Patent ID: 7546951
Filing Date: 2009-06-16
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A digital image capture and processing system comprising: a digital image formation and detection subsystem having (i) image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) from an area-type image detection array, and upon an object to be imaged during object illumination and imaging operations, and (ii) said area-type image detection array for detecting digital images of the object during said object illumination and imaging operations, wherein said digital image formation and detection subsystem is characterized by one or more system control parameters (SCPs) selected from a first group of system control parameters; an illumination subsystem having an illumination array for producing and projecting a field of illumination within said FOV during said object illumination and imaging operations, wherein said illumination subsystem is characterized by one or more system control parameters selected from a second group of system control parameters; an automatic illumination control subsystem for controlling said illumination array during said object illumination and imaging operations; a digital image capturing and buffering subsystem for capturing and buffering said digital images in memory, during said object illumination and imaging operations; a digital image processing subsystem for processing said digital images and (i) measuring the exposure quality of said digital images, and (ii) reading one or more 1D and/or 2D code symbols graphically represented in said digital images, and producing symbol character data representative of said read one or more 1D and/or 2D code symbols; an input/output subsystem for transmitting said symbol character data to an external host system or other information receiving or responding device; and a system control subsystem for managing, in memory, said system control parameters and exposure quality threshold (EQT) parameters; and wherein, during object illumination and imaging operations, said digital image processing subsystem automatically (i) processes said digital images so as to analyze and measure the exposure quality of said digital images in relation to said exposure quality threshold (EQT) parameters, and (ii) reconfigures said system control parameters based on the results of said exposure quality analysis so as to adapt said digital image capture and processing system to dynamically control both illumination and exposure control operations within said digital image capture and processing system; and wherein said first group of system control parameters includes: (i) a shutter mode parameter, (ii) an electronic gain parameter, (iii) a programmable exposure time parameter, for each block of pixels detected in said area-type image detection array, (iv) an image capture mode parameter, and (v) an image capture control parameter.