System and method for reading optical codes on reflective surfaces while minimizing flicker perception of pulsed illumination
AssigneeDatalogic Scanning, Inc.
InventorsWenLiang Gao, Craig D. Cherry
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Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed for improved operation of readers of optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. Certain configurations include controlling image exposure and illumination pulse timing so as to avoid or minimize the perception of flicker of the pulsed illumination by a user or bystander while implementing methods for reading optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces.
Claims14
A method for data reading of an optical code being displayed on an electronic display, comprising the steps of:
- (1) in standard reading mode, illuminating the field of view with one or more pulses of illumination;
- (2) capturing, via a data reader, a first two-dimensional image (or set of images) of the field of view being illuminated by the one or more pulses, in search of an optical code appearing therein;
- (3) processing the first image(s) in an attempt to decode the optical code;
- (4) analyzing the first image(s) to determine whether an electronic display is in the field of view;
- (5) if it is determined that an electronic display is in the field of view, switching to electronic display reading mode;
- (6) in electronic display reading mode, for up to a given amount of second image capture/read attempts, capturing a second two-dimensional image (or set of images) of the field of view without illumination from the one or more pulses, in search of an optical code appearing therein;
- (7) illuminating the field of view with one or more pulses of illumination before and/or after each second image capture/read attempt;
- (8) processing the second image(s) in an attempt to decode the optical code.
A system for data reading comprising:
- an imager for capturing an image of an item bearing an optical code;
- an illumination source for illuminating the item;
- and
- a controller for operating the imager and the illumination source, wherein the controller is programmed to,
- operate the imager to capture a first two-dimensional image (or set of images) of the item being illuminated by the illumination source;
- analyze the first image(s) to determine whether the item is likely to comprise an electronic display screen;
- if determined that the item is likely to comprise an electronic display screen, for up to a given amount of image capture/read attempts, (a) operate the imager to capture a second two-dimensional image(s) of the item without illumination from the illumination source, and (b) illuminate the field of view with a pulse of illumination before and/or after the capture attempts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.