Acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive coding

Abstract

A method of predicting the location of a region of interest within an image of a scannable object comprising providing a scanner having a processor and an image sensor; sensing in a viewing direction toward a scannable object, with an imaging plane being perpendicular to the viewing direction; capturing an image of the scannable object with the image sensor; sensing motion of the scanner within a motion sensor plane relative to the scannable object, the motion sensor plane being parallel to the imaging plane; outputting a velocity and a movement direction corresponding to the velocity; locating a region of interest in said captured image in response to the velocity and the movement direction; and scanning the captured image beginning with the region of interest.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to barcode scanners, and, more particularly, to portable barcode scanners imbedded in smartphone devices or portable data terminals.

BACKGROUND

Conventional barcode scanners decode a barcode when the barcode passes through the center of a field of view of the sensor. However, these conventional barcode scanners have limited acceleration-based motion tolerance, often failing to decode a barcode or other decodable indicia when the barcode rapidly passes through the center of the field of view of the sensor, particularly when the barcode scanner is a portable data terminal (PDT) or a smartphone device.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the invention, a method of predicting the location of a region of interest within an image of a scannable object comprises: providing a scanner having a processor and an image sensor; sensing in a viewing direction toward a scannable object, with an imaging plane being perpendicular to the viewing direction; capturing an image of the scannable object with the image sensor; sensing motion of the scanner within a motion sensor plane relative to the scannable object, the motion sensor plane being parallel to the imaging plane; outputting a velocity and a movement direction corresponding to the velocity; locating a region of interest in said captured image in response to the velocity and the movement direction; and scanning the captured image beginning with the region of interest.

In an embodiment, the step of locating the region of interest comprises: when no motion is detected, locating the region of interest in the center of the captured image; and when motion is detected, locating the region of interest in an offset direction from the center of the captured image and towards an edge of the captured image, with the offset direction being substantially parallel to the movement direction.

In another embodiment, the step of locating the region of interest comprises: when motion is detected, locating the region of interest at an offset distance measured from the center of the image, the offset distance being proportional to the velocity.

In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing a light source; configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction; configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; and activating the light source when motion is detected.

In another embodiment, the method comprises providing a light source; configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction; configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; and activating the light source when motion is detected.

In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: providing a light source; configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction; configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; and activating the light source when motion is detected.

In an embodiment, the method comprises defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object; defining an exposure time for the image sensor; and estimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

In another embodiment, the method comprises: defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object; defining an exposure time for the image sensor; and estimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

In another embodiment, the method comprises: defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object; defining an exposure time for the image sensor; and estimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

In an embodiment, the method comprises: setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor; and when motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time.

In another embodiment, the method comprises: setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor; and when motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time.

In an embodiment, the method comprises: setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor; and when motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time.

In an embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

In an embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

In an embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

In an embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.

In another embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.

In another embodiment, the step of sensing motion comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; and determining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to that accompanying Figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a scanner system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for predicting the location of a region of interest within an image;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view an image sensor and a scannable object;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a location of the region of interest when no motion is detected by the system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of FIG. 4, when a first velocity is detected;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of FIG. 4, when a second velocity is detected; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of FIG. 4, when a third velocity is detected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive coding method 10 will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7. As will hereinafter be more fully described, the acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive coding method 10 allows a user to operate a scanner more quickly and efficiently to scan codes.

The following disclosure provides a system and a method for predicting the location of a region of interest within an image of a scannable object. This acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive coding method and system are particularly useful for locating and scanning barcodes and other decodable indicia known to those of ordinary skill in the art, but the method and system are also useful for scanning other objects. For example, the invention could be applied to object location, facial recognition, and other applications of image processing.

In the exemplary embodiment, the scanner 12 has a housing 14 that supports electronic components, including a processor 16, a memory component 18, a power source 20, an image sensor 22, a light source 24, and a motion sensor 26. These electronic components are generally connected to each other as shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the memory component 18, power source 20, image sensor 22, light source 24, and motion sensor 26 are communicatively coupled to the processor 16, which controls each of the components.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive coding method 10 includes the steps of user activating the scanner 12 at 100, and a scannable object having a scannable feature, such as a barcode or other decodable indicia, is provided to the user at 110. The user moves or directs the scanner 12 towards the barcode at 120. The scanner 12 detects relative velocity and direction of the scanner 12 in relation to the scannable object at 130. Based on whether motion is detected, the processor 16 uses an algorithm to run different image code searching procedures. When no motion is detected, the method moves to block 140, where the processor 16 instructs the search for the code to begin at the center of the image. When motion is detected, the method moves to block 150, and the processor 16 instructs the search for the code to begin in a region of the image, with the location of the region corresponding to the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the scanner 12.

To predict the location of a barcode, the method 10 shifts decoding centering coordinates (or the region of interest) in a captured image in the direction of current movement of the scanner housing, and the extent to which the region of interest is shifted is proportional to the velocity. Thus, if a user is moving the scanner 12 quickly to the right, the method 10 includes directing the decoder to search the right edge of a captured image first. If the user is moving the scanner 12 slowly to the right, the decode searches the right half of the captured image first.

Then, while motion is detected, the processor 16 adjusts the lighting (flash LED), the gain, and the exposure settings. After both steps 140 and 160, the processor 16 continues sensing motion of the scanner 12. This allows a user to scan multiple scannable objects sequentially. For example, a user could move a scanner 12 towards a first object, scan the first code on the first object, then move the scanner 12 towards a second object, and scan the second code on the second object. The steps of the method are described in more detail below.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a user directs an image sensor 22 of a scanner 12 towards a scannable object 13. The user activates the image sensor 22 and moves the scanner 12 so that the so that the motion sensors 26 senses the movement and the image sensor 22 is facing in a viewing direction A located towards a scannable surface 11 on the scannable object 13. An imaging plane P is perpendicular to the viewing direction A. The image sensor 22 views a viewing area B that is bounded by edges C.

While the image sensor 22 of the scanner 12 is activated, the motion sensor 26 of the scanner 12 senses motion of the scanner 12 relative to the scannable object. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 22 has a velocity component VS, and the scannable object 13 has a velocity component VO. These velocity components are parallel to the imaging plane P. The scanner 12 can be configured to detect the relative velocity of the image sensor 22 in relation to the scannable object 13.

The scanner 12 can include a dedicated motion sensor 26 that is connected to the processor 16 and secured to the scanner housing 14. The motion sensor 26 is configured to detect motion of the scanner housing 14 within a motion sensor plane. The motion sensor plane is substantially parallel to the imaging plane P, and is substantially perpendicular to the viewing direction A.

The step of motion sensing produces motion data, which is captured by the motion sensor 26 and output to the processor 16. The motion data includes velocity and movement direction data, with the movement direction corresponding to the velocity.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, once the velocity and movement direction are known, a region of interest 30 is identified in an image 32 captured by the image sensor 22. The region of interest 30 is a region in which the processor 16 predicts the scannable code will be located, and thus the region of the image in which the processor 16 should begin running the decoding algorithm. The location of the region of interest 30 is defined in response to the velocity and movement direction data.

Once the region of interest 30 is defined, the process of scanning or decoding the captured image 32 (the image being shown in FIGS. 4-7 by its outer boundary) begins in the region of interest 30.

FIGS. 4-7 show the location of the region of interest 30 on an image for various movement conditions. The region of interest 30 is shown as a circular region in FIGS. 4-7 for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments, the region of interest 30 could be a quadrant, a half, or any other predetermined portion of the image. In further embodiments, the region of interest 30 could be a square, a triangle, a polygon, an oval, or another geometric shape.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when no motion is detected, the region of interest 30 is located in the center of the captured image 32. When motion is detected, the region of interest 30 is located in an offset direction from the center of the captured image and towards an edge of the captured image 32. The offset direction of the region of interest is substantially parallel or substantially analogous to the movement direction of the scanner 12. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, if the scanner 12 is being moved up and to the right, the region of interest 30 is offset to a portion of the image the corresponds to a portion of the viewing region that is up and to the right. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the region of interest 30 is shifted away from the center 36 of the image and toward an upper right corner 38 of the image, where this offset direction corresponds to a relative velocity V1 of the scanner housing relative to the scannable object.

The region of interest 30 can be offset to a generalized quadrant of the captured image 32. Alternatively, when motion is detected, the processor 16 can locate the region of interest 30 at an offset distance measured from the origin, with the offset distance being proportional to the velocity of the scanner 12. For example, the offset distance would be twice as great for a first velocity, than it would be for a second velocity that is half as great as the first velocity. Beyond a threshold velocity, the offset distance would not increase, with the threshold velocity corresponding to a velocity that causes the offset distance to locate the region of interest 30 at the edge of the captured image 32.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an offset of the region of interest 30 for a velocity V2 in FIG. 6 and a velocity V3 in FIG. 7. Both velocities V2, V3 are substantially to the right, with V3 having a greater magnitude than V2. Because V3 corresponds to a greater velocity of the scanner housing relative to the scannable object, the method offsets the region of interest 30 further to the right than it does in response to velocity V2. FIG. 6 shows the region of interest 30 offset to the right. FIG. 7 shows the region of interest offset to the right further, so that it is adjacent the right edge 40 of the image.

A light source 24 is communicatively connected to the processor 16 and secured to the housing 14. The light source 24 is configured to direct light in and along the viewing direction A. The light source 24 can be selectively switched between a deactivated state and an activated state. In the activated state, the light source 24 provides light. In the deactivated state, the light source 24 does not provide light. In an embodiment, the light source 24 can have one or more intermediate states, in which the light source 24 provides one or more respective intermediate levels of light. The light source 24 is activated when motion is detected by the motion sensor 26. In an embodiment, the light source 24 is a light emitting diode (LED). In another embodiment, the light source 24 is any common light generating device known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In an embodiment, the velocity of the scanner 12 relative to the scannable object can be calculated or estimated by defining an imaging distance value that corresponds to the distance between the image sensor 22 and the scannable object 13, defining an exposure time for the image sensor 22, and detecting blur in a captured image 32. The image sensor 22 captures at least one image 32 of the scannable object. The processor 16 runs an image processing algorithm that measures a blurred area of the scannable object in the captured image 32. An increased blurred area for a given imaging distance and a given exposure time corresponds to an increased velocity of the scanner 12 relative to the scannable object.

A gain and exposure time of the image sensor 22 are set at appropriate levels based on the velocity detected. If the magnitude of the velocity is great, then the gain is increased and the exposure time is decreased, relative to a zero velocity value.

To increase the likelihood of a successful decode, the method 10 optionally includes the steps of adjusting levels of gain, exposure, and illumination that are applied to the scanning system. For example, if a high degree of motion is detected, a high degree of illumination, a high degree of gain and a low exposure time can be applied to the system. In an embodiment, these settings are applied linearly proportional to the amount of motion detected. In another embodiment, these settings are weighted in either direction, where the system could be configured to be more (or less) aggressive than a linear function would dictate. This exponential approach can be useful to ramp up motion tolerance quickly on even the slightest indication of motion.

Motion can be detected in various ways by the motion sensor 26. In an embodiment, the motion sensor 26 is an accelerometer secured to the scanner housing. A barcode decoding software, such as SwiftMobile, which runs on smart phones and PDTs, employs built in accelerometers which can be used by the decoder or software development kit (SDK). In hand held scanners, there are multiple options, such as adding an accelerometer or another motion sensor to the device.

Other options for hand held scanners are to examine images for evidence of motion. The scanner 12 can detect objects within the captured image 32 and track their movement across multiple images. Based on this information, movement direction and acceleration can be determined for the object. For example, in an embodiment the image sensor 22 captures at least two images of the scannable object, and the images are captured at different times so that there is a time interval that elapses between the times at which the two images are captured. The position of the scannable object is compared between the two images. The velocity can be calculated using both the distance traveled by the object between the two images and the time lapse between the two images.

Additionally, by using images, the processor 16 can run an algorithm that detects motion by inspecting blur in the captured image 32. By using the exposure time and assuming a distance from the camera, velocity can be estimated to perform the above described analysis.

In an embodiment, the above disclosed method 10 allows a scanner 12 to predict the location of a barcode within an image, so the scanner 12 can find and decode the barcode more quickly. Additionally, the scanner 12 can selectively detect motion and account for the motion when needed, thereby achieving high motion tolerance while conserving power consumption. Thus battery life can be extended for portable scanners 12, such as smartphones or other personal electronic devices.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the acceleration-based motion tolerance and predictive decoding method and system, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of predicting the location of a region of interest within an image of a scannable object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a scanner having a processor and an image sensor;sensing in a viewing direction toward a scannable object, with an imaging plane being perpendicular to the viewing direction;setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor;capturing an image of the scannable object with the image sensor;sensing motion of the scanner within a motion sensor plane relative to the scannable object, the motion sensor plane being parallel to the imaging plane, and when motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time;outputting a velocity and a movement direction corresponding to the velocity;locating a region of interest in said captured image in response to the velocity and the movement direction; andscanning the captured image beginning with the region of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of locating the region of interest further comprises: when no motion is detected, locating the region of interest in the center of the captured image; andwhen motion is detected, locating the region of interest in an offset direction from the center of the captured image and towards an edge of the captured image, with the offset direction being substantially parallel to the movement direction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of locating the region of interest further comprises: when motion is detected, locating the region of interest at an offset distance measured from the center of the image, the offset distance being proportional to the velocity.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing a light source;configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction;configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; andactivating the light source when motion is detected.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: providing a light source;configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction;configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; andactivating the light source when motion is detected.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of: providing a light source;configuring the light source to direct light in the viewing direction;configuring the light source to be selectively in one of: a deactivated state, and an activated state; andactivating the light source when motion is detected.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object;defining an exposure time for the image sensor; andestimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object;defining an exposure time for the image sensor; andestimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of: defining an imaging distance corresponding to the distance between the image sensor and the scannable object;defining an exposure time for the image sensor; andestimating the velocity based on the exposure time and the imaging distance.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor; andwhen motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of: setting a gain and an exposure time for the image sensor; andwhen motion is detected, either increasing the gain or lowering the exposure time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least two images of the scannable object, the at least two images being separated by a time interval; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a distance traveled by the scannable object between the at least two images.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing motion further comprises: capturing at least an image of the scannable object; anddetermining movement direction and velocity by measuring a blurred area of a scannable object in an image.