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US 8,011,584 B2Granted
Graphical code readers that are configured for glare reduction
AssigneeThe Code Corporation
InventorsGeorge Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The method may include illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources. The method may also include capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor. The method may also include determining that glare is present in at least one captured image. The method may also include determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the glare. The method may further include taking corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined.
Claims19
A method for glare reduction, the method being implemented by a graphical code reader, the method comprising:
- illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources;
- capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor, wherein the at least one image sensor comprises a plurality of subsets, each subset comprising a plurality of pixels;
- identifying at least one glare spot in at least one captured image;
- determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the at least one glare spot;
- and
- taking corrective action to reduce glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined;
- wherein if two or more glare spots are identified or a single glare spot whose width is greater than a defined threshold is identified, taking corrective action comprises sequentially illuminating the target area while sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor so that the light sources that are providing a normal component of the illumination for a corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned off, and so that the light sources that are not providing the normal component of the illumination for the corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned on;
- and
- wherein if a single glare spot whose width is less than the defined threshold is identified, taking corrective action comprises identifying at least one subset of the at least one image sensor that corresponds to the single glare spot and sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor while deactivating the light sources that are causing the single glare spot during the time when the identified at least one subset of the at least one image sensor is being exposed.
6 more elements
A graphical code reader that is configured to perform glare reduction, comprising:
- a plurality of light sources that are configured to illuminate a target area;
- at least one image sensor that is configured to capture images of the target area, wherein the at least one image sensor comprises a plurality of subsets, each subset comprising a plurality of pixels;
- a glare detector that is configured to identify at least one glare spot in at least one captured image and to determine glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the at least one glare spot;
- and
- an illumination controller that is configured to take corrective action to reduce glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined;
- wherein if two or more glare spots are identified or a single glare spot whose width is greater than a defined threshold is identified, taking corrective action comprises sequentially illuminating the target area while sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor so that the light sources that are providing a normal component of the illumination for a corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned off, and so that the light sources that are not providing the normal component of the illumination for the corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned on;
- and
- wherein if a single glare spot whose width is less than the defined threshold is identified, taking corrective action comprises identifying at least one subset of the at least one image sensor that corresponds to the single glare spot and sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor while deactivating the light sources that are causing the single glare spot during the time when the identified at least one subset of the at least one image sensor is being exposed.
5 more elements
A graphical code reader that is configured to perform glare reduction, comprising:
- means for illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources;
- means for capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor, wherein the at least one image sensor comprises a plurality of subsets, each subset comprising a plurality of pixels;
- means for identifying at least one glare spot in at least one captured image;
- means for determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the at least one glare spot;
- and
- means for taking corrective action to reduce glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined;
- wherein taking corrective action comprises sequentially illuminating the target area while sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor so that the light sources that are providing a normal component of the illumination for a corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned off, and so that the light sources that are not providing the normal component of the illumination for the corresponding subset of the at least one image sensor are turned on;
- and
- wherein if a single glare spot whose width is less than the defined threshold is identified, taking corrective action comprises identifying at least one subset of the at least one image sensor that corresponds to the single glare spot and sequentially exposing subsets of the at least one image sensor while deactivating the light sources that are causing the single glare spot during the time when the identified at least one subset of the at least one image sensor is being exposed.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.