Image quality when a camera-based barcode-reading device is reading barcodes located on moving objects
AssigneeThe Code Corporation
InventorsPatrick R. Sherwood, Bruce Robert Scharf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes techniques for improving image quality when a camera-based barcode-reading device is reading barcodes located on objects that are moving relative to the barcode-reading device. The techniques disclosed herein enable the image sensor in the barcode-reading device's camera to remain aimed at an object that is moving relative to the barcode-reading device while the camera is capturing an image of the object. Advantageously, the techniques disclosed herein can reduce image blur. In a barcode-reading device that includes a rolling shutter-type image sensor, the techniques disclosed herein can also reduce image distortion.
Claims18
A barcode-reading device, comprising:
- a camera configured to capture images, the camera having a field of view;
- an actuator that is configured to control movement of at least one camera component;
- a processor;
- memory communicatively coupled to the processor;
- and
- an image processing module stored in the memory and executable by the processor to:
- process the images captured by the camera to determine a relative velocity of an object in the field of view of the camera, the relative velocity indicating a velocity of the object relative to the camera;
- and
- send control signals to the actuator based on results of processing the images, wherein the control signals cause the actuator to move the at least one camera component without moving the entire camera, and wherein the movement of the at least one camera component reduces the relative velocity of the object.
A system, comprising:
- a barcode-reading device comprising a processor, memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and a camera configured to capture images;
- an actuator that is configured to move the barcode-reading device;
- and
- an image processing module stored in the memory and executable by the processor to:
- process the images captured by the camera to determine a relative velocity of the object, the relative velocity indicating a velocity of the object relative to the camera;
- and
- send control signals to the actuator based on results of processing the images, the control signals causing the actuator to move the barcode-reading device in order to reduce the relative velocity between the object and an image sensor within the camera.
A system, comprising:
- a conveyor belt that is configured to transport objects at a conveyor belt speed in a first direction, the objects having barcodes affixed thereto;
- a barcode-reading device comprising a first camera having a field of view;
- an actuator that causes the first camera to move along a pre-defined path, wherein during a first part of the pre-defined path the first camera moves in the first direction at a speed that is substantially similar to the conveyor belt speed and the first camera is positioned so that at least part of the conveyor belt is located within the field of view of the first camera, and wherein during a second part of the pre-defined path the barcode-reading device moves in a second direction that is different from the first direction;
- and
- a camera controller that is configured to cause the first camera to capture images while the barcode-reading device moves along the first part of the pre-defined path, the camera controller being additionally configured to cause the first camera to not capture images when the barcode-reading device moves along the second part of the pre-defined path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.