GB2408613A

GB2408613A - Imaging and communication device

Info

Publication number: GB2408613A
Application number: GB0327491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yona Newman; Shmuel Barman; Jacob Gabay; Ehud Katina; Gad Noor; Hanan Rozen
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2003-11-26
Filing date: 2003-11-26
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-26
Also published as: GB2408613B; GB0327491D0

Abstract

A hand held imaging and communication device has a case 202 shaped to be gripped by the hand of a user, and, housed by the case, an imaging device for receiving and recording an optical image of a target and a RF transmitter, for transmitting to a remote receiver a RF signal including information obtained as an output from the imaging device. The case 202 has a single elongate body having an axis of symmetry and the imaging device is arranged to have a field of view at an end of the case substantially centred on the axis of symmetry.

Description

24086 1 3 TITLE: IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging and communication device. The device may be employed for recording in electronic form an optical image of an object and for communicating information relating to the recorded image by radio. The object may be a bar code carried on an article to be identified.

Background of the Invention

Information carried on articles as bar codes to identify the articles is read by bar code readers or scanners. Such devices are well known and fall into various categories and types from very simple wand scanners, through gun-type scanners, to full-featured terminals with display screen, keyboards and wireless communications.

Businesses such as courier companies and postal authorities which handle a large quantity of packages or mail items which carry bar codes, often have the requirement to read bar codes rapidly without any additional operator activities such as data entry or reading a display. This type of activity is often termed "mass scanning". Bar code readers for this type of activity need to be small, as light as possible, requiring the minimum operator action, and easy to hold and operate.

Currently available bar code readers are not optimised for mass scanning type activity and this can e:: ::: ese ces ::e :. Bee s4e 2 CM06452EVDIM lead to sub-optimum ergonomics, operator fatigue, or unnecessarily complex equipment.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand held imaging and communication device including a case shaped to be gripped by the hand of a user, and, housed by the case,(i) an imaging device for receiving and recording in electronic form an optical image of a target and, (ii) coupled to the imaging device, a RF transmitter, for transmitting to a remote receiver a RF signal including information obtained as an output from the imaging device, wherein the case comprises a single elongate body having an axis of symmetry and the imaging device is arranged to have a field of view at an end of the case substantially centred on the axis of symmetry.

The case may have a surface having one or more formations adapted to facilitate hand gripping and reduce slippage by a user. The formation(s) may include ribs formed in the surface profile of the case.

Alternatively, the formation may include a region of enlarged crosssectional area. The case may conveniently be formed as a moulding of rubber or plastics material.

The device may include a processor, preferably a single microprocessor, which provides at least the following functions: (i) processing information provided as an output by the imaging device; and c :: : : . ... ... . . 3 CM06452ELDIM (ii) encoding data in a form for transmission by the transmitter.

By combining these functions in a processor, the overall space consumed by the components of the device may be suitably minimised and beneficially the possibility of housing all of the components of the device in a single compartment, compact hand-held case having a suitable shape for extensive repetitive use can be realised.

The processing of information provided as an output of the imaging device may comprise decoding the information to provide an identity number obtained from an image of a bar code. Alternatively, the processing may comprise compression of image information into a form suitable for wireless communication. An image of text may be processed into a data format such as ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) by using software for OCR (optical character recognition).

The imaging device may comprise a device which takes a two dimensional picture including an object to be imaged, e.g. a semiconductor imaging device such as a device of the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) kind.

The device may include a receiver to receive radio communications from a separate transmitter, e.g. at a terminal to which the devices communicates information by its transmitter.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of recording and communicating information representing an optical image of an article which includes using the device according to the first aspect. The image may include a bar code ce cee a . :e e:. c:.

4 CM06452EUDJM carried on the imaged article. The communication may be received in the form of a radio signal and optionally further processed by a receiver separate from the device according to the first aspect.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief Description of the accompanying drawings

FIG. 1 is schematic layout diagram of an imaging and communication unit embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a physical implementation of the unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view partly cut away of the unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic system diagram of a single user system employing a unit as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic system diagram of a multiple user system employing a plurality of units as shown in FIG. 1.

Description of embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram illustrating arrangement of functional units in an imaging and communication unit 100 embodying the invention. The unit 100 includes a CMOS imaging engine 102 which takes a two dimensional picture of a bar code on an article.

An optical image of the bar code is formed by manually pointing the imager unit 100 at the article (not shown) and focusing light from the article by a lens 101 onto . ..

ë ce:: ..

. . a C CM06452EUDIM the imaging engine 102. The imaging engine 102 is chosen for use instead of a more conventional laser scan engine because the imaging engine 102 is easily upgradeable, by means of software algorithms, to detect different bar-code types such as linear 2-D and full 2-D arrays, and to still picture capture, such as of damaged packages or customer signatures or text using OCR.

An output from the imaging engine 102 is passed to a processor 103 in a communication unit 104. The imaged bar code may be decoded locally by the processor 103 to the number represented by the bar code symbol, or to a string of data represented by a 2-D symbol.

Alternatively, the unprocessed image, in the form of a monochromatic VGA (video graphics adapter) resolution bit map image (e.g. 640 X 480 pixels resolution) or SXGA (Super extended Graphics Array) resolution (e.g. 1280 by 1024 pixels, also termed '1.3 Mega pixels', may be compressed by the processor 103 into a standard image format, such as GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) or JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image file format.

The data, whether as an image file, or as a bar code number or data string, decoded by the processor 103 is then transmitted by a low power Bluetooth (TM) ('BT') radio transmitter 105 also within the communication unit 104 to a receiving terminal (not shown in FIG. 1) via an antenna 106.

Power for the operational units of the imager unit 100, including the imaging engine 102 and the communication unit 104, is obtained from a power . e ce.

e e 6 CM06452EUDJM control unit 107 energised by rechargeable batteries 108.

The processor 103 and the radio transmitter 105 (which may comprise a radio transceiver) preferably comprise a single microprocessor chip. If this chip has sufficient unused processor capacity and memory it may, via a connection 109, serve as a control processor for user interface devices such a buzzer 110, a tri-colour LED lll(semiconductor light emitting device) and scan key switch 112; otherwise an extra processor such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or micro-controller can be employed in the unit 100.

The buzzer 110 is used to signal to the user that successful capture and decode of a bar code symbol has taken place. It can also be used to signal a successful wireless data transfer. The frequency, duration and volume (loudness) of the buzzer tones are programmable by software, either locally in the imager unit 100 or from a host via the wireless BT (BluetoothT) connectivity. The communication unit 104 may thus include a receiver (not shown) parts of which may be combined with the transmitter 105, and the processor 103, or a separate processor, may be employed in the unit 100 to process received information.

The tri-colour LED 111 is used for visual operator indicator signals. A range of different colour and steady or blinking states can be used to provide information in many different functional modes. For example, a green coloured light for a short duration, e.g. 0.6 seconds, can signal successful decoding, a steady amber coloured light can signal idle mode with the imager unit 100 not being in wireless communication ee. ese a: : : : : : :e. cc- ec. . - CM06452EVDJM with a host, and a red coloured light for 0.6 seconds can indicate a communications failure. Such a tri colour LED is a known device. It may use two LEDs in one package, wherein one emits red light and one green light. Separate supply pins enable either of these LED to be switched on by itself, to give red or green light, or both to be switched on together to give amber light. In a preferred embodiment, two LEDs are used with a moulded light pipe made of polymeric material transferring the light to a moulded ring, e.g. formed integrally with the light pipe.

The scan key switch 112 may be operated by a key or button by the user. The switch 112 is used to initiate the bar code decode process. In a preferred embodiment the same switch 112 may be used to provide various other functions.

For example, firstly, the unit 100 can be set to a "trigger-less" mode wherein the unit 100 continuously reads bar codes and transmits the information obtained from them to a host terminal via the BT wireless connection provided by the transmitter 105 and antenna 106. Secondly, in a "trigger" mode the unit 100 can start a bar code read only when the scan key switch 112 is closed. The operator can toggle between these two modes of operation by holding the scan key switch 112 closed for more than a given time, e.g. three seconds.

Thirdly, an "image transfer" mode may be actuated by closing the scan key switch 112 twice in succession in less than a given time, e.g. two seconds. The imager engine 102 then acquires a still picture or image in VGA or SXGA resolution and transfers it wirelessly to the host. In one embodiment of the invention, the image - : e: ce. : .: :.. e. c:. .:. .. 8 CM06452ELDIM is sent as a simple bit map (BMP) file, but of course, if the processor 103 has sufficient spare capacity, it could be sent as a compressed file.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view and FIG. 3 is a cut away side perspective view in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2 of a physical implementation 200 of the imager unit 100. Reference numerals of FIG. 1 which are shown also in FIGs. 2 and 3 indicate the same functional components. The implementation 200 includes a case 202 which has a shape similar to that of a hand held torch. The case 202 has a lengthwise axis 220.

The case 202 is a rubber or plastics moulding having ribs 203 which facilitate gripping by a user. The case 102 has an elliptical lateral cross-sectional shape near its front end where the lens 101 is housed and a more flattened shape at its rear end. The switch 112 seen in FIG. 2 comprises an elongate button on the case 102. Light from the LED 111 (FIG. 1) has an output in the form of a ring 113 illuminated via a light pipe (as described earlier) and fitted in a surface of the case 202 near its front end as shown in FIGs. 2 and 3. The front end of the case 202 includes a recess in which the lens 101 and imager engine 102 are housed, whereby the front end is further forward than the lens 101 to provide mechanical protection to the lens 101 and imager engine 102. This protection is enhanced by studs 118 provided at the front of the case 202. A housing 117 which contains the lens 101 and imager engine 102 is seen in FIG. 2.

The antenna 106 is shown in the form of an internal stripline housed at the rear end. However, in practice, the antenna 106 may be any of the known alternative ce de: ::: ::: ::e Be- ë:: -: 9 CM06452ELDJM antenna types which are suitable for the frequency of wireless transmission, such as a printed antenna or a loop antenna or a dipole antenna and the antenna 106 may be housed near either end of the imaging and communication device. The ring 113 is located behind the lens 101 at the front end. The images engine 102 is behind the lens 101 and inside the ring 113. The communication unit 104 (including the processor 103 and transmitter 105) is formed on a PCB (printed circuit board) 201 (on its underside when the implementation is viewed as in FIG. 2) extending along the space enclosed by the case 202. The batteries 108 are provided as a flat pack extending parallel to the PCB 201. The power control unit 107 and switch 112 are provided in spaces on the underside of the PCB 201. The buzzer 110 is located near the rear of the implementation 200 and includes a mechanical amplifier 204 to amplify sounds emitted by the buzzer 110.

In use of the implementation 200 of the unit 100 shown in FIG. 2, the case 202 is gripped around its body by the hand of a user, with a finger or the thumb available to operate the scan switch 112. The placement of the antenna 106 within the space inside the case 202 near one of the ends ensures that the user's hand does not interfere with the transmitted RF signals, and also is optimal for reception by a separate BT receiving unit or access point, which can be mounted in a region above the operator, or in the ceiling of a working area in which the unit 100 is being used or on a working surface near to the operator.

be: a:. do. .e ë e:. e

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CM06452ELDIM A single user system arrangement for use of the unit 100 is shown in FIG. 3. The data produced by the unit 100 from reading a bar code is transferred from the unit 100 via a wireless link to a host PC (personal computer) 302. In a preferred embodiment the wireless connection is a BT connection. However, if the PC 302 does not have a built-in BT radio receiver, it may be fitted with a BT adaptor or "dangle" 303. Alternatively the unit 100 can transfer its data to a BT equipped mobile data terminal such as a Motorola "PowerPad (TM)" terminal 304, via a wireless link 305.

A multiple user system arrangement for use of the unit 100 is shown in FIG. 3. In such an arrangement, units 401, 402, 403 and 404 are all the same as the unit 100. Each of the units 401 to 404 transfers data Tirelessly to a host PC 405, optionally via a dangle 406 using a BT "Piconet" network. Such a network can handle up to seven imaging units with the PC 405 acting as the BT master and the units 401 eta acting as slave units.

Claims

i ce.e: : : : : . : . . . 1 1 CM06452EI/DIM Claims 1. A hand held

imaging and communication device including a case shaped to be gripped by the hand of a user, and, housed by the case,(i) an imaging device for receiving and recording in electronic form an optical image of a target and, (ii) coupled to the imaging device, a RF transmitter, for transmitting to a remote receiver a RF signal including information obtained as an output from the imaging device, wherein the case comprises a single elongate body having an axis of symmetry and the imaging device is arranged to have a

field of view at an end of the case substantially

centred on the axis of symmetry.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the case has a surface having one or more formations adapted to facilitate hand gripping and to reduce slippage by a user.
3. A device according to claim 2 including formations comprising ribs formed in the surface profile of the case.
4. A device according to claim 2 including a formation including a region of enlarged cross sectional area.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the case is formed as a moulding of rubber or plastics material.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, the device including a processor which provides at least the following functions: (i) processing information provided as an output by the imaging device; and :: ::: ses.e . ce::e 12 CM06452ELD3M (ii) encoding data in a form for transmission by the transmitter.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the processor comprises a single microprocessor chip.
8. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the processor is operable to decoding information provided as an output from the imaging device to provide an identity number obtained from an image of a bar code.
9. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the processor is operable to process information provided as an output by the imaging device to compress image information into a form suitable for wireless communication.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims and which includes a receiver to receive radio communications from a separate transmitter.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims and which is operable to capture an image including information in the form of printed or handwritten text and to convert the information into a standard data format using optical character recognition.
12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims and which includes a light indicator to provide operational indications to a user.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the light indicator includes an illumination ring provided in the case of the device.
14. A device according to claim 13 and which includes a light emitting device and a moulded light . .e c: .: : . : : : :e e. . .. . 13 CM06452ELD pipe extending from the light emitting device to the illumination ring.
15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the case has at its front end a recess in which at least part of the imager device is housed, the recess thereby providing mechanical protection to the imaging device.
16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the case has at its front end projections or studs providing mechanical protection to components housed in the within the case.
17. A method of recording and communicating information representing an optical image of an article including using the device according to any one of the preceding claims.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the image includes a bar code carried on the imaged article.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein a communication of the information from the device is received in the form of a radio signal and optionally further processed by a receiver separate from the device.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the receiver receives radio communications of information from a plurality of devices according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
21. A device according to claim 1 and substantially as described herein with reference to FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
22. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20 and substantially as described herein with reference to FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.