disposed within a field of ambient light, to stored data representative of a known two-dimensional image, comprising: capturing said new two-dimensional image, including the following substeps: projecting an emitted light towards said new two-dimensional image by an LED array, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, first focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view to form at least two stationary lines for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; second focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light; detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light from said new two-dimensional image using a CMOS detector, including sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed new two-dimensional image, and processing said sensed new two-dimensional image to obtain a new electrical image signal; compressing said new electrical image signal using a compression algorithm to obtain a compressed new image signal; decoding said compressed new image signal to obtain new image data representative of said new two-dimensional image; and comparing said new image data to said stored data to determine if said new image data substantially matches said stored data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for comparing a new two-dimensional image located within a field of view having a plurality of edges bordering said field of view, said field of view being disposed within a field of ambient light, to stored data representative of a known two-dimensional image, comprising: capturing said new two-dimensional image, including the following substeps: projecting an emitted light towards said new two-dimensional image by an LED array, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, first focussing said emitted light toward at least two of said plurality of edges of said field of view to form at least two stationary lines for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; second focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light; detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light from said new two-dimensional image using a CMOS detector, including sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed new two-dimensional image, and processing said sensed new two-dimensional image to obtain a new electrical image signal; compressing said new electrical image signal using a compression algorithm to obtain a compressed new image signal; decoding said compressed new image signal to obtain new image data representative of said new two-dimensional image; and comparing said new image data to said stored data to determine if said new image data substantially matches said stored data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 20 , further comprising scanning the known two-dimensional image to obtain a scanned known two-dimensional image; and decoding said scanned known two-dimensional image to obtain the stored data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 20 wherein the new two-dimensional image comprises a fingerprint and the known two-dimensional image comprises a barcode symbol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 22 , further comprising contrasting the fingerprint using a coated glass.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 20 wherein the first focussing step includes using a pair of cylindrical lenses, each lens having a holographic pattern disposed upon a surface of the lens.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method recited in claim 20 wherein the LED array includes a pair of LEDs, and wherein the first focussing step includes forming a pair of vertical light beams from the emitted light using a pair of cylindrical lenses disposed forward of said pair of LEDs, each of said pair of vertical light beams corresponding to one of said pair of LEDs and being formed by one of said pair of cylindrical lenses.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 20 wherein the second focussing step includes using a lens assembly having a fixed focus.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
254 words
A system for comparing a new two-dimensional image disposed within a field of view at least partially illuminated with an ambient light, to stored data representative of a known two-dimensional image, wherein said field of view has a plurality of edges corresponding to its borders, the system comprising: a sensor for capturing said new two-dimensional image, said sensor including: an LED array for projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, a lens disposed forward of said LED array for focussing said emitted light toward said field of view and to form at least two stationary lines for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; an optical assembly for focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light, and a CMOS detector for detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light, said CMOS detector including a photodiode array for sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed new two-dimensional image, and a processor for processing said sensed new two-dimensional image to obtain new electrical image data; a compressor for compressing said new electrical image data to obtain a compressed new image date, said compressor employing a compression algorithm; a decoder for decoding said compressed new image data to obtain new image data representative of said new two-dimensional image; and a second processor for comparing said new image data to said stored data to determine if said new image data substantially matches said stored data.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
254 words
A system for comparing a new two-dimensional image disposed within a field of view at least partially illuminated with an ambient light, to stored data representative of a known two-dimensional image, wherein said field of view has a plurality of edges corresponding to its borders, the system comprising: a sensor for capturing said new two-dimensional image, said sensor including: an LED array for projecting an emitted light towards said two-dimensional image, said LED array including a plurality of LEDs, a lens disposed forward of said LED array for focussing said emitted light toward said field of view and to form at least two stationary lines for locating said two-dimensional image within said field of view; an optical assembly for focussing a reflected light reflected from said framed two-dimensional image to obtain a focussed reflected light, and a CMOS detector for detecting at least a portion of said focussed reflected light, said CMOS detector including a photodiode array for sensing said focussed reflected light to obtain a sensed new two-dimensional image, and a processor for processing said sensed new two-dimensional image to obtain new electrical image data; a compressor for compressing said new electrical image data to obtain a compressed new image date, said compressor employing a compression algorithm; a decoder for decoding said compressed new image data to obtain new image data representative of said new two-dimensional image; and a second processor for comparing said new image data to said stored data to determine if said new image data substantially matches said stored data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system recited in claim 27 , further comprising a scanner for scanning the known two-dimensional image to obtain a scanned known two-dimensional image, and for decoding said scanned known two-dimensional image to obtain the stored data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system recited in claim 27 wherein the new two-dimensional image comprises a fingerprint and the known two-dimensional image comprises a barcode symbol.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system recited in claim 29 , further comprising a coated glass disposed forward of the CMOS detector for contrasting the fingerprint.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system recited in claim 27 where the optical assembly has a fixed focus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system recited in claim 27 wherein the LED array includes a pair of LEDs, and wherein the lens comprises a pair of cylindrical lenses, disposed forward of said pair of LEDs, for forming a pair of vertical light beams from the emitted light, each of said pair of pair of vertical light beams corresponding to one of said pair of LEDs and being formed by one of said pair of cylindrical lenses.
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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) | 2005-05-06 | 2005-11-05 | 2006-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-06 | 2009-11-05 | 2010-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-06 | 2013-11-05 | 2014-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |