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US 2010/0165160 A1Published application
Systems and methods for imaging
AssigneeDatalogic Scanning, Inc.
InventorsBryan L. Olmstead, WenLiang Gao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data reader preferably includes an imaging device that operates on a rolling reset basis to capture images of a moving target. Images of moving targets are preferably analyzed to determine the ambient light intensity, and a processor in the data reader preferably adjusts operation of the imager and of a light source based on the intensity of the ambient light. Other data readers may use an imager with a mechanical shutter that is designed for rapid, frequent operation.
Claims25
A data reader comprising:
- an image sensor including a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), wherein the CMOS includes a total number (M) of rows of sensor pixels;
- an electronic rolling shutter (ERS) for sequentially integrating each row of sensor pixels and for resetting electrical charges and reading electrical charges for each row of sensor pixels to capture decodable images of a target;
- a light source for generating pulses of light;
- and
- a processor operatively connected to and controlling the CMOS, the ERS, and the light source to:
- (1) capture a first image of the target, (2) create a light level histogram from the first image of the target, (3) determine an ambient light intensity based on the light level histogram, and (4) based on the ambient light intensity, coordinate an integration time for each row of sensor pixels with the pulses of light to capture a second image of the target.
3 more elements
A method of operating a data reader comprising the steps of:
- acquiring an image with an image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) having a total number (M) of rows of sensor pixels;
- via an electronic rolling shutter (ERS), (a) sequentially integrating each row of sensor pixels of the CMOS, (b) reading electrical charges for each row of sensor pixels, and (c) resetting electrical charges for each row of sensor pixels;
- generating pulses of light from a light source toward a target;
- and
- via a processor operatively connected to the CMOS, the ERS, and the light source, controlling the CMOS, the ERS, and the light source to pulse the light source each time a number of rows (N) integrate, where the number of rows (N) is less than the total number of rows (M) and the result of dividing (M) by (N) is not a whole number.
2 more elements
A data reader comprising:
- a first imager including a first complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS1), wherein the CMOS1 includes rows of first sensor pixels that sequentially integrate to capture a first decodable image of a target and a total number of rows (M) of first sensor pixels;
- a first electronic rolling shutter (ERS1) for sequentially integrating each row of first sensor pixels of the CMOS1 and for resetting electrical charges and reading electrical charges for each row of first sensor pixels of CMOS1;
- a first light source for generating pulses of light;
- a second imager including a second complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS2), wherein the CMOS2 includes rows of second sensor pixels that sequentially integrate to capture a second decodable image of the target;
- a second electronic rolling shutter (ERS2) for sequentially integrating each row of second sensor pixels of the CMOS2 and for resetting electrical charges and reading electrical charges for each row of second sensor pixels of CMOS2;
- a second light source for generating pulses of light;
- and
- a processor operatively connected to and controlling the CMOS1, the ERS1, the first light source, the CMOS2, the ERS2, and the second light source to pulse the first light source and the second light source each time a number of rows (N) of CMOS1 integrate.
5 more elements
A data reader comprising:
- an image sensor including a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), wherein the CMOS includes rows of sensor pixels and a total number of rows (M) of sensor pixels;
- a first electronic rolling shutter (ERS) for sequentially integrating each row of sensor pixels to capture a decodable image and for resetting electrical charges and reading electrical charges for each row of sensor pixels of the CMOS;
- a mechanical shutter, the mechanical shutter including;
- (1) a light blocking element interposed in a light path to the CMOS, the light blocking element connected to a flexible mounting,
- (2) a coil connected to the light blocking element, and
- (3) a magnet, the magnet positioned to move the coil when an electric current is supplied to the coil;
- and
- a processor operatively connected to and controlling the CMOS, the ERS, and the electric current supplied to the coil to supply the electric current to the coil to move the light blocking element out of the light path when the total number (M) of rows of sensor pixels is integrating.
5 more elements
A method for capturing an image of a moving target with a data reading system that includes a light source and an imager operating on a rolling basis, comprising the steps of:
- capturing with the imager a first image of at least a portion of the moving target;
- creating a light level histogram based on the first image;
- determining an ambient light intensity based on the histogram;
- adjusting the rolling basis for the imager based on the determined ambient light intensity;
- and
- pulsing the light source based on the determined ambient light intensity and the adjusted rolling basis for the imager.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.