Patent Description:
Indicia readers (i.e., barcode scanners, barcode readers, indicia scanners, etc.) are devices which decode and interpret machine-readable codes (i.e., indicia, barcodes, QR codes, characters, signatures, etc.) that are marked (e.g., printed, labeled, written, etc.) on objects to help someone perform a function (e.g., shipping, calculate cost, etc.) or to help understand something about the object (e.g., model number, serial number, etc.). While various types of indicia readers exist, imaging indicia readers are often preferred due to their versatility.

Imaging indicia readers use an image sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD)), to capture a digital image of at least one indicium. The digital image is processed (e.g., using a processor within the indicia reader) to read (e.g., recognize, decode, etc.) the one or more indicia found in the image.

Imaging indicia readers (i.e., indicia readers) are often configured to automatically sense when an object enters the indicia reader's field of view (i.e., scan field) by detecting infrared (IR) light levels. In this way, the indicia reader may be woken from a sleep state (i.e., sleep mode) or may be automatically triggered to scan (i.e., read) an indicium. Traditionally, indicia readers have been configured with dedicated sensor subsystems to accomplish these functions. An exemplary sensor subsystem may include an IR photodetector, circuitry, optics, and/or mechanical parts.

This extra sensor subsystem is typically required for indicia readers since the image sensors used for indicia reading generally require IR filtering to reduce noise. Eliminating this extra sensor subsystem would make indicia readers more cost effective and more reliable.

Therefore, a need exists for an indicia reader having an image reader configured for both indicia reading and object detection.

<CIT> discloses a method of creating an image file in an imaging device. The method comprises providing an image sensor comprising pixels with an infrared filter arrangement so that some of the pixels of the sensor may be exposed to all wavelengths and some of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths. The pixels of the sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths are utilized when taking an infrared image and the pixels of the sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths are utilized when taking a normal image.

<CIT> discloses methods and systems for capturing images of an iris and a scene using a single image sensor. An image sensor may capture a view of a scene and a view of an iris in at least one image. An image processing module may apply a level of noise reduction to a first portion of the at least one image to produce an image of the scene. The image processing module may apply a reduced level of noise reduction to a second portion of the at least one image to produce an image of the iris for use in biometric identification.

<CIT> discloses an actuator configured to move a sensor array between first and second positions in order to provide color image data and other data with full resolution of the sensor array. The output resolution of the sensor array for each type of data comprises twice the resolution of the sensor array without movement. The alternating movement of the sensor array between the first and second positions provides output images with decreased artifacts that might otherwise be present without the alternating movement of the sensor array.

<CIT> discloses an indicia reading terminal that is operatively configured to decode visible and non-visible decodable indicia. The terminal comprises an excitation illumination module for illuminating the decodable indicia with light that has a selected wavelength so as to permit the decodable indicia to emit light. The terminal also comprises a filter module with an optical filter that has filter regions configured to pass the light of certain wavelengths. The terminal also comprises an image sensor module with an image sensor located so as to receive the light emitted from the decodable indicia from the filter region. The terminal can decode both visible and non-visible decodable indicia without substantial reduction in the depth of field of the terminal.

The present invention embraces an indicia reader that utilizes its image sensor (e.g., CCD, CMOS sensor, etc.) for more than one function. The added functionality is derived by designating areas on the image sensor according to function and then filtering the light focused onto each area according to the area's particular function. The data (i.e., pixel information) from each particular area may then be processed accordingly to facilitate a variety of functions such as image capture and object detection.

The present invention may be applied to all indicia reader types that utilize an image sensor for indicia reading (e.g., hand-held, body-worn, hands-free, in-counter, etc.). In general, these indicia readers may scan (i.e., read, decode, interpret, etc.) a variety of indicia types (e.g., <NUM>-D barcodes, <NUM>-D barcodes, characters, signatures, symbols, etc.) that are either marked, printed, or displayed by capturing and processing at least one image. An image for indicia reading may be captured individually or may be part of a video stream of images.

Typically, an indicia reader remains in a standby or sleep state until it is triggered to acquire and process images for indicia reading. For some indicia readers, triggering also activates one or more light sources. These light sources may be used to illuminate a target for imaging and/or to project a visible image (e.g., line, box, crosshair, etc.) for targeting. Triggering (i.e., activating) an indicia reader may be accomplished manually (e.g., a user pulling a trigger, pressing a button, etc.) or may happen automatically when a target is brought into the indicia reader's field of view (i.e., scan field).

Activating an indicia reader automatically has traditionally been accomplished by a dedicated sensor subsystem integrated within the indicia reader. This sensor subsystem typically includes a photodetector to sense infrared (IR) light levels within the indicia reader's field of view. Sensed wavelengths may lie somewhere in the range of about <NUM> nanometers (nm) to about <NUM> area for photodetectors created from silicon, though this range may be extended to longer wavelengths through the use of other materials (e.g., Ge, GaAs, etc.). When an object enters the indicia reader's field of view, light levels on the sensor subsystem's photodetector change. These light levels may be monitored and sensed to trigger the indicia reader. In general, this function is known as object detection.

Indicia readers may utilize a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a sensor made using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology as an image sensor. The image sensor is comprised of a plurality of light sensitive pixels to sample the light levels of a real image of the indicia reader's field of view. In some cases, additional filtering (e.g., a Bayer filter) may be applied to individual pixels to sample color levels (e.g., red, green, blue), which may be used to create color images.

Image sensors are typically fabricated using silicon and so are sensitive to IR wavelengths. IR light, however, may cause problems (e.g., color correction, optical aberration, sensor noise, stray light, etc.) for indicia readers designed to capture images (e.g., color images) within the visible spectrum (i.e., <NUM>-<NUM>). As a result, a blocking (i.e., cutoff) filter is typically used to severely attenuate (i.e., block) IR light from reaching the image sensor.

Indicia readers are typically designed so that an indicium need not occupy an entire image. Often, much of a captured image for indicia reading goes unused. This fact implies that, in many cases, portions of the image sensor may be used for other purposes without affecting indicia reading.

The present invention embraces the use of designated areas on the image sensor for various functions. The functions may be classified as a primary function (e.g., indicia reading) and one or more auxiliary functions. Two exemplary auxiliary functions include (i) object detection (e.g., to wake the indicia reader from a sleep mode, to trigger the indicia reader to scan indicia, etc.) and (ii) security feature detection (e.g., for item authentication, for counterfeit detection, for user validation, etc.).

The use of an indicia reader's image sensor for object detection allows for the elimination of the specialized circuits and components in an object detection sensor. However, since object detection senses IR light and since capturing images for indicia reading requires the blocking of IR light, the present invention embraces the use of a specially designed filter that has passing/blocking properties suitable for each designated area's associated function.

<FIG> graphically depicts an exploded view of an image sensor <NUM> and light filter <NUM> to enable multiple functions. The image sensor <NUM> (e.g., CCD, CMOS, etc.) includes an array of light sensitive pixels <NUM> (e.g., grid array). The light filter <NUM> is positioned in front of the image sensor <NUM> so that light focused from the indicia reader's field of view encounters the light filter <NUM> before reaching the image sensor <NUM>.

The light from the field of view may include various combinations of wavelengths from the visible (i.e., white light) and invisible (e.g., ultraviolet, infrared) portions of the spectrum. The light filter is designed and positioned so that only particular portions of the spectrum reach particular areas of the image sensor. For example, the filter may (i) allow only visible light to reach an area designated for indicia reading and (ii) allow only IR to reach an area designated for object detection. This example is not the only spectral combination possible. Various pass/block filter profiles (in various portions of the spectrum) may be used for the primary and auxiliary (i.e., first and second) filter areas. For example, the filter may allow only visible light to reach an area designated for indicia reading but allow both white light and IR light to reach an area designated for object detection (e.g., no filtering in this area). Further, a light filter may include different auxiliary pass/block filter profiles in different auxiliary areas since more than one auxiliary function is within the scope of the present invention. Further still, the light filter may be used in conjunction with other filters (e.g., a Bayer filter) to add functionality, ease construction, and/or add versatility.

The light filter shown in <FIG> contains one primary area (i.e., first area) <NUM> and four auxiliary areas (i.e., second areas) <NUM> located in the corners of the light filter. In general, the size/shape/locations of the light filter's auxiliary areas depend on the size/shape/location of the areas on the image sensor designated for auxiliary function.

The light filter <NUM> may block light through absorption (i.e., absorptive filter) or through reflection (i.e., dichroic filter). Dichroic filters may include a plurality of coating layers. The layers may be deposited directly on the image sensor or on a substrate (e.g., glass). The filter may be spaced apart from the image sensor or connected to the image sensor (e.g., via optical adhesive).

<FIG> graphically depict a plan view of an image sensor <NUM> showing some exemplary areas designated for an auxiliary function (i.e., within the dashed lines) <NUM>. The remaining sensor area is designated for the primary function (i.e., indicia reading). <FIG> shows an image sensor with four auxiliary areas in the corners of the image sensor. <FIG> shows an image sensor with four auxiliary areas along the sides of the image sensor. <FIG> shows an image sensor with one auxiliary area at the center (i.e., indicated by the crosshair) of the image sensor. In all shown cases the area or areas are symmetric about the center of the image sensor and are (for <FIG>) identically sized (i.e., contain the same number of pixels) and shaped. These aspects of the configuration are typical but not required.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method to activate an indicia reader using an image sensor configured via a filter and pixel-function designation for object detection. To begin, light from an indicia reader's field of view is focused <NUM>. Before reaching the image sensor, the light is filtered by the light filter selectively <NUM> so that the image sensor's pixels within an object detection area received infrared light and the image sensor's pixels outside the object-detection area do not receive infrared light. The pixels (i.e., pixel values) in the object detection area are read <NUM>. Based on the pixel readings, an object is detected or not detected.

In a possible embodiment, the detection of an object may include comparing an average pixel value to a threshold. In another possible embodiment, the change of the pixel values over time may be monitored to detect a modulation signal. In this embodiment, the indicia reader may be configured with an infrared light source to illuminate the field of view. The light from this light source may be modulated to help detection. In general, objects entering the indicia reader's field of view may change infrared light levels (e.g., through the reflection of infrared light). This change may be sensed to detect that an object is within the indicia reader's field of view.

If an object is not detected <NUM> then the method described thus far may repeat <NUM>. However, if an object is detected then the indicia reader is activated <NUM>. This activation may include waking an indicia reader from a sleep mode and/or triggering the indicia reader to start an indicia reading process.

The indicia reading process may begin with reading the pixels outside the objected-detection area (or areas) <NUM>. Using these pixels readings, a digital image of the field of view (minus the pixels used for object detection) may be created (i.e., rendered) <NUM>. Using this digital image, an indicium (or indicia) may be identified and decoded <NUM> using techniques well known to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> graphically depict exemplary pixel responses from auxiliary areas (<FIG>) and imaging area (<FIG>) according to one possible implementation of the present invention. In this implementation a user <NUM> holding an identification card bearing an indicium (i.e., a barcode) <NUM> has moved his hand into the field of view of the indicia reader. Four auxiliary areas <NUM>,<NUM> each having contiguous pixels filtered to receive infrared light are used to detect objects. When the user's hand <NUM> moves into the field of view the pixel levels of one of the auxiliary areas <NUM> is changed. As a result, the indicia reader is triggered to capture a digital image <NUM> using the pixels in the imaging area. The digital image contains the user's hand <NUM> holding the barcode <NUM>. The captured digital image may then be processed to decode the barcode <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An indicia reader comprising:
an image sensor (<NUM>) having a plurality of pixels (<NUM>) for detecting light;
a light filter (<NUM>), positioned in front of the image sensor, having a first area (<NUM>) and at least one second area (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>),
wherein the first area (<NUM>) is configured to allow a first spectral portion of the light to reach a first portion of the plurality of pixels and is further configured to block a second spectral portion of the light from reaching the first portion of the plurality of pixels, and
wherein the at least one second area is configured to allow the second spectral portion of the light to reach at least one second portion of the plurality of pixels; and
a processor configured by software to:
receive (<NUM>) pixel information from the image sensor; and
perform an auxiliary function, based at least in part on the pixel information from the at least one second portion of the plurality of pixels;
trigger the indicia reading; and
perform the indicia reading based on the pixel information from the first portion of the plurality of pixels;
characterized in that
the second area (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a plurality of contiguous pixels and wherein the auxiliary function is different from indicia reading.