System and method for multi-view imaging of optical codes using chromatic path splitting
AssigneeDatalogic ADC, Inc.
InventorAlexander M. McQueen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical code or data imaging system and method for forming image data from an item bearing an optical code present in a read volume, including an image splitter, such as a dichroic mirror, operative to transmit light of a first wavelength range from a first field of view of the item toward the imager and reflect light of a second wavelength range from a second field of view of the item toward the imager. The incoming images from both the first and second fields of view are focused, at least primarily, by the same focusing optics and are detected by the same detecting portions or preferably at least some overlapping portions of the imager.
Claims13
An optical code reading system for forming image data from an item bearing an optical code present in a read volume, the system comprising:
- an imager;
- a dichroic mirror;
- a first optical path for a first field of view of the item from a first direction directed onto a first side of the dichroic mirror;
- a second optical path for a second field of view of the item from a second direction directed onto a second side of the dichroic mirror opposite the first side, wherein the dichroic mirror is operative to (a) transmit therethrough light of a first wavelength range from the first field of view of the item toward the imager and (b) reflect light of a second wavelength range from the second field of view of the item toward the imager;
- a focusing system for focusing the light of both the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range onto a common active area of the imager, wherein the imager acquires a 2D image of the first field of view and a 2D image of the second field of view;
- a first light source generating first illumination light in the first wavelength range for illuminating the item from a first direction;
- a second light source generating second illumination light in the second wavelength range for illuminating the item from a second direction,
- wherein the first and second light sources are controlled to illuminate in an alternating fashion.
An optical reading system for generating image data for an optical code on an object in a read volume, comprising:
- a dichroic mirror having a first mirror side and a second mirror side opposite the first mirror side;
- a first light source operative to generate illumination of a first wavelength or wavelength range and illuminate a first field of view of the read volume from a first direction;
- a second light source operative to generate illumination of a second wavelength or wavelength range and illuminate a second field of view of the read volume from a second direction, wherein the first and second light sources are controlled to illuminate in an alternating fashion;
- the dichroic mirror being operative to chromatically combine the first field of view of the read volume from the first direction and the second field of view of the read volume from the second direction onto a common active area of a color imager by (a) reflecting the light of the first wavelength or wavelength range from the first field of view impinging on the first side of the dichroic mirror and (b) transmitting the light of the second wavelength or wavelength range from the second field of view impinging upon the second side of the dichroic mirror, thereby combining light of both the first and second wavelengths or wavelength ranges along a common path to the color imager,
- wherein the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light are detected at the color imager to produce first and second signals corresponding to respective 2D images of the first and second fields of view.
An optical reading system for generating image data for an optical code on an object in a read volume, comprising:
- an imager;
- a first light source generating first wavelength light in a first wavelength or wavelength range for illuminating the item from a first direction;
- a second light source generating second wavelength light in a second wavelength or wavelength range for illuminating the item from a second direction, wherein the first and second light sources are controlled to illuminate in an alternating fashion;
- means for directing light from a first field of view of the read volume from the first direction onto a first side of a dichroic mirror;
- wherein the dichroic mirror is operative for reflecting first wavelength light from the first field of view of the first wavelength or wavelength range and for passing the first wavelength light onto the imager;
- means directing light from a second field of view of the read volume from the second direction onto a second side of the dichroic mirror opposite the first side;
- wherein the dichroic mirror is operative for transmitting second wavelength light from the second field of view of the second wavelength or wavelength range through the dichroic mirror and passing the second wavelength light onto the imager;
- wherein the imager is operative for detecting the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light to produce first and second signals and wherein the first and second signals are processed corresponding to 2D images of the first and second fields of view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.